The fungus damages both the part and the whole nail, including the nail plate, the bed and the root of the nail. The infection develops slowly, causing the nail to change color, thicken and bend. Accompanying signs may be skin lesions on the fingers, peeling, itching and redness. Over time, the nails become so deformed that they interfere, for example, with the wearing of ordinary shoes.
The fungus most often affects the toenails. The medical name is onychomycosis. It occurs mainly in the elderly and rarely in children. In most cases, nail fungus develops under the influence of the dermatophyte fungus, which also affects the skin. Sometimes the disease is caused by other types of fungi.
In mild cases, nail treatment may not be necessary. To determine the exact cause of the infection and to rule out other possible diseases, a dermatologist will analyze the cut nail. Nail fungus can be cured, but sometimes it takes several months. Antifungal drugs are available in the form of pills and nail polish. In the case of advanced nail fungus, they resort to surgical removal of the nail. There is also a method of laser treatment.
Signs and symptoms of nail fungus
The most common symptom of onychomycosis is discoloration and deformation of the nails. The nail can become white, black, yellow or green. As a rule, nail fungus does not initially cause much concern and in most cases has no complications. If the infection is not treated, pain may develop in the affected nail. Toenail fungus makes it difficult to walk and wear shoes, and if your toenails are affected, it can be difficult to write.
With the development of onychomycosis, other symptoms appear, for example, the nail may become brittle, loose or completely detached from the nail bed. If left untreated, the fungal infection can spread to the skin of the fingers and interdigital spaces. White or yellow spots may appear on the nail bed, and the skin around the nail may peel off. All these changes can be seen in the photo of nail fungus.
Causes of nail fungus
The most common cause of toenail damage is a fungal infection of the skin, such as toenail fungus. The fungus on the feet usually develops on the skin between the toes, leading to redness, flaking and itching. The fungus grows and multiplies rapidly in a warm, humid environment, so prolonged wearing of sneakers or sweating of the feet increases the chances of developing an infection. About a third of people with fungus on their feet develop nail rot.
Nail fungus can be caused by an infection caused by the yeast candida, which is also the culprit for diseases such as vaginal thrush or stomatitis. The probability of developing nail fungus is higher if at work a person has to wash his hands often or keep his hands in water for a long time. Moisture exfoliates the skin at the base of the nail, which facilitates the access of the fungus to the nail. The risk of developing candidal lesions of the nails is higher in some diseases, namely:
- diabetes mellitus or psoriasis;
- weakened immunity, for example with HIV;
- poor general health.
Other factors that may increase the risk of developing nail fungus include:
- wearing fake nails;
- nail damage;
- constant biting of nails;
- living in a warm, humid climate;
- smoking.
With age, the likelihood of developing nail fungus increases. Sometimes the fungus appears for no apparent reason.
Nail fungus treatment
In mild cases, no treatment may be required. However, if left untreated, the infection can spread to other nails and the skin of your toes and hands. To get rid of nail fungus as soon as possible, it is important to follow simple rules: give up shoes with sweaty feet, trim your nails and carefully monitor foot hygiene.
With the use of medication, a new healthy nail will begin to grow at the base of the nail bed, indicating that the treatment is helping. The old affected nail will grow gradually and can be trimmed within a few months. If after 2-3 weeks of treatment the new nail does not start to grow, you should consult a doctor. It is impossible to stop the use of prescribed medications without consulting a doctor, as this can lead to a return of the infection.
Tips for foot care for toenail fungus
Here are some tips on how to keep the infection going during and after treatment.
- keep your feet dry and cool, socks and shoes should allow your feet to "breathe";
- wear clean cotton socks and try to wear sneakers as little as possible;
- start treatment of fungus on the feet at the first signs of damage to prevent the spread of infection on the nails;
- trim your nails properly;
- remove the affected areas of the nail with separate scissors to avoid the spread of infection;
- wear appropriate size shoes with low heels and wide toes;
- putting on clean slippers in a public shower;
- if walking is difficult due to thickened toenails, consult a dermatologist;
- it is advisable to get rid of old shoes, which can be contaminated with fungal spores.
Medicines for nail fungus
When an antifungal tablet is taken, the medicine reaches the nail through the bloodstream. Terbinafine and itraconazole, which are very effective drugs, are most often prescribed for nail fungus. However, it takes several months of therapy to completely get rid of the infection. If treatment is not completed, the infection may return.
The advantage of the pills is that they will simultaneously help to eliminate any related fungal infections, such as foot fungus. Possible side effects of antifungal pills:
- headache;
- itching;
- loss of taste;
- nausea;
- diarrhea.
Topical remedies for nail fungus
Antifungal nail polish can be used instead of pills. It is not as effective as the pill, as the medicine is applied to the affected nail and must reach the site of infection through it. It is often not possible to cover the entire lesion. The treatment of the toenail can take about six months, the toenail - up to a year.
To remove the affected nail plates, you can use a paste containing 40% urea. This paste is sold over the counter without a prescription. In the evening, the paste is gently applied to the affected nails, which are then covered with a bandage overnight. In the morning the paste is washed, and in the evening the nail is applied according to the instructions and the procedure is repeated. In about two weeks, the nails affected by the fungus dissolve.
This is a painless procedure that allows you to remove the affected nail plate and get rid of the fungus. He avoids taking medication for several months and painful surgery. Once the nail plate has dissolved, antifungal nail polish should be applied to the nails twice a week so that the new nail is not infected.
Surgery and laser treatment of onychomycosis
In case of advanced nail fungus or severe pain, surgical removal of the nail may be recommended if other treatments have failed. After the operation, over time, a new nail will grow at the site of the removed nail, but this may take a year or more.
Another method of treating advanced nail fungus is laser treatment. The laser emits powerful light energy that kills the fungus. The results of studies show that this method of treatment is safe and effective, with some studies reaching 90% effectiveness after 3 months. However, there is little data on the long-term effectiveness of this method, as most studies have followed people for only 3 months. To achieve a lasting result, you must undergo treatment every 3 months for a maximum of one year. This procedure can be expensive.
The need for treatment and the choice of medication should consult a dermatologist. Once the infection is cleared, the nail may not return to its original appearance. In these cases, pieces of the nail are taken for analysis to determine if the infection has continued into the thickness of the nail despite treatment.