The fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is an infection of the nail surface caused by dermatophytes, yeast or mold.
The color of the nail changes, first acquires a whitish dye, then darker and can smell bad. He plays, deforms, begins to crumble.
There is a high probability that the infection can spread to other nails on the adjacent legs and skin. The pain 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 fungi that are everywhere. Another question is that nails are susceptible to infections when a person walks barefoot in wet places: swimming pools, changing rooms and showers are perfect to collect the fungus.
- Damaged nail, cracks, injured finger, infection with other bacteria or pus provide a slight penetration of dermatophytes in the body.
- If a person suffers from chronic diseases, such as diabetes, peripheral vascular diseases and immunodeficiency conditions, then he is a class A candidate for a leg infection in the legs.
If there were irritations, the legs sweat a lot and the shoes are narrow and poorly ventilated for long periods of time; This is an ideal environment for dispute growth.
Nail fungus symptoms
The most common symptom caused by a fungal infection is the thickening of the plate. The nail can be bleached, have white, black, yellow or green.
With the development of the disease, it becomes fragile, small pieces of nails are broken or can be completely separated from the finger. If you do not pay due attention, the skin is under swollen, it becomes painful, squamous. An unpleasant smell occurs
If the disease is not working, there are usually no other symptoms. Sometimes, the body can respond to the fungus in the skin without damage. An eruption or itching caused by dermatophytes can be an allergic reaction of the body to a fungus.
Risk factors for nail fungus development
Anyone 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 the following:
- Acting is a predominant risk factor for the appearance of a nail fungus. When people are aging, the quality of blood vessels is reduced and blood supply is altered to the peripheral parts, so 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, erase, wash, clean or cook food.
- Using socks and shoes avoid ventilation of leg skin, and synthetic material does not absorb sweat, so choose cotton products.
- Postacy risk, if you live with a person who has a nail fungus: CO and can infect.
- Walking barefoot in raw places, such as swimming pools, gyms and showers.
- Irritation between fingers, itching, peeled, skin injury or nails, psoriasis.
- Chronic diseases, such as diabetes, peripheral vascular diseases, weak immunity and certain syndromes, such as Down syndrome.
Fungus complications
A severe leg infection can be very painful and cause constant nail damage. 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 is often produced. Sometimes you can't perceive pain.
Therefore, not only nail fungus, but also any slight leg injury can be a serious problem. If a person has diabetes, and feels that there is an infection, it is reasonable to visit a doctor.
Tests and diagnostics
Nail fungus infection is sometimes incorrectly diagnosed as psoriasis, contact dermatitis and tumors, such as melanoma. To avoid incorrect diagnosis, laboratory tests may be required.
As a general rule, three approaches are used:
- The first is a smear cooked with potassium hydroxide.
- Second, it is a culture of an infectious organism.
- The third is the histological confirmation of the body.
These three approaches use microscopic studies of the nail material obtained by scrapers or cuts.
According to some recent improvements, from the point of view of sensitivity, the most useful are direct stroke, the histological examination and biopsy of the nail plate using the GASA periodic acid spoon.
To correctly diagnose fungus organisms, several samples may be required.
Prevention
The first step that can be taken to avoid fungal infections in the legs is to observe proper hygiene. Pure and dry legs definitely avoid any fungal infection.
Make a complete regular washing with soap and do not forget to dry them after the procedure. In public places, you must wear shower shoes.
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.
You may have to wear shoes that do not fit firmly on your fingers, and your material should be such that it provides ventilation.
Avoid using cotton or wool socks. He prefers 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 nail varnish that has an infection.
When to see a doctor
It is worth making an appointment with the doctor if your fungal nail infection causes signs of bacteria: you must verify the list of signs and symptoms for the exact diagnosis and the correct choice of medications.
The doctor will examine the patient, hear the complaints, after which the 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.
Ashequible treatment and drugs
If fungal infection is mild, there is no need for complex treatment. However, ignoring can lead to other nails. Below are the treatment options available for nail fungus:
In general, medications are recommended when fungal nail infection is serious.
You may have to take the medication for several months for the infection to have disappeared. The drug stop will lead to a relapse too early. Some side effects of drugs may include headache, itching, loss of flavor, nausea and diarrhea.
If a person does not want to take pills, the doctor will advise you to use nail polish. It is not as effective as oral products, since it cannot always penetrate deeply into the nail to the infected area approach. The terms of use reach 12 months.
Chemical nail elimination
An abnormally eliminated nail can be eliminated chemically using a paste containing 40% urea. Pasta is easily available in pharmacies. You must join it to the nails, cover it and leave it during the night. Rins the pasta in the morning and repeat the procedure daily. The infected plate will dissolve after approximately 2 weeks.
This is a painless treatment option that eliminates the patient with the nail, and also gradually eliminates mycosis. With this treatment, it is not necessary to take pills for several months and surgery can be avoided.
Surgery and laser therapy
Surgery to eliminate an infected nail is recommended only in difficult conditions, if it becomes very painful, and other treatment methods did not help. After the operation, the nail will begin to grow again, however, one year may be required for complete recovery.
Is laser treatment a good option to get rid of nail fungus?
In the case of a stubborn nail infection, laser treatment is possible. The laser radiates high doses of energy from light, which kills and destroys the fungus.
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 nail fungus?
The treatment of nail infection can be a long and expensive process.
Periral drugs work on average approximately four months, while infected nail is replaced by healthy.
When antifungal nail polish is used, the duration of treatment increases and can take approximately one year.
Laser and surgical elimination provides faster results.