Onychomycosis, or nail fungus, is contagious
a fungal disease that affects fingernails and toenails and is easily transmitted to other people.Most often, the causative agents are fungi of the genus Trichophyton, Epidermophyton or Microsporum.For growth and reproduction, fungal colonies use the protein keratin, which is one of the components of nails, hair and the top layer of the skin (epidermis).
Onychomycosis is easily transmitted both through direct contact with an infected person or animal, and through other transmission factors, for example, through contact with the patient's personal belongings or any objects that have somehow interacted with the carrier of the infection.It is more common in the elderly or in adults with weakened immune systems.
Although nail fungus itself is not life-threatening, it "harasses" a person's immune system, the body becomes more vulnerable to other diseases, and in the absence of adequate treatment can cause irreparable complications, so the treatment of nail fungus should be taken very seriously.
Causes of nail fungus
Warm and constantly moist environments are optimal conditions for fungal colonies.The risk of infection is increased in places where the sanitary-epidemiological regime is not observed.You can "catch" onychomycosis in public places or through shared objects.
Fungi are natural inhabitants of the skin and mucous membranes;the immune system constantly encounters them and in a healthy state easily copes with them.But some factors cause a decrease in the body's defenses, thereby activating the fungal invasion.Among them:
- suffered serious illnesses;
- circulation problems (for example due to tight shoes);
- constant exposure to a warm, humid environment (for example, with hyperhidrosis or wet shoes);
- hormonal imbalance;
- venous thrombosis, systemic vascular diseases;
- nail injuries;
- taking antibacterial drugs;
- stress etc.
Patients with systemic diseases are particularly susceptible to mycosis: diabetes, psoriasis and immunodeficiency states.
The likelihood of developing onychomycosis is much higher in people suffering from skin fungus.Mycosis of the skin is accompanied by severe itching, and constant scratching causes nail infection and the spread of infection.
Types of nail fungus
Onychomycosis refers to superficial mycoses - fungal invasions that affect the skin and mucous membranes.With a significant weakening of the immune system, deep mycosis - fungal infections of the internal organs - can develop.
There are many types of nail fungus, but they all fall into one of three categories:
- Normotrophic onychomycosis - the nail may change color, be covered with light spots or stripes, but the shape and structure of the nail plate do not change.
- Hypertrophic - the nail noticeably turns yellow, thickens, deforms, the shine of the nail is lost and it begins to collapse on the sides.
- Onycholytic (atrophic) – affected nails become thin, brittle and gradually peel off from the nail bed.
Signs of fungal damage to the nail plate
There are a huge number of types of fungi, so the symptoms of the disease can manifest themselves in different ways:
- light spots or streaks appear;
- the color of the nail becomes earthy gray, yellow or light brown, the pink shade fades;
- the nail thickens, deforms, cracks and in advanced cases peels off;
- pain in the area of the affected nail, especially when wearing shoes.
Nails affected by onychomycosis can cause an unpleasant odor and severe pain when walking.Advanced fungal infections can cause allergic reactions and create a favorable "platform" for the development of other infectious diseases.
Stages of development
Fungi can enter through the free (distal) edge of the nail, lateral folds on the sides, or through damaged areas of the nail.First, the infection is fixed at the edges of the nail, and as the colony grows, it spreads to the entire nail.Fungi can penetrate the epithelial tissue under the nail plate through microcracks and wounds on the nail.
Usually, the big toes are the first to suffer from fungus.The first manifestations of onychomycosis are the appearance of light spots on the nails.The color of the nail plate changes - the pink hue inherent in healthy nails disappears.The nail plate becomes earthy gray, yellowish or whitish and loses transparency.The edge of the nail begins to crack and thin.
If the fixation of the fungi and the creation of a mycelium has occurred, deformation of the nail gradually begins.Penetrating the nail plate, mycosis slowly spreads to the hard shell of the nail, and then to the adjacent tissues.Air voids appear and delamination begins.Some try to cut off the entire affected area - this will not give the expected result, since the infection has already penetrated into the deeper layers.Sometimes there are disturbances in the process of nail tissue formation - nails will grow poorly and new areas will appear already deformed.
After that, the nail begins to deteriorate, pain may appear and an unpleasant odor may be felt.The next stage of the infectious process is the transfer of the fungus to adjacent nails and adjacent areas of the skin.
The longer you ignore the fungus problem, the stronger it "takes root" in the body and the more difficult it is to cure it later.Therefore, if the color of the nail, its structure or shape changes, you should immediately visit a dermatologist or mycologist.
Diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis
Onychomycosis will not go away on its own.Treatment of onychomycosis with "folk methods" or the use of antimycotic drugs "randomly" as a rule is not effective.Even if this leads to a short-term effect, after time the untreated disease recurs.To get rid of onychomycosis, you need a systematic approach and the involvement of a doctor.
To confirm the diagnosis, a nail scraping is usually prescribed - a microscopic examination for the presence of pathogenic fungi, after which a culture is performed to determine the specific pathogen.Based on the results of the examination, the doctor will be able to choose the optimal course of treatment.
The course of treatment for onychomycosis can take from 2 to 6 months, depending on the severity of the disease.The result will be visible later, after a few more months, when the nail recovers.
Antimycotics are preparations with both local (cream, spray, ointment, gel) and complex action (injections, tablets).In addition to the use of drugs, during the treatment of fungus it is necessary to disinfect shoes, gloves, floors and bathrooms, towels and bed linen.
In extremely advanced cases, the nail is destroyed to such an extent that the only effective treatment is its removal.But surgery is resorted to only if other methods of treating onychomycosis have failed and there is a danger of further spread of the infection.
Prevention of nail fungus
The body does not form a specific (targeted) immunity against the fungus, therefore, even after successful treatment of onychomycosis, if hygiene rules are not followed, there is a risk of re-infection.
To avoid contracting onychomycosis, it is important to:
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- do not use other people's personal belongings or clothes;
- wash your feet (or at least your feet) daily in lukewarm water and soap;
- so that socks or stockings are always clean and dry;if you are prone to excessive sweating, treat your feet with special preparations;
- don't let your nails grow, but don't cut them too short so they stay flush with your toe pads;
- periodically disinfect the nails with an antiseptic;
- Clean regularly and avoid moisture and excessive humidity.
In case of nail injury, it is important to immediately treat the wound with antiseptics and consult a doctor for quick treatment of the wound, as it can serve as a "gateway" for a fungal infection.