Hello, Dear readers.Onychomycosis is a medical name for a very common disease, better known to us as a fungus of the nails.Recently, a leap into the level of incidence of this disease has been observed.This unpleasant fact is associated with the popularity of cheap shoes, which is not particularly quality.It is made of low grade materials which have a low flow for air, which prevents normal ventilation of the foot.In such conditions, with the perspiration of the feet, ideal conditions are created for the productive activity of the pathogenic microflora.This problem is widespread.Its scope is so important that the number of cases exceeds 20% of all the inhabitants of the planet!
As its name suggests, the fungus of the nails is a mycotic (fungal) damage to the plate.There are many varieties of pathogenic fungi that can cause this disease.
But, according to doctors, in most cases, nail plates on the legs are affected by dermatophytes.Significantly, the cause of the development of the disease is yeast (candidiasis) and mold mushrooms.
Sometimes, in practice, you have to deal with the deformation of the nails on the legs of a black nature.
Nail fungus symptoms - The first signs
Fungal damage can affect not only the nails, but also the feet themselves.Symptoms of infection differ depending on the variety of the pathogen which caused the development of the disease.The degree of damage to the nail plate also has a value.
But, despite the existing differences, the general signs of fungal activity can be distinguished:
- Change the color of the nail.
- The appearance of spots on the nail plate, scratches, thickeners, influx.
- Loosen the nails structure or their stratification.
- Redness, coat, cracking of the skin of the feet.
- The appearance of itching, pain (including only when walking), burns in the damage area.
- Inflammation, drought of affected areas of the skin.
- Often, the feet give off a repugnant aroma.
A whitish plate can be observed at the bottom of the feet.The skin coat is replaced by the appearance of small flakes of dead skin, which cover its surface.
Types of fungal lesions
Normotrophic form of damage.White or yellowish stains or strips appear on the nails.As the disease progresses, they spread, gradually changing the color of the whole plate completely.
The thickness, as well as the shiny of its surface, remains unchanged.There may be a violation of the fusion of the nail with underwater tissues, which is why it exfoliates and can be easily and without pain.
Hypertrophic form of the disease.The affected nail becomes brownish or gray yellow.A thickening of the nail plate is observed due to the growth of the underwater epithelium.The nail plate itself becomes a crumb.
The lateral parts are particularly destroyed, because of this, it acquires a form of claw.This is a characteristic sign of this disease.The surface of the nails becomes dull.When walking, a sick person feels pain.
Atrophic form of damage. The nail plate changes color, becoming brunette-gray, loses its transparency and shine.The nail begins to gradually collapse, from the outer part in the direction of the nail growth area.
The growing epithelial particles fill the nail bed with a loose mass.Without treatment, a complete loss of nails will occur.
Pathogenic classification of the disease
Dermatophytic lesion.It occurs in the vast majority of cases (around 90%).There are several varieties.With some, the infection can be applied on the intercalary areas on the foot, on the skin of the legs and even hands.
Yeast defeat.This variety can be difficult to identify, especially at the initial stage.The nail roll is first affected, it inflame and swells.Later, peeling off in this area is noticeable, light itching and low pain may be possible.The nail becomes tubes, loses its brilliance, can collapse.In advanced cases, a purulent discharge appears.
Planeal defeat.Under the influence of mold, the nail changes, acquiring a greenish and bluish shade or begins to blacken.
Its side parts become rough.Over time, the affected areas die, which is why the nail is distorted.Little by little, he will collapse.
Plureal defeat is quite rare, mainly as a complication of a different form of fungal lesions, as well as HIV infection.
Classification by the location of the lesion
Fungal damage can be located in different parts of the nail.In this regard, several types of damage are distinguished in the international classification.
- Total when the fungus effect covers the entire nail.
- Distant, if only the upper part of the nail (free edge) is injured.
- Proximal, in which there are damage to the nail roller (lower part of the nail plate).
- Lateral, observed on the side parts of the nails.
Often they characterize different stages of the disease.
The lesion of the fungus of the feet
There are several varieties of fungal damage to the foot.
Inter -process. The most common type of fungus.As its name can be seen, the disease affects interdigital gaps, later, it can also switch to other parts of the feet, including nails.
In interdressing folds, wet cracks and specific skin layers appear first.Later, skin erosion is noticeable.The disease tends to develop in chronic.Often complicated by streptococcal infection
Hyperkeratic form (squamous).Touch the whole foot.It differs by a fairly deep defeat of the fabrics.At the beginning, the skin takes off and blushes slightly, then it becomes rough and impatient, on the heels, there is sometimes a deep crack in the keratinized layer.
The disease can spread to nails, which at the same time thicken, darken and begin to paint.The disease is very characteristic of athletes.
Dyshidrotic form (vesicular). The vesicles (bubbles with liquid) appear on the feet which, after having pierced, leave traces of erosion.The skin becomes ulcerated, with coat areas, covered with purulent crusts.It is often accompanied by an allergic rash (due to the action of toxins).
The disease is rare and treated quite easily.But here, the danger lies in the high probability of bacteria or virus lesions, which considerably complicates the course of the disease and really excludes the possibility of rapid recovery.
Erased form.It is not easy to identify, because changes in the skin and nails are low.Nail plates can become yellowish.The skin of the sole peels down slightly, detaches.Itching can be observed.The disease is well ready to heal.
Nail fungus - The causes of appearance
Symptoms of the fungus of the nails and the first signs which signal the general level of immune resistance of the body and inappropriate care of the feet.
If the protection functions are normal, even when they are infected, the disease will not be able to develop.The immune mechanisms will face the attacker by themselves.
But when immunity is weakened in conjunction with related causes favorable the development of the disease, the body will not be able to resist the fungus.
For an effective fight with it, you must try to eliminate or at least minimize (for example, chronic diseases are unlikely to be overcome) the influence of these factors.
The reasons for the development of the fungus:
- Excessive legs of the legs.
- Violation of natural ventilation of the feet (dense shoes in low quality materials, synthetic socks).
- Reduce bodily protection functions.
- Violation of the protective layer of the skin (excess hygiene, excessive treatment with antibacterial agents, abuse of liquid to relieve the varnish).
- Nail plate injury and damage the sole of the legs (cracks, cors, etc.).
- Characteristics of the foot that aggravates its ventilation (due to flat feet, obesity, etc.).
- Concomitant diseases (diabetes, varicose veins, psoriasis, metabolic disorders, digestion, blood circulation in the legs, HIV).
- Antibiotics and a few other drugs taken by a long course.
- Low level of feet hygiene.
- Age and sexual criteria (men and the elderly are more sensitive to diseases).
- A professional factor (high temperature and humidity conditions, dust, ionizing radiation, wearing rubber shoes; masseurs, orthopedists, sanatorium workers, steam, etc.) also fall sick.
- A visit to public saunas, baths, swimming pools.
- Salon pedicure in violation of the principles of hygiene and sterility.
- Household factor (overall use of ticket vests, slippers, carpets in the bathroom, etc.).
As studies have shown, people with diabetes are the most affected by the foot and nail fungus.This disease is observed in 35% of diabetics.
The probability of obtaining fungal damage to psoriasis is also high.Here, the probability of increasing by 55%.
The consequences of fungal lesions
Although the foot fungus is not a direct threat to the patient's life, you cannot go irresponsibly to your health and let everything go alone.
Fungal damage is not at all boring nuisance and an exceptionally aesthetic problem.
The timely inconsistency of the disease leads to the development of a chronic form of illness with regular exacerbations.
Surprising complications are also possible.
- Violation of the nail growth process, transforming into soft tissues.
- Complete or partial loss of the nail.
- Stagnant phenomena, including lymphostasis.
- Distribution of disease to neighboring areas and deeply in the tissues.
- Connection of other infections (bacterial, viral and fungal).
- High inflammation is an acute inflammatory infectious disease.
- The diabetic foot in diabetics is anatomical changes, leading to an increase in the probability of injury, infection, suppuration and necrosis (necrosis) of the tissues.
- Elephantiasis is a pathological growth of the skin and subcutaneous tissues, resulting in an increase in the size of the organ.
- Eczema.
Treatment of nail fungi - inexpensive and effective drugs
To prescribe the correct processing regime, you must make an accurate diagnosis.To this end, a number of laboratory tests are carried out.Modern pharmacology offers a large number of different antifungal drugs.
This is why an independent treatment is difficult and is often ineffective.The doctor will have to discover the pathogen, the degree of neglect of the disease, the field of damage, the presence of concomitant diseases.
Only on the basis of the information complex received, he may prescribe a therapy lesson.Here, the two local drugs are used (for the external application - ointments, creams, varnishes, foams, serums) and general, taken inside (tablets, capsules).
Active substance in antifungal ointments can be cyclopirox, naphyphine, nystatin.
If the fungus lesions are fairly extensive, the use of antimicotic tablets for tablets is recommended.
Unlike external funds, tablets have a general effect on the whole body of the patient.
Purgent drugs based on terbinafine, fluconazole, itraconazole substances.Often there is a need for surgical elimination of training, but there are inexpensive and effective drugs from the fungus of the nails.
Many of these funds are also indicated for preventive use.
It should be remembered that all antimycotic drugs have a different side effect.Consequently, the treatment, prescription and cancellation of drugs, control of the patient's condition - all this is exclusively within the competence of the doctor.
Often, the recovery process can be very prolonged, up to a year, until the affected nail is completely updated.
During the treatment period, special attention should be paid to leg hygiene.With damage to fungal nails, the use of decorative varnishes is not allowed.
To avoid infection of households, you cannot walk barefoot at home, wearing only closed shoes is allowed.It must be treated twice a day with antifungal agents.After using the bath, its meticulous treatment is carried out.
The joint washing of things is prohibited.After the remedy, you must get rid of all the objects that have contacted their feet (ticket vests, pursor, all socks, etc.).
Recommendations
- The legs should be held clean and dry.Wash your feet once a day, if necessary - more often.After that, their surface, including interdigital gaps, dried with diligence.You should now wear only fresh socks.
- The shoes should be comfortable, not too old (no more than 3 years), from a breathable material.Poor or fashionable rubber models cannot be worn daily.At least the duration of its port during the day should be limited.To this end, it is recommended to use a replaceable pair.It is extremely recommended to use other people's shoes, including slippers.
- The socks are used from cotton, wool or other non -intensive materials.Synthetics are allowed only in some cases.
- The most difficult thing is to destroy the fungus on wooden surfaces.This should be taken into account when visiting public steam boats, baths, swimming pools.It is better to be in a closed rubber shoe.
- Socks, chamber shoes, interior soles should be regularly arranged.
- The living room pedicure procedure must be carried out by a experienced master subject to the sterility rules.Or at home, joining the same principles.It is necessary to avoid all kinds of nail plates injury in any way possible, to timely eliminate the characteristic problems of the surface of the sole (insensitive forms, cors, cracks), do not abuse a pedicure, degreasing and disinfectants.
Take care of yourself, follow your health.Be healthy!