Each of us can catch the fungus.This is an infectious disease that is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy and affects, as a rule, nails and skin.If the nail plate has changed, began to crumble, changed color - it means that infection occurred, and onychomycosis has developed.They are suffered by 20% of the adult population of the Earth.
Causes
Most people are not aware of what onychomycosis is, and how dangerous it is.Pathogenic microorganisms, penetrating into the structure of the nail, change it.In addition to aesthetic problem, mushrooms can poison the whole organism as a whole toxin.This leads to allergic reactions, a decrease in the protective functions of the body, diseases of the internal organs.
You can get infected with nail fungus only under favorable conditions.Normally, the skin has an acidic environment that prevents the penetration of various infections.If her pH for some reason has changed towards alkaline, then the reproduction and growth of pathogenic organisms increases sharply.
The wet environment also contributes to the development of infection.A person can become infected with non -compliance with personal hygiene or simple rules of conduct in common areas.The dead scales of the skin or nail of the patient are a source of infection.The causes of the nail fungus can be as follows:
- Visiting beaches, saunas, baths, water parks, showers, pools, fitness centers, there is a risk of infection.Passing barefoot on a damp surface and having cracks or wounds on the legs, the probability of “picking up” the fungus on the legs is very large.
- Incorrectly selected, tight shoes, synthetic socks, tights increase the sweating of the legs, which leads to a change in the acid-base balance of the skin.Its protective functions are reduced, and this can lead to the appearance and spread of the fungus.
- Weakened immunity, prolonged use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, antibacterial therapy contributes to infection with onychomycosis.
- Diabetes mellitus in older people is a common cause of the disease.
- In contact with the shoe infected with a fungus, socks with a towel, a washcloth, a manicure set and other personal accessories of the patient, infection occurs in 90% of cases.
At first, the infection affects a small area of the nail, as a rule, this is an area with the edge.Then the inflammatory process increases and spreads to other zones or penetrates deeper into the nail plate.The faster the nail fungus is found, the easier it is to cure it.Therefore, at the first signs, the treatment should be immediately begin to begin.
How the disease manifests itself
Not only a specialist, but also a patient can determine onychomycosis in a person.The main features of the nail fungus are as follows:
- The nail plate changes color, from a light yellow shade, to black.Coloring depends on which type of fungus infected the nails;
- there is a transformation of the shape and circuit of the nail plate;
- The nail crumbles, exfoliates, thickens, natural shine disappears;
- Bad smell, unpleasant, painful sensations in the fingertips, near the nail plate.
It is important to determine the disease in time in order to avoid further spreading to the skin of the legs and other parts of the fingers.The doctor will be able to correctly evaluate the degree of damage to the fungus and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
Distinguish 3 stages of fungus:
- Explicit signs, such as a change in shape, thickening of the stratum corneum, a crack are absent.Determining the disease during this period is very difficult.But the appearance of barely noticeable spots on the surface of the nail plate, a slight change in the shade of the stratum layer can alert the appearance of barely noticeable spots.
- There are distinct signs of nail fungus.The color of the nail surface changes, from pink, to a yellow or brown tint, natural gloss and smoothness disappears.The side edges of the nails are thickened, crumble, and deformed.
- It is considered a neglected form in which the infection captures the entire cornea.He thickens, there is an increase in keratinocytes, and fragility increases.To cut such a nail is very problematic, its edges are bent inside and grow into the skin of the fingers, delivering pain to the patient when walking.
Complications after the 3rd stage are characterized by peeratinocytes exfoliating from the sprout.This condition is accompanied by severe pain and unpleasant odor.The incubation period of the nail fungus is 3 weeks, after which you can already diagnose the disease and begin antifungal therapy.
Types of nail fungus
With onychomycosis, several types of fungus are diagnosed.
- Dermatophytes, as a rule, appear in the form of clouding of the nail platinum.Yellow spots are formed at the edges or in the center.Over time, the yellowed edge moves away from the stratumed bed.Sometimes longitudinal stripes are observed along the damaged area.
- The yeast fungus changes the structure of the nail, deforming it.The nail plate becomes uneven, waves, furrows appear, after time the color of the nail acquires a yellowish tint and may lag behind.At the same time, nail rollers can be caught and thicken.
- A mold fungus is detected in people with weakened immunity, with a long -term drug therapy.It is manifested by a change in the color palette of the nail.At first it is yellow, then the shade changes, and it can be like greenish, bluish and even become black.In this case, the treatment is the shortest, and takes 1–1.5 months, since the mold does not penetrate deep into the nail plate, but remains only on the surface.
Effective methods of combating infection
How to get rid of nail fungus quickly and forever, worries many patients.The treatment of onychomycosis in the early stages does not last long.You can cope with it using local antifungal agents.They spread deep into the stingy layer and suppress the growth and reproduction of pathogenic mushrooms.Such treatment will be effective if a small area of the nail plate is hurt, no more than 1/3.
A positive healing property is endowed with varnishes from nail fungus.They have a liquid texture, easily applied and penetrate into small cracks in the nail.When applying, the varnish is instantly absorbed and dries, forming a strong film.It prevents the penetration of oxygen into the nail, due to which the growth and reproduction of the fungus stops.
It must be applied once a day.Removing varnish from the surface of the nail plate is problematic, which allows you to effectively affect the infection.
You can also use antifungal drugs, creams and ointments.They have greater efficiency in comparison with varnishes, and are used in the identification of 2 stages of the disease.Before applying the cream, you need to remove the damaged surface of the nail plate.
Cream or ointment is used 2 times a day, and cover the affected area with a small amount.To achieve the maximum effect after applying the cream, it is necessary to seal the infected area with a patch.
Methods of treating onychomycosis depend on the degree of neglect and the identified form.It passes only under the supervision of a doctor, since all drugs from a fungal infection have high toxicity.The specialist examines the patient and takes a small part of the nail for laboratory examination to establish the type of fungus.In the case when the disease captures all the nail platinum and the fungus progresses for more than a year - a comprehensive treatment is prescribed, which includes local and internal use of drugs.
The use of systemic antibiotics into the treatment of fungal infection provides a positive result.Such drugs, combined with ointments, deprive the fungus of the ability to germinate deep into the nail, and stop the growth of the colonies.This type of treatment is long and lasts about a year.
Medicine does not stand still, effective methods in the fight against fungal disease are constantly being developed and implemented.In 2010, new methods appeared in the treatment of onychomycosis.The photodynamic processing of the nail plates infected with the fungus, and laser treatment on special “nail” lasers in combination with antimicrobials give a tangible positive effect and reduce cure terms.
The peculiarity of laser therapy lies in the effect of a fungus with a temperature of up to 70 degrees, in which the spores of the fungus die, and the source of the spread of the disease is mycelium.
In the treatment of a laser, healthy skin around the nail is not affected, it acts exclusively on fungal organisms that die for several sessions.
Traditional medicine in the treatment of fungus
You can try to cope with the disease at home.Treatment should begin with soap-horseman baths that soften the nail plate.It should be cleaned of a keratinized layer of a manicure file.Such a bath and cleaning must be carried out once a week, within 6 months.The affected area must be treated with tea tree oil.To enhance the therapeutic exposure, you can seer the infected nail plate with a adhesive plate, having previously put a tampon on it, saturated in equal proportions, lavender and tea oils.
Folk methods in the treatment of nail fungus are diverse and most often provide a positive and quick result, provided that the disease is at the initial stage.Among the most effective one can highlight:
- Processing of affected areas of hydrogen peroxide.Wipe well steamed nails with a cotton swab with a cotton swab with a cotton swab 2-3 times a day.After a few days, the nail plate will become much softer, and it can be cut into manicure scissors.
- The use of celandine in folk medicine has proved its effectiveness in the treatment of skin diseases, as well as with a fungal infection of various etiologies.Yodinol is added to the dry chopped celandine (bought in a pharmacy).These two components are thoroughly ground and the resulting mixture is applied to the affected area.The nail is wrapped with plastic film and left all night.To cure 1-2 stages of the fungus, it is enough to carry out 3-5 such procedures.
- Propolis is considered an effective remedy for the fungus.20-% tincture with propolis purchased in a pharmacy is applied to a sore area in the form of a compress.A cotton swab moistened with a therapeutic agent is applied to the nail plate and sealed with a patch.Over time, the affected nail will displace a healthy one.
- Golden mustache is an amazing plant that helps with various diseases.In the treatment of the fungus, it is necessary to attach a softened sheet of the plant on the steamed nail, and leave it under the film for the night.In the morning, the softened part should be cut off as much as possible, under the root.It is necessary to apply the golden mustache only on the area of the nail plate, without affecting the skin around to avoid burn.Soon the nail will recover and will be healthy and durable.
- If the nail fungus struck your hands, you can get rid of it with the help of tar soap.It is necessary to thoroughly wash your hands with him, paying special attention to the affected places.Then you need to lower the nails into a highly concentrated solution of salt and bandage them all night.A positive effect will come a week later.
Treatment of nail fungus is a rather long process.Regardless of which therapy is chosen, you should be patient and regularly use the drugs prescribed by the doctor.And also one should not forget about preventive measures to prevent infection again.
How to treat the nail fungus is solved only by the doctor with a thorough examination of the patient and after the results of the laboratory test.In order to avoid re -infection with a fungus, it is necessary to use drugs for preventive purposes.Follow the condition of the nails and skin, when identifying the first signs of the disease, immediately contact a specialist.Remember that in the early stages the fungus is treated quickly and efficiently.