Nail fungus, known among professionals as onychomycosis, is a very common pathology. The lesion affects about 40% of people at least once in their lives. Fungi are more common on the feet 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 discolor, thicken, and crumble at the edges. If treatment is not started early, onychomycosis begins to affect the areas between the toes and can even reach the skin of the feet. The neglected fungus is called epidermophytosis. Be sure to consult your family doctor!
How can you get nail fungus?
Since the disease is contagious, you can only become 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. A combination of several factors is necessary for the development of onychomycosis: poor health (e. g. after a recent acute respiratory viral infection) as well as small cracks in the nails and surrounding skin. Even after the invasion of pathogenic bacteria, it is necessary to create a moist and warm environment that favors reproduction.
Other risk factors that increase your risk of developing nail fungus include:
- microtrauma of the nail plates;
- diabetes mellitus;
- taking immunosuppressants;
- congenital thickened nail plates;
- venous insufficiency (poor blood circulation in the legs);
- peripheral arterial disease;
- older age;
- Fungal skin infections.
People who frequently notice lesions on their nails should take certain steps 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 swimming pools, saunas and spas. Professional athletes who do heavy physical work most of the day should also pay attention to choosing the right shoes and socks. The feet should not sweat and the nails should not be bruised.
Who can 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. However, when new growths appear on the nails for the first time, consultation with a dermatologist or podiatrist is necessary. The fact is that fungus is not the only possible cause of nail problems. Many other pathologies can resemble the manifestations of fungal infections. For example, some forms of psoriasis may resemble the symptoms experienced by nail fungus. Therefore, a specialist must make a diagnosis and select treatment. In the event of a relapse, the patient can reuse medications that have already been prescribed in the future.
Symptoms, diagnostic methods
Before a good doctor prescribes treatment for a fungus, he should refer the patient for laboratory tests. Even an experienced specialist cannot determine the type of pathogen by eye. Most often, the patient is asked to send clippings of the affected nails to the laboratory for examination under a microscope.
If the chosen treatment methods do not help, you need to see a doctor again. Symptoms that indicate nail fungus is progressing:
- microbleeds around the nail bed;
- swelling and pain in the affected area;
- complete deformation of the nail plate;
- the appearance of a characteristic pulsation when walking;
Only when the true cause of the infection is identified can truly effective treatment be possible.
Treatment options
There is no best or optimal treatment method. The doctor's prescription directly depends on the severity of the disease and the type of microorganism that provoked the disease. Most often, doctors prescribe medications that must be applied directly to the nail or taken orally. Let's take a closer look at each option.
Oral antifungals.
They are the first choice and most common treatment for recurrent fungus. The tablets ensure that the new nail grows cleanly and with the correct structure. You have to be prepared that the results will not come quickly; the entire treatment period lasts 6-12 weeks. Discontinuing oral therapy is only permitted once the nail has grown back completely clean and healthy.
As for the disadvantages, the therapy is not suitable for elderly people over 65 years old, as well as people with liver problems or diagnosed heart failure. Additionally, oral antifungals can cause side effects such as rash and nausea. It is strictly forbidden to start taking such drugs without prior testing. In addition, it is recommended that curettage be carried out again approximately 2 weeks after the start of treatment to check how exactly the body reacts to the prescribed medication.
Healing varnish.
If the nails are affected for the first time (the onset of the disease is diagnosed) or the fungus was detected in the "point stage", the doctor may prescribe the use of a special antifungal varnish with the main active ingredient. For best results, it is recommended to clean the affected nail plates andto treat the surrounding skin at least once a day. After seven days, it is necessary to remove the accumulated layers of varnish with medical alcohol, evaluate the result and, if necessary, repeat the course. Although the product quickly removes small fungal spots, but if the lesion is deep enoughthere is a high risk of relapse.
Antifungal cream.
If the lesion under the nail has spread to the surrounding skin, it is more advisable to use a cream instead of varnish. Before each use, you must wash and dry your feet thoroughly and file the affected layer of the nail plate. You then need to apply the cream in a thin layer. If the infection has spread to the surrounding skin, which has also become thick, it is recommended to additionally apply urea cream to soften it before starting treatment. Antifungal nail creams are very effective and rarely cause complications.
If the disease occurs against the background of diabetes, not only a podiatrist but also an endocrinologist is involved in developing a treatment program. Specialists ensure that the prescribed medications do not conflict with each other. The fact is that even minor problems on the feet of diabetics can turn into a full-fledged gangrene.
Do not think that a fully completed treatment will automatically make your nails look aesthetically pleasing. Unfortunately, the destruction of the fungus does not mean that the nail plate returns to its natural color and shape. A full update can take up to 18 months.
When should surgery be performed?
If the fungus keeps coming back and no longer responds to the medications used, it is best to see a surgeon. The specialist will suggest completely removing the affected nail so that the antifungal can be applied directly to the skin. The only but significant disadvantage of the method: Sometimes the new plate grows thin and already deformed. Surgical removal is also carried out if the nail is so deformed and damaged that podiatric rehabilitation does not help to correct the situation. The operation is also indicated for patients who, due to individual intolerance, cannot take tablets or use external agents.
Prevention methods
Following all the doctor's recommendations is the key to a successful treatment result. But sometimes the fungus returns due to weak immunity or ignorance of hygiene rules. Simple preventative measures to avoid relapses:
- Keep your feet clean and dry;
- Wear slippers in public pools, showers and locker rooms.
- Perform general cleaning and disinfection of all surfaces in your own bathroom.
- change socks every day;
- for those who wear shoes barefoot, it is recommended to wash the insoles at least once a week and, after an exacerbation of the fungus, insert new ones or use insoles;
- Remove tight shoes and socks that are too tight from your closet.
- Cut your nails short, file the edges strictly at right angles;
- Wash your feet regularly, several times a day in summer;
- Wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe.
After an exacerbation of the fungus, you need to 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 disinfectants and antifungal detergents. Nail processing tools (scissors, files, tweezers) must be sterilized after each use. During the exacerbation period, it is forbidden to use decorative varnishes, make extensions or attach artificial tips.
Features of the fungal course in children, treatment methods
Nail fungus looks really unsightly, but rarely poses a serious threat to life and health. For this reason, adults sometimes ignore treatment. However, fungal diseases in children have their own peculiarities. 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 great burden for the baby and even cause problems with the perception of one's own body and worsen self-esteem.
The task of parents is to regularly examine the child's body. Because very often children hide fungal growths because they believe that they themselves are to blame for the disease, do not want to upset their elders or are simply afraid of treatment. Parents who have noticed pathological changes in the feet should not show disapproval, disgust or even scold the child. The phrases "You didn't wash your feet well", "That's because you rarely change your socks" are forbidden. It is necessary to calmly talk about what nail fungus is, reduce possible fears, calm down and generally describe the treatment.
It is important to explain to the child that he is not to blame for the illness. At the same time, however, it must be conveyed that fungal infections love dark and damp rooms. Therefore, 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 with oral medications. The fact is that children's nails are very thin and grow quite quickly, which means the risk of complications after using creams and gels is higher.
Fungal infections are very common. But with high-quality daily hygiene measures and strong immunity, the risk of infection is minimized.