Nail fungus, known to experts as onychomycosis, is a very common condition. This injury affects about 40% of people at least once in their lives. In this case, fungus on the feet is more common than on the hands.
The disease begins with the appearance of a white or yellow-brown spot under the tip of the nail. As the fungal infection penetrates deeper into the skin, the nail plate begins to change color, thicken, and crumble at the edges. If treatment is not started early, onychomycosis will begin to affect the areas between the toes and may even spread to the skin of the feet. The neglected fungus is called epidermophytosis. Be sure to consult your local doctor!
How can you get nail fungus?
Because the disease is contagious, you can only be infected through contact. There are hundreds of different types of pathogens in the environment. But completely healthy people with strong immunity are not susceptible to nail fungus. For onychomycosis to develop, a combination of several factors is required: poor health (for example, after a recent acute respiratory viral infection), as well as small cracks on the nails and the areasurrounding skin. In addition, after pathogenic bacteria invade, it is necessary to create a moist, warm environment favorable for reproduction.
Other risk factors that increase the risk of developing nail fungus include:
- microtrauma of the nail plate;
- diabetes;
- taking immunosuppressive drugs;
- Congenitally thick nail plate;
- venous insufficiency (poor blood circulation in the legs);
- peripheral artery disease;
- old age;
- fungal skin infections.
People who regularly notice damage to their nails should take certain steps to prevent recurrence. At a minimum, you need to keep your feet dry and warm. You should not walk barefoot in public places, especially in swimming pools, saunas, and spas. Professional athletes who work hard most of the day should also pay attention to choosing suitable shoes and socks. Feet should not sweat and nails should not be pressed.
Who should I contact if I have nail fungus?
There are many effective over-the-counter medications that can be used for treatment without a doctor's prescription. But if new growths on the nails appear for the first time, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist or podiatrist. The reality is that fungus is not the only cause of nail problems. Many other conditions can have symptoms similar to fungal infections. For example, some forms of psoriasis can mimic symptoms that occur with nail fungus. Therefore, a specialist must diagnose and choose a treatment method. In the future, in case of relapse, the patient will be able to use the prescribed medications again.
Symptoms and diagnostic methods
Before prescribing fungal treatment, a good doctor should refer the patient for testing. Even an experienced specialist cannot determine the type of pathogen by eye. Typically, patients are asked to send affected nail fragments to a laboratory for examination under a microscope.
If the selected treatments do not help, then you need to consult your doctor again. Symptoms that indicate that nail fungus is progressing:
- microscopic bleeding around the nail bed;
- swelling and pain in the affected area;
- complete deformation of the nail plate;
- the appearance of characteristic pulsations when walking;
Only after determining the true cause of the infection can truly effective treatment be possible.
Treatment options
There is no best or optimal treatment. The prescription directly depends on the severity of the condition and the type of pathogenic microorganisms. Usually, doctors prescribe medications that need to be applied directly to the nail or taken orally. Let's take a closer look at each option.
Oral antifungal drugs.
They are the first choice, most common treatment for recurrent mycosis. Tablets help new nails grow cleanly and with the correct structure. You need to be prepared for the fact that the results are not quick, the entire treatment process takes 6-12 weeks. Oral treatment should only be stopped when the nail has completely grown back clean and healthy.
On the downside, this therapy is not suitable for people over 65 years old, as well as people with liver problems or diagnosed with congestive heart failure. Additionally, oral antifungal medications can cause side effects such as rash and nausea. It is strictly forbidden to start taking such drugs without preliminary tests. Furthermore, about 2 weeks after starting treatment, it is recommended to shave again to check how exactly the body reacts to the prescribed drugs.
Healing varnish.
If the nail is affected for the first time (diagnosed as a primary disease) or the fungus is detected at a "point stage", the doctor may prescribe the use of a special antifungal varnish with active ingredientsmain. For best results, the affected nail plates and surrounding skin should be treated at least once a day. After seven days, it is necessary to remove the accumulated layers of varnish with medical alcohol, evaluate the results and repeat the treatment if necessary. The product quickly removes small patches of fungus, but if the damage is deep enough, the risk of recurrence is very high.
Antifungal cream.
If the damage has spread under the nail to the surrounding skin, you should use cream rather than polish. Before each use, you must thoroughly wash and dry your feet and file the affected nail bed. Then you need to apply the cream in a thin layer. If the infection has spread to the surrounding skin, which has also become thick, then before starting treatment, urea cream should be applied to soften it. Nail fungus treatment cream is quite effective and rarely causes complications.
If the disease occurs against the background of diabetes, then not only a podiatrist, but also an endocrinologist is involved in developing a treatment program. Specialists will ensure that the medications prescribed do not conflict with each other. The reality is that even minor problems in diabetic feet can turn into full-blown gangrene.
Don't think that a completed treatment automatically means your nails will look aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, the destruction of the fungus does not mean that the nail plate will return to its natural color and shape. A complete update can take up to 18 months.
When is surgery needed?
If the fungus keeps recurring and stops responding to the medications used, then the best option is to seek help from a surgeon. Your specialist will recommend completely removing the affected nail so that antifungal medication can be applied directly to the skin. The only but significant limitation of the method: sometimes the newly grown sheet is thin, already deformed. Surgical excision is also performed if the nail is so deformed and damaged that cleaning the foot will not correct the condition. This surgery is also indicated for patients who cannot take medication or use external agents due to individual intolerance.
Prevention methods
Following all your doctor's recommendations is the key to a successful treatment outcome. But sometimes the fungus returns due to weak immunity or non-compliance with hygiene rules. Simple preventive measures help avoid recurrence:
- keep your feet clean and dry;
- wear sandals in public swimming pools, showers and locker rooms;
- Carry out general cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces in your own bathroom;
- change socks every day;
- For those who wear barefoot shoes, it is recommended to wash the soles at least once a week, and after the fungus worsens, install new soles or use insoles;
- remove from your wardrobe tight shoes and too tight knitwear;
- cut your nails short, file the edges at a right angle;
- Wash your feet regularly, several times a day in the summer;
- Wear shoes that let your feet breathe;
Once the fungus worsens, you must throw away all shoes that cannot be washed at 90 degrees or disinfected. It is also recommended to boil socks and home textiles.
Carpets should be thrown away or treated with antifungal disinfectants and detergents. Nail treatment tools (scissors, files, tweezers) must be sterilized after each use. During periods of severe disease, decorative varnishes, extensions or artificial tips should not be used.
Features of the fungal process in children, treatment methods
Nail fungus looks really unsightly but rarely poses a serious threat to life or health. This is why adults sometimes skip treatment. However, fungal diseases in children have their own characteristics. Changing the appearance of nails can have a profound impact on a child's self-esteem. Children may feel ugly and worry about their own health. The rapid progression of the disease can become a huge stress for the baby and even cause problems with perception of his own body and worsening self-esteem.
The task of parents is to periodically check the child's body. After all, children often hide the growth of fungus because they believe that they are the cause of the disease, do not want to upset adults, or are simply afraid of treatment. Parents, when discovering pathological changes in the feet, should not show dissatisfaction, disgust, or even scold the child. The phrases "you don't wash your feet thoroughly", "it's because you rarely change your socks" are prohibited. It is necessary to calmly talk about what nail fungus is, reduce possible fears, reassure and generally describe the treatment.
It is important to explain to children that they are not at fault for causing this disease. But at the same time, it must be informed that fungal diseases like dark and damp spaces, so it is necessary to regularly change socks, keep shoes clean and do not forget about daily hygiene procedures.
Treatment of fungus in children is usually done with oral medications. The fact that children's nails are very thin and grow quite quickly means that the risk of complications after using creams and gels is higher.
Fungal infections are very common. But with high-quality daily hygiene and strong immunity, the risk of infection is minimized.