Fungal diseases of the toenails are quite widespread in humans. In addition to the unwanted cosmetic effects, this infection can cause significant harm to the body, so onychomycosis must be treated. But for this you need to know as much as possible about the disease, especially since today scientists have identified a large number of types of pathogens.
Types of pathogens
With onychomycosis, the parasite begins in the structure of the nail tissue and in the surrounding skin. According to the generally accepted classification, spore microorganisms that can manifest themselves in humans are divided into three groups:
- yeast nail fungi, especially Candida albicans;
- dermatophyte fungi (genus Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton);
- reference species (genus Aspergillus, Alternaria and Fusarium).
Acute or chronic onychomycosis causes each of them separately. It is also not uncommon for two or, more rarely, three of these species to be infected at the same time. During diagnosis, it is very important to detect pathogens accurately, as each group of fungal diseases can be treated with different drugs that are not universal.
Because of the appearance
The reasons for the development of infection can be attributed to the entry of pathogens from the external environment, and to the general condition of the patient's body. Their knowledge will help you understand how to treat nail fungus.
External sources of fungal spread include:
- Swimming pools, dressing rooms, showers, baths - public places where one walks barefoot. Therefore, when visiting such establishments, slippers should be worn for safety.
- The use of tools that are not properly disinfected in a beauty salon during a pedicure, which can generally be harmful to the body.
- Other people’s files, scissors and other products used for personal hygiene also pose a threat.
- In the summer, closed shoes can pose a danger, where the feet will sweat a lot.
- In order not to treat onychomycosis on the nails, you should bathe or shower regularly, because sweat and dirt act as a good environment for germs.
- Some types of onychomycosis are spread from pets, but such pathogens are common especially in hot countries.
Other health problems also contribute to the development of the diseases described:
- Weak immune system.
- The presence of small wounds and cracks on the skin, dry tissue.
- A large number of burrs.
- Violation of blood circulation of nail tissue.
- Contact with fungal pathogens from human skin. This method of infection is called autoinfection.
Therefore, there are many sources of infection with fungal diseases. These microorganisms are very common all over the world, so diseases like nail fungus occur in many people. Therefore, knowing how to treat onychomycosis will not be superfluous.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The appearance of fungus on the feet does not mean the development of the inevitable disease. Onychomycosis only develops in someone with a weakened immune system. But there are many options for how toenail fungus manifests itself. In this case, note the following nail fungus symptoms:
- compaction or reduction in the thickness of the stratum corneum;
- high brittleness of the nail plate, its delamination;
- the presence of burrs and calluses;
- unnatural colors: white, yellowish or greenish;
- surface roughness of the nail plate;
- loss of natural luster;
- inflammation of the skin of the fingers, itching in the feet;
- cracked legs.
With these signs, you can find out how toenail fungus starts.
Advanced toenail fungus treatment is extremely difficult and lengthy. That is why the appearance of symptoms of onychomycosis should not be ignored. If they are found, you should immediately seek medical help.
The main goal of diagnosing nail fungus is to accurately determine the causative agent of the infection. Many types of parasitic organisms are extremely difficult to detect, especially since the outward signs of the disease are easily confused with metabolic disorders.
Typically, onychomycosis is diagnosed in several stages, for which the following methods are used to identify toenail fungus:
- clinical data studies;
- analysis of a piece of tissue under a microscope;
- cultural diagnostics;
- DNA research.
During the examination of the patient at the first appointment, the doctor can diagnose the presence of damage to the nail plate, however, without conducting an accurate study, it is impossible to understand what causes the disease. Laboratory research is the only way to identify nail fungus.
By examining the scratches under a microscope, a doctor can tell you exactly what toenail fungus looks like. The difficulty lies in determining the specific type of pathogen. Therefore, at this stage, the diagnosis does not stop.
The exact culture of the fungus is determined by its reproduction in the laboratory. To do this, analysis was applied to nail fungus based on a special medium of Sabouraud nutrients. Usually, after three to five days of such a study, a specialist is able to determine a specific type of pathogen. Also, using this method, you can check the susceptibility of parasites to drugs, and outline the most effective treatments.
Parasite DNA testing is the latest and most promising option for identifying toenail fungus, reducing the time it takes to get results to a day or two. However, such analysis for nail fungus can effectively detect only yeast species.
Who is at risk
As already mentioned, certain categories of people are prone to onychomycosis to varying degrees. Here are the main factors that increase the chances of getting an infection:
- Reaching retirement age. Due to reduced blood circulation and deterioration of metabolism, the disease is more common in older people than in other population categories. Late diagnosis also plays an important role in this, as retirees, having discovered the symptoms of nail fungus and regard it as a common sign of aging, do not always seek qualified help.
- Mechanical damage to nail tissue. Any injury affects the tissue’s supply with nutrients. As a result, the focus of infection will begin at the site of a break or crack, which then spreads to the rest of the nail, which can even fly out of it.
- High blood sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels in the legs. Therefore, the manifestations of onychomycosis are very common in diabetics, from which it is also very difficult to get rid of.
- For the same reason, diseases of the circulatory system, such as Raynaud’s syndrome or varicose veins, can cause infections.
- Since spores can most often multiply on nail tissue and on body surfaces, people affected by fungal skin infections are at risk of getting onychomycosis. When defeated, the disease can recur.
The danger of ignoring the symptoms
Many people do not seek medical help if they find signs of a fungal infection, and only after a while do they try to cure the more advanced fungus. This is due to the relatively mild course of the disease and the ability to hide cosmetic defects with closed socks or shoes.
However, you can not ignore the first symptoms and treatment of the disease, otherwise there may be serious complications.
If you are asking yourself why toenail fungus is dangerous, then you should start with the fact that onychomycosis is contagious. An infected person will pose a threat to others.
Certain restrictions apply to patients with fungal infections. A person with an old fungus, for example, will not be given a medical certificate of admission to the pond.
As a parasitic disease, toenail fungus will weaken the patient’s immunity, increasing the likelihood of other health problems. Trying to cure nail fungus at home can turn into a more serious problem.
Chronic onychomycosis leads to serious consequences that should be feared:
- parasites can enter the circulatory system;
- lack of treatment for toenail fungus seriously weakens the immune system;
- spores increase allergic reactions, exacerbate chronic diseases;
- due to the deterioration of the general state of health, people are more prone to depression, insomnia and so on.
That is why the first signs of toenail fungus should be a reason to contact the clinic.
Treatment
The treatment of toenail fungus is based on two principles. First, the drug destroys the spores mechanically. Second, the drug slows down the parasite response, inhibiting their activity and reproduction. This way, you should think carefully before deciding on nail fungus treatment during pregnancy.
In medicine, medicines, folk remedies, laser treatment of nail fungus and medical pedicures are used.
Pharmaceutical supplies
Pharmaceutical products have a strong effect. Many of them are specially selected for specific pathogens, which further enhances the effectiveness of nail fungus treatment in children and adults. Of all the ways to cure toenail fungus quickly, the remedy is the best.
To increase the effect, a diet for nail fungus can help. It is prescribed by the attending physician.
Restoration of the people
Often, an independent fight against parasites does not lead to success, as fungi tend to restore spore structure. Therefore, the most preferred, in the case of detection of the first signs of the disease, is to seek medical help. Only a doctor can confidently recommend a quick way to get rid of nail fungus.
There are many folk options on how to treat toenail fungus. For example, essential oils help, which act as a natural antiseptic. The main way to treat nail onychomycosis at home is to apply a drop of material to the affected area, which is then sealed with a plaster.
Vinegar against toenail fungus, lemon juice, mouth rinse also fights well. It is not uncommon to treat toenail fungus at home with iodine or garlic. Which of these medications is better to use will be recommended by the treating physician.
An effective method at home to get rid of nail fungus is a mixture based on vodka. To make it, you need to mix 200 ml of alcohol, one teaspoon of lemon juice, half a teaspoon of potassium permanganate. 50 ml of boiled water is added to the composition, then it should be put in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. With the resulting medication, you need to wipe the affected area twice a day, in the morning and before bedtime, until the infection is completely destroyed. Such assistance has a restorative effect, although the restoration of damaged tissue will take some time.
All of these ingredients are included in the main list of those feared by nail fungus. How to get rid of fungus the fastest, a dermatologist or mycologist will tell you.
Laser treatment
Recently, laser technology has been added to the main way to get rid of toenail fungus. The principle of nail fungus treatment with laser is the effect of beam heat on parasites. It creates a temperature of about 50 degrees, by the way, this is the answer to the question: at what temperature does the fungus die. At the same time, treatment of fungal diseases with short -term radiation has no effect on the human body.
Complex laser treatments typically consist of four sessions, with an interval between sessions of one week. Competent specialists of medical centers that provide this type of service know how to properly treat advanced toenail fungus with radiation. After laser therapy, about 85% of patients eventually recover. This is one of the most effective ways to deal with nail fungus.
Medical pedicure
You can use a medical pedicure for nail fungus in the early stages of the disease, this is the main drawback of this method, in addition, the treatment of onychomycosis with varnish is quite long. Therapeutic pedicures for nail fungus involve the use of special formulations applied to the damaged area. This service is provided by many beauty salons. However, you can treat nail fungus at home with the help of medical varnish.
By the way, experts probably know how to restore nails after fungus.
prevention
There are many ways to prevent fungal nail disease:
- The most important thing is daily hygiene.
- In public places, swimming pools, saunas, dressing rooms, you should wear slippers.
- Do not wear closed shoes in hot weather.
- To prevent fungal infections, do not use other people's personal hygiene products: nail files, scissors, towels, and so on.
It is very important to make sure the child follows these rules clearly.
There are many types of toenail fungal infections. Treatment of onychomycosis requires a serious diagnosis, long -term therapy, and a certain amount of money may be required. Therefore, it is better to observe preventive measures and prevent infection with parasites. It would also not be superfluous to know how to beat the fungus.