To identify toenail fungus, why it appears and how to deal with it, help specialized medical literature, websites on the Internet. However, it is recommended to give priority to consultation with a mycologist. Laboratory tests performed accurately determine the type of fungal infection, which facilitates the selection of the correct treatment regimen.
What is onychomycosis
A subgroup of diseases caused by the penetration of fungal microorganisms into the nail plate tissue is onychomycosis. The infection is usually caused by untreated skin lesions on the fingers / toes. The disease can occur at any age, but more often men aged 20-55 years face it.
According to the International Classification of Diseases, the code for onychomycosis is B35. 1. Dermatophytes mainly cause pathological changes in the nails, more rarely diagnostic studies are made by pathogens of the genus Candida or mold microorganisms.
Nail fungus is contagious, which is why it occurs in 90% of cases - this is direct contact with an already ill person, for example, with the same family member, or with close communication, using ordinary household items. Promotes infection by weakening the body's immune barrier -causes of fungus on toenailsrooted in diabetes, immunodeficiency, recent severe illness.
The clinical picture directly depends not only on the type of mycosis pathogen, but also on the area of its penetration - the distal form of onychomycosis, or proximal nail lesions. Variants with an overall spread of infection are very rare.
Causes and symptoms of toenail fungus
Research done by experts allows us to do researchnail fungus, where it comes fromand people at risk of being infected. Pathogenic microorganisms live not only on the tissues of the feet and hands, but also on other human bodies, they are able to maintain their vital activity on the surrounding objects. To do this, it is enough for them to be in hot and humid conditions, and for nutrition there are enough scales of the epidermis, which are always destroyed in humans.
The main onecauses of toenail fungus:
- age criteria - any person can suffer from a fungal infection, but men aged 18 to 50 years are prone to the disease;
- working in hazardous industries - in dusty rooms contaminated with gas with high temperature / humidity;
- wear tight and poorly ventilated shoes;
- frequent small tissue injuries - abrasions, abrasions, calluses on the feet;
- anatomical and physiological features - for example, narrow interdigital space;
- tendency to excessive sweating - hyperhidrosis;
- the course of various somatic pathologies that weaken the protective barrier of the skin - diabetes, hyperthyroidism, psoriasis, obesity.
To suspecttoenail fungusallow for symptoms and signs of disease. Often, people go to the doctor with complaints that their nail plates become cloudy, with a yellowish color, an unpleasant odor coming from the feet, and there is brittleness on the edges of the nails.
Fungal risk group
In fact, onychomycosis is a public infection. However, everyone can be infected with the fungus, especially when visiting places where the concentration of pathogens is higher. Many people are at risk:
- bath and sauna workers, swimming pool and gymnasium;
- public premises cleaners;
- family members of the sick person;
- people weakened by a recent illness;
- pregnant women - pregnancy worsens the condition of the skin of the feet;
- people who neglect personal hygiene;
- forced to be in a hot and poorly ventilated room during working hours, especially with tight shoes made of artificial materials;
- women who visit pedicure salons with an unverified reputation;
- beach lovers - sand is often infected with fungal microorganisms, because people walk on it barefoot, or with dirty shoes.
If you know who the most andwhy toenail fungus, it is easier to protect yourself from infection. Therefore, everyone is advised to assess their risk of infection and take appropriate preventive measures.
Diagnosis of the disease
It is much easier to get rid of the pathological focus of the disease, it is easier to choose treatment when people seek medical help earlier. Since the clinical manifestations of onychomycosis are similar to other pathological symptoms on the nail plate, the mycologist will certainly prescribe several diagnostic procedures:
- thorough examination of the exposed nail with a magnifying glass;
- collection of complaints and anamnesis - the reason for its penetration into the tissue, which can be demonstrated by oneself;
- take a scrap from the surface of the plate and examine the cells under a microscope;
- take a piece of nail to be sown on a special nutrient medium - the existing fungal colonies begin to multiply actively, but its analysis requires a lot of time;
- histological examination - if the process is suspected to be dangerous.
After comparing all the information from the diagnostic procedure, the mycologist gives a qualified opinion - confirming the initial diagnosisnail fungus, and then select the optimal therapy regimen.
Nail fungus treatment
Important information aboutnail fungusfor mycologists because it allows you to identify and eliminate the mechanism of human infection, as well as choose the right treatment regimen. However, there are many infectious disease pathogens and some drugs will be effective, while others simply stop the growth of infectious cells, but do not completely eliminate them.
By settingcauses of nail fungus, specialists who are already at the first consultation give recommendations for its removal - for example, the purchase of new shoes, thorough personal hygiene, treatment of all family members. Only after that, after making an estimatewhy nail fungus, you can start drug therapy. It is customary to distinguish two main areas - the local effect on the lesion with the help of fungicide ointments, varnishes, and, according to individual needs, a course of systemic antifungal drugs.
Traditional treatment
In the classic version,why there is fungus on toenails- infection through contaminated shoes or walking barefoot on the pool tiles, it is better to start medication for infection by external means. On pharmacy shelves, antifungal medications are presented in various types:
- polene subgroups - they are distinguished by democratic cost and high efficiency, various dosage forms;
- azole subgroup - they overcome most known fungal microorganisms with timely initiation of therapy;
- subgroup of alliamides - naturally attach to mycoses of nails, hair or epithelium of the feet and body quickly.
After finding outwhy fungus appears on nails, mycologists will recommend optimal drugs for external suppression of onychomycosis activity - creams / ointments with fungicidal properties. Whereas in case of severe illness, tablets / capsules or injections of drug solution will be prescribed - to create a systemic effect on the infection.
Can not change the dose of the drug independently, the frequency of its use or the duration of treatment. Such actions will worsen the clinical picture of onychomycosis and lead to the formation of complications.
ethnoscience
Once upon a timenail fungus treatmentis the privilege of traditional healers. There are many effective recipes with medicinal plants, bee products, and home remedies that can relieve discomfort and suppress the activity of fungal microorganisms.
The accumulated knowledge of the causes of diseases and symptoms, makes it possible to create effective recipes for treatment at home:
- Make a concentrated solution of potassium permanganate before bedtime, where put the feet for 15-20 minutes. Then dry the skin thoroughly and apply a mixture of crushed propolis with alcohol to the affected area of the fungus. Fix the gauze bandage on top, leave for a day. Repeat the procedure 3-5 times.
- Insist in a dark cabinet in 1 liter of vinegar essence, the contents of 1 packet of pharmaceutical celandine. Strain after 3-4 weeks. Add to the foot bath with salt. The duration of the procedure is 5-7 minutes.
- Lotion with tar soap. After steaming the foot tissue, wash the space and interdigital nails with tar soap, pour table salt on top. Leave overnight.
To speed up recovery from nail fungus, you can use a simple recipe - wipe the affected area in the morning with iodine color, or with the juice of golden mustache, Indian onion, celandine. They have bacterial properties that suppress the activity of fungal cells.
Prevention of fungal diseases
Preventing primary infections, as well as recurrent fungal infections, is much easier than overcoming infections on the feet / hands. Primary / secondary preventive interventions are affordable and easy to implement. After allwhat does fungus say on toenails- on the weakness of the human body's own defenses.
Therefore, to restore a strong and strong immunity, it is necessary to take several steps:
- review diet-menu should contain more fresh vegetables with fruits, vitamins, light protein, but minimize pickles and preservatives, fast food and fatty / smoked dishes;
- reject alcohol / tobacco products;
- pay attention to personal hygiene - take a shower every day, change underwear, socks;
- buy shoes made of high quality materials, the size of your feet, never wear other people's shoes / shoes;
- do your own pedicure with individual tools, or entrust your nails to a professional master;
- before visiting public places with humid air - swimming pools, saunas or baths, use protective equipment against fungi.
Prevention of widespread fungal infections is compliance with sanitary and epidemiological rules - wet cleaning of the premises with the use of disinfectant solutions, active ventilation, and, if necessary, quarters.
Reviews on toenail fungus treatment
- "Comprehensive treatment of onychomycosis not only affects the infection with medications, but also improves a person's lifestyle. It is possible to defeat the fungus with a combination of measures - for example, simultaneous use of ointments, hardening of the human body, and adherence to personal hygiene. In addition. , it is recommended to treat all family members at once so that the disease does not recur. There are many antifungal agents in pharmacies, you can choose the optimal therapeutic regimen for each case. "
- "I recently found out that if there is fungus on the nails-my diagnosis is onychomycosis, the initial inflammatory process has started in the blood and tests can show it. The doctor-mycologist told me in detail all the information about the fungal infection, and the best way toovercome it. Now that I have undergone therapy, I feel better. Now I will observe the prevention of such pathologies better, and also tell my friends and acquaintances that they are not infected with this nasty infection. "
- "Pharmaceutical products, of course, can overcome nail fungus, but at the same time it is harmful to health with its chemical components. Therefore, I prefer to use traditional medicine recipes first. I remove the fungus from my husband's feet in a simple way - eachevening they steam the nails with a soda bath, then apply a lotion with homemade vinegar. At first, the itching with burning is eliminated, then healthy nails grow back. In addition, they take decoctions with calendula and chamomile, echinacea to strengthen the immune system. Now the husbandI have completely eliminated nail fungus. "