Fungal diseases of the toenails are quite widespread in humans. In addition to the undesirable cosmetic effect, these infections can cause significant harm to the body, so onychomycosis must be treated. But for this you need to know as much as possible about this disease, especially since today scientists have identified a large number of types of pathogens.
Types of pathogens
With onychomycosis, parasites start in the structure of the nail tissues and in the skin around them. According to a common classification, spore microorganisms that can manifest themselves in humans are divided into three groups:
- yeast nail fungus, primarily Candida albicans;
- dermatophyte fungi (genus Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton);
- mold 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 the diagnosis, it is extremely important to accurately detect the pathogen, because each of the groups of fungal diseases can be treated with different drugs that are not universal.
Reasons for the appearance
The reasons for the development of infection can be associated both with the ingress of the pathogen from the external environment, and with 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, changing rooms, showers, baths - those public places where a person walks barefoot. Therefore, when visiting such establishments, slippers should be worn for safety.
- The use of poorly disinfected tools in beauty salons during a pedicure, which can be generally dangerous for the body.
- Other people's files, scissors and other products used for personal hygiene pose no less of a threat.
- In the summer, closed shoes can pose a danger, in which the feet will sweat a lot.
- In order not to treat onychomycosis of the nails, you should take a bath or shower regularly, as sweat and dirt act as a favorable environment for germs.
- Some types of onychomycosis are transmitted from pets, but such pathogens are common mainly in hot countries.
Other health problems also contribute to the development of the described disease:
- Weakened immune system.
- The presence of small wounds and cracks on the skin, dry tissues.
- A large number of burrs.
- Violation of the blood circulation of the nail tissues.
- Contact with fungal pathogens from human skin. This method of infection is called autoinfection.
Thus, there are many sources of infection with fungal diseases. These microorganisms are very common throughout the world, so a disease such as nail fungus occurs in many people. So knowing how to treat onychomycosis will never be superfluous.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
The appearance of a fungus on the legs does not mean the inevitable development of the disease. Onychomycosis develops only in a person with a weakened immune system. But there are a lot of options for how toenail fungus manifests itself. In this case, pay attention to the following symptoms of nail fungus:
- compaction or reduction in the thickness of the stratum corneum;
- high fragility of the nail plate, its delamination;
- the presence of burrs and calluses;
- unnatural color: white, yellowish or greenish shades;
- roughness of the surface of the nail plate;
- loss of natural shine;
- inflammation of the skin of the fingers, itching in the feet;
- cracked foot.
By these signs, you can find out how toenail fungus begins.
Treatment of advanced toenail fungus is extremely difficult and long. That is why the appearance of symptoms of onychomycosis cannot 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 external signs of the disease are easily confused with metabolic disorders.
Usually, onychomycosis is diagnosed in several stages, for which the following methods are used to recognize toenail fungus:
- study of clinical data;
- 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 accurate studies, it is not possible to understand what caused the disease. Laboratory research is the only way to identify nail fungus.
By examining a scraping 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 fungal culture is determined by its breeding in the laboratory. To do this, an analysis is used for nail fungus based on a special Sabouraud nutrient medium. Usually, after three to five days of such a study, specialists are able to determine the specific type of pathogen. Also, using this method, you can check the susceptibility of parasites to drugs, and outline the most effective course of treatment.
Parasite DNA testing is the current and most promising option for identifying toenail fungus, reducing the time it takes to get results to one or two days. However, such an analysis for nail fungus can effectively detect only the yeast species.
Who is at risk
As already mentioned, certain categories of people are prone to onychomycosis to varying degrees. The following are the main factors that increase the likelihood of developing an infection:
- Reaching retirement age. Due to reduced blood circulation and deterioration of metabolism, this disease is much more common in older people than in other categories of the population. Belated diagnosis also plays an important role in this, since pensioners, having discovered the symptoms of nail fungus and considering it a common sign of aging, do not always seek qualified help.
- Mechanical damage to nail tissues. Any injury impairs the supply of tissues with nutrients. As a result, a focus of infection will begin at the site of a break or crack, which then spreads throughout the nail, which can even simply fly out of it.
- High blood sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels in the foot. Therefore, the manifestation of onychomycosis is so common in diabetics, from which it is also extremely difficult for them to get rid of.
- For exactly the same reason, diseases of the circulatory system, such as Raynaud's syndrome or varicose veins, can cause an infection.
- Since spores are most often able to multiply both on the nail tissues and on the surface of the body, people affected by fungal skin infections are at risk of onychomycosis. Once defeated, an ailment can arise again.
The danger of ignoring symptoms
Many people do not seek medical help if they find signs of a fungal infection, and only after some time they try to cure an advanced fungus. This is due to the relatively mild course of the disease and the ability to hide cosmetic defects with socks or closed shoes.
However, you should not ignore the first symptoms and treatment of the disease, otherwise there may be serious complications.
If you ask 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 are imposed on patients with fungal infections. A person with an old fungus, for example, will never be given a medical certificate of admission to the pool.
Being 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 more serious problems.
Old 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 the reason for contacting the clinic.
Treatment
Treatment of toenail fungus is based on two principles. First, drugs mechanically destroy spores. Secondly, medicines slow down the reactions of parasites, blocking their activity and reproduction. By the way, you should think carefully before deciding on the treatment of nail fungus during pregnancy.
In medicine, medicines, folk remedies, laser treatment of nail fungus and medical pedicure are used.
Pharmacy preparations
Pharmaceutical products have a strong impact. Many of them are specially selected for specific pathogens, which further enhances the effectiveness of the treatment of nail fungus in children and adults. Of all the ways to quickly cure toenail fungus, medication is the best.
To enhance the effect, a diet for nail fungus can help. It is prescribed by the attending physician.
Folk remedies
Often, an independent fight against parasites does not lead to success, because fungi tend to restore the spore structure. Therefore, the most preferable, in case of detection of the first signs of the disease, is to seek medical help. Only a doctor can confidently suggest how to quickly get rid of nail fungus.
There are many folk options on how to cure toenail fungus. For example, essential oils help, which serve as a natural antiseptic. The main way to treat onychomycosis of the nails at home is to apply a drop of the substance to the affected area, which is then sealed with a plaster.
Vinegar against toenail fungus, lemon juice, mouth rinses also fight well. It is not uncommon to treat toenail fungus at home with iodine or garlic. Which of these remedies is better to use will be recommended by the attending 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, a 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 remedy, you need to wipe the affected areas twice a day, in the morning and at bedtime, until the infection is completely destroyed. Such assistance has a restorative effect, although the restoration of damaged tissues will take some time.
All these ingredients are included in the main list of what nail fungus is afraid of. How to remove the fungus the fastest, a dermatologist or mycologist will tell you.
Laser treatment
More recently, laser technology has been added to the main ways to get rid of toenail fungus. The principle of treatment of nail fungus with a laser is the thermal effect of the beam on the 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, the treatment of fungal diseases with short-term radiation does not have any effect on the human body.
Complex laser treatment usually consists of four sessions, with an interval between them of one week. Competent specialists of medical centers providing this type of service know how to properly treat advanced toenail fungus with radiation. After laser therapy, about 85% of patients are finally healed. This is one of the most effective ways to deal with nail fungus.
Medical pedicure
You can apply a medical pedicure for nail fungus in the early stages of the disease, this is the main disadvantage of this method, in addition, the treatment of onychomycosis with varnishes is quite long. Therapeutic pedicure for nail fungus involves the use of special formulations that are 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, a specialist may know how to restore a nail after a fungus.
Prevention
There are many ways to prevent fungal nail diseases:
- The most important thing is daily hygiene.
- In public places, swimming pools, saunas, locker rooms, you should wear slippers.
- Do not wear closed shoes in hot weather.
- To avoid infection with fungi, do not use other people's personal hygiene products: nail files, scissors, towels, and so on.
It is very important to ensure that the child clearly follows these rules.
There are different types of fungal toenail infections. Treatment of onychomycosis requires serious diagnosis, long-term therapy, and a certain amount of money may be required. Therefore, it is preferable to observe preventive measures and prevent infection with parasites. It will also not be superfluous to know how to defeat the fungus.