The fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is an infection of the surface of the nail caused by dermatophytes, yeast or mold.
The color of the nail changes, it first acquires a whitish tint, then darker and can smell bad. Plays, deforms, begins to crumble.
There is a high probability that the infection can spread to other nails on the legs and adjacent skin. Soreness will appear when walking, wearing shoes. Therefore, the fungus must be treated on time.
The causes of nail fungi
The causes of onychomycosis are quite banal:
- Contact with microscopic mushrooms that are everywhere. Another question is that the nails are susceptible to infections when a person walks barefoot in moist places - swimming pools, locker rooms and showers are perfect to pick up the fungus.
- The damaged nail, cracks, injured finger, infection with other bacteria or pus provide mild penetration of dermatophytes into the body.
- If a person suffers from chronic diseases, such as diabetes, peripheral vascular diseases and immunodeficiency conditions, then is a candidate of class A for a fungal infection on the legs.
If there were irritations, the legs sweat a lot, and the shoes are cramped and poorly ventilated for long periods of time - this is an ideal environment for the growth of dispute.
Symptoms of nail fungus
The most common symptom caused by a fungal infection is the thickening of the plate. The nail can become bleached, have white, black, yellow or green.
With the development of the disease, it becomes fragile, small pieces of nails break or can completely separate from the finger. If you do not pay due attention, the skin under it is swollen, becomes painful, scaly. An unpleasant odor occurs
If the disease is not running, usually there are no other symptoms. Sometimes the body can respond to the fungus in the skin free of damage. A rash or itching caused by dermatophytes can be an allergic reaction of the body to a fungus.
Risk factors for the development of nail fungus
Any person can have an infection on the finger of the leg, but there are certain risk factors that make a person more prone to infection with fungal nails. Some of them are as follows:
- Acting is a predominant risk factor for the occurrence of a nail fungus. When people are aging, the quality of blood vessels is reduced, and the blood supply to the peripheral parts is disturbed, which is why there is a slowdown in nail growth and general susceptibility to infections.
- The male floor is more inclined to have a nail fungus.
- Increased sweating, as well as if a person works in a humid environment, for example, erases, washes, cleaning or cooking food.
- Wearing socks and shoes prevents the ventilation of the skin of the legs, and synthetic material does not absorb sweat, so choose cotton products.
- Contagine risk, if you live with a person who has a nail fungus - CO and you can get infected.
- Walking barefoot in raw places, such as pools, gyms and showers.
- Irritation between the fingers, itching, peeling, skin or nail injury, psoriasis.
- Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, peripheral vascular diseases, weak immunity and certain syndromes, such as Down syndrome.
Complications of the fungus
A severe infection on the legs can be very painful and lead to constant damage to your nails. If a person has a depressed immune system, diabetes or any other chronic disease, there is a high risk of complications. With diabetes, blood circulation decreases and neuropathy often occurs. Sometimes you can not perceive pain.
Thus, not only the fungus for the nails, but also any slight injury to the legs can be a serious problem. If a person has diabetes, and he feels that there is an infection, it is reasonable to visit a doctor.
Testing and diagnostics
The infection of the nail fungus is sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as psoriasis, contact dermatitis and tumors, such as melanoma. To avoid an incorrect diagnosis, laboratory tests may be required.
As a rule, three approaches are used:
- The first is a smear cooked using potassium hydroxide.
- Secondly, it is a culture of an infectious organism.
- The third is histological confirmation of the body.
These three approaches use microscopic studies of the material from the nails obtained by scrapers or trimming.
According to some recent improvements, from the point of view of sensitivity, the most useful are direct strokes, histological examination and biopsy of the nail plate using the spoon of periodic acid of the chiff.
To correctly diagnose the organisms of the fungus, several samples may be required.
Prevention
The first step that can be taken to prevent fungal infections on the legs is observing proper hygiene. Pure and dry legs definitely prevent any fungal infections.
Conduct regular thorough flushing with soap and do not forget to dry them after the procedure. In public places you need to wear shower slippers.
You may have to change shoes, socks and underwear more than once a day.
Improve the nail cutting technique - cut them so that the nails do not go beyond your feet.
Perhaps you will have to wear shoes that do not fit tightly to the fingers, and their material should be such as to provide ventilation.
Avoid wear cotton or woolen socks. Prefer socks made of special synthetic fibers that take moisture from the legs more efficiently than cotton and wool.
Drink nails and pedicure tools. Do not use varnish on the nails that have an infection.
When to see a doctor
It is worth making an appointment with the doctor if your fungal infection of nails causes signs of bacterial: you should check the list of signs and symptoms for the exact diagnosis and the correct choice of drugs.
The doctor will examine the patient, listen to complaints, after which primary tests are carried out with the collection of biomaterial to determine the type of fungus. Then a complete analysis of the results and the purpose of therapy.
Treatment and affordable drugs
If the fungal infection is mild, there is no need for complex treatment. However, ignoring can lead to its spread to other nails. Below are treatment options available for nail fungus:
Medicines are usually recommended when the infection of fungal nails is serious.
You may have to take the medicine for several months so that the infection has gone. The stop of the drug will lead to relapse too early. Some side effects of drugs may include headache, itching, loss of taste, nausea and diarrhea.
If a person does not want to take pills, the doctor will advise instead to use nail polish. It is not as effective as oral products, because it can not always penetrate deep into the nail to the focus of the infected area. The terms of use reach 12 months.
Chemical removal of nails
An abnormally looking nail can be chemically removed using a paste containing 40% urea. Pasta is easily available in pharmacies. You need to attach it to the nails, cover and leave it overnight. Rinse the pasta in the morning and repeat the procedure daily. The infected plate will dissolve after about 2 weeks.
This is a painless treatment option that removes the patient with the nail, and also gradually removes mycosis. With such a treatment, it is not necessary to take pills for several months and surgery can be avoided.
Surgery and laser therapy
Surgery for removing an infected nail is recommended only in difficult conditions, if it becomes very painful, and other methods of treatment did not help. After the operation, the nail will begin to grow again, however, a year may be required for complete recovery.
Is laser treatment a good option for getting rid of nail fungus?
In the case of a stubborn infection of the nail, laser treatment is possible. The laser radiates high doses of light energy, which kills and destroys the mushroom.
According to research, laser therapy is completely safe, and the treatment rate is 90% after 3 months. However, it requires repetition every three months during the year and is not cheap.
How long can you treat the nail fungus?
Treatment of nail infection can be a long and expensive process.
Periral drugs work on average about four months, while the infected nail is replaced by healthy.
When using antifungal nail polish, the duration of treatment increases and can take about a year.
Laser and surgical removal provides faster results.