Onychomycosis or fungal nails is a nasty disease, difficult to treat. The disease develops when the fungus gets under the nail plate or skin around the nails. Pathogenic microorganisms feeds on keratin, as a result of it, his number is being rapidly reduced and the nail is destroyed.
The reasons for the disease and the ways of infection
The fungus affects the nail plate, spread in a moist environment with high temperature. Infected with fungus can when you visit public places with such a climate. Most often, the fungus "lives" in the public showers, gyms and swimming pools. Often, the infection occurs when visiting the beach. Another route of infection is close contact with a carrier of the disease. Contracting disease is also possible, with the use of personal items of the sick person.
However, in order to get a nail fungus, the mere contact with the agent of the skin is not enough. A strong immune system effectively suppresses pathogenic microflora, and do not develop lesions of nail plates. Factors that lead to the development of fungus nail are:
- reduced immunity, as well as the General and the local;
- violation of blood circulation in the lower limbs;
- excessive sweating of the feet;
- wearing mismatched shoes that violate the bloodstream;
- damage and injuries of the skin of the feet.
The rapid growth of pathogenic organisms is often observed in the circulation, caused by a large number of diseases and metabolic disorders. To cause disease, also, may the wrong shoes, wearing which increases the sweating and disrupted blood flow. Favorable environment for development of pathogenic microflora is wet the skin, which does not receive enough oxygen. It happens when a man wears socks of synthetic fabrics and tight shoes, made from faux "not breathing" materials.
Another reason which may cause the development of infection is a disregard for the rules of hygiene, and not following the safety measures. The patient may inadvertently "to" fungus – trying on someone else's shoes, visit a public pool or shower without Slippers, or using someone else's towel for the feet.
Often people make a serious mistake when buying new shoes – they try on her bare feet not using socks. Such action can cause nail fungus because it is not known which was measured the same pair of shoes earlier, and not whether the feet of the man infected with pathogenic microflora.
How to recognize the disease?
When the nail fungus of the feet, the symptoms are so characteristic to confuse this disease with other diseases is very difficult. In order to identify the pathology, it is necessary to know the main features, including:
- the formation of the dots and lines under the nail plate;
- a white muddy colour of the nails.
- inflammation and dryness of the skin of the finger around the affected nail;
- plaque mold;
- fragility and change in the structure of the nail plate.
The first symptom of the disease is the formation of lines or spots of a greenish or yellowish color. These strips go deep in the thickness of the nail plate and gives the impression that they are on the skin under the nails.
Usually primarily affects the big toenail, at the very least – of the little finger. In the initial stage of the disease the fungus only shows the color changes of the nail plate and the characteristic spots and stripes. Some time later, the infection affects the toes, redness, flaking and itching of the skin around the nails.
The treatment of the disease at this stage allows you to effectively and quickly get rid of the fungus, however, patients rarely seek help from the doctor, noticing similar symptoms.
With the increase of the population of the pathogenic microflora, the fungus starts to destroy the surface of the nail plate. It is characterized by the fact that the nail becomes soft and wavy, cracks and depressions, the structure becomes heterogeneous. This may be followed by pus from under the nail and a sharp unpleasant odor from the feet. Over time, the nail bed is destroyed, the peeling becomes stronger and affects the skin between the fingers.
Looks like the defeat of the nail depends on the type of fungus. The causative agent of the disease commonly yeast or fungi. For the time of a fungal infection of the nail plate acquires a grayish-blue color. The nail is quickly destroyed, and as a result completely departs from the nail bed.
Molds fungi that affect the nail plate in the case of a violation of nutrition of tissues, for example, as a result of the strong compression of the nail too tight shoes. For this type of onychomycosis is characterized by the formation of whitish layer on the nails.
Knowing how is a disease, it is essential to visit a doctor. Different types of fungus have different symptoms and treatment that is difficult to guess on their own, without consulting a specialist.
The principle of treatment
Treatment of lesions of the nail plate requires a comprehensive approach and takes a long time. It is important to remember that the earlier the symptoms of fungus and the treatment is started, the faster you can get rid of the disease.
To combat the disease are used:
- antifungal ointments and solutions;
- systemic antifungals tablets;
- traditional medications.
To correct the pathology at the initial stage with the use of external antifungals. Such preparations include ointments, solutions, as well as lacquers with antifungal component in the composition.
For the treatment commonly prescribed fat a wide range of components that actively affect a variety of fungi, including yeast. Ointments and creams are better to use in the initial stage of the disease. In violation of the structure of the nail plate they are ineffective, because the components of the drug can not penetrate in small cracks on the nails.
The most effective are antifungal medicines in the solutions. As a drug, is usually produced in the bubbles with the pipette. The product is applied to the nail plate. Thanks to the liquid consistency, the substance fills in the slightest irregularity and gets under the nail plate, and thus effectively act in the affected area.
Pharmacies are widely represented products in the form of a bow. The peculiarity of this form of antifungal remedies is that they do not need to be used daily. Paint applied every few days. The medicinal product form a protective layer on the nail plate, thus protecting the nails and inhibition of the spread of fungal infections. The active substance of the drug penetrate into the nail plate and act for a long time – one application is sufficient to provide antifungal activity throughout the two days. Coatings are also effective for the prevention of fungal diseases. You can use them once a week, or apply it before the visit of the places with a high risk of infection with fungi.
In addition to the processing of the nail plate, it is necessary to provide antifungal protection for skin around the nails and between the fingers. To do this, use lard.
If your nails have started to break down, preparations for external application is not enough, then additionally designated antifungals in pill. These chemicals have a systemic effect on the entire body.
If fungal nail is accompanied by a bacterial infection, in which the appearance of pus, in addition prescribe ointments with antibacterial action, for example, Levomekol.
In folk medicine used the following remedies against onychomycosis.
- A mixture of apple cider vinegar and water is applied on a gauze compress, which is applied to affected nails for 1 hour. The procedure is repeated daily for two weeks.
- Squeeze the juice of one lemon and mix it with two tablespoons of water. The solution should be used for the treatment of the affected nails two times a day.
- In the foot bath, add two large tablespoons of baking soda and iodized or sea salt. The feet placed in the tub for a half hour. The procedure be performed daily before bedtime.
Further treat the nails with the juice of an onion or propolis tincture. Folk remedies it is recommended to use in conjunction with antifungal medications, which are prescribed by the doctor.
Severe stage of the fungal infection leads to loss of the nail, so it is important to immediately contact a specialist at the first symptoms of the disease.