A nuisance like nail fungus (or onychomycosis) is considered one of the most common in the world. According to statistics, every tenth of the inhabitants of the planet suffers from tinea pedis! People of all races, genders, and all ages are susceptible to the disease, from preschoolers to older adults.
Many of us believe that foot fungus only occurs in people who neglect personal hygiene, forget to monitor the condition of the skin on their feet, and more.
In fact, toenail fungus can appear even on clean people, as the infection can easily be "infected" in public places - on the beach, in saunas, swimming pools, gyms, etc. Toenail fungus is a disease that, while not fatal, is very insidious. In the early stage, the symptoms are harmless, and in the later stage, it can lead to serious consequences such as nail damage and deformation, and it will never return to its original state. Also, onychomycosis is highly contagious, so a person who finds the fungus can easily infect all family members.
Toenail Fungus: The First Signs
It is difficult to determine the pathology in the first stage, but it is possible if you carefully observe the condition of the nail and the skin around it.
The main signs that fungi can be identified are:
- thickening of the nail plate;
- Wrinkles, streaks and spots appear on the surface;
- Toenails lose their luster and elasticity;
- Nail cutting into the skin of the leg, which has not been observed before;
- The skin around the nail plate starts to itch and cause discomfort; sometimes it starts to itch between the fingers (these signs are characteristic of children and teens because their skin is thinner and more tender than adults).
Subsequently, as the fungus develops, other signs and symptoms appear:
- structural deformation of the toenails - they become brittle, scaly, brittle edges appear;
- Color Variation - instead of the usual, healthy, transparent white, plates gain unnatural hues such as purple, yellow or even black;
- The nails are deformed, flattened or bulged, and nodules form on them.
But peeling nails are a symptom of advanced disease. The nail separates from the skin, forming a so-called pocket in which pathogenic bacteria gather and multiply actively. This usually manifests itself after contact with warm water - when you shower, bathe, swim in a pool, take a steam bath. After the legs are dry, the plate can be adhered to the skin again.
Sometimes, similar symptoms can appear in people who do not have the fungus. Due to mechanical damage, the nails can darken, peel, and then fall off completely. The death process begins a week or two after a toe injury or simply wearing tight, ill-fitting shoes.
Typically, after six months, a new, fully healthy nail plate will grow. To determine if it is fungus or just the result of an injury, a qualified dermatologist or surgeon can.
These symptoms are also accompanied by an unpleasant odor produced by pathogenic bacteria. People with toenail fungus smell bad in their socks and shoes, and usual hygiene routines can't get rid of this symptom. In this case, complex treatment is required or a person may lose the nail plate.
Treat onychomycosis
A person can recognize the first symptoms of the disease on their own. But even if you're sure you have symptoms of nail fungus, you should seek the advice of a qualified doctor, or the treatment may not deliver the desired results. A specialist will help identify the disease, determine its stage and recommend necessary treatment.
First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the causes that lead to the beginning of the disease:
- Humid and warm environment. Wear socks, tights, and shoes made only from natural materials. Dry your shoes and change your socks every time you go out on the street, don't let your feet get wet for a long time;
- Don't wear other people's shoes, go to public places - swimming pools, saunas, beaches - use personal replacement shoes and disinfect them with chlorine or alcohol after each use;
- Weak immunity. The disease usually occurs in the context of a weakened immune system, a lack of useful nutrients in the body, and frequent colds. After consulting with your doctor, you should take multivitamins and minerals to boost your immune system and thus aid in your treatment.
traditional treatment
Topical treatment of onychomycosis in the initial stage includes the use of antifungal creams and ointments. These funds are usually sold with special waterproof patches.
Using the dispenser, apply the drug to the affected nail plate, place in a cast and leave for 24 hours. Patches must not be removed during this time.
After a day, the patch should be removed, the leg should be placed in a warm soapy soda solution, and dead tissue should be removed with a pedicure nail file.
After removing the affected area of the nail plate on the leg, the product must be applied to the nail bed. The duration of this treatment is until the growth of healthy plates.
In the first stage of the disease, special antifungal varnishes should be used only when the first symptoms appear. Apply this varnish once or twice a week throughout the year.
However, if this therapy does not help and the fungus is already in a different stage, more effective drugs are needed. In this case, an antifungal agent of general action would be required. They can also be combined with antifungal varnishes. The course of treatment with systemic drugs is prescribed individually by the doctor, depending on the stage of the patient's onychomycosis.
There are some limitations to such funding - kidney and liver disease, pregnancy, breastfeeding babies. You also cannot combine them with oral contraceptives.
Although toenail fungus is a disease that is not harmful to human life, it can lead to allergic reactions, decreased immunity and various skin diseases without necessary treatment. This is why the treatment of this disease cannot be postponed until later, and you must seek specialist help immediately.