Fungal nail infections are about half of all nail diseases and are quite common in modern society.
In most cases, onychomycosis affects the plates of the toenails, so that the disease is not noticeable immediately, but at the stage of pronounced symptoms.It is an infectious disease that can be manifested not only with a cosmetic defect, but also through disorder from the immune system and even with the digestive tract.The nail fungus cannot be underestimated, its treatment should be in a timely manner under the control of an experienced doctor.
Causes of a fungal infection
The cause of nail infection are usually three types of mushrooms: dermatophytes, mushrooms and shapes similar to yeast.Most often in moderate climate, onychomycosis is caused by the fungal microorganisms of the trichophyte rubler (trichophyte red) - is 70% of cases of fungi and trichophytone mentgophitis (interdiary trichophyton) - 20% of the diagnosis.
You can get infected with onychomycosis in such common places as a swimming pool, sauna, bath, when you wear socks to other people and even at a pedicure session.
In addition, some people are predisposed to this disease due to various diseases.Such pathologies are distinguished by immunosuppressive conditions associated with HIV infection or chronic treatment with immunosuppressants after organ transplantation or some autoimmune diseases.
Despite the fact that untreated onychomycosis is an infectious disease, most patients do not recognize their changes in pathological nails, therefore, they usually turn to medical attention in advanced cases.By the way, ignoring the disease can lead to loss of nails and widespread infection of adjacent skin.
How the disease manifests itself
Most often, the infection develops on the first and/or fifth toe of the foot (if the changes affect all nails, it is usually a symptom of another disease, such as psoriasis).At first the changes affect the edge of the nail, it changes the natural color of the yellowish-brown.After the nail plate, it becomes fragile and fragile, changing its shape over time and thickens.
The most characteristic symptoms of fungal nail infection include:
- change in the color of the nail to yellow, brown, white or black;
- nail thickening and the development of its increased fragility;
- Deformation of the plate and its separation from the nails;
- unpleasant odor resulting from an infected nail;
- The formation of an inflammatory process around the nail.
In the late stage of the disease, the pronounced pain in the nail can develop and even difficult to walk.
Prevention and treatment of nail fungus
Onychomycosis should be treated as soon as possible as the infection tends to extend to other nails.In addition, the late stage disease leads to the destruction of the entire news plate, which will later have to be eliminated.
Before prescribing treatment, the doctor will surely prescribe a laboratory analysis that will determine the type of fungi, the degree of damage and choose the most effective treatment.The analysis involves capturing the material from the affected nails and its studies under the microscope.
How is the treatment of onychomycosis going?The method and duration of infection therapy depends on many factors, including the severity of nail lesions, the type of pathogen and related pathologies.
Treatment of fungal nail infection usually begins with the use of local medicines in the form of varnishes, lotions or creams that do well with the disease in the early stages.If the changes affect more than one plate, occur for a long time, local medicines are supplemented by antifungal oral drugs.The doctor may prescribe medicines based on itraconazole or fluconazole.
In the event that when onychomycosis is resistant, it is not undergoing medication or constantly recurrent treatment, the doctor recommends removing the infected nail tile, thus eliminating the source of the infection.
Please note that onychomycosis is an infectious disease that is prone to frequent relapses, so you should adhere to important preventive rules:
- Do not walk barefoot in the pool, gyms;
- Perform a pedicure in salons with high quality equipment disinfection;
- Observe the cleanliness of the shoes;
- Wash your feet regularly;
- Answer the early symptoms, for example, a change in nail color.
Warning!The source of re -infection of the fungal infection is shoes, so it is recommended that you throw it or disinfect it with special means that the doctor will talk about.