Fungal disease can affect various tissues of the body, even internal organs. If the disease has affected the nail, it is called onychomycosis. Its appearance is caused by fungal microorganisms.
They are divided into different genera: candida, fungal fungi, dermatophytes. The parasites feed literally on the nail plate, which leads to its early destruction. Mycosis itself does not disappear. This is possible only with the most powerful work of the immune system and the first stage of the disease, when the symptoms are not visible. If signs of illness appear, you can be sure that they will not go anywhere without therapy.
Reasons for submission
Fungal microorganisms belong to the class of irritants. They are extremely persistent. They penetrate quickly into the tissues, adapting to different conditions. This is due to the complexity of treating the disease. If you use the same medicine for a long time, the parasites may stop responding to it.
The only reason for the appearance of the disease is the entry of fungi into the nail plate. However, there are factors that favor its early introduction and subsequent reproduction. Microorganisms are more likely to penetrate tissues if they have corn. Even dry skin can lead to microcracks, through which the fungus can easily penetrate. The microorganism "loves" wet conditions, and therefore actively spreads to people who prefer tight shoes made of weak materials that do not allow air to pass through.
Often, toenail fungus occurs against the background of various pathologies:
- Endocrine diseases;
- Psoriasis;
- Varicose veins;
- Vascular diseases;
- HIV and AIDS;
- Problems with metabolic processes;
- Eczema;
- Dermatitis;
- Infectious processes of the skin.
Fungal microorganisms can enter the plaque in the following ways:
- Contact a carrier of the infection;
- Visits to public baths, saunas, showers;
- Wearing other people’s slippers (for example, at a party);
- Living with a person with mycosis;
- Shoe exam;
- Use of pedicure tools that are not disinfected;
- Visit to beauty salons.
Factors that provoke the appearance of mycosis are also:
- Lack of adequate personal hygiene;
- Preference for synthetic items;
- Wearing tight shoes that do not allow the skin to "breathe";
- Excess overweight;
- Frequent alcohol consumption;
- Age of the elderly.
The disease will have more striking manifestations if a person has circulatory disorders in the foot area. Also, a change in the acid balance observed when taking antibiotics can lead to pathological processes.
Stages of the disease
The surface under the nails is very favorable for the growth of fungal microorganisms. Contains many nutrients that parasites feed on. Gradually, due to the effects of bacteria, destruction of the nail plate occurs. Gaps begin to form, in which the mycelium of the fungus multiplies. There are the following stages of the disease:
- Beginners.Refers to the type of normotrophic lesion. The main damage affects the center or edge of the plate. Spots and streaks appear, which gradually begin to grow;
- AverageRepresents hypertrophic changes. This stage is characterized by the thickening of the nail, a change in its structure, the direction of growth. Pathological processes gradually spread throughout the plaque;
- Stage of dystrophy.To the listed processes, inflammation is added in the area of nail folding. Discharge of pus is possible. The lesion reaches the skin nearby. Additional bacterial infections accelerate nail destruction. Begins to crumble, can be removed from the nail bed.
At first, the symptoms are insignificant, and for this reason people often get the disease easily. However, it is progressing rapidly. Very soon, the spots that have been born will start to grow. The disease can be spread from the thumb to others.
If only the picture is touched, it is usually soft to moderate. Therapy should be performed immediately.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary greatly depending on the stage of the disease. At first, the signs of a threat are almost impossible to notice. As the disease progresses, the following symptoms may be noticed:
- Slight itching;
- Redness in the area of the thumb;
- Burning sensation.
But the pathological process does not stand still. Its growth can be judged by the following characteristics:
- Fragile plaque, loss of natural luster;
- Buying a yellow, blue or green color (depending on the type of fungal microorganisms that affect the nail);
- Prominent spots and streaks appear;
- The nail grows with its corners on the roller, which is evidence of the deformation of its growth.
In advanced stages, the following symptoms are possible:
- Pain syndrome when walking;
- The appearance of swelling of the finger, its considerable redness;
- Discharge of pus from below the edges.
Signs of large toenail fungus can vary depending on the type of fungus that causes the infection. For example, if these are moldy fungi, the disease will be very pronounced. The nail may turn black. There is swelling, the appearance of silver scales, yellow edges. The plaque begins to leave the bed, which causes severe discomfort. However, in 95% of cases, the cause of the infection is dermatophytes. They are characterized by a relatively moderate course of the disease.
The disease affects not only the nail, but the whole body. This is due to the fact that toxins enter the lymphatic channels. This provokes the following changes:
- Allergic reactions, the appearance of skin rashes;
- Gastrointestinal problems;
- Signs of intoxication.
If nothing is done with the advanced stage of mycosis, the lesion can spread to internal organs. This is extremely dangerous.
How is the treatment performed?
How to cure fungus on toenails Pathogenic microorganisms are distinguished by enviable resistance to various influences. They quickly take root inside and begin to actively multiply. Therefore, it is desirable to carry out a complete antifungal therapy. It includes:
- Use of local funds. They can be oils, drops, medical varnishes, solutions. They are required in order to defeat the disease on a superficial level. Among the local remedies are spray, serum;
- Systemic drugs. They are used for significant lesions of the nail plate. The tablets are used daily. Pulse therapy is effective. It consists of taking short-term medicines with a long break from them. Then the course is repeated. It should be borne in mind that the pills may not be taken in all cases. Do not use them in the initial stage of the disease. These funds are quite powerful, and therefore have contraindications: pregnancy, childhood, kidney failure, intolerance to ingredients.
The disease is often associated with bacterial complications. You can also be sure of them. Antifungal spray is perfect for this purpose. Creates a film on the surface of the plaque through which bacteria do not penetrate.
Furthermore, it is necessary to stimulate the body's defensive goals, which will be directed to fight the infection. For this, vitamin complexes, immunomodulatory drugs are used.
Most medicines have a cumulative effect. It is not enough to take them once and forget about therapy. Full course required.
It does not end even if all the symptoms are gone. The active substances accumulate in the integrative element and continue to act even after the end of taking the medication.
Another additional procedure is nail removal. Relevant for strong pathological processes. Removal can be done using special products containing urea. If the tile is stiff, several procedures will be required to completely remove it. Removal should not be feared, as it is painless. After removal, you should treat the surface with antiseptic. Removal is convenient because, after it, local remedies can be applied directly to the nail bed. This greatly improves their efficiency.
Traditional methods
Folk remedies can not replace medicines. But they are suitable for extra help. The following components help from the fungus:
- Jod.The affected area should be lubricated with iodine twice a day. If there is a burning sensation, you should remove all excess and reduce the dose;
- lemonA slice of lemon is applied to the affected area, after which it is fixed with a bandage. Cellophane is put on top;
- Hydrogen peroxide.A cotton pad is soaked in hydrogen peroxide, after which it is fixed to the nail for 30 minutes. Those areas that have been softened can be removed.
After all these procedures, treatment with local antimicrobial agents is desirable.
Preventive measures
It is important to observe preventive measures not only for a person who does not want to become infected with mycosis. They are essential for people who have just gotten rid of the disease. Prevention consists of the following rules:
- Compliance with personal hygiene;
- Daily foot bath;
- Lubrication of feet with moisturizing cream, pedicure;
- Use of personal slippers;
- Treat nails with prophylactic agents before visiting baths, showers. You can replace the special product with lemon juice.
Preventive measures for people who have recently had mycosis are even stricter:
- Use once a week local remedy for fungus;
- Regular use of hot foot baths with the addition of sea salt;
- Treatment of shoes with antifungal composition;
- Boiled socks, in which there is a complete destruction of microorganisms;
- You should continue to take vitamins;
- The bathroom surface is disinfected. It is advisable to treat all other surfaces in the house as well.
Prevention with a high degree of probability protects against mycosis. You just have to monitor the condition of your feet. If vague signs reappear, you should consult a doctor immediately. Self-medication is not recommended, as mycosis is easily confused with other problems. In this case, the wrong treatment will be chosen and the disease will continue to progress. All of this is fraught with major problems in the future. The reception of systemic funds, without fail, is carried out under the supervision of a physician.