Rain-soaked boots, tight and warm shoes, reduced immunity - all this increases the risk of onychomycosis.
Mushrooms attack in the fall
Uncomfortable cracks on the leg between the fingers and the nail has turned yellow? You may have contracted a fungus. About 10% of the world's population suffers from this microscopic enemy, and in the last 10 years the number of victims of onychomycosis (or nail fungus) has more than doubled.
Both men and women fall victim to it with equal success. But the risk of getting sick increases with age. After 70 years, for example, every second person suffers from onychomycosis.
Fortunately, children are much less likely to be infected, since babies' nails grow much faster than adult nails, and the fungus, on the contrary, develops rather slowly.
Where can you get mushrooms? Yes, most likely from their own relatives.
Recent studies have found that nail fungus is most commonly infected in the family, even if it consists of two people. The risk group includes people with excessive sweating, weakened immunity and flat feet. Shoes that are too tight can provoke the disease: in them, the skin of the feet and nails are more prone to injury. Stockings and socks made of synthetic fibers, poor ventilation in autumn and winter shoes create a humid microclimate for feet. Frequent contact of hands with household detergents and cleaning products injures the nails on the hands, and the fungus prefers only weakened and damaged nail plates, a healthy nail is practically invulnerable to a fungal infection. Here are the main causes of onychomycosis:
Cracks and scratches on the skin, nail injuries, constantly wet feet.
The presence of diseases: diabetes, AIDS, obesity, reduced immunity. The risk of falling ill increases when the vascular tone of the legs is disturbed, for example in the case of heart failure or varicose veins.
Taking antibiotics, oral contraceptives.
The disease first appears on the skin of the feet, often in the interdigital folds. A parasitic fungus that has settled on the skin can poison the life of anyone.
Over time, the affected area captures the nails not only on the legs, but also on the hands. Sooner or later, another person will step on the fallen skin and become infected.
Externally, the appearance of nail fungus can be like this: the color and thickness of the nails change, the nails begin to crumble or collapse.
Where is the infection
You can get a fungus both in public places (on the floor in gym locker rooms, in a bathhouse, swimming pools, a manicure/pedicure salon, in a hotel, on the beach) and in your own home.
Shared shoes at home in the family, in the country or at a party, walking barefoot, household items and interior items (towels, carpets, blankets) - these are the factors that determine the transmission of the fungus between members of the same family relatives and friends.
The most effective remedy for nail fungus is primary prevention. It is better to avoid infection than to treat it later. To avoid nail fungus infection, you need to follow these simple rules:
- Never use someone else's shoes and do not give your shoes to anyone else, including those close to you.
- Do not use the same manicure accessories to treat sick and healthy nails.
- If possible, disinfect all objects with which the patient's legs and hands have come into contact.
- Don't go barefoot in public, including at home, and wear closed-toe rubber slippers to protect against splashes when visiting a bathhouse, sauna, or swimming pool. Wear only slippers even on the beach.
- After the pool you have to take a shower.
- Never visit spas and pools if cracks appear on your soles.
- After visiting public places, treat the skin of the feet with boric alcohol or some kind of antifungal ointment, cream, gel or spray. For prevention, almost any antifungal drugs or alcoholic solutions of antiseptics are suitable.
- Do not wear rubber boots for long periods of time, uncomfortable shoes that rub your feet.
- Do not abuse synthetic socks or tights, change them daily.
Immediately to the doctor!
At the first suspicion that you have caught a fungal infection, you should consult a mycologist or dermatologist. The doctor not only conducts an examination, assesses the thickness and structure of the nail, but also takes tissue swabs for analysis. Only in this way can he determine the presence of the fungus, its type and prescribe the correct treatment.
Untreated onychomycosis can lead to nail loss. The infection damages the entire body. The fungus releases toxic substances that cause allergic reactions and reduce immunity.
It is necessary to clearly know that in the first stages it is quite easy to get rid of the infection. If the disease has not progressed, local treatment can be carried out: cut off the affected areas of the nail, cover the remaining nail with antifungal varnish, smear it with antifungal ointments, of which there are many today.
Remember, the longer the fungus lives on your nails, the harder it is to get rid of. In the later stages, when several years have passed after infection (and toenails are affected), fungal diseases are difficult to treat.
what you need to know
- The alarm must be sounded at the first signs of a fungus on the skin. A fungal infestation on the skin is easier and quicker to treat than on the nails. It is enough just a week to lubricate the affected areas with any of the antifungal drugs that are plentiful in every pharmacy.
- The fungus can also infect the hair, although fungi are most common on the nails.
- Sometimes a change in the appearance of the nails is not associated with a fungus, but is caused by the condition of the internal organs: cardiovascular and pulmonary insufficiency, impaired kidney or liver function. Nails can turn yellow after taking strong medication. Nail damage is also caused by lichen planus, eczema, psoriasis, and finally nail injury also occurs. But mostly the appearance of the nails changes due to a fungal infection.
folk recipes
Treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies is rarely effective. However, here are two recipes.
- Apply a piece of kombucha to the sore nail and bandage your finger. This will soften the nail and make it easier to trim. Repeat the process until the nail becomes completely soft. Then steam your legs well and lubricate them with this mixture: take one part vinegar essence, two parts glycerin, two parts 96% alcohol. Prepare garlic oil: grate the garlic and pour sunflower oil heated to sixty degrees (the oil should cover the garlic) - mix everything and leave for a couple of days in a tightly closed container. Dip a cotton ball in this oil, apply to the sore nail and bandage it. Put a plastic bag on top - this way you will not stain the bed linen, since such treatment must be done before bedtime. The duration of treatment is 10-15 days.
- Wash your feet well before going to bed. Soak a cotton ball in 9% vinegar and place it on the nail. Wrap your finger over it with a foil and fix it with a plaster. Repeat the process in the morning. Wash your feet a day after such treatment. Get your nails in order - where to cut, where to clean. Repeat the process several times on the sole.