Onychomycosis: prevention of nail fungus

Just a few years ago, fungal nail diseases were not given much importance, whereas now everyone understands the need for timely detection and treatment of a massive contagious fungal infection caused by a variety of dermatophyte fungi. Thanks to widespread public awareness, the number of consultations 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 for no apparent reason (for example, injury) is primarily suspected of a fungal infection, self-diagnosis in this case is a decisive factor. Therefore, any change in the nail plate is a reason to see a dermatologist, as at least half of these disorders will have a fungal etiology, and the rest will require a careful diagnosis, again carried out by a specialist.

Factors leading to the 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 most frequently affects the elderly population, 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 confident that it is incurable. Many people begin to self-medicate and do not see the disease as a reason to consult a specialist.
3. Since the disease mainly affects the feet, even during medical examinations or medical examinations, the matter usually does not come directly to the examination of the feet without specific complaints from the patient about changes in the nails. This is facilitated by the very short time required for patients to be seen, even in specialized institutions, which, unfortunately, forces doctors to examine them only for the main reason for the consultation.

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

Consequences

This seemingly harmless disease can have very serious complications:

• damage to smooth skin 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 extremities and foot injuries in diabetes mellitus, etc.

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

Nail fungus (medically called onychomycosis) is a very common disease. According to doctors, it affects more than 15% of the world's population, although this pathology is diagnosed much less frequently (in 2% of people). This discrepancy can be explained simply: nail fungus does not threaten life, and if its quality worsens, in most cases it is very insignificant. Therefore, people do not always consult a doctor about onychomycosis, trying to cope with the disease on their own or simply leaving it untreated.

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

Onychomycosis is often seen as a cosmetic problem: nails affected by the fungus look unsightly. But it is necessary to combat fungi not only to restore the correct shape and shine to your nails. If the fungus is not treated, it will spread further. Generally the big toe nail is the first to be affected. If treatment is not started, the fungus spreads to other toes and, as we inevitably touch our feet with our hands, it is possible that our toenails and toenails may subsequently become infected with the fungus. The fungus also spreads to the skin around the nail, causing irritation and itching.

Causes of onychomycosis

Onychomycosis can be caused by several types of fungi. First of all, they are dermatophytes. In second place are yeasts of the genus Candida, which are always present in small quantities on human skin (they most often affect the nails). Infection with mold fungi is also possible (they are usually accompanied by other pathogens. Isolated infection with mold fungi is not typical for our climate, but for the tropical climate).

The risk of fungal infection increases with age. In children, nail fungus is very rare and, conversely, in elderly people it is detected relatively frequently. 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 over the years, while the natural defense of a young body, as a rule, suppresses the activity of fungi well, preventing them from colonizing the nail plate. There is a dependence not only on local immunity, but also on general immunity. A weakened overall immune system is a favorable scenario for the development of any fungal infection.

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

Mushrooms love a humid environment. Therefore, fungal infection often occurs in places where humidity is high. There are swimming pools, saunas, changing rooms, gyms. Wearing socks and shoes with 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 invade the protective barrier that forms the surface of our skin.

The spread of fungi is facilitated by neglect of personal hygiene: you should not use someone else's slippers, soap or towel. It is precisely because not all families follow this rule that 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 (into the subungual recess). In this case, the pathological process develops mainly in the nail bed. The second route for fungi to penetrate is from the nail fold. The Candida fungus usually first affects the posterior nail fold (paronychia occurs) and only then the nail itself suffers. One type of dermatophyte (T. mentagrophytes) can penetrate directly into the nail plate.

Symptoms of onychomycosis

The first sign of fungal infection is loss of nail shine, cloudiness 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 flake, flake, break, crumble.

Specific manifestations depend on the pathogen, as well as the location, duration of the pathological process and its form. There are normotrophic, hypertrophic and atrophic forms of fungal infection.

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, which gradually increase in size. Eventually, the color of the entire nail changes. The nail plate may peel off because the fusion of the nail with the subungual tissues is disrupted.

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

With this form of fungal infection, the nail becomes thinner and destroyed, starting from the outer edge. The destruction goes deeper, to the posterior 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 nail color and fragility should be a reason to see a dermatologist. You should not replace the doctor and diagnose yourself - you may make a mistake: changes in the nail may have a different cause.

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

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

Microscopy is performed in the laboratory. Cultural studies are also carried out (the material is placed in a favorable environment and it is checked whether a fungal colony appears). Cultural studies make it possible to determine which fungi caused the disease.

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

Treatment methods for onychomycosis

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

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

It is advisable 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 expired. Before removing the treatment, the doctor will probably take another scraping so that a laboratory test can confirm the absence of fungus. Otherwise, there is a high risk of disease relapse.

Don't self-medicate. Contact our specialists who will correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Vinegar recipes to treat nail fungus

Having discovered nail fungus, few decide to seek help from a specialist. Others often ignore the problem until it reaches an advanced stage. Given the expensive drug treatment, more and more people are choosing folk remedies to eliminate the unpleasant manifestations of the disease.

Treating nail fungus with vinegar is the easiest home way to get rid of an unpleasant disease. Easy and affordable recipes, if used correctly, will help quickly cure an incipient infection. Vinegar and eggs significantly help in the complex therapy of onychomycosis, acting as a complement to medications. The product is also used to prevent and quickly relieve unpleasant symptoms.

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

Fungus Causes and Symptoms

Symptoms of the disease and photos:

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

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

The causative agents of onychomycosis are opportunistic and are constantly present near humans. What factors contribute to the development of the disease:

• decreased immunity;
• constant contact with the patient and their things;
• wear and use other people's clothes and hygiene products - washcloths, slippers, manicure and pedicure accessories;
• ignoring hygiene rules;
• increased sweating in the extremities;
• visiting beauty salons with bad antiseptics.

It is easy to become infected with onychomycosis. It will take a long time to cure nail fungus with vinegar, as with any antifungal agent. Often, the infection is detected when the pathogen penetrates deep into the nail plates and its destruction is obvious.

How does vinegar affect the source of the disease?

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

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

Ointment for treatment

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

1. Take glycerin and any 7% or 9% vinegar and mix everything together. The amount of components must be used in such a way that it is necessary to form a pasty consistency. After that, the finished mixture is applied to the feet approximately 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 must be kept for up to 8 hours, so it is best 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 add a double portion of 70% vinegar essence to the resulting mixture and mix again. Apply to the nail and leave for 10 hours, then wash with water and soap powder;
• take 40 g of eucalyptus essential oil, 1 large spoon of 9% vinegar and 15 g of honey, mix everything and refrigerate for 3 days. After that, the finished ointment must be applied to the affected nail plate once a day.

You can use vinegar against nail fungus through cauterization. The main advantage of this method is that it requires a minimum of time and the efficiency is comparable to other methods.

How to prepare the mixture? Traditionally, vinegar and iodine are mixed in equal parts and applied to all toenails. The amount of product applied depends on the size of your plate. Generally do not use more than 2-4 drops. Then you need 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 the majority of fungal nail infections. Less commonly, nail infections are caused by other types of fungi, usually yeast (e. g. fungus).Candida) ANDmold.

These fungi tend to attack already damaged nails, as 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), while toenail fungus is less common. Both types are more common in the elderly, people with weakened immune systems, and people with diabetes and poor peripheral circulation. A warm, moist environment helps fungi grow and cause infections. Wearing tight shoes or using showers, bathrooms, or locker rooms can increase your risk of yeast 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?

Initially there are usually no symptoms. Later, the nails may thicken and become painful when pressure is applied to the inside of the shoe. They are then difficult to trim. The sight of an infected toenail, especially a toenail, can be embarrassing. The affected nail can ruin socks and tights and also rub the adjacent skin. Nearby skin may also have a fungal infection; it may itch, crack, blister, or appear white, especially between the toes.

What do fungal nail infections look like?

Fungal nail infectionit usually starts at the free edge and then spreads along the side of the nail to the base of the cuticle. Eventually, the entire nail can 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 toes and toes. Sometimes, especially for those who regularly do wet work, such as housewives or cleaners, the skin around the nail becomes red and swollen. This is called paronychia and can allow the infection to easily penetrate 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 laboratory to see if the fungus can be seen under a microscope or grown in culture. Sometimes repeat samples may be necessary.

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

Can fungal nail infections be cured?

Yes. However, for successfungal nail infection treatmentLong-term treatment is required, which can take up to a year. Nails are easier to care for.Fungal nail infectionsthey usually recur, especially on the toes.

How can fungal nail infections be treated?

Fungal nail infectionsThey are not disturbing in themselves, nor do they all require treatment. Some people with infected nails don't worry about them. In this case, they can sometimes be left alone (although the patient should be 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 inconvenience, 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 aim 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:

Treatments applied to the nails (local treatments)

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

They may not be able to clean the deeper parts of the infected nail by themselves, but regularly removing the damaged part of the nail with nail clippers or a file can help. Oral medications used in combination with an antifungal agent increase the likelihood of a cure. You may need to use them for 4 to 12 months before effects are seen.

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

Before you start taking the pills, the doctor must send part of the nail to a laboratory to check whether 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.

Herbal products are also promoted tofungal nail infection treatment, but there is no convincing evidence that it is safe or more effective than standard treatments.

Surgical nail removal

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

Self-care

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

For fungal infection on 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 contaminated socks, but may be more effective by using an antifungal spray before washing. Other clothing generally cannot be contaminated.
• Maintain good foot hygiene, including treating any infections.
• Wear clean shower shoes when using shared showers.
• Be especially careful with the hygiene of affected feet.
• Consider seeking help from a podiatrist if thickened nails cause discomfort when walking.

conclusions

Vinegar and egg against nail fungus give positive results when used daily. If no effects are observed during 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 is important to remember that the treatment of onychomycosis will always take a long time. To achieve full recovery, it may take several months to a year with regular treatment procedures.