Onychomycosis, or nail fungus, is contagious
a fungal disease that affects the fingernails and toenails and is easily transmitted to others.Mainly, the causative agents are fungi of the genus Trichophyton, Epidermophyton or Microsporum.For growth and reproduction, fungal colonies use the protein keratin, which is one of the components of nails, hair and the top layer of the skin (epidermis).
Onychomycosis is easily transmitted both through direct contact with an infected person or animal, and through other transmission factors, for example, through contact with the patient's personal belongings or any object that has somehow interacted with the carrier of the infection.It occurs more often in older people or adults with weakened immune systems.
Although nail fungus itself is not life-threatening, it "excites" a person's immune system, the body becomes more vulnerable to other diseases, and in the absence of adequate treatment can provoke irreparable complications, so the treatment of nail fungus should be taken very seriously.
Causes of nail fungus
A warm and constantly moist environment is optimal conditions for fungal colonies.The risk of infection increases in countries where the sanitary and epidemiological regime is not respected.You can "catch" onychomycosis in public places or through common objects.
Fungi are natural inhabitants of the skin and mucous membranes;the immune system constantly encounters them and in a healthy state can easily cope with them.But some factors cause a decrease in the body's defenses, thus activating the invasion of fungi.Among them:
- suffered from serious illnesses;
- blood circulation problems (for example, due to tight shoes);
- constant exposure to a warm and humid environment (for example, with hyperhidrosis or wet shoes);
- hormonal imbalances;
- venous thrombosis, systemic vascular diseases;
- nail injuries;
- taking antibacterial drugs;
- stress etc.
Patients with systemic diseases are particularly susceptible to mycosis: diabetes, psoriasis and immunodeficiency conditions.
The possibility of developing onychomycosis is much higher in people who suffer from skin fungus.Mycosis of the skin is accompanied by severe itching, and persistent itching causes nail infection and the spread of infection.
Types of nail fungus
Onychomycosis refers to superficial mycoses - fungal invasions affecting the skin and mucous membranes.If the immune system is significantly weakened, deep mycoses can develop - fungal infections of the internal organs.
There are many types of nail fungus, but they all fall into one of three categories:
- Normotrophic onychomycosis - the nail may change color, be covered with light spots or stripes, but the shape and structure of the nail plate does not change.
- Hypertrophic - the nail turns yellow, thickens, deforms, the shine of the nail is lost and it begins to collapse on the sides.
- Onycholytic (atrophic) - affected nails become thin, brittle and gradually peel off from the nail bed.
Signs of fungal damage to the nail plate
There are a large number of types of fungi, so the symptoms of the disease can appear in different ways:
- light spots or streaks appear;
- the color of the nail becomes earthy gray, yellow or light brown, the pink shade is bleached;
- the nail thickens, deforms, cracks and, in advanced cases, peels;
- pain in the area of the affected nail, especially when putting on shoes.
Nails affected by onychomycosis can cause an unpleasant odor and severe pain when walking.Advanced fungal infections can cause allergic reactions and create a favorable "platform" for the development of other infectious diseases.
Stages of development
The fungus can enter through the free (distal) edge of the nail, lateral folds on the sides or through damaged areas of the nail.First, the infection is fixed at the edges of the nail and as the colony grows, it spreads throughout the nail.Fungi are able to penetrate the epithelial tissue under the nail plate through microcracks and wounds in the nail.
Usually, the big toes are the first to suffer from fungus.The first manifestations of onychomycosis are the appearance of light spots on the nails.The color of the nail plate changes - the pink shade inherent in healthy nails disappears.The nail plate becomes earthy-gray, yellow or white and loses its transparency.The edge of the nail begins to crack and become thinner.
If the fixation of the fungus and the creation of the mycelium has occurred, the deformation of the nail gradually begins.Having penetrated the nail plate, mycosis slowly spreads to the hard shell of the nail, and then to the adjacent tissues.Air cavities appear and delamination begins.Some try to cut the entire affected area - this will not give the expected result, since the infection has already penetrated into the deeper layers.Sometimes disturbances occur in the process of nail tissue formation - nails will grow poorly and new areas will already look deformed.
Then, the nail begins to deteriorate, pain may appear and an unpleasant odor may be felt.The next stage of the infectious process is the transfer of the fungus to neighboring nails and adjacent areas of the skin.
The longer you ignore the fungal problem, the stronger it "takes root" in the body and the more difficult it is to cure it later.Therefore, if the color of the nail, its structure or shape has changed, you should immediately go to the dermatologist or mycologist.
Diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis
Onychomycosis will not go away on its own.Treatment of onychomycosis with "folk methods" or the use of antifungal drugs "accidentally", as a rule, is not effective.Even if this brings a short-term effect, then over time the untreated disease recurs.To get rid of onychomycosis, you need a systematic approach and the participation of a doctor.
To confirm the diagnosis, a nail scraping is usually prescribed - a microscopic examination for the presence of pathogenic fungi, then a culture is performed to determine the specific pathogen.Based on the test results, the doctor will be able to choose the optimal course of treatment.
The course of treatment for onychomycosis can last from 2 to 6 months, depending on the severity of the disease.The result will be visible later, after a few more months, when the nail recovers.
Antimycotic agents are preparations with local action (cream, spray, ointment, gel) and complex (injections, tablets).In addition to the use of medications, during the treatment of fungi it is necessary to disinfect shoes, gloves, floors and bathrooms, towels and sheets.
In extremely advanced cases, the nail is destroyed to such an extent that the only effective treatment is its removal.But surgery is directed only if other methods of treatment of onychomycosis have failed and there is a risk of further spread of the infection.
Prevention of nail fungus
The body does not form specific (targeted) immunity to fungi, therefore, even after successful treatment of onychomycosis, if hygiene rules are not respected, there is a risk of re-infection.
To avoid catching onychomycosis, it is important to:
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- do not use other people's personal belongings or clothing;
- wash your feet (or at least feet) every day in cold water and soap;
- so that socks or stockings are always clean and dry;if you are prone to excessive sweating, treat your feet with special preparations;
- don't let your nails grow, but also don't cut them too short to fit the pads of your toes;
- periodically disinfect the nails with an antiseptic;
- Clean regularly and avoid excess moisture and humidity.
In case of nail injuries, it is important to immediately treat the wound with antiseptics and consult a doctor for the rapid treatment of the wound, as it can serve as a "gateway" for a fungal infection.