toenail fungus

Nail fungus is a dermatological disease that affects more than 20% of humanity and not only causes aesthetic damage, but can also cause problems with human health and immunity.

It is characterized by a change in the color of the nail plate, its deformation and crumbling, in medicine this pathology is called onychomycosis. Infection occurs when a dermatophyte fungus gets under a healthy toenail. It multiplies quickly, damages soft tissues and forms spots on the nails of white and yellow color, provoking further deformation and death of the nail. When a nail is affected, if treated untimely, the fungus will spread to healthy surfaces. All this brings significant discomfort to a person's life. In this article we will understand the causes, symptoms, cure of such a fungus, and most importantly, how to avoid this unpleasant disease.

Causes of nail fungus

The main reason for the appearance of the fungus is a weak human immune system. If the body's protective functions are not working well, the risk of contracting infections, viruses and bacteria increases significantly. Fungus on the toes occurs more often than on the hands due to high humidity and the lack of necessary air circulation.

Also particularly at risk are:

• people with poor hygiene. Avoid excessive sweating of the feet, wet and dirty socks, walking barefoot without slippers;
• People with pathologies of internal organs and blood vessels, HIV carriers. Diabetes mellitus and blood clots in the veins lead to poor circulation in the legs;
• People who ignore tight and uncomfortable shoes. Even small corns, microcracks and calluses on the feet can provoke infection with a fungus;
• people in the period of hormonal changes in the body, the elderly;
• People trying on shoes without disposable socks in stores. After all, there is a risk that a person infected with a fungus will try on these shoes before you.

Fungal infections love moist, warm environments, as well as open wounds and abrasions where they can immediately multiply.

Public places like hotels, gyms, swimming pools, locker rooms, showers, and saunas are popular homes for fungal infections. If you like to go barefoot there, the risk of infection is one hundred percent. It must be remembered that fungal infections are contagious and easily transmitted through household means or through contact with a person.

Fungal Stages and Symptoms

Unfortunately, the fungus is an infection that develops quickly. Like the roots of a tree, it grows under a person's skin, destroying tissues and surfaces. Usually, the fungus begins its activity on the pinky or thumb and eventually affects all nails.

In general, there are initial, intermediate and advanced stages, but we will understand the course of the disease a little better in medical terms:

1. Stage of infection – the fungus attaches to dead skin cells and eventually crawls to the nail plate. Not accompanied by any symptoms;
2. Normotrophic stage - the natural color of the nail fades and turns yellow at the edges and thickens towards the corners. Small white streaks or dots may appear. There is a specific smell and unpleasant feeling;
3. Hypertrophic stage - the nail becomes completely yellow, deformed, the surface is untidy and ribbed. In most cases, the entire nail plate thickens, and the rim itself becomes loose and peels off;
4. Atrophic stage - dull yellow or gray nails. Pieces of nails fall off, the nail bed has an unhealthy appearance, loose surface;
5. Stage - onycholysis - the entire nail plate becomes very thin and subsequently disappears. The fungus can migrate to neighboring nails that are still healthy.

The skin around the nail is usually red and scaly. The patient notices itching between the fingers, cracks are observed, accompanied by pain. Often, in the last stage, getting into the nail bed, the fungus dies under the influence of immunity. But if the protective functions of the body are weakened or treatment is not carried out, blood poisoning can occur.

types of mushrooms

The most popular among the causative agents of onychomycosis are fungi - dermatophytes. They affect more than 85% of infections. And, accordingly, among the pathogens, fungi of the Candida class (yeast) and mold are much rarer. Sometimes there are also cases of infection of the nail of several types at once.

Let's take a closer look at each type.

fungal dermatophytes

There are many species of this mushroom. They are popular because they can adapt to any microclimate. Living in the ground cover of the earth, animals and humans can be easily infected through direct surface contact and through the "carrier-infected" relationship. However, this type of infection is rare and usually several factors precede the disease.

The most famous types of dermatophytes:

• Trichophyton rubrum - first infects the tip of the nail, and then gently reaches the base. The nail collapses, becomes yellow, thick, and lethargic. The surrounding skin is unusually dry, red, and scaly;
• Trichophyton mentagrophytes is the main lover of a humid and warm microclimate. They usually get infected in public places like showers, swimming pools, and saunas. Commonly causes damage to the big toes and surrounding areas. The skin becomes inflamed, itchy, and inflamed bumps form.

It is difficult to cure a fungus that has managed to get to the base of the nail plate. In this case, most likely, there will be a complete loss.

Candida fungus

Yeast, or candida, is present in normal amounts in everyone's body, but under a variety of triggers it can multiply rapidly and cause disease.

Mainly known to women. Because a large proportion of them have had to deal with such a disease as thrush in the course of their lives, which is caused by this special type of fungus from the Candida class.

In cases where Candida has appeared on the nails, it is safe to assume that the infection occurred at home through a specific item that the infected person had previously used (towel, washcloth, shoes). And it, unlike dermatophytes, is initially formed at the base and is most often found on the nails of the hands.

shape mushrooms

The most dangerous type of mushroom. It can not only damage the skin, but also quickly affect the entire body.

Infection occurs due to destruction of the nail and exposure of the nail bed. The good news is that infection with this type of fungus is extremely rare. But if this still happened, then it is very difficult to treat with conventional medicines and requires special means for preventing mold on the nails.

diagnosis

Since the external symptoms of nail fungus can resemble those of other diseases (for example, ringworm, psoriasis, keratoderma), the doctor prescribes such examinations to confirm the diagnosis of a fungal infection and determine the causative agent:

• Microscopy of the nail plate - the lab technician makes a scraper out of the nail and treats it with a special substance to destroy the keratin. This procedure is necessary for easier and more accurate observation under a microscope. This analysis also has a downside. With its help it is impossible to determine the type of pathogenic fungus. Based on the results obtained, antifungal drugs are prescribed with a comprehensive effect;
• Cultural type of study – in the laboratory, the material obtained by scratching the nail is immersed in the Sabouraud culture medium for cultivation, where the fungus develops rapidly. The fungus is identified by the growth rate, color, and shape of its colonies. In addition, this method is used to determine the sensitivity of antibodies to treatment drugs. The disadvantage is that the result of the analysis has to be expected in 3-5 days;
• The purpose of DNA diagnostics - nail scrapings are examined for the presence of DNA cells in fungal infections of the dermatophyte class or yeast. The most dangerous type of mold cannot be determined using this method. The diagnostic result is ready in 1-2 days, and the disadvantage is the high price of the method due to the use of special equipment.

treatment methods

If you are wondering which doctor to contact with such a disease, there is only one answer - you need a dermatologist.

If the infection could be recognized immediately in the early stages, external treatment is sufficient. However, if the infection was not detected immediately, and the visit to the doctor has been postponed for a long time, then complex therapy of a more serious nature will be required. In particularly severe cases of the disease, the nail plate is removed. Sometimes the treatment is delayed for six months, in order to prevent this, we strongly recommend that you pay attention to bothersome symptoms in a timely manner and immediately consult specialist doctors.

Diagnostics will determine what type of treatment you need, as it is important to determine which fungus caused the infection. Medications used to treat toenail fungus are divided into 2 groups:

• Preparations with local action - this group includes therapeutic ointments, creams, varnishes and gels. Usually they are used at the initial stage of treatment, when the disease was detected in time;
• Antifungals are antifungal drugs with a systemic effect that are used orally. Available in the form of tablets and capsules that can eliminate the activity of the fungus. They have the ability to block the spread of mycosis, have a long-term effect that prevents the disease from recurring.

Depending on the nature and severity of the infection, these groups of drugs can be prescribed individually or be means of complex therapy.

Doctors also give additional recommendations:

• Only use personal hygiene products and household items (washcloths, towels, dishes, etc. );
• Follow a personal diet prescribed by a doctor;
• Treat and ventilate shoes in such a way that during treatment the fungus does not create a favorable environment for reproduction.
• Be sure to take vitamin complexes to strengthen the immune system. Both during and after the treatment.

Antifungal ointments

When treating toenail fungus, it is important to use topical preparations only in cases where the lesion is not severe and occupies less than half of the nail plate. Or with individual intolerance to the components of systemic drugs. After all, drugs such as antifungal ointments do not penetrate the tissues sufficiently, and therefore do not have the ability to effectively and completely heal a person. But as an additional therapy to relieve external symptoms and for prevention, they are great.

It must be remembered that first the affected part of the nail is cut off, and then it is necessary to treat not only the nail, but also the soft tissues, the areas around it, with an ointment.

Local therapy will be effective against toenail fungus with the participation of such means:

• Hypoallergenic drug with a minimum of side effects, well tolerated by the body. The composition includes such a non-toxic component as a polyene antibiotic (a group of tetraene-polyenes). The ointment is applied to the affected areas in a thin layer, usually over the course of 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the stage of the disease;
• A preparation that penetrates deep into the skin has a storage effect. Also apply in a thin layer to dry affected areas. The course lasts at least two months.

Special paints

Toenail fungus nail polishes are the most convenient remedy to use, but they are only suitable in the early stages of a fungal infection. You just need to apply them to the affected nails two to three times a week. Here are examples of proven and effective varnishes:

• The active component of the varnish is a derivative of morpholine, which can quickly destroy up to 10 types of infectious agents by destroying them at the cellular level. The drug is applied with pre-steaming of the nails in one course until complete remission;
• The active substance of the varnish is able to destroy 58 types of fungal pathogens. The duration of treatment is 3 months, gradually decreasing the frequency of application per week (in the first month the varnish is applied every other day, then twice a week, and at the last stage only once a week).

ethnoscience

Folk remedies cope well with the symptoms of fungal infections, but they work only in combination with medicines.

There are many natural components, natural remedies and methods of treatment that do not require large expenses. It can be a variety of herbs, potassium permanganate, iodine and vinegar for baths, solutions, tea tree and eucalyptus oils. However, since nail fungus is a complex and lengthy condition, they also require your dermatologist's approval. After all, there is a great risk of allowing complications and subsequently losing the nail completely and forever.

The following alternative methods are often recommended to relieve symptoms:

• Rub garlic on the affected areas of the nails;
• Float feet in water with washing powder;
• Lotions with baking soda diluted with water (to achieve a thick consistency and apply to the nail for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water);
• Invest in socks with herbs such as: nettle, mint, chamomile, sage, propolis (change the content of the socks daily).

We will get to know the remaining folk methods in more detail below.

vinegar baths

Vinegar baths are one of the best folk remedies for toenail fungus.

Apple cider vinegar and wine vinegar are suitable for recipes. At the same time, it is important to observe the correct proportions and use only a natural product without chemical additives.

• Recipe #1: Soak your feet once or twice in water mixed 1: 1 with apple cider vinegar. The duration of the procedure is about 20 minutes, and it is better to extend the course of treatment to 2 weeks with daily baths.
• Recipe number 2: Dilute 5 tablespoons of 9% wine vinegar in 2 liters of hot water. Steam your feet for at least 30 minutes and then use a swab to clean the softened horny layer of the nail plate. After that, it is recommended to apply an antifungal immediately. Prolong the course of the procedure for a month, bathing daily, and preferably twice a day.

tea tree oil

A potent antifungal obtained by pressing the oil from the leaves of the tea plant. It is used by the whole world to treat other pathologies in the form of acne, scratches and abrasions. Recommended for use in the following ways:

1. Steam your legs and lubricate the affected skin and nail area with tea tree oil in an amount of five to ten drops with a cotton swab. There is no need to flush. The course of the procedure: 3 times a day for at least two weeks;
2. Add 5-10 drops of oil to a liter of hot water and keep your feet in such a bath for about half an hour. The course can last 2 months.

Tea tree oil is not recommended for pregnant women.

iodine treatment

The most famous and cheapest method recommended by dermatologists around the world. The secret of this tool is that iodine has the ability to fold proteins. And as we know, pathogens have a protein structure because they feed on keratin — a type of fibrillar protein.

How to treat feet with iodine

• Method number 1:

  Apply one drop of 5% iodine solution to the affected nail twice a day and to adjacent healthy nails once a day. After about a week, a painful sensation appears in the form of a burning sensation, this means that the destruction of fungal pathogens has begun. The course of treatment can exceed a month until full recovery;

• Method number 2:

  Steam your feet in a bath of hot water, soda and salt (1 liter of water, 1 tablespoon of soda, 2 tablespoons of salt) for 30 minutes. Remove calluses with scissors and dry your feet. Then apply 3 layers of iodine solution to each affected area of the nail (apply 1 layer, wait until it dries completely and apply the next). The course of the procedure: 1 time per day for a month.

Children can be exposed to nail fungus

As you may have guessed, such a disease as toenail fungus can occur not only in adults but also in children.

Children can pick up the pathogen of the fungus anywhere. Contagion through contact with an already infected person, through a domestic hygiene breach that we examined above, or through an injury with dirt getting into the wound, which can later develop into an infection.

In children, nail fungus can easily affect one or more fingers and toes. The first symptoms appear as small white or yellow spots on the fingernail. The infection can come on slowly, eventually spreading to the entire nail and changing its color completely. In addition, there is deformation of the nail plate and crumbling of the nail, accompanied by unbearable pain.

Symptoms of nail fungus in children

Let's take a closer look at the symptoms of fungal nail infection in children:

• There is a thickening of the nail plate;
• deformation of the nail, accompanied by its fragility;
• In appearance, the nails become dull, weak, without a natural shine;
• If the fungus actively unfolds its vital activity under the nail, the nail plate can turn brown, green or dirty yellow;
• With complications of the disease, an unpleasant odor emanates from the nail.

Causes of nail fungus in children

The cause of infection, as in adults, lies mainly in the fight against parasites - dermatophyte fungi. This species of fungus loves warm and humid environments and is found in large numbers in public places such as showers, baths and swimming pools where it is easy to find. The nail bed is a convenient habitat for such a parasite, where they can get even through invisible cuts.

Children are more likely to be at risk of infection because their immune system is not yet strong enough and the rules of hygiene are disregarded.

Treatment of nail fungus in children

Treatment methods for nail fungus in children are usually not much different from treating the same fungus in adults. It is recommended to pay attention to the symptoms in a timely manner and consult a doctor for a prescription for medication. It is best to use topical creams, ointments and varnishes, but their effectiveness in developing the infection will be very small. Therefore, drugs for oral use are often added to the treatment. Such systemic means must be taken for a long time, until the healthy nail completely replaces the infected one. However, such drugs have a number of side infections, which can manifest themselves in the form of rashes and damage to internal organs. It is forbidden to use them for children with liver diseases and heart problems. But all this is individual, so it is so important not to self-medicate and find a qualified dermatologist.

In general, treating nail fungus in children is not as difficult as preventing it. To do this, it is worth talking more often with children about the rules of hygiene.

Nail fungus, photo