Summer has come, we all have been looking forward to this time, because it is getting warmer and more comfortable outside, which means that the time has finally come for light and open shoes. But what to do if you are ashamed to bare your feet for reasons associated with one of the most common and uncomfortable diseases -toenail fungus.
In this article we will try to tell you as simply and quickly as possible abouthow to treatthis ailment and how to get rid of it as efficiently and painlessly as possible.
Toenail fungus. Treatment and causes of the disease
First, let's look at what nail fungus is. This is a living organism that needs nourishment, namely the moisture (sweat) of your feet. One of the most common diseases associated with a problem such astoenail fungusis onychomycosis, most often caused by dermatophyte fungi and much less often by microsporia.
There are 5 types of onychomycosis lesions of the nail plate:
- Distal - coverage of the front of the nail;
- Lateral - coverage of the lateral parts of the nail;
- Proximal - coverage of the back of the nail;
- Superficial - covering the nail with yellowish spots;
- Total - coverage of the nail plate as a whole;
All types of lesions have common visible symptoms such as discoloration, deformation, fragility.
Foci of fungal infection
If you regularly visit the gym, pool, spa or massage parlor, take good care of your personal hygiene, because in these places the fungal infection gets all the conditions for spreading. There is a high level of humidity and a moderate temperature, which serves as the best stimulant for the development of mycosis (bacteria that provoke a fungal infection). You can catch the fungus if you go into the shower or massage room without shoes.
It is also worth remembering that toenail fungus can be transmitted through direct contact with a wearer.
How does nail fungus develop?
- Wearing uncomfortable and tight shoes, as well as shoes made of synthetic materials that compress the foot and block air circulation. In such an environment, mycosis develops at a rapid rate;
- Gel polish (for women), which promotes the development of fungus between the nail plate and the applied varnish;
- Increased sweating of the feet;
- Defects or injuries to the nails;
- Flat feet;
- Slow nail growth;
- Violation of metabolic processes in the nail;
- Poor blood supply to the limbs;
- Diseases of the immune system;
- Harmful working conditions (dustiness, gas pollution, high humidity);
- Taking antibiotics, hormones;
To avoid infection, timely foot hygiene is needed, which is much easier to follow than treating an already neglected case. At an advanced stage, the fungus can spread not only to neighboring nails, but also to get into other human organs with blood, which can contribute to the development of a number of other diseases associated with a weakened immune system.
There are also categories of people who are more susceptible to this ailment than others, in view of concomitant diseases, namely:
- With diabetes mellitus (diabetic foot);
- Being overweight (obese);
- With cardiovascular disease (venous disease).
Signs of toenail fungus
So how can you still recognize the fungus by the first signs, so as not to later run it deep into the nail and prevent the spread of neighboring fingers to healthy nail plates.
There are a number of symptoms due to which you can recognize toenail fungus at an early stage:
- Yellowing of the nail plate;
- Slight deformation or modification (if the nail has become very deformed);
- Splitting and fragility of the nail, which reveals the nerve endings and soft tissues on the toes (with a light touch, it will bring pain and discomfort);
- unpleasant odor (associated with increased sweating).
Nail fungus photo
Modern methods of treating toenail fungus
If you find one of the above signs of the disease, you should not self-medicate. There are a huge number of bloggers and traditional healers on the network who will happily tell you what you need to apply to the affected area of the nail or leg, as well as what drug to apply so that everything goes away in a week or two. Unfortunately, the process of treating fungal diseases is not as simple and fast as we all would like. It should be understood that even with a visible improvement in the overall clinical picture, it is undesirable to stop treatment, since this is fraught with the fact that sooner or later a relapse may occur, and you will have to start treatment anew. And choosing antifungal creams, sprays, gels on your own - you run the risk of aggravating the situation or spending money in vain without getting the desired effect. Only a specialist will be able to select effective medications that will relieve you of infection after a thorough examination.
Modern medicine offers many treatments for fungus:
- Local treatment - treatment is carried out using conventional antifungal drugs, which in most cases lead only to a healing effect, but in no way to complete recovery;
- Medical treatment - a complete cure is guaranteed, but side effects are not excluded, since the body suffers under the influence of antimycotics and toxicity from pulse therapy;
- Surgical intervention - this method is ineffective, because it does not always lead to a complete recovery, since there is a high probability of a defective nail regrowth. Don't forget about the long recovery period;
- Laser treatment - Laser treatment for nail fungus is less effective. Due to the fact that laser treatment is based on the use of a hot beam, after such heat treatment, the nail plates slow down their growth, and therefore the fungus is not blocked, but continues to spread. Fungus treatment with a laser is an ineffective method that is now practically not used;
What's the best way to treat nail fungus?
Since the main task and goal is to relieve the patient of nail fungus quickly, effectively, without discomfort and unpleasant consequences, we recommend the method of Photodynamic Therapy.
This is the newest method of treating fungus, based on the use of photosensitizers, which ensure the formation of oxygen in the cells of the fungus while completely destroying the foci of infection. Subsequently, cells of the immune system (phagocytes) comprehensively absorb and remove dead fungal cells from the body.
When using light, all fungal bacteria will die in a matter of minutes. It is also important to note that this therapy is an absolutely painless process with no side effects.
The photodynamic therapy method has a number of advantages that every patient will appreciate:
- Effectiveness: just a few sessions are enough to remove the focus of infection. The number of procedures depends on the stage of development of the disease;
- Treatment without consequences: after sessions of photodynamic therapy, no scars, scratches, microcracks, redness or irritation remain on the skin;
- Lack of pain: during the session, you will not feel a slight tingling sensation, or constriction or any other unpleasant sensations;
- Completely replaces antibiotic treatment;
- Recommendations from leading international experts;
- The treatment process takes a minimum of time;
Tonail fungus treatmentwas successful, entrust it to the professionals. We will accurately determine the stage of development of the disease, the condition of the skin and nail plate and prescribe procedures using the latest equipment with the use of effective drugs that level mycosis. In a couple of weeks, you will not only forget about itching, and you will be able to boast of the perfect condition of your feet.
After the end of the course of treatment, it will be possible to carry out the procedure for the prosthetics of the nail plate. Prosthetics of the plate is the right decision if you need to restore the nail plate quickly, efficiently, accurately and return an unmatched look to the legs. In our clinic, this procedure is carried out on modern equipment using effective drugs with antifungal and anti-inflammatory action, using gel and acrylic materials that contain silver and platinum nanoparticles. The part of the nail plate that is partially lost (but if no more than 2/3 of the nail plate is lost) after the treatment of a fungal infection or injury to the nail plate is prosthetic.
We draw your attention to the fact that the procedure is carried out only in the absence of contraindications, before carrying out the prosthetics procedure, a therapeutic (in the case of a fungal and / or other kind of infection) or prophylactic use of a course of therapy using a complex of special antifungal and anti-infectious drugs is mandatory.
If you are faced with such a sensitive problem as a fungal infection, contact a specialized medical center, where experienced doctors will help you cure the disease.