Nail plate fungal infections are about half of all nail diseases and are quite common in modern society.
In most cases, onychomycosis affects the nail plate in the feet, so the disease is not noted immediately, but at a clear symptom level.It is a contagious disease that can be clear not only with cosmetic defects, but also with violations of the immune system, as well as the digestive tract.Nail fungus cannot be underestimated, the treatment should be timely under the control of an experienced doctor.
Causes of fungal infection
Causes of nail plate infection are usually three types of mushrooms: dermatophytes, yeast -such as mushrooms and mold.Often in moderate climate, onychomycosis is caused by trichophyton rubrum fungal microorganisms (red trichophyte) - is 70% of fungal cases and trichophyton mentagrophytes (Trichophyton of Inter -Down) - 20% of diagnosis.
You can be infected with onychomycosis in the same places as pools, sauna, bathrooms, when wearing other people's socks and even in pedicure sessions.
In addition, some people are exposed to the disease due to various diseases.Among such pathologies, immunosuppressive conditions are distinguished by HIV infection or chronic treatment with immunosuppressants after organ transplantation, or with some autoimmune diseases.
Despite the fact that untreated onychomycosis is an infectious disease, most patients do not recognize their changes in nail pathology, so they usually turn to medical help in advanced cases.And, in this way, ignoring the disease can cause nail loss and spread the infection to neighboring skin.
How is the disease real
Often, infection develops in the first and/or fifth legs (if changes affect all nails, these are usually symptoms of other diseases, for example, psoriasis).Initially, changes affect the edge of the nail, it turns the natural color into yellowish brown.After the nail plate, it becomes fragile and fragile, over time it changes its shape and thickens.
The most characteristic symptoms of nail fungal infections include:
- Change of nail color to yellow, brown, white or black;
- thickening of the nail plate and its increased fragility;
- plate deformation and separation from nail beds;
- unpleasant odors come from infected nails;
- Formation of inflammation around the nails.
In the final stages of the disease, the pain mentioned in the nails can develop and even difficulty walking.
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 disease in the final stage leads to the overall destruction of the nail plate, which should then be removed.
Before prescribing treatment, the doctor will surely prescribe laboratory analysis, which will determine the type of fungus, the level of damage and the most effective treatment.This analysis includes the capture of the material from the affected nail plate and its research 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 the nail lesions, the type of pathogen and the pathology related.
Treatment of fungal nail infections usually begins with the use of local drugs in the form of varnish, lotions or creams that overcome the disease early.If the change affects more than one plate, it occurs for a long time, local medicines coupled with antifungal agents for oral administration.Doctors can prescribe drugs based on itraconazole or fluconazole.
In cases when onychomycosis persists, it is not subject to drug treatment or constantly recurrent, doctors recommend removing infected nail plates, thus eliminating the source of the infection.
Please note that onychomycosis is an infectious disease exposed to frequent relapse, so you should adhere to important preventive rules:
- Do not walk barefoot in the pool, gym;
- perform the pedicure in the salon with the disinfection of high equipment;
- Monitor the cleanliness of the shoes;
- Wash your feet regularly;
- Respond to early symptoms, for example, the color change of the nail plate.
Attention!Re -infection sources of fungal infections are shoes, so it is recommended to remove it or eradicate germs in a special way that your doctor will discuss.