Nail fungi or onychomycosis (medical name) is a disease that occurs with damage to the nail plate with a fungus infection.Onichomycosis suffers from 5 to 15 % of people.The risk of its development increases with age, though fungi are often detected in infants.Everyone 10 years of life, the incidence increases 2.5 times.If in children it is 3 %, then the elderly already have 50 - 60 %.
The pathogens of the disease
Onichomycosis is caused by microorganisms from the fungal kingdom.The world of mushrooms is varied, and not everyone is as pleasant as champignons, chanterelles or fungi, which we are used to seeing on our table.There are microscopic parasitic species that feed on the tissues of plants, animals, humans.
The causal agents of onycomycosis consume keratin protein, which is part of the nail plate, hair, upper layer of skin (keratinized).About 50 representatives of parasitic fungi that can cause a well -known disease.
They are divided into three groups:
- Dermatophytes.They make up 80 % of cases of onycomycosis.They are distinguished by high survival and vibrancy.In nature are found on Earth;
- Yeast -like mushrooms.Among them is known to women Candida albicans (Candida genus microorganisms), causing thrush or vaginal candidiasis.The fungus similar to the explosion 5 times more often affect the nails in the hands than the legs.Toxic and exacerbate the work of the whole organism;
- Casting.Onikomycosis, caused by molds, is rare.But it is more dangerous, progressing quickly, can completely destroy the nail plate, go to neighboring fabrics.
Onychomycosis affects the nails of the arms and legs, but on the feet, nail fungus occurs much more often.This is due to the fact that the hands are given much more attention, more often washed during the day, treat with antiseptic agents.They are always open, well ventilated with the exception of winter, when we wear gloves.And the legs are constantly closed by street shoes, household slippers, tights, socks, sweat more.These factors create ideal conditions for the development of fungi in the legs because heat and humidity are its best "friends".
The causative agent of onycomycosis penetrates the nail from different directions.The most common way is from above, from the free edge of the nail plate.It is also possible to present on the side of the lateral rolls or from below the cuticle and the nail growth area.
The most dangerous onycomycosis is near the cuticle.In this case, the fungus slows down or stop the separation of onychoblasts - the seedling area cells under the lower nail roller.The nail stops to grow in length, the infected areas may not heal.A pathological change in structure occurs, the destruction of the nail occurs.
The mushrooms rarely enter the nail plate immediately.At first, their spores fall on the skin around the nail nails or interdigital through microcirculation, cuttings, erosions, scuffs, corn.Then begins the growth of the colony, the pathogen moves to the nail plate, penetrates it and is taken to parasitize.
Why does onycomycosis appear?
The fungus lives in warm and humid places, and wherever such conditions are, it is easy to infect them.For example, if you go barefoot in public baths, swimming pools, shower or gym segments, then the chances of infection are high.
The development of onycomycosis is facilitated by several diseases:
- Diabetes.In patients with diabetes, fungi occur 3 times more often.Excessive blood glucose creates favorable conditions for life for fungi.In the absence of sugar control and keeping it within the norm, blood vessels suffer.The more experience in the disease, the more blood supply to the foot (diabetic foot syndrome) is more damaged.Wounds heal worse, infection is easier;
- Poor blood flow to lower extremities caused by varicose veins, atherosclerosis (lumen narrowing, artery blockage), thrombophlebitis (formation of blood clots in the vein lumen);
- Weakening of immunity, immune conditions (HIV), damage to the organs of the immune system.Reduce the body's resistance to any infection;
- Psoriasis.90 % of people suffering from psoriasis have changes in nail plate.Foundations are formed in it, clouding is present, holidays appear, breakdown of nail plate.These factors 1.5 - 2 times increase the chances of infection with a fungus;
- Hyperhydrosis or increased sweating of the feet often causes onycomycosis in men;
- The presence of a focus of a fungus infection in other parts of the body.
The risk group includes older people.
The cause of onycomycosis is often associated with professional characteristics and wrong foot care:
- Poor care of the legs and nails, the lack of daily hygiene procedures due to the neglect of personal hygiene rules or difficulties with their application (in patients in bed or patients with limited mobility);
- Work in wet, raw rooms (greenhouses, greenhouses, vegetable shops), frequent wearing of rubber gloves or rubber shoes;
- professional sports;
- Wearing unpleasant, compressed, tight shoes or shoes made of artificial materials (leather), creating a "greenhouse effect" that prevents normal air exchange.
Factors available for the development of onycomycosis include damage to the nails or tissues that surround it, taking antibacterial or hormonal medications.
Women have a common cause of gel manicure coated with fungi.It creates a closed space between the nail plate and the coating in which a fungal infection successfully develops.It is not recommended to apply foot gel tiles, it is best to use ordinary decorative spray.Also in women, onychomycosis appears after an unsuccessful manicure or pedicure in the salons, where no high quality tools disinfection is performed, sterility is not observed.
Signs of onycomycosis
Most often, fungi infect your toe.
The following changes to the nail plate are shown for fungal damage:
- Dullness, cheekbones, loss of tenderness and brightness;
- itching, redness, peel of the surrounding skin;
- Relaxing, fragile, loose;
- unpleasant odor;
- violation of structure, obesity;
If you find at least one of the signs listed, you should consult a doctor immediately, treating the nail fungus.It can be a premium, dermatologist or mycologist.
A mandatory inspection of a university for verification for onychomycosis is required after damage to the nail or skin around it.If there are available factors (varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, weakened immunity, increased sweating, etc.), it is recommended to have a medical pedicure once a month, in which the doctor will carefully examine the nails and skin of the legs, detect changes in the early stages.
Is the fungus dangerous on the nails?
Onychomycosis is a disease that is more likely to cause psychological discomfort than physical illness.To find out what it is about, just look at the mushrooms of the photos on the internet.It is characterized by a slow course, does not cause pain, fever and other symptoms that seek to seek a doctor.
People are not rushing to treat nail fungus.After all, when the damage area is small, you can paint it with spray, wear socks or closed shoes with strangers.And the problem of psychological embarrassment is temporarily solved.But, unfortunately, everything is not that simple.If you do not destroy the fungal infection, it will not disappear nowhere, but will hit the nail further.And onycomycosis is contrast.An infected person is a risk to members of his family and others.
How to prevent infection?
The best medicine for nail fungus is prevention.
To protect yourself from infection, you need:
- Use medical disinfectants with GOST inscription (they are able to kill onycomycosis, tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV);
- Monitor the condition of the legs and nails, the main rule - the legs should be clean and dry;
- To take care of shoes, disinfection regularly, drying, it is appropriate to use electric dryer for drying;
- Treat your feet with drying or antiperspirant products if the feet sweat tightly;
- In the pool, sauna, gym closets do not walk barefoot, but wear rubber slippers with a closed foot;
- Wear comfortable shoes made of natural breath materials;
- Do not use a towel, shoes or manicure accessories of strangers.
These tips will help you warn onychomycosis, keep your nails healthy and good good.They are effective not only for the prevention of fungi but also of other problems: a clumsy nail, corn, corn.
Characteristics of onycomycosis treatment
TV advertising promises to cure nails easily and quickly using antifungal creams (fungi), solution, varnish.We have been promised that "different medicines penetrate deep into the nail structure, effectively destroy the fungus, for use 2 - 3 they turn the previous appearance into the nails."But why then such an independent treatment of fungi in the foot gives good results to a maximum of 10 % of cases?Because these medicines are effective only in the early stages of the fungus, when the symptoms are not yet visible and almost not visible.
Manufacturers are often cunning that medicines are produced using the latest technologies and have good active substances in the composition. Most medicines are just very good -admired and are very expensive, while they do not have the substances needed for treatment. You will not buy specialized medicines in common pharmacies, as production is very expensive.
Aggry drugs are the basis for the treatment of onycomycosis.Without them, no matter how much we would like to overcome the infection.But they must be used correctly and intentionally.A cure for nail fungus should be applied to a predetermined and prepared nail in order to have the right healing effect.
The first thing to do if onycomycosis is suspected is to consult a doctor who will confirm or reject the diagnosis.If necessary, describe an additional examination and treatment.Choosing a product from nail fungus based on internet ratings, friends or TV ads will lead to a waste of time and money that will spend on unnecessary drugs.The same results will be obtained when trying to treat onycomycosis by popular methods.Vinegar, garlic, onions, medicinal herb are unable to destroy the pathogen.
An important point in the treatment of onycomycosis is the disinfection of shoes and clothing, which has contacted an infected area.If it is not fulfilled, then you can become infected again by your things.The coating should be washed at high temperature (above 60 ° C), ironed, treating shoes with special disinfectants.
What medicines and methods are effective?
In the early stages, treatment of onycomycosis is easier and faster than in advanced cases.How to treat nail fungus?
To combat the pathogen, use:
- Medical pedicure of hardware equipment.Allows you to cleanse the nail areas affected by blood -free onycomycosis and pain, prepare them for the use of antifungal agents;
- Keratolytics.These are local medicines against nail fungus, which are applied to the affected nail with the intention of removing it without pain.They are loosened, softened and scattered the nail plate, and then easily removed with pedicure tools.Keratolytics facilitates the treatment of onycomycosis, removes the infected area and stimulates the growth of a new healthy nail plate;
- Fungal agents.The action of these medicines is aimed at destroying fungi.For onycomycosis, they are used locally in the form of varnishes, solutions, ointments, creams and inside the form of tablets.With internal use, the active substances of tablets from the nail fungus accumulate on the skin and nail plate.The activity of the fungal enzymes is suppressed, the permeability of cell membranes is disturbed, and the pathogen is death.
Treatment methods for onychomycosis are chosen based on the severity of the symptoms and area of the lesion area.In the initial stages of the disease, there is plenty of hardware treatment and external fungal agents.In severe forms of damage, when the entire nail is infected with a fungus, it will require taking tablets, removing the nail plate.The treatment of an advanced form of onycomycosis lasts from 3 months to 1 year and depends on the rate of nail growth.
Local fungal drugs are safe for health, but not always effective.Therefore, the tablets adversely affect the liver, throughout their administration, laboratory control of the body condition is required.
We cure onychomycosis, and that's the main thing!
The sooner you consult a doctor, the sooner you can treat it.
Do not be afraid and ashamed.This problem is very common, millions of people around the world have it.
In treating nail fungus in a professional medical center, you get:
- Joint observation of a rejection and the mycologist (a physician who is engaged in fungal disease);
- 100 % sterility when performing all procedures;
- the possibility of a material fence (skin and nail plate fragment) to identify the type of fungus;
- Rapid result (on average 3 - 4 procedures are required);
- • Free disinfection of a pair of shoes in which you have come, the possibility of disinfecting all the shoes you went during the onycomycosis period;
- Base recommendations and shoes that will help prevent infection.
The most important thing is to competently choose a specialist and return to the right time for help only then your nails will be healthy and beautiful!