Fungal diseases can affect various tissues of the body, even internal organs. If the disease has affected the nail, it is called onychomycosis. Its appearance is caused by fungal microorganisms.
They are subdivided into different genera: candida, moldy fungi, dermatophytes. The parasites literally feed on the nail plate, which leads to its early destruction. Mycosis itself does not disappear. This is possible only with the most powerful work of the immune system and the first stage of the disease, when the symptoms are not visible. If signs of illness appear, you can be sure that they will not go anywhere without therapy.
Reasons for the appearance
Fungal microorganisms belong to the class of irritants. They are extremely stubborn. They quickly penetrate the tissues, adapt to different conditions. This is due to the complexity of the treatment of the disease. If you use the same medicine for a long time, the parasites may stop responding to it.
The only reason for the appearance of the disease is the penetration of fungi on the nail plate. However, there are factors that favor its early introduction inside and subsequent reproduction. Microorganisms are more likely to penetrate tissues if they have calluses. Even dry skin can lead to microcracks through which the fungus can easily penetrate. The microorganism "loves" humid conditions and therefore actively spreads among people who prefer tight shoes made of bad materials that do not allow air to pass through them.
Often toenail fungus occurs against the background of various pathologies:
- Endocrine diseases;
- Psoriasis;
- Varicose veins;
- Vascular diseases;
- HIV and AIDS;
- Problems with metabolic processes;
- Eczema;
- Dermatitis;
- Skin infectious processes.
Fungal microorganisms can penetrate the plate in the following ways:
- Contact with an infection carrier;
- Visiting public baths, saunas, showers;
- Dressing other people's shoes (for example at a party);
- Living with a person with mycosis;
- Shoe testing;
- Use of pedicure tools that are not disinfected;
- Visiting beauty salons.
Factors that provoke the appearance of mycosis are also:
- Lack of adequate personal hygiene;
- Preference for synthetic items;
- Wearing tight shoes that do not allow the skin to "breathe";
- Obesity;
- Frequent alcohol consumption;
- Adult age.
The disease will have more striking manifestations if a person has circulatory disorders in the legs. Also, a change in acid balance observed with antibiotics can lead to pathological processes.
Stages of the disease
The surface under the nails is very favorable for the growth of fungal microorganisms. It contains many nutrients that parasites feed on. Gradually, due to the influence of bacteria, the destruction of the nail plate occurs. Cavities begin to form in which the mycelium of the fungus multiplies. There are the following stages of the disease:
- Initially.Refers to the type of normotrophic damage. The main damage affects the center or edge of the plate. Spots and streaks appear, which gradually begin to grow;
- Average.Represents hypertrophic changes. This stage is characterized by thickening of the nail, change in its structure, direction of growth. The pathological processes gradually spread throughout the plate;
- Stage of dystrophy.Inflammation in the area of the nail fold is added to the listed processes. Disposal of pus is possible. The lesion reaches the nearby skin. Additional bacterial infections accelerate the destruction of the nail. It starts to fall apart, it can come off the nail bed.
At the very beginning, the symptoms are insignificant and that is why people often take the disease lightly. However, he is making rapid progress. Very soon the spots will start to grow. The disease can spread from the thumb to others.
If only the miniature is affected, it is usually mild to moderate. Therapy should be carried out immediately.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary considerably depending on the stage of the disease. At the outset, the signs of a threat are almost impossible to spot. With the development of the disease, the following symptoms can be observed:
- Mild itching;
- Redness in the area of the thumb;
- Burning sensation.
But the pathological process does not stand still. Its growth can be judged by the following characteristics:
- Fragile plate, loss of natural luster;
- Acquisition of yellow, blue or green hue (depending on the type of fungal microorganisms affected the nail);
- Pronounced spots and streaks appear;
- The nail grows with its corners in the roller, which is evidence of the deformation of its growth.
In advanced stages, the following symptoms are likely:
- Pain syndrome when walking;
- The appearance of swelling of the finger, its significant redness;
- Discard pus from under the edges.
The signs of fungus on large toenails can vary depending on the type of fungus that is causing the infection. For example, if it is a moldy fungus, the disease will be severe. The nail can literally turn black. There is swelling, the appearance of silvery scales, yellow edges. The plate begins to move away from the bed, causing severe discomfort. In 95% of cases, however, the cause of the infection is dermatophytes. They are characterized by a relatively moderate course of the disease.
The disease affects not only the nail but also the whole body. This is due to the fact that toxins enter the lymph ducts. This provoked the following changes:
- Allergic reactions, skin rashes;
- Gastrointestinal problems;
- Signs of intoxication.
If nothing is done with the advanced stage of mycosis, the lesion can spread to the internal organs. This is extremely dangerous.
How is the treatment carried out?
How to treat nail fungus on the nails? Pathogenic microorganisms are characterized by enviable resistance to various influences. They quickly take root inside and begin to multiply actively. Therefore, it is desirable to carry out a complete antifungal therapy. Includes:
- Use of local funds. These can be ointments, drops, healing varnishes, solutions. They are needed to defeat the disease on a superficial level. Among the local medicines are varnish, serum;
- Systemic drugs. They are used for significant lesions of the nail plate. The tablets are used daily. Impulse therapy is effective. It consists of taking short-term medications with a long break from them. Then the course is repeated. It should be borne in mind that the pills cannot be taken in all cases. Do not use them in the early stages of the disease. These drugs are quite powerful and therefore have contraindications: pregnancy, childhood, renal failure, intolerance to the components.
The disease is often accompanied by bacterial complications. You can also be safe from them. The antifungal varnish is ideal for this purpose. It creates a film on the surface of the plate through which bacteria do not penetrate.
In addition, it is necessary to stimulate the body's defenses, which will be aimed at fighting infection. Vitamin complexes, immunomodulatory drugs are used for this.
Most drugs have a cumulative effect. It is not enough to take them once and forget about the therapy. A full course is required.
It does not end even if all the symptoms have disappeared. The active substances accumulate in the skin and continue to act even after the end of the drug.
Another additional procedure is the removal of nails. Important for strong pathological processes. Removal can be done with special products containing urea. If the plate is hard, several procedures will be needed to completely remove it. Removal should not be feared as it is painless. After removal, you must treat the surface with antiseptics. Removal is convenient, because after it the local means can be applied directly on the nail bed. This significantly improves their efficiency.
Traditional methods
Folk remedies can not replace drugs. But they are suitable for extra help. The following components help with the fungus:
- Iodine.The affected area should be lubricated with iodine twice a day. If there is a burning sensation, you should remove all excess and reduce the dose;
- Lemon.A slice of lemon is applied to the affected area, then fixed with a bandage. Cellophane is placed on top;
- Hydrogen peroxide.A cotton swab is moistened with hydrogen peroxide, then fixed on the nail for 30 minutes. Softened areas can be removed.
After all these procedures, treatment with topical antimicrobial agents is desirable.
Precautions
It is important to follow preventive measures not only for a person who does not want to get mycosis. They are essential for people who have just gotten rid of the disease. Prevention consists of the following rules:
- Observance of personal hygiene;
- Daily foot bath;
- Lubrication of the feet with moisturizers, pedicure;
- Use of personal slippers;
- Treatment of nails with prophylactics before visiting baths, showers. You can replace the special product with lemon juice.
Preventive measures for people who have recently had mycosis are even stricter:
- Use once a week of a local fungal medicine;
- Regular use of hot foot baths with the addition of sea salt;
- Treatment of shoes with antifungal compounds;
- Boiling socks in which there is complete destruction of microorganisms;
- You should continue to take vitamins;
- The surface of the bathroom is disinfected. It is advisable to treat all other surfaces in the house.
Prevention is highly likely to prevent mycosis. You just have to monitor the condition of your feet. If vague symptoms reappear, you should consult a doctor immediately. Self-medication is not recommended, as mycosis is easily confused with other problems. In this case, the wrong treatment will be chosen and the disease will continue to progress. All this is fraught with great problems in the future. The reception of systemic drugs, necessarily, is carried out under the supervision of a physician.