Nail fungus, known among professionals as onychomycosis, is a very common pathology. Lesions affect about 40% of people at least once in their lives. In this case, the fungus on the feet is more common than on the hands.
The disease begins with the appearance of white or yellow-brown spots under the tip of the nail. As the fungal infection penetrates deeper into the skin, the nail plate begins to change color, thicken, and collapse at the edges. If treatment is not started early, onychomycosis begins to affect the area between the toes and can even reach the skin of the feet. The neglected fungus is called epidermophytosis. Be sure to consult your local doctor!
How can you get nail fungus?
Since the disease is contagious, you can only catch it 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 in the nail and the surrounding skin. Also, after the penetration of pathogenic bacteria, it is necessary to create a moist and warm environment suitable for reproduction.
Other risk factors that increase your risk of getting nail fungus include:
- microtrauma on the nail plate;
- diabetes;
- taking immunosuppressants;
- congenital thickened nail plate;
- venous insufficiency (poor blood circulation in the legs);
- peripheral artery disease;
- old age;
- fungal skin infection.
People who see lesions on their nails quite often should take certain measures to prevent recurrence. At the very least, 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, people who do heavy physical work all day, should also pay attention to choosing the right shoes and socks. Feet should not sweat and nails should not be pinched.
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 a new growth on the nail appears for the first time, then it is necessary to consult a dermatologist or a podiatrist. The fact is that fungus is not the only cause of nail problems. Many other pathologies may be similar to the manifestations of fungal infections. For example, some forms of psoriasis can mimic the symptoms that occur with nail fungus. Therefore, medical experts must make a diagnosis and choose treatment. In the future, in the event of a relapse, the patient will be able to use the prescribed medication again.
Symptoms, diagnostic methods
Before prescribing treatment for fungus, a good doctor should refer the patient for laboratory tests. Even an experienced specialist cannot determine the type of pathogen by eye. Often, patients are asked to send the affected nail clippings to the laboratory for examination under a microscope.
If the chosen treatment method does not help, then you need to see the doctor again. Symptoms that indicate that nail fungus is developing:
- microbleeding around the nail bed;
- swelling and pain in the affected area;
- complete deformation of the nail plate;
- the appearance of a characteristic pulse when walking;
Only after identifying the true cause of the infection, a truly effective treatment is possible.
Treatment Options
There is no best or optimal treatment method. Medical prescription directly depends on the severity of the condition and the type of microorganisms that cause the disease. Often, doctors prescribe medication that needs to be applied directly to the nail or taken orally. Let's take a closer look at each option.
Oral antifungal medication.
They are the first choice, the most common treatment method for recurring fungus. Tablets help new nails grow clean and with the right structure. You need to be prepared for the fact that the results are not quick; the entire treatment takes 6-12 weeks. Stopping oral therapy is only allowed when the nail has grown back completely clean and healthy.
As for the disadvantages, this therapy is not suitable for the elderly over the age of 65, and also for people with liver problems or diagnosed congestive heart failure. Also, oral antifungal medications can cause side effects such as rash and nausea. It is strictly forbidden to start taking the drug without a preliminary test. Moreover, about 2 weeks after the start of treatment, it is recommended to take the scraping again to check how the body actually responds to the prescribed drugs.
Healing varnish.
If the nail is affected for the first time (the beginning of the disease is diagnosed) or the fungus is detected at the "point stage", then the doctor may prescribe the use of a special antifungal varnish with the main active ingredient. For best results, it is recommended to treat the affected nail plate and the skin around it at least once a day. After seven days, it is necessary to remove the accumulated layer of varnish with medical alcohol, evaluate the result and repeat the course if necessary. The product quickly removes small patches of fungus, but if the lesion is deep enough, there is a high risk of recurrence.
Antifungal cream.
If the lesion has spread under the nail, to the surrounding skin, then it is more advisable to use a cream rather than a varnish. Before each use, you must wash and dry your feet thoroughly and disassemble the affected layer of the nail plate. 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 it is recommended to add urea cream to soften it. Antifungal nail creams are quite effective and rarely cause complications.
If the disease occurs on the background of diabetes, then not only a podiatrist, but also an endocrinologist is involved in developing a treatment program. The specialist will make sure that the prescribed medicines do not conflict with each other. The fact is that even a small problem with a diabetic's foot can turn into full-blown gangrene.
Don't think that a full course of 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 may take up to 18 months.
When to undergo surgery?
If the fungus keeps recurring and stops responding to the drugs used, then the best option is to seek help from a surgeon. Experts will recommend removing the affected nail completely so that the antifungal medication can be applied directly to the skin. The only, but significant, drawback of the method: sometimes new plates grow back thin, already deformed. Surgical removal is also performed if the nail is so deformed and damaged that podiatric sanitation will not help correct the condition. Surgery is also indicated for patients who cannot take pills or use external agents due to individual intolerance.
Preventive methods
Following all the doctor's recommendations is the key to successful treatment results. But sometimes the fungus returns due to weak immunity or ignorance of hygiene rules. Simple preventative measures to help prevent recurrence:
- keep your feet clean and dry;
- wearing slippers in public swimming pools, bathrooms and changing rooms;
- carry out general cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces in your own bathroom;
- change socks daily;
- for those who wear shoes on bare feet, it is recommended to wash the insoles at least once a week, and after the aggravation of the fungus, install new ones or use insoles;
- remove from your wardrobe tight shoes and socks that fit too tightly;
- cut your nails short, file the edges tightly at right angles;
- wash your feet often, several times a day in summer;
- wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe;
After the aggravation of the fungus, 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 removed or treated with disinfectants and antifungal laundry detergents. Tools for treating nails (scissors, files, tweezers) must be sterilized after each use. During the period of exacerbation, it is forbidden to use decorative varnish, do extensions or attach artificial tips.
Fungal travel characteristics in children, treatment methods
Nail fungus looks very unsightly, but rarely poses a serious threat to life and health. This is why adults sometimes neglect treatment. However, fungal diseases in children have their own characteristics. Changing the appearance of nails can have a profound effect on a child's self-esteem. Children may feel ugly and worry about their own health. The rapid development of this disease can be a great stress for the baby and also cause problems with the perception of one's own body and worsen self-esteem.
The parents' duty is to check the child's body periodically. After all, often children hide fungal growth because they believe that they themselves are to blame for the disease, do not want to disturb their parents, or are simply afraid of treatment. Parents who have discovered pathological changes in the legs should not show disapproval, disgust, or even scold the child. Phrases "you don't wash your feet well", "it's because you rarely change your socks" are prohibited. It is necessary to talk calmly about what nail fungus is, relieve possible fears, reassure, and explain in general the treatment.
It is important to explain to the child that he is not to blame for the illness. But at the same time, it must be conveyed that fungal infections love dark and damp spaces, so it is necessary to change socks often, keep shoes clean and do not forget about daily hygiene procedures.
Fungal treatment in children is usually carried out with oral medication. The fact is that children's nails are very thin and grow quickly, which means that the risk of complications after using creams and gels is higher.
Fungal infections are very common. But with high-quality daily hygiene procedures and strong immunity, the risk of infection can be minimized.