Hi, dear readers.Onychomycosis is a medical name for a very common disease, better known as a nail fungus.Recently, a leap has been observed in the level of incidence of this disorder.This unpleasant fact is associated with the popularity of economic shoes, which is not particularly quality.It is made with low -level materials that have a low speed for the air, which prevents normal foot ventilation.Under these conditions, with the sweating of the feet, ideal conditions are created for the production activity of the pathogenic microflora.This problem is widespread.Its scope is so great that the number of cases exceeds 20% of all the inhabitants of the planet!
As the name suggests, the nail fungus is a mycotic (fungal) damage to the nail plate.There are many varieties of pathogenic mushrooms that can cause this disease.
But, according to doctors, in most cases, the nails plates on the legs are affected by dermatophytes.Significantly less often the cause of the development of the disease is yeast (candidiasis) and mold mushrooms.
Sometimes you have to face the deformation of the nails on the legs of a black nature.
Symptoms of nail mushrooms - The first signs
Funeral damage can affect not only the nails, but also the feet themselves.The symptoms in the infection will differ according to the variety of pathogen that 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 the fungal activity can be distinguished:
- Changing the color of the nail.
- The appearance of stains on the nail plate, stripes, thickeners, affluent.
- Locking the structure of the nails or their stratification.
- Redness, peeling, feet skin cracking.
- The aspect of itching, pain (included only when walking), burning in the damage area.
- Inflammation, dryness of the affected areas of the skin.
- Often the feet translate a repugnant aroma.
A whitish plaque can be observed on the bottom of the feet.The peeling of the skin is replaced by the appearance of small threaded leather flakes, which cover its surface.
Types of fungal injuries
Form of normotrophical damage.The spots or white or yellowish stripes appear on the nails.As the disease advances, they spread, gradually changing the color of the entire plate.
The thickness, as well as the shine of its surface remains unchanged.There may be a violation of the fusion of the nail with submarine fabrics, which is why it exfoliates and can be removed in a simple and painless way.
Hypertrophic form of the disease.The affected nail becomes brownish or gray yellow.There is a thickening of the nail plate due to the growth of submarine epithelium.The same nail plate becomes a crumb.
The side parts are particularly destroyed, for this reason they acquire a shape similar to an claw.This is a characteristic sign of this disease.The surface of the nails becomes opaque.When walking, a sick person feels pain.
Atrophic damage form. The nail plate changes color, becoming brown gray, loses its transparency and shine.The nail begins to collapse gradually, starting from the outside in the direction of the nail growth area.
The cultivation of epithelial particles fill the nail bed with loose mass.Without treatment, a complete loss of nails will occur.
Classification for pathogen of the disease
Dermatophytic lesion.It occurs in the vast majority of cases (about 90%).There are several varieties.With some, the infection can apply to the intercal areas on the foot, the skin of the legs and even the hands.
Descet of yeast.This variety can be difficult to identify, especially in the initial phase.The nail roller is hit for the first time, inflame and swells.Subsequently, peeling in this area is evident, light itching and weak pain can be possible.The nail becomes tuber, loses brilliance, can crumble.In advanced cases, a purulent discharge appears.
Planeal defeat.Under the influence of the mold, the nails changes, acquiring a greenish and bluish tint or begins to blacken.
Its side parts become rough.Over time, the affected areas die, which is why the nail is deformed.Gradually, it will collapse.
Planeal defeat is rather rare, mainly as a complication of a different form of fungal lesions, as well as with HIV infection.
Classification for Location Position
Funeral damage can be located in different parts of the nail.In this regard, different types of damage are distinguished in the international classification.
- Total when the effect of the mushroom covers the entire nail.
- Distant, if only the upper part of the nail (free edge) is wounded.
- Proximal, in which there is damage to the nail roller (lower part of the nail plate).
- Lateral, observed on the lateral parts of the nails.
They often characterize different phases of the disease.
The lesion of the feet mushroom
There are different varieties of fungal damage to the foot.
Interdalz form. The most common type of foot mushrooms.Since you can see the name, the disease affects the interdigital gaps, later it can also move on to other parts of the feet, including nails.
In the interdigital folds, the first damp cracks and specific layers appear.Later, the erosion of the skin is evident.The disease has a tendency to develop in chronic.Often complicated by Streptococcus infection
Hyperkeratic form (scaled).Touch the entire foot.It differs in a rather deep defeat of the fabrics.Initially, the skin detaches and blushes slightly, so it becomes rough and eager, at the heels there is sometimes a deep cracking of the keratinized layer.
The disease can spread to the nails, which at the same time thicken, darken and begin to paint.The disease is very characteristic of athletes.
Dyshidrotic form (vesicular). The bladder (bubbles with liquid) appear on the feet, which, after having broken through, leave traces of erosion.The skin is ulcerated, with peeling areas, covered with purulent crusts.It is often accompanied by an allergic eruption (due to the action of toxins).
The disease is rare and treated quite easily.But here the danger lies in the high probability of lesions of bacteria or viruses, which significantly complicates the course of the disease and actually excludes the possibility of rapid recovery.
Canceled form.It is not easy to identify, since the changes in the skin and the conditions of the nails are weak.The nail plates can become yellowish.The skin on the sole has slightly peeled, it is attached.Itching can be observed.The disease is well provided to cure.
Nail fungus - The causes of appearance
Symptoms of the nail fungus and the first signs that signal the general level of immune resistance of the body and the improper care of the feet.
If the protective functions are normal, therefore even if infected, the disease will not be able to develop.Immune mechanisms will face the attacker on their own.
But when immunity is weakened in combination with related causes in favor of the development of the disease, the body will not be able to resist the mushroom.
For an effective struggle with it, it is necessary to try to eliminate or at least minimize (for example, it is unlikely that chronic diseases are completely overcome) the influence of these factors.
The reasons for the development of the mushroom:
- Excessive sweating of the legs.
- Violation of the natural ventilation of the feet (dense shoes in low quality material, synthetic socks).
- Reduce body protection functions.
- Violation of the protective layer of the skin (excess hygiene, excessive treatment with antibacterial agents, liquid abuse to relieve the paint).
- Nail plate lesions and damage to the leg sole (cracks, corn, etc.).
- Features of the foot that worsens 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 some other drugs taken from a long course.
- Low level of foot hygiene.
- The age and sexual criteria (men and the elderly are more sensitive to diseases).
- A professional factor (conditions with high temperature and humidity, powderiness, ionizing radiation, wearing rubber shoes; masseurs, orthopedics, healthy workers, steamships, etc.) often get sick.
- A visit to public saunas, bathrooms, swimming pools.
- Pedicura of the salon in violation of the principles of hygiene and sterility.
- Domestic factor (general use of blackboards, slippers, mat in the bathroom, etc.).
As studies have shown, people who suffer from diabetes are more 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 the fungal lesions
Although the foot mushroom does not constitute a direct threat to the patient's life, you cannot irresponsibly relate to your health and let everything go alone.
Fungine damage is not at all an annoying annoyance and an exceptionally aesthetic problem.
The timely inconsistency of the disease leads to the development of a chronic form of disorder with regular exacerbations.
Surprising complications are also possible.
- Violation of the nail growth process, growing in soft tissues.
- Complete or partial loss of nails.
- Stagnant phenomena, including lymphostasis.
- Distribution of the disease in nearby areas and in depth in the tissues.
- Connection of other infections (bacterial, viral and fungal).
- High inflammation is an acute infectious infectious disease.
- The diabetic foot in diabetics are anatomical changes, which lead 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, leading to an increase in the size of the organ.
- Eczema.
Treatment of the nail fungus - Economic and effective drugs
To prescribe the correct treatment regime, it is necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.For this purpose, numerous laboratory tests are conducted.Modern pharmacology offers many different antifungal drugs.
That's why independent treatment is difficult and is often ineffective.The doctor will have to discover the pathogen, the degree of abandonment of the disease, the area of damage, the presence of concomitant diseases.
Based only on the information complex received, it will be able to prescribe a therapy course.Here both local drugs are used (for the external application: ointments, creams, paints, foams, serums) and generals, taken inside (tablets, capsules).
The active substance in antifungal ointments can be cyclopirox, naphtifine, nistatin.
If the fungus injuries are quite extensive, the use of compressed antifungal drugs is recommended.
Unlike external funds, tablets have a general effect on the patient's entire body.
Pully prescribed drugs based on terminafine substances, fluconazole, itraconazole.Surgical removal of formations are often necessary, but there are economic and effective drugs from the nail fungi.
Many of these funds are also indicated for preventive use.
It should be remembered that all antifungal drugs have a different side effect.Therefore, treatment, prescription and cancellation of drugs, control of the patient's conditions - all this is exclusively in the doctor's competence.
Often the recovery process can be very prolonged, up to a year, until the affected nail is completely updated.
During the treatment period, particular attention should be paid to the hygiene of the legs.With damage to fungal nails, the use of decorative paints is not allowed.
To prevent families, it is not possible to walk barefoot at home, only closed shoes are allowed.It must be treated twice a day with antifungal agents.After using the bathroom, careful processing is carried out.
Joint washing of things is prohibited.After the care, you need to get rid of all the objects that contacted with their feet (fabrics, slippers, all socks, etc.).
Recommendations
- The legs should be kept clean and dry.Wash your feet once a day, if necessary - more often.Subsequently, their surface, including the interdigital gaps, diligently dried.Now you have to wear only fresh socks.
- The shoes should be comfortable, not too old (no more than 3 years), by a breathable material.Poor or fashionable rubber models cannot be worn daily.At least, the duration of his wearing during the day should be limited.For this purpose, it is recommended to use a replaceable couple.It is extremely recommended to use other people's shoes, including slippers.
- The socks are used by cotton, wool or other non -intensive materials.It is allowed to wear synthetic only in some cases.
- The most difficult thing is to destroy the mushroom on wooden surfaces.This should be taken into consideration when visiting public steamships, bathrooms, swimming pools.It is better to be in a closed rubber shoe.
- Socks, chamber shoes, sunshine must be regularly organized.
- The procedure for the pedicure of the salon must be performed by a teacher proven subject to rules of sterility.Or at home adhering to the same principles.It is necessary to avoid all types of plates for nails for nails in every possible way, promptly eliminate the characteristic problems of the surface of the sole (forms insults, corn, cracks), not abuse of pedicure, degreasing and disinfectants.
Take care of yourself, follow your health.Be healthy!