Nail plate fungal infections are about half of all nail diseases and are quite common in modern society.
In most cases, onycomycosis affects the nail plates in the foot, so the disease is not immediately observed, but in the stage of pronounced symptoms.It is an infectious disease that can manifest not only with a cosmetic defect but also with a violation from the immune system, and even the digestive tract.Nail fungi cannot be underestimated, its treatment should be under the control of an experienced doctor.
Causes of fungal infection
The cause of nail plate infection is usually three types of fungi: dermatophytes, fungi and yeast -like forms.Most often in moderate climate, onycomycosis is caused by the microorganisms of the trichophyton rubrum (Trichophyte RED) - is 70% of the cases of fungi and Trichophyton Mentagophytes (Trichophyton of the Inter -Down) - 20% of the diagnosis.
You can become infected with onycomycosis in such common places as a pool, sauna, a bath, when wearing other people's socks and even a pedicure session.
Moreover, some people are predisposed to this disease due to various diseases.Among such pathologies, immunosuppressive conditions are distinguished associated with HIV infection or chronic treatment with immunosuppressants after organ transplantation, or with some autoimmune diseases.
Despite the fact that untreated onycomycosis is an infectious disease, most patients do not recognize their changes in nail pathology, therefore, they usually return for medical help in advanced cases.And, by the way, ignoring the disease can lead to nail loss and the spread of infection on the neighboring skin.
How the disease manifests
Most often, the infection develops in the first and/or fifth toes (if changes affect all nails, this is usually a symptom of another disease, for example, psoriasis).At first, the changes affect the edge of the nail, it changes the natural to yellowish-brown color.After the nail plate, it becomes fragile and fragile, over time changes its shape and thickens.
The most characteristic symptoms of nail fungi infection include:
- the difference in the color of the nail in yellow, brown, white or black;
- thickening of the nail plate and the development of its adult fragility;
- deformation of the plate and its separation from the nail bed;
- an unpleasant odor emanating from an infected nail;
- Forming an inflammatory process around the nail.
In the late stage of the disease, the pain pronounced in the nail can develop and even difficulties in walking.
Prevention and treatment of nail fungus
Onychomycosis should be treated as soon as possible because the infection tends to extend to other nails.Moreover, the late -stage disease leads to the destruction of the entire nail plate, which will later have to be removed.
Before prescribing the treatment, the doctor will certainly prescribe a laboratory analysis, which will determine the type of fungus, the degree of damage and choose the most effective treatment.The analysis involves catching the material from the affected nail plate and its research under the microscope.
How does the treatment of onychomycosis?The method and duration of infection therapy depends on many factors, including the severity of the nail lesions, the type of pathogen and the associated pathologies.
Treatment of nail infection fungus usually begins with the use of local drugs in the form of lamps, lotions or creams that face the disease well in the early stages.If changes affect more than one dish, occur for a long time, local medicines are supplemented by antifungal agents for oral administration.The doctor may prescribe medicines based on itraconazole or fluconazole.
In the case where onycomycosis is continuous, it is not subject to drug treatment or continuously repeated, the doctor recommends removing the infected nail plate, thus eliminating the source of the infection.
Please note that onychomycosis is an infectious disease prone to frequent relapses, so you should adhere to important preventive rules:
- Do not walk barefoot in the pool, gyms;
- Performs pedicure in salons with disinfection of high quality equipment;
- Monitor the cleanliness of the shoe;
- Wash your feet regularly;
- Answer early symptoms, for example, a change in the color of the nail plate.
Attention!The new source of fungal infection is shoes, so it is recommended to toss it or disinfect it with special tools that the doctor will speak.