In medicine, nail fungus is officially called Onychomycosis.This is a fungal disease that affects nail plates on the fingers or legs.According to whom, this is a very common disease.It occurs in about 27% of people and, in the legs, the pathology is diagnosed 2 times more often than in the hands.The problem of nail fungus is very delicate, as the unpleasant type of affected plaques makes the patient feel discomfort and hide them from others.
Nail fungus symptoms and signs
Onychomycosis is very easy to recognize, as its nail signs cannot be ignored.At first, nail plates are dull and rough, lose their bright shine.So instead of pink, the nail gets dirty, scooping or gray yellow.Then other characteristic symptoms of the fungus appear:
- an increase in plate thickness;
- defects in the form of bands, folds, irregularities and waves;
- Relaxing and shrinking the plate;
- An unpleasant odor of nails.
As a result, the nail is completely destroyed and even exfoliating, exposing the bed under the nail.The skin next to the plates turns red and causes severe itching.
Causes
The main reason for the development of fungal infections is to enter the body or within the human body.As a rule, these are Mikrosporum, Metridium and Epidermofiton.These are the fungi that cause onicomyomycosis, especially frequently.
When it enters the body, these fungi are located in keratinized derivatives of the skin, that is, nails and hair.This is due to the nutrition of the parasites for which they use fibrillar protein keratin, which is available on nails and hair.
Infection
The risk of obtaining an infection with a fungus in public places with high humidity is especially high.They are saunas, swimming pools, gyms, public baths, etc.The most common ways of infection:
- Direct contact with an infected person.Here, the fungus falls from its habitat in healthy areas, causing an infection;
- Domestic path.In this case, the infection occurs when using the patient's personal things: shoes, personal hygiene items etc.
Risk factors
The incidence of onychomycosis increases by 60 years.At this point, the probability of developing such an infection is 60%, which is explained by a slowdown in metabolism, especially in distal (remote) areas of the body, which are only fingers and legs.
Other risk factors for nail fungus development include:
- Diabetes mellitus;
- varicose veins;
- nail lesions and adjacent tissues;
- HIV and other states of immunodeficiency;
- long -term intake of antibiotics;
- weakened immunity;
- Vascular and skin, dermatitis, diaper diseases;
- Blood supply impaired for limbs;
- Insufficient hygiene.
Complications
With an uncomplicated course, the disease causes traditional fungus symptoms, causing a severe discomfort of a person.But without treatment, onychomycosis can cause complications.Most of the time, they appear in the addition of a bacterial infection.
Sometimes onicomycosis is very acute with the advent of bubbles, ulcerations and areas of crying on the skin next to the nail.In severe cases, the disease acquires a widespread form.This means that nail fungus applies to internal organs and systems and then the patient will need emergency hospitalization.
When consulting a doctor
Many who have found Onychomicosis know that the disease develops slowly and is treated with incredible work.This is why it is very important to consult a doctor when the first signs of the disease appear.The treatment of nail onicomycosis is involved in a dermatologist.The expert will provide competent assistance and take you to a complete recovery.
Preparation for a visit to a doctor
Before taking a dermatologist, it is important not to process the affected areas of nails, ie, do not use medications, including iodine and green.It is also necessary to exclude the use of fungus creams and ointments.It is worth doing all the tests previously performed, including other diseases.Affected nails cannot be cut 3-4 days before consultation.
Nail fungus diagnosis
First of all, the patient is directed to microscopy, which allows to identify the presence of the pathogen.In the future, it is necessary to determine its variety to choose the correct treatment of nail fungus on the legs.The most modern and common methods to diagnose onychomycosis are practiced:
- Bacteriological sowing.For this, a biological sample of affected tissues is placed in a medium of artificial nutrients, where the pathogen is cultivated to determine its type;
- The Polymerase Chain Reaction Method (PCR) to detect pathogen DNA in the affected tissue sample.
Treatment
At the early stage of the disease, as a rule, local therapy is prescribed, which consists of the use of creams and ointments with antifungal effects.
Anti -Septic solutions are also used as nail fungus external products.In addition to effective tools of nail onicomycosis, antihistamines and desensitizing medicines are prescribed, relieving swelling, inflammation and sensitivity.
If the nail is completely affected by the fungus and drug treatment does not provide positive results, the plate will be subjected to surgical removal.In addition, with a total form of onychomycosis, antifungal drugs are prescribed within the form of tablets, which have a systemic effect on the body.
Home Treatment Products
Before using funds for household treatment, you need to consult a doctor.By your resolution, you can use the following recipes:
- iodine.Before using the leg, steam is required, rinse with domestic soap and remove the affected areas of nail plates.Then treat your nails and skin between your fingers with iodine, support them in a bath with a soda solution for 20 to 30 minutes and dry well;
- vinegar.For 3 liters of water, take 1 tablespoon.Apple cider vinegar and add a little potassium permanganate.Keep your legs in the bath for 20 to 30 minutes and then dry completely;
- Hydrogen peroxide.Kites the legs completely, remove the affected areas of nail plates.Place the moistened cotton wheels with hydrogen peroxide, wrap with a dressing and leave for half an hour.
Dangerous myths and delusions in the treatment of nail fungus
One of the most important and dangerous myths is that nail fungus is not considered a serious disease.In fact, onicomycosis, progressing, can lead to serious consequences to the deformation and complete rejection of nail bed nails.
In addition, an infected person is a danger to the loved ones daily, because, being by his side, they also risk being sick.This is why it is important to know how to heal nail fungus in time.
Prevention
To avoid the development of onychomycosis, it is necessary to exclude the negative effect on the body of risk factors:
- Treat system diseases in time;
- Do not wear someone else's shoes;
- in the pool and sauna to walk in leaflets;
- Change the socks daily and follow the rules of personal hygiene;
- Do not wear wet shoes - dry them carefully;
- Delete direct contact with potential fungal media.