Onychomycosis: prevention of nail fungus

Just a few years ago, fungal diseases of the nails were not given much importance, while now everyone understands the need for timely detection and treatment of a massive contagious fungal infection caused by various dermatophyte fungi. Thanks to widespread public awareness, the number of visits to specialists with this pathology has increased, which in turn has led to an increase in the detection of foot mycoses. Since any deformation of the nail plate without an apparent cause (for example, an injury) is primarily suspected of a fungal infection, self-diagnosis in this case is a decisive factor. Thus, any change in the nail plate is a reason to consult a dermatologist, since at least half of these disorders will have a fungal etiology, and the rest require careful diagnosis, again carried out by a specialist.

Factors leading to the appearance of fungus:

1. In fact, fungal nail infection is a slow disease that does not lead to life-threatening conditions and does not cause pain or discomfort. It more often affects the elderly, who often associate changes in appearance with the aging process.
2. Patients themselves are often embarrassed by the disease, are not prepared for the financial costs of treatment, or are convinced that it is incurable. Many people start to self-medicate and do not see the disease as a reason to turn to a specialist.
3. Since the disease mainly affects the feet, even during medical examinations or doctor's examinations, it is not usual to go directly to the examination of the feet, without specific complaints of the patient about changes in the nails. This is facilitated by the extremely short time allocated to examining patients even in specialized institutions, which, unfortunately, forces doctors to examine them only for the main reason for the visit.

Fungal nail infection lasts quite a long timeTherefore, the earlier the disease is detected, the greater the probability of its complete cure. In addition, the earlier start of therapy allows us to limit ourselves to the use of only external preparations and nail cleaning, and this is possible only if the infection has affected single nails from the distal or lateral edge of less than 1/3-1/2 of the plate. Topical external therapy is used to treat the initial stages of fungal nail infection. Advanced forms of fungal infection require longer and more expensive treatment. Periodic preventive examinations and medical examinations of the population play a special role in the early detection of mycoses of the nails.

Consequences

This seemingly harmless disease can have very serious complications:

• smooth skin damage and secondary infection;
• fungal sensitization with the formation of allergic reactions and foci of microbial eczema;
• complication of chronic dermatoses, varicose veins of the lower limbs and leg lesions in diabetes mellitus, etc.

It is impossible not to mention the epidemiological significance of the existing foci of fungal infection: a sick person will infect public places and other people, and in everyday life will be a source of intrafamilial transmission of fungal infection.

Nail fungus (medically called onychomycosis) is a fairly common disease. According to doctors, it affects more than 15% of the world's population, although this pathology is diagnosed much less often (in 2% of people). This discrepancy is explained simply: nail fungus does not threaten life, and if it worsens its quality, it is in most cases very insignificant. That is why people do not always consult a doctor about onychomycosis, trying to cope with the disease themselves or simply leave it without treatment.

Nail fungus develops quite slowly. Therefore, the first signs of a fungal infection usually escape the attention of the patient. When changes in the nail caused by fungus begin to be noticed, it means that the process has already gone far enough and it will not be easy to defeat the fungus.

Onychomycosis is often perceived as a cosmetic problem: nails affected by the fungus look ugly. But it is necessary to fight the fungus not only to return the nails to the right shape and shine. If the fungus is not treated, it will spread further. The toenail is usually the first to be affected. If untreated, the fungus spreads to the other toes, and since we inevitably touch our feet with our hands, it is possible that the nails and nails may subsequently become infected with the fungus. Fungi also spread to the skin around the nail, causing irritation and itching.

Causes of onychomycosis

Onychomycosis can be caused by different types of fungi. First of all, these are dermatophytes. In second place are yeasts of the Candida genus, which are always present in small quantities on the human skin (most often affecting the nails). A mold infection is also possible (they usually accompany other pathogens. An isolated mold infection is characteristic not of our climate, but of a tropical climate).

The risk of yeast infection increases with age. In children, nail fungus is very rare and, conversely, in the elderly, it is found relatively often. In addition, men suffer from onychomycosis more often than women.

The age specificity of the fungus is explained by the fact that our local immunity decreases with age, while the natural defense of the young body, as a rule, well suppresses the activity of the fungus, preventing them from colonizing the nail plate. There is a dependence not only on local immunity, but also on general immunity. A weakened general immune system is a favorable background for the development of any fungal infection.

For fungi of the genus Candida, it is enough to have problems with the immune system: they simply begin to actively reproduce. Fungi of other species still have to somehow enter our body from the outside environment. Some types of fungi can be carried by animals. Molds are found everywhere; they can reproduce without a host. However, in most cases, the fungal infection is spread from person to person.

Mushrooms love moist environments. Therefore, fungal infection often occurs in places with high humidity. These are swimming pools, saunas, changing rooms, gyms. Wearing socks and shoes on wet feet can also be a trigger.

If there are wounds and cracks, they allow the infection to penetrate directly into the tissues, avoiding the need to storm the protective barrier that forms the surface of our skin.

The spread of the fungus is facilitated by neglect of personal hygiene: you should not use someone else's slippers, soap or towel. Precisely because not every family follows this rule, nail fungus often becomes a family disease.

Damage to the nail usually starts at the edge. Dermatophytes penetrate under the free edge of the nail plate (in the subungual recess). In this case, the pathological process develops mainly in the nail bed. The second way of penetration of the fungus is from the nail fold. Candida fungi usually first affect the back fold of the nails (paronychia appears) and only then the nail itself suffers. One type of dermatophytes (T. mentagrophytes) can penetrate directly through the nail plate.

Symptoms of onychomycosis

The first sign of a fungal infection is the loss of shine of the nail, clouding and discoloration. In cases where the infection affects the skin around the nail, itching occurs. If treatment is not started, the fungus begins to destroy the nail plate: the surface of the nail becomes rough, the nail can peel, peel, break, crumble.

Specific manifestations depend on the pathogen, as well as on the localization, duration of the pathological process and its form. Normotrophic, hypertrophic and atrophic forms of fungal infection are distinguished.

It is characterized by the fact that the thickness of the nail plate remains unchanged. The disease manifests itself in the form of white or yellowish spots that gradually increase in size. Eventually, the color of the entire nail changes. The nail plate can come off because the fusion of the nail with the subungual tissues is disturbed.

It is characterized by a significant increase in the thickness of the nail plate (due to growth of the subungual epithelium). The nail becomes brownish-yellowish or gray in color. The nail plate is usually actively disintegrating. The nail is especially damaged on the side, resulting in a claw-like shape.

In this form of fungal infection, the nail thins and is destroyed, starting from the outer edge. The destruction goes deeper, to the back nail fold; the nail bed is filled with a loose mass formed by decaying particles of the epithelium. Eventually, the nail may be lost completely.

Methods for diagnosing onychomycosis

Changes in the color and brittleness of the nails should be a reason to consult a dermatologist. You should not replace the doctor and diagnose yourself - you can make a mistake: changes in the nail may have another cause.

The doctor makes a diagnosis based on a visual examination (a microscope may be used). To confirm the diagnosis, laboratory diagnostics is performed. It is also necessary to establish the type of pathogen (this will allow prescribing the most effective treatment).

At the appointment, the doctor will scrape the affected nail plate. If the pathological process affected only the free edge of the nail, then a scraping of the subungual epithelium is also taken.

Microscopy is performed in the laboratory. Cultural studies are also done (the material is placed in a favorable environment and seen if a colony of fungi appears). Culture studies allow to determine which fungi caused the disease.

To accurately diagnose the disease, make an appointment with specialists from the Family Doctor network.

Methods of treatment of onychomycosis

Treatment of nail fungus involves removing the affected part of the nail. After that, the treatment is carried out with local antifungal agents (ointments, drops, sprays, varnishes). For significant lesions, the doctor may prescribe general antifungal agents (tablets).

Since fungal activity increases in the context of immune problems, the proposed course of treatment may include measures aimed at increasing overall immunity.

It is recommended to apply local products (ointments, creams, drops) to the open nail bed. Do not stop treating the affected area until the time prescribed by your doctor has passed. Before removing the treatment, the doctor will most likely do another scraping so that a laboratory test can confirm the absence of fungus. Otherwise, there is a high risk of relapse of the disease.

Do not self-medicate. Contact our specialists who will correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Vinegar recipes to treat nail fungus

Finding toenail fungus, only a few decide to seek the help of a specialist. Others often ignore the problem until it reaches an advanced stage. Considering the expensive treatment with drugs, more and more people choose folk remedies to eliminate the unpleasant manifestations of the disease.

Treating nail fungus with vinegar is the easiest home way to get rid of the unpleasant disease. Simple and affordable recipes, if used correctly, will help to quickly cure an initial infection. Vinegar and eggs provide significant help in the complex therapy of onychomycosis, acting as a supplement to drugs. The product is also used for prevention and quick relief of unpleasant symptoms.

Reviews of the folk remedy for toenail fungus using vinegar essence and eggs are mostly positive. Many patients say that with the help of this drug they managed to cope with the disease in just 2-3 weeks. However, this effect can only be achieved if the onychomycosis is in an unadvanced form.

Fungus causes and symptoms

Disease symptoms and photos:

1. change in plate thickness - thickening or thinning;
2. bad smell;
3. swelling, hyperemia, pain in the folds of the nails;
4. the appearance of stripes or spots of different colors - white, yellow, black;
5. delamination and destruction of the plate, deformation.

In the later stages, the plates move away from the bed, become mobile, and severe pain is felt when moving. Deformed plates make it difficult to wear shoes. For women, the trouble increases due to the inability to wear open sandals, as their appearance suffers. Onychomycosis is usually accompanied by a skin infection where the limbs itch, peel and the skin peels off. Vinegar essence, which is available in every home, can be a real salvation in the initial stage of nail fungus treatment.

The causative agents of onychomycosis are opportunistic, they are constantly present near people. What factors contribute to the development of the disease:

• reduced immunity;
• constant contact with a sick person and his things;
• wearing and using foreign clothing and hygiene products - towels, slippers, accessories for manicure and pedicure;
• neglect of hygiene rules;
• increased sweating of the extremities;
• visiting beauty salons with bad antiseptics.

It is easy to get onychomycosis. It will take a long time to cure nail fungus with vinegar, as well as any antifungal. Often the infection is detected when the pathogen has penetrated deep into the nail plates and their destruction is obvious.

How does vinegar affect the source of the disease?

The positive effect of treating nail fungus with acetic acid is due to its effect on pathogenic microorganisms. An acidic environment is detrimental to dermatophytes.

With prolonged contact with acid, the fungus stops multiplying and dies.

Ointment for treatment

An ointment that can quickly and effectively cure the fungus can be prepared according to the following recipes:

1. Take glycerine and any 7% or 9% vinegar and mix it all up. The quantity of the components should be used in such a way that it is necessary to form a paste consistency. After that, the finished mixture is applied to the legs about 2 times a day.
2. You need to take 1 egg and dip it in 70% vinegar essence. After waiting for the shell to dissolve, you need to remove the film and mix the white and yolk with 200 g of butter. Before using the ointment, it is recommended to steam your feet well. It should be stored for up to 8 hours, so it is better to use the product at night.

You can make an ointment to treat nail fungus at home using one of the following recipes:

• Take glycerin, olive oil and dimethyl phthalate in equal parts. Stir and to the resulting mixture add a double part of 70% vinegar essence and stir again. Apply to the nail and leave for 10 hours, then wash with laundry soap and water;
• take 40 g of eucalyptus essential oil, 1 large spoon of 9% vinegar and 15 g of honey, mix everything and put in the refrigerator for 3 days. After that, the finished ointment should be applied to the affected nail plate once a day.

You can use vinegar against nail fungus by scalding. The main advantage of this method is that it requires minimal time, and the efficiency is comparable to other methods.

How is the mixture prepared? Traditionally, vinegar and iodine are mixed in equal parts and applied to all the nail plates of the feet. The amount of product applied depends on the size of your plate. Usually no more than 2-4 drops are used. Then you have to wait until the solution is absorbed and you can get dressed or, for example, go to bed. The procedure is carried out no more than 1-2 times a day.

What causes yeast infections?

fungispreading from the foot (known as"dermatophyte fungi"), cause most fungal nail infections. Less commonly, nail infections are caused by other types of fungus, usually yeast (egCandida) Andmold.

These fungi tend to attack nails that are already damaged because it is easier for the fungus to penetrate. Fungal infections of the toenails are very common (1 in 4 people may be affected at some point in time), while toenail fungus is less common. Both types are most common in older people, people with weakened immune systems, and people with diabetes and poor peripheral circulation. A warm, moist environment helps the fungus to grow and cause infection. Wearing tight shoes or using showers, bathrooms or changing rooms can increase the risk of fungal infections.

Are they hereditary?

Absolutely not. However, in some extremely rare cases, there is a genetic risk factor and other family members may also be affected.

What are the symptoms of fungal nail infections?

There are usually no symptoms at first. Later, the nails may thicken and become painful when pressure is applied to the inside of the shoe. After that, they are difficult to prune. The sight of an infected nail, especially a toenail, can be embarrassing. The affected nail can ruin socks and tights and can also chafe the adjacent skin. The skin nearby may also have a fungal infection; it may itch, crack, blister, or appear whitish, especially between the toes.

What do nail fungal infections look like?

Fungal nail infectionthey usually start at its free edge and then spread from the side of the nail to the base of the cuticle. Eventually, the entire nail may be affected. Infected areas turn white or yellowish and become thickened and scaly. Less commonly, there may be white inclusions on the surface of the nail. The nails most susceptible to damage from fungal infections are the big and little toes. Sometimes, especially in those who regularly perform wet work, such as housekeepers or cleaners, the skin around the nail becomes red and swollen. This is called paronychia and can allow infection to easily enter the nail.

How are fungal nail infections diagnosed?

Fungal nail infectionsusually diagnosed clinically. Your doctor may take a piece of the infected nail and send it to a lab to see if the fungus can be seen under a microscope or grown in culture. Sometimes repeat samples may be necessary.

Many nail problems can only appearfungal infection, - for example, changes seen in psoriasis, after a bacterial infection or old trauma, but antifungal tablets will not help. Proper treatment may depend on knowing which fungus is causing the problem; It may take a few weeks to see results.

Can nail fungus infections be cured?

yesHowever, for successfultreatment of fungal nail infectionLong-term treatment is necessary, which can last up to a year. Fingernails are easier to treat.Fungal nail infectionsthey usually recur, especially on the toes.

How can fungal nail infections be treated?

Fungal nail infectionsare not troublesome in themselves, not all of them require treatment. Some people with infected toenails don't worry about them at all. In this case, they can sometimes be left alone (although the patient must remain careful and try not to spread the infection to other parts of the body and nails or to other people).

On the other hand, ifinfected nailscause embarrassment or discomfort, they are usually treated. It is important to treat people whose infections can cause serious health problems, such as diabetes or a weakened immune system, to prevent potentially serious health problems.

The goal of treatment is to get rid of the fungus: then the nail usually returns to normal. However, if the nail was damaged before it became infected, it will be more difficult to clean and may return to its previous state.Nail infectionscaused by mold and yeast can be very resistant to treatment.

Treatment options include:

Nail treatment (topical treatment)

Treatments applied to the nails do not work as well as treatments applied by mouth. They are most effective if the infection is in an early stage. The most commonly used methods are medicated nail polish amorolfine, ciclopirox and tioconazole solution.

They may not be able to clean the deeper parts of the infected nail on their own, but regularly removing the damaged part of the nail using nail clippers or sanding can help. Oral medications used in combination with an antifungal increase the likelihood of a cure. They may need to be used for 4-12 months before effects are noticed.

Forfingernail infectionsthe course of treatment is shorter. The cure rate with local treatment alone is around 15-30%. Topical treatment is safe. Redness and irritation may occur.

Before you start taking the pills, your doctor must send part of the nail to a laboratory to check if the diagnosis of fungal infection is confirmed.

Laser and photodynamic therapy can be helpful, but are less effective than the topical and systemic treatments listed above.

Plant-based products are also encouraged fortreatment of fungal nail infection, but there is no strong evidence that it is safer or more effective than standard treatments.

Surgical removal of nails

Sometimes very thick nails that do not respond to pills alone can be removed by surgeons under local anesthesia, but this is rarely done because the level of result does not justify surgery.

I take care of myself

• Keep nails short, dry and clean. Use one clipper for infected nails and the other for normal nails.
• Don't just treat your nails; Use an antifungal cream to treat the skin on the feet.
• Avoid cutting cuticles yourself or by a nail professional as this increases the risk of nail damage and infection.

For a fungal infection of the toes:

• Wear comfortable shoes without high heels or tight socks.
• Keep your feet dry, wear cotton socks and change them daily and wear breathable shoes. Regular washing in hot water will clean most soiled socks, but it can be made more effective by using an anti-fungal spray before washing. Other clothes usually cannot be soiled.
• Maintain good foot hygiene, including treating any infections.
• Wear clean shower shoes when using communal showers.
• Pay special attention to the hygiene of the affected feet.
• Consider getting help from an orthopedist if thickened toenails cause discomfort when walking.

conclusions

Vinegar and egg against nail fungus gives positive results with daily use. If no effect is observed during the treatment, it is necessary to consult a doctor and start drug therapy. In this case, you can continue to use folk remedies - they will only speed up the healing process.

It must be remembered that the treatment of onychomycosis will always take a long time. A full recovery may take several months to a year with regular treatments.