Onychomycosis or fungal defeat of the nail is a very unpleasant disease, it is difficult to assign the treatment. The disease develops in contact with the fungus underneath the nail plate or the skin around the nail. Microflora-pathogenic feeds on keratin, in consequence, their number has drastically decreased and the nail is ruined.
The causes of the development of the disease and the route of infection
The fungus attacks the nail plate, is kept in a humid environment with high temperatures. To become infected by the fungus may with the visit to the common places with this climate. And more often that the fungus "lives" in the public baths, gyms and swimming pools. Often, the infection occurs when you visit the beach. Another route of infection is the close contact with the carrier of the infection. The disease is also possible through the use of personal items of the sick person.
However, to obtain fungal nail from a single impact of the stimulant on the skin is not enough. Strong immunity effectively inhibits pathogenic microflora and does not allow to develop the defeat Polish of the plates. Factors that can predispose the nail fungus are:
- the decline of immunity, both general and local;
- violation of the circulation of the blood in the lower extremities;
- excessive sweating of the feet;
- the incorrect use selected of shoes, which violates the bloodstream;
- damage and injuries in the skin to stop.
The rapid growth of pathogens of the intestinal flora is often observed to be in violation of the circulation of the blood, caused by various diseases of the veins, and metabolic disorders. Cause the disease may also be incorrect of shoes, when worn it increases the sweating and altered blood flow. The favorable environment for the development of pathogens in the intestinal flora is moist skin, which does not receive enough oxygen. This happens when the person wears socks of synthetic fabrics and footwear made with artificial "non-breathable" materials.
Another cause that can lead to the development of the infection is the contempt of the rules of hygiene and the application of security measures. The patient may, by neglect, to "get" the fungus – seeking outside shoes, visiting public shower or swimming pool without shoes, or with a separate towel for the feet.
Often, people make a serious mistake when you buy new shoes – try of their bare feet, not wearing socks. This action can be the cause of nail fungus, because they don't know who measured this same pair of shoes in the past, and not if the feet of this man infected with pathogenic microflora.
How to recognize the disease?
When the fungus toenails symptoms are so characteristic that to confuse this disease with other diseases is very difficult. To detect the pathology, it is necessary to know its main characteristics, among which:
- the formation of spots and stripes under the nail plate;
- whitish cloudy color of nails;
- inflammation and dryness of the skin on the finger around the nail affected;
- the onset of an attack of mildew;
- fragility and the modification of the structure of the surface of the nail.
The initial symptom of the disease is the formation of stripes or spots painted in greenish or yellowish color. These strips are deep in the thickness of the nail plate and creates the impression that are found in the skin underneath the nail.
As a general rule, in the first place, affects the nail in the thumb, less often in the little finger. In the initial phase of disease development of the fungus reflects only change the color of the surface of the nail and the spots and the stripes. After some time, the infection affects the rest of the fingers, appears redness, peeling and itching of the skin around the nails.
The treatment of the disease at this stage, allows you to quickly and effectively get rid of the fungus, however, patients rarely seek help, to realize these symptoms.
When the increase of the populations of pathogenic microflora, the fungus begins to destroy the surface of the nail plate. It is characterized by the fact that the nail becomes soft and the hill, in it there are cracks and depressions, the structure becomes irregular. This can be accompanied by the allocation of pus under the nails, and the strong bad smell of the feet. With time, the nail is destroyed, peeling of the increasingly strong and affects areas of the skin between the toes.
As seen in the defeat of the nail depends on the type of fungus. The organisms causing the disease are the most common yeasts or molds. When you are infected with yeast fungus nail plate acquires a grayish-cyanotic color. The nail is quickly broken down and, therefore, completely away from the nail bed.
The fungus affecting the nail plate in the case of eating disorders, of tissues, for example, as a result of the strong oppression of the nails too narrow footwear. For this type of onychomycosis characterized by the formation of whitish buildup of plaque on the nail.
Knowing how is the disease, it is important to timely visit to your doctor. The different species of fungi have different symptoms, and the treatment, that it is difficult to pick up independently, without consulting a specialist.
The principle of treatment
The treatment of the defeat of nail plates requires an integrated approach and takes a long time. It is important to remember that the sooner you detect the symptoms of the fungus, and the treatment was initiated as fast as he could to get rid of the disease.
To control the disease, apply:
- anti-fungal ointments and solutions;
- the system anti-fungal pills;
- traditional medicine.
Cure the pathology in the initial phase can be with the help of foreign antifungal funds. These drugs carry ointments, solutions, as well as lacquers with antifungal activity component in the composition.
For the treatment often prescribed the ointment of broad spectrum, whose components actively affect different fungi, including yeast. Ointments and creams it is convenient to use in the initial phase of development of the disease. In case of violation of the structure of the surface of the nail are inefficient, as well as the components of the drug can not penetrate into the small cracks in the nail.
The most effective are antifungal solutions. These medications usually come in little bottles with a dropper. The tool is applied on the nail plate. Thanks to the liquid consistency, a substance full of capture the inequalities and gets under the nail plate, therefore, the effectiveness of the act on the affected area.
In the pharmacies represented medicines in the form of a varnish. The feature of this form of the antifungal drugs is that it is not necessary to use every day. The varnish is put on once every few days. The medicine forms a protective layer on the nail plate, so as to protect the nail and the blocking of the spread of the fungal infection. The active substances of the medication penetrate into the depth of the surface of the nail and act long-lasting – one application is enough to ensure anti-fungal action in the course of two days. The varnishes are also effective for the prevention of fungal disease. You can use it once per week or apply before the visit of the places with the highest risk of infection by the fungus.
In addition to the surface of the nail should ensure self-protection of the skin around the nails and between the fingers. To do this, apply ointments.
If the nails began to fall, medications for external use is not enough, for this reason, it is also assigned to anti-fungal on the pills. These medicines provide a system of effects on the body in general.
If fungicide defeat of the nail is accompanied by a bacterial infection, in which we observe the appearance of pus, in addition to prescribed ointments with antibacterial action, for example, Levomekol.
In popular medicine the following tools are used against onychomycosis.
- The mixture of apple cider vinegar and water is applied over a compress of gauze, which is applied in the case of nail in 1 hour. The procedure is repeated daily for two weeks.
- Squeeze the juice of a lemon and mix with two tablespoons of water. The solution should be used for the treatment of nails affected two times a day.
- In the foot bath add two tablespoons of baking soda and iodized or sea salt. Foot placed in the tray half an hour. The procedure is performed daily before bedtime.
Additionally processed your nails in juice of onions, or the tincture of propolis. Home remedies is recommended to use together with anti-fungal drugs drugs that a doctor.
Heavy the stage of fungal defeat leads to the loss of the nails, so it is important to contact the specialist to the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease.