Nail fungus or onychomycosis is an unpleasant disease that may not be noticed immediately.Fungi destroy your nail plate, causing discomfort and pain;if treatment for onychomycosis is started, it can lead to soft tissue pathologies.Fungi can easily spread on healthy fingernails or toenails, which poses a great danger to your health and the health of others.
If you have any doubts about the health of your nails, it is best to make an appointment with a dermatologist.Only with a complex treatment consisting of a course of treatment, regular hygiene of the feet and special treatment of the nail plates, the treatment will lead to a positive result.
The main symptoms of fungal infections:
- Brittle, rough nails
- Deformation of the nail plate
- Presence of inflamed tissue around the nail
- Layering, thickening or thinning of the nail plate
- Presence of brown, black or yellow areas on the nails.
How do you get nail fungus?
Ways of infection with onychomycosis.If you follow the rules of hygiene, have good immunity and have healthy and well-maintained skin, the risk of contracting a fungal infection is small.Fungi often enter the body through scrapes, cuts, cracks, and altered damaged areas of the nails and skin.Excessive sweating or dry skin or wearing tight shoes can contribute to the growth of the fungus.
You are more vulnerable to nail fungus if:
- Do you have varicose veins?
- Reduced immunity
- You wear rubber shoes that don't breathe
- There are endocrine and vascular diseases
- You have been in contact with a person infected with a fungus
- It has flat steps.
What danger does toenail fungus pose to humans?
In an advanced stage of onychomycosis, nail fungus causes an allergic reaction, has an intoxicating effect on the body and can affect internal organs.
How to cure nail fungus?
In the treatment of nail fungus, local medicines can be used - creams, ointments, plasters, which can also be used at home.Various spray options are available that have strong antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
In the early stage of the disease, the use of sprays or creams is recommended. Remember that treating nail fungus is not just about getting rid of the external manifestations. During the treatment, the dermatologist prescribes systemic drugs.The drug can be prescribed in the form of tablets, which will be taken for a course of three to six months.
The most common mistakes in the treatment of toenail fungus
The moisture on your feet. Fungi in the form of spores are all around us.When the humidity of the skin is above 80%, fungal spores begin to multiply and infect the nail plate and the surrounding skin.
The presence of fungal spores on things.When you steam your socks, you kill the active fungal spores that remain there.If this is not done, then from the spores, in the presence of moist skin on the feet (a favorable environment), high humidity of the shoes, the fungus begins to multiply actively.
Shoe hygiene.When starting toenail fungus treatment, be sure to treat any shoes you wear.Use a personal towel designed for feet only.
Remains of fungal spores on tools. All nail cutting tools must be treated with disinfectant solutions;it is recommended to use disposable files to care for affected nails.If fungal spores remain on the tools, you can remove them manually for years, cut traces of fungus along with your nail, but this will not bring any results.
What should you follow when treating toenail fungus?
If you do not follow the recommendations during the treatment of nail fungus, a relapse may occur.Try to always keep your feet clean and change your socks every day.For your feet, it's important to wear the right shoes to prevent your feet from sweating.After water procedures, wipe your feet dry, paying special attention to the area between the toes.
Use an individual foot towel that should be dried after use.If your shoes get wet, dry them immediately.During the treatment, it is recommended to change the house shoes at least twice a year.Foot baths with baking soda and salt will also be helpful.Feet should be washed daily with laundry or tar soap.
Always observe hygiene rules when visiting public places: saunas, baths, hammam, swimming pools.Do not self-medicate;it is best to contact a dermatologist who will prescribe a course of treatment to get rid of toenail fungus quickly and save yourself time and nerves.