Nail or onychomycosis (medical name) is a disease that occurs with nail damage with a fungal infection.Onychomycosis suffers from 5 to 15 % of people.The risk of its development increases with age, although the fungus is often found in babies.Every 10 years of life, the frequency increases 2.5 times.If it is 3 %in children, then the elderly already have 50 - 60 %.
Pathogens of the disease
Onychomycosis is caused by microorganisms from the kingdom of mushrooms.The world of mushrooms is diverse and not all are as pleasant as championships, champions or mushrooms that we are used to seeing at our table.There are microscopic parasitic species that feed on the tissues of plants, animals, humans.
The causative agents of onychomycosis consume keratin protein, which is part of the nails, hair, upper (keratinized) skin layer.About 50 representatives of parasitic fungi are known, which can cause disease.
They are divided into three groups:
- Dermatophytes.They represent 80 % of cases of onychomycosis.They have high survival and vitality.In nature they are found in the soil;
- Mushrooms similar to yeast.Among them is the known to women Candida Albicans (Candida microorganisms), causing thrush or vaginal candidiasis.Explosion -like mushrooms, 5 times more affect the nails on the hands than on the legs.Toxic and impair the function of the whole body;
- ShapesThe onychomycosis caused by molds is rare.But this is the most dangerous, progresses quickly, can completely destroy the nails, go to adjacent fabrics.
Onychomycosis affects the nails of the hands and feet, but on the feet the nail fungus is much more common.This is due to the fact that the hands are paid much more attention, more often they are washed during the day, treated with antiseptic agents.They are always open, well ventilated except for winter when we wear gloves.And the legs are constantly closed by street shoes, home slippers, tights, socks, sweat more.These factors create ideal conditions for the development of the fungus of the legs because heat and moisture are its best "friends".
The causative agent of onychomycosis penetrates the nail from different directions.The most common way is from above, from the free edge of the nails.It is also possible to introduce the side of the side rolls or below the cuticle and the nail growth area.
The most dangerous onychomycosis is close to the cuticle.In this case, the fungus slows or stops the division of onychoblasts - the cells of the sprout area under the lower nail roller.Nails stops growing in length, infected areas may not recover.There is a pathological change in the structure, the destruction of the nail.
Mushrooms are rarely introduced immediately into the nails.Initially, their spores fall into the skin around the nail or interdigital gaps through micro -cracks, cuts, abrasions, destruction, calluses.Then the growth of the colony begins, the pathogen moves to the nails, penetrates it and is taken for parasitization.
Why does onychomycosis occur?
Mushrooms live in warm and damp places and wherever such conditions are easy to infect them.For example, if you go barefoot in public baths, pools, shower or segments from fitness rooms, then the chances of infection are high.
The development of onychomycosis is facilitated by some diseases:
- Diabetes.In patients with diabetes, the fungus occurs 3 times more frequent.Excessive blood glucose creates favorable conditions for mushroom life.In the absence of sugar control and its retention within the norm, the blood vessels suffer.The more experience in the disease, the more blood supply to the legs (diabetic leg syndrome) is more unused.The wounds heal more, the infection is easier;
- Poor blood circulation in the lower limbs caused by varicose veins, atherosclerosis (narrowing of the lumen, blocking of arteries), thrombophlebitis (blood clots formation in the lumen of the veins);
- IMMUCTION OF IMMUNITY, IMUNDIRECTIVE CONDITIONS (HIV), DAMAGE OF THE ADMENTS OF THE IMMUNITY.Reducing the body's resistance against any infections;
- Psoriasis.90 % of people suffering from psoriasis have changes in nails.Lands are formed on it, blurring is present, indentations appear, detachment of the nails.These factors 1.5 - 2 times increase the chances of infection with a fungus;
- Hyperhidrosis or increased sweating of the legs often causes onychomycosis in men;
- The presence of fungal infection in other parts of the body.
The risk group includes the elderly.
The cause of onychomycosis is often associated with the characteristics of the profession and the wrong leg care:
- Poor care for the legs and nails, the lack of daily hygiene procedures due to the neglect of personal rules for hygiene or difficulties with their application (in patients with the bed or patients with limited mobility);
- Work in wet, raw rooms (greenhouses, greenhouses, vegetable stores), frequent wearing rubber gloves or rubber shoes;
- professional sport;
- Wearing uncomfortable, tight, tight shoes or shoes made of artificial materials (leather), creating a "greenhouse effect" that prevents normal air exchange.
Disposable factors for the development of onychomycosis include injuries to the nails or tissues around it, taking antibacterial or hormonal drugs.
Women have a common cause of a mushroom-long-term gel lacquer.It creates a closed space between the nails and the coating in which a fungal infection successfully develops.It is not recommended to apply gel lacquer to the legs, it is better to use ordinary decorative lacquer.Also in women onychomycosis occurs after an unsuccessful manicure or pedicure in salons where no high quality disinfection of the tools is performed, sterility is not observed.
Signs of onychomycosis
Most often the fungi infect the toes.
The following changes in nails are shown for fungal damage:
- dullness, yellowing, loss of smoothness and shine;
- itching, redness, peeling of the skin around;
- Relaxing, fragility, loose;
- unpleasant odor;
- Violation of the structure, thickening;
If you find at least one of the listed signs, you should consult a doctor immediately by treating nail fungus.It can be a premium, dermatologist or mycologist.
Mandatory inspection of the capture of onychomycosis is required after injury to the nail or the skin around it.If there are disposable factors (varicose veins, diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, weakened immunity, increased sweating, etc.), it is recommended to perform medical pedicure once a month, in which the doctor will carefully examine the nails and skin of the feet, reveal changes in the early stages.
Are nail fungus dangerous?
Onychomycosis is a disease that is more likely to cause psychological discomfort than a physical illness.To find out what it is about, just look at the photo fungus on your feet on the Internet.It is characterized by a slow course, does not cause pain, fever and other symptoms that require an urgent search for a doctor.
People are in no hurry to treat nail fungus.After all, when the damage area is small, you can paint it with varnish, put socks or closed shoes with strangers.And the problem of psychological discomfort is temporarily solved.But, unfortunately, everything is not so simple.If you do not destroy the fungal infection, it will not disappear anywhere, but will hit the nail further.And onychomycosis is a contrast.The infected person is a danger to the members of his family and others.
How to prevent infection?
The best medicine for nail fungus is prevention.
To prevent infection, you need:
- Use medical disinfectants with GOST (they are able to kill onychomycosis, tuberculosis, hepatitis, HIV);
- Follow the condition of the legs and nails, the basic rule - the legs should be clean and dry;
- To take care of shoes, regular disinfection, drying, it is convenient to use electric drying dryers;
- Treat your feet with dried products or antiperspirants if your feet sweat tightly;
- In the pool, sauna, fitness cabinets do not walk barefoot, but wear rubber slippers with a closed finger;
- Wear comfortable shoes made of natural breathable materials;
- Do not use a towel, shoes or supplies for strangers.
These tips will help you warn onychomycosis, keep your nails healthy and well -guided.They are effective not only for the prevention of fungi, but also for other problems: deleted nails, calluses, calluses.
Characteristics of the treatment of onychomycosis
TV advertising promises to easily and quickly cure nail fungus, using antifungal (fungal) creams, solutions, varnishes.We are promised that "different medicines penetrate deep into the nail structure, effectively destroy the fungi, for 2 - 3 uses they return the previous nail type."But why then such an independent treatment for leg fungus produces good results in a maximum of 10 % of cases?Because these drugs are effective only in the early stages of the fungi, when the symptoms are not yet obvious and are almost not noticeable.
Manufacturers are often cunning that medicines are produced using the most technologies and have good active substances in the composition. Most medicines are just very well advertised and very expensive, while having no substances needed for treatment. You will not buy specialized medicines at ordinary pharmacies as production is very expensive.
Aggry medicines are the basis for the treatment of onychomycosis.Without them, as much as we wanted to beat the infection.But they must be used properly and deliberately.Treatment of nail fungus should be applied to a pre -treated and prepared nail so that it has the right healing effect.
The first thing you need to do if you suspect onychomycosis is to consult a doctor who will confirm or refute the diagnosis.If necessary, prescribe additional examination and treatment.Choosing a nail fungus product based on internet, friends or television advertising will lead to a waste of time and money that will spend on unnecessary medicines.The same results will also be obtained when attempting to treat onychomycosis with folk methods.Vinegar, garlic, onions, medicinal herbs are not able to destroy the pathogen.
An important point in the treatment of onychomycosis is the disinfection of shoes and clothing that is associated with an infected area.If it is not fulfilled, then you can get infected again by your own things.The clothing should be washed at high temperature (above 60 ° C), ironing, shoes for treatment with special disinfectants.
What medicines and methods are effective?
In the initial stages, the treatment of onychomycosis is easier and faster than in advanced cases.How to treat nail fungus?
To fight the pathogen, use:
- Hardware medical pedicure.Allows you to clean the areas of nails affected by onychomycosis without blood and pain, to prepare them for the use of antifungal agents;
- Keratolytics.These are local nail fungus drugs that are administered to the affected nail for its painless removal.They are loosened, softened and dissolved nails and then easily removed with pedicure tools.Keratolithics facilitate the treatment of onychomycosis, eliminate the infected area and stimulate the growth of new healthy nails;
- Fungal agents.The effect of these drugs is aimed at destroying the sponge.For onychomycosis, they are used topically in the form of varnishes, solutions, ointments, creams and inside the form of tablets.In internal use, the active substances of nail fungus tablets accumulate in the skin and nails.The activity of fungal enzymes is suppressed, the permeability of cell membranes is impaired, and the pathogen is death.
The methods of treating onychomycosis are chosen on the basis of the severity of the symptoms and the area of the lesion area.In the initial stages of the disease there is sufficient hardware treatment and external fungal agents.In severe forms of damage, when the entire nail is infected with a sponge, this will require tablet, removing the nails.The treatment of advanced form of onychomycosis takes 3 months to 1 year and depends on the rate of nail growth.
Local fungal drugs are safe for health, but not always effective.Therefore, the tablets adversely affect the liver, therefore, laboratory control of the body condition is required.
We treat onychomycosis and this is the main thing!
The earlier you consult a doctor, the faster you can handle it.
Don't be afraid and be ashamed.This problem is very common, millions of people around the world have it.
In the treatment of nail fungus at a professional medical center you get:
- Joint monitoring of an underground and mycologist (a doctor who deals with fungal diseases);
- 100 % sterility when performing all procedures;
- the possibility of a material fence (scraping the skin and nails) to identify the type of fungi;
- Quick result (average 3 - 4 procedures are required);
- • Free disinfection of a pair of shoes in which you came, the ability to disinfect all the shoes you went to during the onychomycosis period;
- Recommendations for the base and shoes that will help prevent recurrent infection.
Most importantly, it is competent to choose a specialist and to consult in a timely manner, only then your nails will be healthy and beautiful!