Nail fungus (nail mycosis) is an infectious disease that affects every 5 adults on our planet. Infection occurs very quickly and occurs through pathogenic fungi. You can "pick up" the infection if you wear other people's shoes or ignore the rules of hygiene, as well as when visiting swimming pools, saunas, etc. Diabetes, poor circulation in the legs, weak immunity, damaged nails, excess weight and excessive sweating can contribute to the appearance of toenail fungus. How to determine nail fungus, what symptoms signal the manifestation of the disease? We will talk about it in this article.
Mycosis of the nails occurs most often on the feet, less often on the hands, but it can move from the feet to the hands and from one finger to another. This disease may seem mild, but it is very "survivable" and causes physical and psychological discomfort. Treatment of fungus is a very painstaking and long-term process, if the disease is not detected in time or the symptoms are ignored, then serious violations can occur: the fungus quickly grows on the nails and penetrates the internal organs, where it can cause serious damage. Therefore, in order to diagnose and recognize toenail fungus in time, it is necessary to know the first signs of nail fungus. What are they?
Signs of foot fungus
As a rule, there are no significant changes in the initial stages, but if you miss the moment, then diagnosis and treatment will become a problem. So how to recognize nail fungus? Signs or symptoms of nail fungus include the following:
- Change in nail structure. The nail changes color (yellows), becomes brittle, rough and cloudy.
- Painful sensations in the lesion. The site of the appearance of the fungus hurts when in contact with shoes.
- Itching and burning on the skin. The skin near the infected nail becomes red and itchy.
- Falling out of the nail. In an advanced stage, nails infected with the fungus can peel.
There are 4 stages of nail fungus:
- The initial stage of nail fungus is almost never diagnosed (only medically). Barely noticeable white stripes appear on the nail plate, which indicates the presence of fungus.
- The second is characterized by a change in the appearance of the nail plate (you can recognize it yourself). The nail turns yellow, becomes cloudy and crumbles.
- The third manifests itself in noticeable deformation of the nail, and sometimes its partial separation. Also, the skin around the fingers starts to itch, burn and peel.
- The fourth is the busiest. The affected skin begins to crack, become moist and, if left untreated, non-healing sores appear.
Causes of fungi
So why does fungus appear? Microorganisms called fungi (dermatophiles) are responsible for the damage of the organism by fungus. And a certain environment allows them to multiply, so the reasons for the appearance of fungi are moisture and heat, which occur as a result of wearing shoes that do not allow air to pass through, or synthetic socks, and also if you do. do not dry your feet after washing, damage to the nail - when the nail plate is cut under the root, wearing tight shoes, which only contributes to the weakening of the nail, such as acrylic or gel varnishes.
So what do nail fungus look like? They are yellow, have lost their luster, wear out and partially peel off. If you have seen all these symptoms of nail fungus or some of them, immediately consult a specialist, because self-treatment is just a waste of valuable time.
By themselves, nail fungus will not go away, it will favor your body step by step, weakening it. That is why one of the main and most important symptoms of toenail fungus is its systemic nature.
Treatment of the cause of nail fungus
So, the first symptoms have been recognized and you have come to the doctor. A dermatologist or mycologist must first determine the type and extent of the disease (by taking a sample of the affected tissue) and make a diagnosis, and then prescribe treatment. According to the degree of nail damage, there is a difference between normotrophic mycosis (when the color of the nail changes), hypertrophic mycosis (clouding of the nail and its thickening is added to the change in color), atrophic mycosis (in addition to the change in color and deformation, crumbling of the nail and its separation appear).
Treatment begins with local preparations - these are ointments, plasters and creams. They are most often used to restore skin affected by fungi. Antifungal varnishes are used to treat nails, the principle of their action is based on penetrating deep into the nail plate and eliminating fungal pathogens. On the surface of the nail, these drugs create a film that prevents the attack of a new infection.
In severe cases of the disease and ineffective treatment with local drugs, the dermatologist prescribes antimycotic tablets. It is worth noting that, according to their spectrum of action, they have a very serious effect on the body and have a number of side effects. When prescribing oral tablets and during their intake, it is necessary to perform tests so that the doctor can monitor the course of treatment and their effect on the body.
There are also cases when experts prescribe local drugs along with antimycotic tablets. This occurs in the most severe forms of the disease or in patients of mature age, in whom the recovery process is slower. As a result of such therapy, the course of treatment is significantly reduced.
Folk remedies against fungi
In addition to drug treatment, traditional medicine is also widely used in the fight against fungi.
Improper treatment is a step towards the worsening of the disease! It should be remembered that folk remedies will not cure mycosis of the nails, but can only alleviate the condition and alleviate the symptoms. They can be used as additional support for treatment.
No treatment (medicinal or folk) will be effective if you do not follow certain hygiene rules, this is the advice for the prevention of fungus.
Prevention of nail mycosis
Preventing nail fungus is a fairly simple task, given some standard hygiene requirements that everyone can and should follow:
- Wear socks or tights made of natural fabrics and change them every day, and if your feet get wet during the day (several times a day), they need to be washed, dried and changed to dry socks.
- Change your shoes often. If you wear the same shoes day after day, always check (before going out) that they are dry from the previous walk. Remember that a moist environment encourages the growth of fungi.
- When visiting a manicurist and pedicurist, make sure the tools are in the right shape and condition. Feel free to ask a professional to disinfect all equipment.
- Low immunity is a prerequisite for the appearance of fungi. Enrich your diet with healthy food: eat more fruits and vegetables - they are rich in vitamins, don't be lazy to eat garlic and nuts.
- Apply antiseptics. The most common among them is tea tree oil (a natural antiseptic), it can be used to treat nails and the skin around them.
- Use only your own personal hygiene products, as shared items are a sure way for fungus. You must have your own toiletries (towel, brush, comb, scissors); also, when going to public places (bathroom, pool, sauna, gym), you must use only your own shoes (even in the shower).
Prevention is the easiest way to avoid fungus! By regularly following the simple (mentioned above) rules, you will not have to get rid of "stubborn" nail mycosis for a long and painful time. Personal hygiene: the key to health.
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So, how do you identify nail fungus? You need to study the appearance of the nail, as well as pay attention to the symptoms and signs of the fungus. If nail mycosis is still present, consult a dermatologist or mycologist immediately, but do not self-medicate, so as not to waste precious time. For the treatment of fungi only with drugs (under the supervision of a doctor), folk remedies can be used as adjunctive therapy. And most importantly: you must follow the rules of personal hygiene (no matter how small you think they are and some of them can be ignored) in order to avoid such an unpleasant disease as nail fungus and not face it.