Nail fungus, known to professionals as onychomycosis, is a very common pathology. The lesion affects around 40% of people at least once in their life. 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 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 local 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. For onychomycosis to develop, a combination of several factors is necessary: poor health (for example, after a recent acute respiratory viral infection), as well as small cracks in the nails and surrounding skin. Also, after the penetration of pathogenic bacteria, it is necessary to create a humid and warm environment favorable for reproduction.
Other risk factors that increase your risk of developing toenail fungus include:
- microtrauma of the nail plates;
- diabetes;
- take immunosuppressants;
- congenital thickened nail plates;
- venous insufficiency (poor blood circulation in the legs);
- peripheral arterial disease;
- advanced age;
- fungal infections of the skin.
People who notice lesions on their nails quite often should take certain measures to prevent recurrence. At a minimum, you should keep your feet dry and warm. You should not walk barefoot in public places, especially swimming pools, saunas and spas. Professional athletes, that is, people who perform intense physical work most of the day, also need to pay attention to choosing the right 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, then it is necessary to consult a dermatologist or podiatrist. The fact is that fungus is not the only possible cause of nail problems. Many other pathologies can be similar to the manifestations of fungal infections. For example, some forms of psoriasis can mimic the symptoms of toenail fungus. Therefore, a specialist doctor must make a diagnosis and select treatment. In the future, in the event of a relapse, the patient can reuse the medications already prescribed.
Symptoms, diagnostic methods
Before prescribing treatment for a fungus, a good doctor 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 affected nails to the laboratory for examination under a microscope.
If the selected treatment methods do not help you, then you need to consult a doctor again. Symptoms indicating that nail fungus is progressing:
- microbleeding 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 after identifying the true cause of the infection is truly effective treatment possible.
Treatment options
There is no best or optimal treatment method. The medical prescription directly depends on the severity of the condition and the type of microorganism that caused 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 antifungal medications.
They are the first choice option, the most common treatment method for recurring fungus. The tablets help the new nail to grow cleanly and with the correct structure. You should be prepared for the fact that the results are not quick: the whole treatment takes 6-12 weeks. Stopping oral treatment is only allowed when the nail has completely returned, clean and healthy.
As for the downsides, the therapy is not suitable for people over the age of 65, nor for people with liver problems or diagnosed congestive heart failure. Additionally, oral antifungal medications can cause side effects such as rashes and nausea. It is strictly forbidden to start taking such drugs without preliminary testing. In addition, about 2 weeks after the start of treatment, it is recommended to do another scraping to check how exactly the body reacts to the prescribed medications.
Healing varnish.
If the nails are affected for the first time (the onset of the disease is diagnosed) or the fungus was detected at the "point stage", then the doctor may prescribe the use of a special antifungal varnish containing the active ingredientmain. For best results, it is recommended to treat the affected nail plates and 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 repeat the treatment if necessary. The product quickly eliminates small patches of fungus, but if the lesion is deep enough, the risk of relapse is high.
Antifungal cream.
If the lesion has extended 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 thoroughly wash and dry your feet and file 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, it is recommended, before starting treatment, to additionally apply urea cream to soften it. 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 will ensure that the prescribed medications do not conflict with each other. The fact is that even minor problems with the feet of diabetics can develop into full-blown gangrene.
Don’t think that a fully completed treatment will automatically mean your nails will look good. Unfortunately, the destruction of the fungus does not mean that the nail plate will return to its natural color and shape. A full update can take up to 18 months.
When to resort to surgery?
If the fungus constantly reappears and stops responding to the medications used, the best option is to seek help from a surgeon. The specialist will suggest completely removing the affected nail so that the antifungal medication can be applied directly to the skin. The only drawback, but not insignificant, of the method: sometimes the new plate grows back thinned, already deformed. Surgical removal is also carried out if the nail is so deformed and damaged that podiatric sanitation cannot correct the situation. The operation is also indicated for patients who cannot take pills or use external agents due to individual intolerance.
Prevention methods
Following all doctor's recommendations is the key to successful treatment. But sometimes the fungus returns due to weak immunity or ignorance of hygiene rules. Simple preventive measures to avoid relapses:
- Keep your feet clean and dry;
- wearing slippers 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 shoes barefoot, it is recommended to wash the insoles at least once a week, and after an exacerbation of the fungus, install new ones or use insoles;
- remove tight shoes and tight stockings from your wardrobe;
- 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 should 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 disposed of or treated with disinfectants and antifungal laundry detergents. Nail treatment tools (scissors, files, pliers) must be sterilized after each use. During the period of exacerbation, it is prohibited to use decorative varnishes, make extensions or attach artificial tips.
Features of the course of the fungus in children, methods of treatment
Nail fungus looks really unsightly, but rarely poses a serious threat to life and health. This is why adults sometimes ignore 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 significant stress for the baby and even cause problems with perception of one's own body and worsen self-esteem.
The task of parents is to periodically examine the child's body. After all, very often children hide fungal growths because they believe that they themselves are to blame for the disease, do not want to bother their elders, or are simply afraid of treatment. Parents who have discovered pathological changes in the feet should not show disapproval, disgust or even scold the child. The phrases "you didn’t wash your feet properly", "it’s because you rarely change your socks" are prohibited. It is necessary to calmly talk about what nail fungus is, relieve possible fears, reassure and describe the treatment in general terms.
It is important to explain to the child that he is not responsible for the illness. But at the same time, it is necessary to understand that fungal infections love dark and damp spaces, so it is necessary to regularly change socks, keep shoes clean and not forget about daily hygiene procedures.
Treatment of fungus in children is usually carried out with oral medications. The fact is that children's nails are very thin and grow quite 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 is minimized.