Nail fungus or onychomycosis (medical name) is a disease that occurs when the nail plate is affected by a fungal infection. Onychomycosis affects 5 to 15% of people. The risk of its development increases with age, although the fungus is often detected in children. Every 10 years of life, the incidence increases 2. 5 times. If it is 3% in children, it is already 50-60% in older people.
pathogens
Onychomycosis is caused by microorganisms from the fungal kingdom. The world of mushrooms is diverse and not all of them are as pleasant as champignons, chanterelles or honey mushrooms that we usually see on our table. There are microscopic species of parasites that feed on the tissues of plants, animals and humans.
The pathogens of onychomycosis consume the protein keratin, which is part of the nail plate, hair and the upper (keratinized) layer of skin. There are about 50 known representatives of parasitic fungi that can cause the disease.
They are divided into three groups:
- Dermatophytes. They account for 80% of onychomycosis cases. They are characterized by a high ability to survive and live. Occurs naturally in soil;
- Yeast-like fungi. Among them is the well-known Candida albicans (microorganism of the genus Candida) in women, which causes thrush or vaginal candidiasis. Yeast-like fungi attack fingernails five times more often than toenails. Toxic and affects the functioning of the entire body;
- Molds. Onychomycosis caused by mold is rare. But it is the most dangerous, it progresses quickly, it can completely destroy the nail plate and spread to neighboring tissues.
Onychomycosis affects the fingernails and toenails, but toenail fungus is much more common on the feet. This is due to the fact that hands are given much more attention, they are washed more often during the day and treated with antiseptics. They are always open and well ventilated, except in winter when we wear gloves. And your feet are constantly covered with street shoes, slippers, tights and socks and sweat more. These factors create ideal conditions for the development of athlete's foot, because heat and moisture are its best "friends".
The causative agent of onychomycosis penetrates the nail from different directions. The most common way is from above, from the side of the free edge of the nail plate. It is also possible to insert it laterally from the side ridges or from below from the cuticle and nail growth zone.
Onychomycosis is most dangerous near the cuticles. In this case, the fungus slows down or stops the division of onychoblasts - cells of the growth zone under the lower nail fold. The nail stops growing and the infected areas may not recover. There is a pathological change in the structure and destruction of the nail.
Fungi rarely penetrate directly into the nail plate. First, their spores penetrate the skin around the nail or into the spaces between the fingers through microtears, cuts, abrasions, abrasions and calluses. Then the colony begins to grow, the pathogen moves towards the nail plate, penetrates it and begins to parasitize.
Why does onychomycosis occur?
Fungi live in warm and humid places, and wherever such conditions exist, it is easy to become infected with them. For example, if you go barefoot in public bathrooms, swimming pools, showers or gym locker rooms, the likelihood of infection is high.
Some diseases contribute to the development of onychomycosis:
- Diabetes mellitus. The fungus is three times more common in patients with diabetes. Excess glucose in the blood creates favorable conditions for the functioning of fungi. If sugar is not controlled and does not remain within the normal range, the blood vessels suffer. The longer the disease lasts, the more the blood circulation in the legs is impaired (diabetic foot syndrome). Wounds heal more slowly, infections occur more easily;
- Poor blood circulation in the lower extremities caused by varicose veins, atherosclerosis (narrowing of the lumen, blockage of the arteries), thrombophlebitis (formation of blood clots in the lumen of the veins);
- Weakened immunity, immune deficiency states (HIV), damage to the immune system. Reduce the body's resistance to infections;
- Psoriasis. Changes in the nail plate occur in 90% of people suffering from psoriasis. Grooves form, cloudiness appears, depressions appear and the nail plate detaches. These factors increase the likelihood of infection with a fungus by 1. 5-2 times;
- Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating of the feet, often causes onychomycosis in men;
- The presence of a focus of fungal infection in other parts of the body.
The risk group includes older people.
The cause of onychomycosis is often associated with the specifics of the profession and improper care of the feet:
- poor care of feet and nails, lack of daily hygiene measures due to neglect of personal hygiene rules or difficulties in their implementation (in bedridden patients or patients with reduced mobility);
- Working in damp, damp areas (greenhouses, greenhouses, vegetable shops), frequent wearing of rubber gloves or rubber shoes;
- professional sports;
- Wearing uncomfortable, tight, narrow shoes or shoes made of artificial materials (artificial leather), which creates a "greenhouse effect" and impairs normal air exchange.
Predisposing factors for the development of onychomycosis include trauma to the nail or surrounding tissues, as well as taking antibacterial or hormonal drugs.
A common cause of fungal infections in women is prolonged wearing of gel polish. A closed space is created between the nail plate and the coating, in which a fungal infection successfully develops. It is not recommended to apply gel polish to toenails; it is better to use ordinary decorative varnish. Also in women, onychomycosis occurs after an unsuccessful manicure or pedicure in salons where high-quality disinfection of instruments is not carried out and sterility is not maintained.
Signs of onychomycosis
The fungus most commonly affects the big toes.
The following changes in the nail plate indicate a fungal infection:
- dullness, yellowing, loss of smoothness and shine;
- itching, redness, peeling of the skin;
- delamination, fragility, friability;
- unpleasant smell;
- violation of structure, thickening;
If you experience at least one of the listed signs, you must immediately consult a doctor who treats nail fungus. This can be a podiatrist, dermatologist or mycologist.
After an injury to the nail or the skin surrounding it, a mandatory examination by a podiatrist is required to determine onychomycosis. In the presence of predisposing factors (varicose veins, diabetes, atherosclerosis, weakened immune system, excessive sweating of the feet, etc. ), it is recommended to carry out a medical pedicure once a month, during which the doctor carefully examines the nails and skin of the feet and detect changes in the early stages.
Is nail fungus dangerous?
Onychomycosis is a disease that causes psychological rather than physical discomfort. To understand what we are talking about, just look at a photo of toenail fungus on the Internet. It is characterized by a slow course and does not cause pain, fever or other symptoms that require urgent medical attention.
People are in no hurry to treat nail fungus. Finally, if the affected area is small, you can paint it with varnish, wear socks or closed shoes in front of strangers. And the problem of psychological problems is temporarily solved. But unfortunately not everything is that simple. If you do not destroy the fungal infection, it will not go anywhere, but will continue to affect the nail. And onychomycosis is contagious. An infected person poses a danger to their family and others.
How do you prevent infection?
The best cure for nail fungus is prevention.
To protect yourself from infection, you must:
- Use medical disinfectants labeled GOST (can kill onychomycosis, tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV);
- Monitor the condition of the feet and nails. The main rule is that feet should be clean and dry.
- Take care of your shoes, disinfect and dry them regularly; it is convenient to use electric dryers for drying;
- Treat your feet with drying agents or antiperspirants if your feet sweat a lot.
- Avoid going barefoot in the swimming pool, sauna, and gym locker rooms; instead, wear closed-toe rubber flip-flops.
- Wear comfortable shoes made from natural, breathable materials.
- Do not use other people's towels, shoes or manicure accessories.
These tips will help you prevent onychomycosis and keep your nails healthy and well-groomed. They are effective not only against fungal infections, but also against other problems: calluses, corns.
Features of the treatment of onychomycosis
Advertisements on television promise a simple and quick cure for nail fungus using antifungal (fungicidal) creams, solutions and varnishes. We are promised that "the drugs Lamesil, Exaderil, Mikazan, Mecoderil and others penetrate deep into the structure of the nail, effectively destroy the fungus and return the nails to their previous appearance after 2-3 applications. "But why does this self-treatment of toenail fungus lead to good results in a maximum of 10% of cases? Because these remedies themselves only work in the early stages of the fungus, when the symptoms are not yet obvious and are almost invisible.
Manufacturers often lie by saying that the drugs are made in Europe and contain good active ingredients. In practice, the most effective drug against nail fungus (onychomycosis) is one that contains the active ingredient clotrimazole. Most medications are simply very well advertised and expensive, but do not contain the required active ingredient. In regular pharmacies you cannot buy specialty medicines, even if the required name is written on them; the chemical composition will not contain them because it is very expensive to produce.
This medication is used in podiatry centers and on properly prepared nails. We do not have the right to reveal the name of the drug, but you can ask us any question here.
Antifungal drugs are the main therapy in the treatment of onychomycosis. Without them, we will not be able to defeat the infection, no matter how much we would like to. But they must be used correctly and carefully. The drug for nail fungus should be applied to a previously treated and prepared nail so that it has the desired therapeutic effect.
If you suspect onychomycosis, you should first consult a doctor who will confirm or refute the diagnosis. If necessary, he will prescribe additional examination and treatment. Choosing a nail fungus remedy based on reviews on the Internet, advice from friends or advertising on TV leads to wasting time and money on unnecessary medications. The same results are achieved when trying to treat onychomycosis using traditional methods. Vinegar, garlic, onions and medicinal herbs are not able to destroy the pathogen.
An important point in the treatment of onychomycosis is disinfection of shoes and clothing that have come into contact with the infected area. If you don't, you can become infected again through your own things. Clothes must be washed and ironed at high temperatures (above 60°C) and shoes must be treated with special disinfectants.
Which drugs and methods are effective?
In the initial stages, treatment of onychomycosis is easier and faster than in advanced cases. How do you treat nail fungus?
To combat the pathogen use:
- Medical hardware pedicure. Allows bloodless and painless cleaning of nail areas affected by onychomycosis and prepares them for the use of antifungal drugs.
- Keratolytics. These are local medications against nail fungus that are applied to the affected nail to remove it painlessly. They loosen, soften and dissolve the nail plate and are then easily removed with pedicure tools. Keratolytics facilitate the treatment of onychomycosis, removing the infected area and stimulating the growth of a new healthy nail plate;
- Fungicidal agents. The action of these drugs is aimed at destroying the fungus. With onychomycosis they are used externally in the form of varnishes, solutions, ointments, creams and internally in the form of tablets. When taken internally, the active ingredients in tablets against nail fungus accumulate in the skin and nail plate. They suppress the activity of fungal enzymes, disrupt the permeability of cell membranes and lead to the death of the pathogen. The most effective ones contain the active ingredient clotrimazole.
Treatment methods for onychomycosis are selected based on the severity of symptoms and the area of the affected area. In the initial stages of the disease, hardware treatment and external fungicidal agents are sufficient. In severe forms of infection, when the entire nail is infected with fungus, you need to take tablets and remove the nail plate. Treatment of an advanced form of onychomycosis lasts 3 months to 1 year and depends on the speed of nail growth.
Topical fungicidal preparations are harmless to health, but are not always effective. The tablets have a negative effect on the liver, so laboratory monitoring of the condition of the organ is necessary while taking them.
Onychomycosis is curable, and that's the main thing!
The sooner you see a doctor, the faster you can deal with it.
Don't be afraid and don't be ashamed. This problem is very common and affects millions of people around the world.
When treating nail fungus in our podiatry center you will receive:
- joint observation of a podiatrist and a mycologist (a doctor who deals with fungal diseases);
- 100% sterility for all procedures;
- the ability to collect material (scraping the skin and nail plate) to identify the type of fungus;
- quick results (on average 3 – 4 procedures are required);
- Recommendations for caring for feet and shoes to help prevent reinfection.
It is important to us that the problem does not reoccur and that your nails are healthy and beautiful!