Nail fungus: how to identify and eliminate the problem promptly

Onychomycosis or nail fungus is very contagiousa fungal disease that affects fingernails and toenails and is easily transmitted to others.The main pathogens are fungi belonging to the genera Trichophyton, Epidermophyton or Microsporum.For growth and reproduction, fungal colonies use the protein keratin, one of the components of nails, hair and the upper layer of the skin (epidermis).

Onychomycosis is easily transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or animal and through other transmission factors, such as through contact with the patient's personal belongings or any object that has somehow interacted with the carrier.It occurs more often in older people or in adults with weakened immune systems.

Although nail fungus itself is not life-threatening, it "disturbs" the human immune system, the body becomes more susceptible to other diseases, and without proper treatment can cause irreparable complications, so the treatment of nail fungus must be taken very seriously.

Causes of nail fungus

A warm and constantly moist environment is the optimal condition for fungal colonies to grow.The risk of infection increases in places where sanitary and epidemiological regimes are not observed.You can "catch" nail fungus in public places or through common objects.

Fungi are natural inhabitants of the skin and mucous membranes;The immune system encounters them constantly and, in a healthy state, can easily cope with them.But some factors reduce the body's defenses, thereby triggering fungal invasion.Among them:

• suffering from a serious illness;
• circulatory problems (eg, due to wearing tight shoes);
• frequent exposure to warm, humid environments (eg, hyperhidrosis or wet shoes);
• hormonal imbalance;
• venous thrombosis, systemic vascular disease;
• nail trauma;
• use antibacterial drugs;
• stress, etc.

Patients with systemic diseases are especially susceptible to fungal diseases: diabetes, psoriasis and immunocompromised conditions.

The likelihood of developing onychomycosis is much higher in people with skin fungus.Ringworm is accompanied by intense itching and constant scratching that infects the nail and spreads the infection.

Types of nail fungus

Onychomycosis refers to superficial mycosis - fungal invasion affecting the skin and mucous membranes.If the immune system is significantly weakened, deep mycosis can develop - internal mycosis.

There are many types of nail fungus, but they all fall into one of three categories:

1. Normal onychomycosis - the nail can change color, be covered with light spots or stripes, but the shape and structure of the nail plate remains unchanged.
2. Hypertrophy - the nail turns noticeably yellow, thickens, deforms, loses its shine and begins to collapse to the sides.
3. Onycholytic (atrophic) - the affected nail becomes thin, brittle and gradually peels off from the nail bed.

Signs of fungus damaging the nail plate

There are many types of fungi, so symptoms of the disease can manifest in many different ways:

• light spots or stripes appear;
• Nail color becomes earthy gray, yellow or light brown, pink tones are discolored;
• nail thickening, deformation, cracking and, in severe cases, peeling;
• pain in the affected nail area, especially when wearing shoes.

Nails infected with onychomycosis can cause an unpleasant odor and severe pain when walking.Severe fungal infections can cause allergic reactions and create a favorable "foundation" for other infectious diseases to develop.

Stages of development

The fungus can penetrate through the free (distal) edge of the nail, folds on the sides or through damaged areas of the nail.First, the infection settles at the edges of the nail and as the colony grows, it spreads to the entire nail.The fungus can enter the epithelial tissue under the nail plate through small cracks and wounds in the nail.

Usually, the big toe is the first to get fungus.The first symptom of nail fungus is the appearance of light spots on the nails.The color of the nail plate changes - the pink tone inherent in healthy nails disappears.The nail plate becomes greyish, yellowish or whitish and loses its transparency.The edge of the nail begins to crack and become thinner.

If the fixation of the fungus and the formation of hyphae occur, deformation of the nail gradually begins.After penetrating the nail plate, the fungal disease slowly spreads to the nail's hard shell, then to neighboring tissues.Air cavities appear and separation begins.Some try to remove the entire affected area - this will not give the expected result because the infection has penetrated into deeper layers.Sometimes there are disorders in the formation of nail tissue - the nail will develop poorly and new areas will be deformed.

Next, the nail begins to deteriorate, pain and an unpleasant odor may appear.The next stage of infection is the transmission of the fungus to adjacent nails and adjacent skin areas.

The more you ignore the fungus problem, the more "deeply" the fungus will take root in the body and the more difficult it will be to treat later.Therefore, if the color, texture or shape of your nail changes, you should see a dermatologist or mycologist immediately.

Diagnosis and treatment of nail fungus

Nail fungus will not go away on its own.Treating nail fungus with “folk methods” or using “random” antifungal drugs is, as a rule, ineffective.Even if this provides short-term results, over time the untreated disease will recur.To get rid of nail fungus, you need a systematic approach and the participation of a doctor.

To confirm the diagnosis, nail scraping is often prescribed - microscopic examination for the presence of pathogenic fungi, and then culture is carried out to identify the specific pathogen.Based on the test results, the doctor will be able to choose the optimal course of treatment.

Treatment for nail fungus can take 2 to 6 months, depending on the severity of the disease.The results will be seen later, in a few months, as the nail recovers.

Antifungal drugs are preparations for topical use (cream, spray, ointment, gel) and complex action (injections, tablets).In addition to using medication, during the treatment of fungus, it is necessary to disinfect shoes, gloves, floors and bathrooms, towels and bed sheets.

In extremely severe cases, the nail is so destroyed that the only effective treatment is to remove it.But surgery is only used if other treatments for onychomycosis have failed and there is a risk of further spreading the infection.

Prevention of nail fungus

The body does not form specific (targeted) immunity against fungi, therefore, even after successful treatment of onychomycosis, if hygiene rules are not followed, there is still a risk of reinfection.

To avoid getting nail fungus, it is important to:

• comply with personal hygiene rules;
• Do not use other people's personal belongings or clothing;
• wash your feet (or at least your feet) daily with cool water and soap;
• keep socks or stockings clean and dry;if you are prone to excessive sweating, treat your feet with special preparations;
• Don't let your nails grow too long, but don't cut them too short so they're even with the pads of your toes;
• periodically disinfect nails with antiseptics;
• Clean regularly and avoid excessive dampness and humidity.

In case of injury to the nail, it is important to immediately treat the wound with an antiseptic and consult a doctor for timely treatment of the wound, as it can serve as a "gateway" for a fungal infection.