Summer has come, we were all looking forward to this time, because it is getting warmer and cozier outside, which means that the time for light and open shoes has finally come. But what to do if you are ashamed to bare your feet for reasons related to one of the most common and uncomfortable diseases -Toenail fungus.
In this article we will try to get you over as easily and quickly as possiblehow to treatthis disease and how to get rid of it as efficiently and painlessly as possible.
Toenail fungus. Treatment and causes of the disease
First, let's look at what nail fungus is. This is a living organism that needs food, namely the moisture (sweat) of your feet. One of the most common diseases associated with a problem, such as:Toenail fungusis onychomycosis, which is most commonly caused by dermatophyte fungus and much less commonly caused by microsporias.
There are 5 types of onychomycosis lesions of the nail plate:
- Distal - covering the front of the nail;
- Lateral - covering the lateral parts of the nail;
- Proximal - covering the back of the nail;
- Superficial - cover the nail with yellowish spots;
- Overall - coverage of the nail plate as a whole;
All types of lesions have common visible symptoms such as discoloration, deformation, fragility.
Foci of fungal infection
If you regularly visit the gym, pool, spa, or massage parlor, take good care of your personal hygiene, as these are the places where the fungal infection has all the prerequisites for spreading. There is high humidity and moderate temperature, which are the best stimulants for the development of mycoses (bacteria that cause a fungal infection). You can catch the fungus by walking into the shower or massage room without shoes.
It is also worth remembering that toenail fungus can be transmitted through direct contact with a wearer.
How does nail fungus develop?
- Wearing uncomfortable and tight shoes, as well as shoes made of synthetic materials that compress the foot and block air circulation. In such an environment, mycosis develops rapidly;
- Gel polish (for women), which promotes the development of fungus between the nail plate and the applied varnish;
- Increased sweating of the feet;
- Defects or injuries to the nails;
- Flat feet;
- Slow nail growth;
- Violation of metabolic processes in the nail;
- Poor blood supply to the limbs;
- Immune system disorders;
- Harmful working conditions (dust, gas pollution, high humidity);
- Taking antibiotics, hormones;
Timely foot hygiene is required to avoid infection, which is much easier to follow than treating an already neglected case. At an advanced stage, the fungus can not only spread to neighboring nails, but also get to other human organs with blood, which can contribute to the development of a number of other diseases that are associated with a weakened immune system.
There are also categories of people who are more prone to this disease than others because of comorbidities, namely:
- For diabetes mellitus (diabetic foot);
- Overweight (obese);
- For cardiovascular diseases (venous diseases).
Signs of toenail fungus
So how can you recognize the fungus by the first signs so that it does not run deep into the nail later and prevent the spread of neighboring fingers on healthy nail plates?
There are a number of symptoms that can help you identify toenail fungus early on:
- Yellowing of the nail plate;
- Slight deformation or change (if the nail is severely deformed);
- Cleavage and fragility of the nail, exposing the nerve endings and soft tissues on the toes (a light touch causes pain and discomfort);
- unpleasant odor (associated with increased sweating).
Photo of nail fungus
Modern methods of treating toenail fungus
If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should not self-medicate. There are a large number of bloggers and traditional healers on the network who will be happy to tell you what to apply to the affected area of the nail or leg and what medication to use to make it all go away in a week or two. Unfortunately, treating fungal diseases is not as simple and quick as we all wish. It is understood that even with a visible improvement in the overall clinical picture, it is undesirable to discontinue treatment, since it is associated with the fact that sooner or later there may be a relapse and you will have to start treatment again. And to choose antifungal creams, sprays, gels yourself - you run the risk of aggravating the situation or spending money in vain without getting the desired effect. Only a specialist can choose effective drugs that, after a thorough examination, will rid you of infection.
Modern medicine offers many treatment options for fungi:
- Local treatment - treatment is carried out with conventional antifungal drugs, which in most cases only have a curative effect, but not a full recovery;
- Medical treatment - complete cure is guaranteed, but side effects are not excluded, since the body suffers from the influence of antifungal drugs and toxicity from pulse therapy;
- Surgical intervention - this method is ineffective, as it does not always lead to a full recovery, as there is a high probability of defective offspring of nails. Also, don't forget the long recovery period;
- Laser Treatment - Laser treatment for nail fungus is less effective. Due to the fact that laser treatment is based on the use of a hot beam, after such heat treatment, the nail plates slow down their growth, and therefore the fungus is not blocked, but continues to spread. Laser fungal treatment is an ineffective method that is practically no longer used today;
What is the best way to treat nail fungus?
Since the main task and goal is to get the patient free from nail fungus quickly, effectively, without discomfort and unpleasant consequences, we recommend the method of photodynamic therapy.
This is the latest method of treating fungus, based on the use of photosensitizers, which ensure the formation of oxygen in the cells of the fungus, while completely destroying the foci of infection. Subsequently, cells of the immune system (phagocytes) absorb completely dead fungal cells and remove them from the body.
When using light, all fungal bacteria die within minutes. It is also important to note that this therapy is a completely painless procedure with no side effects.
The photodynamic therapy method has a number of advantages that every patient will appreciate:
- Effectiveness: Just a few sessions are enough to eliminate the source of infection. The number of procedures depends on the stage of development of the disease;
- Treatment without consequences: no scars, scratches, microcracks, redness or irritation remain on the skin after sessions of photodynamic therapy;
- Pain-free: You will not feel any tingling, constriction or other unpleasant sensations during the session;
- Completely replaces antibiotic treatment;
- Recommendations from leading international experts;
- The treatment process takes a minimum of time;
ToNail fungus treatmentwas successful, entrust it to the professionals. We will accurately determine the stage of development of the disease, the condition of the skin and nail plate, and prescribe procedures using the latest equipment using effective drugs that level mycoses. In a couple of weeks, you will not only forget the itchiness and boast about the perfect condition of your feet.
After the treatment is completed, the procedure for prosthetics of the nail plate can be carried out. The prosthetics of the plate is the right decision if you want to restore the nail plate quickly, efficiently and precisely and if you want to restore the legs to an incomparable appearance. In our clinic, this procedure is carried out on modern equipment with effective drugs with antifungal and anti-inflammatory effects, using gel and acrylic materials containing silver and platinum nanoparticles. The part of the nail plate that is partially lost after treating a fungal infection or injury to the nail plate (but if no more than 2/3 of the nail plate is lost) is prosthetic.
We remind you that the procedure is carried out only without contraindications, before performing the prosthetic procedure, treatment (in the presence of a fungal and / or other type of infection) or prophylactic use is mandatory therapy with a complex of special antifungal agents andAnti-infectives.
When faced with a problem as sensitive as a yeast infection, seek help from a specialized medical center where experienced doctors can help you cure the disease.