Nail fungus or mycotic disease of the nails and tissues of the hands and feet is a common infectious disease. It is caused by yeast fungi that destroy nail plates and cause skin inflammation. In medicine, these diseases are called onychomycosis or paronychia. The standard misconception is that only people who don't keep their hands and feet clean can get sick with a fungus. Most of the time, nail fungus affects those who have to spend a lot of time in shoes due to their profession or other circumstances.
Symptoms
The classification of the disease depends on the type of infection and the location of its spread.
- Normotropic onychomycosis is manifested by small changes in the structure of the nail plate in the form of yellowish spots and stripes along the nail. It is the least noticeable and often does not cause any discomfort. The main concern is the appearance of the nail, which in the early stages people try to hide with the help of cosmetics.
- Hypertrophic onychomycosis causes an increase in the volume of the lamina horny of the nail. With this disease, a person may experience pain when pressing on a finger. This creates inconvenience when walking in shoes.
- Superficial white fungus is distinguished by roughness on the surface of the nail plates and unsightly whitish spots.
A mycologist who specializes in fungal diseases can determine the cause of the disease and prescribe the correct treatment.
types of fungi
The symptoms of infection with a fungal infection are similar, but the doctor selects treatment depending on the type of fungus that caused the illness.
- Dermatophyte is the most common fungus that causes violations of the surrounding nail plates and tissues. It usually chooses the thumb, little finger and the skin between the fingers. Easily cured with early diagnosis
- Candida starts its action on the skin between the fingers and moves to the nail.
- Fusarium and Alternaria molds are rare and mostly found in immunocompromised people.
appearance reasons
The main cause of infection is a violation of sanitary standards. But even a person who carefully monitors the cleanliness of hands, feet and things can get infected in common areas.
- Contact with the fungus carrier and their stuff. It could be a visit to a bath or sauna, the use of individual foreign accessories, or poorly processed manicure items.
- Excessive sweating of the feet creates a favorable environment for the fungus to spread.
- Wearing tight, poorly ventilated shoes made of artificial materials contributes to the creation of high humidity, helps in the development of the disease.
- A weakened immune system is unable to fight the infection.
- Antibiotic treatment leads to a weakening of the immune system and the breakdown of the body's own microflora.
- A long period of use of antibacterial agents that destroy beneficial bacteria along with disease-causing ones
- Diseases of the vessels of the extremities reduce resistance and allow the fungus to disturb the integrity of the skin for the development of the disease.
- The manifestations of diabetes mellitus in the form of skin disorders are a good environment for the development of fungal colonies.
- Skin sores and nail cracks help the fungus to settle in and begin its work.
- Visiting nail salons can trigger fungal infections if the sanitary standard for processing tools is not observed.
in children
In childhood, fungal infections are less common. This is due to the characteristics of the organism. As you know, children's legs are not subject to excessive sweating. However, going to swimming pools and gyms can lead to infection in children. Immunity weakened by colds also contributes to this. In old age and adolescence, when rapid hormonal changes occur in the child's body, there is also a risk of contracting a fungal infection. To protect against infection, it is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of shoes and wash them in time with antiseptic compounds.
One of the causes of yeast infection in children can be a lack of vitamins in the body. It is desirable to fill in the deficiency with the help of proper nutrition and complex vitamin therapy. A medical consultation will help you choose the quality composition of vitamin supplements for your child.
development process
Favorable conditions are necessary for the development of a fungal infection. Shoes soaked in sweat and a neutral or slightly acidic environment create comfort for the fungus to reproduce.
Unpleasant appearance of the nails, itching and pain around the nail indicate an incipient infection. If you do not engage in the treatment, after a while the fungus will completely destroy the nail plate and get to the soft tissues of the fingers and toes. At the advanced stage of the development of the disease, there may be qualitative changes in the form of blisters filled with a cloudy liquid with a strong unpleasant odor.
complications
A common disease on the outer surface of the nail plate may not cause any inconvenience. In some cases, this condition can last for years. The carrier of the fungus does not suffer alone, but is capable of transmitting the infection to other people.
The consequences of infection with a fungus mainly affect the nails and the tissues around them, but in the future they can have negative consequences for the health of the entire body.
The growth of fungal colonies causes leg pain and leads to difficulty wearing shoes. Nails change shape and can grow into the tissues of the fingers, causing excruciating pain when walking.
The deterioration of the immune system, caused by toxins that the fungus releases during its lifetime, leads to the frequent occurrence of colds and inflammatory processes in the body.
Allergic reactions caused by the fungal work products lead to various secondary diseases of the respiratory system and diseases of the liver and kidneys.
An infection that has settled in the body can cause conjunctivitis, rhinitis of various etiologies. Itchy skin, red spots and irritation can affect not only the sites of the initial location of fungal colonies, but also the skin on the body and head. This also affects the condition of the hair and skin on the face. It could be part of the cause of dandruff.
Constant itching and discomfort caused by the condition is a fairly common reason to visit a neurologist and psychotherapist.
The advanced form of the disease can lead to nail loss and deformation of bones and joints.
Prevention
To avoid contagion, it is necessary to carefully observe hygiene standards not only when visiting public, but also personal places.
It's forbidden:
- Use common hygiene items. Each family member should have their own nail scissors, foot towel, soap, and more.
- You cannot wear someone else's shoes. Through slippers shared in the family, the infection can spread easily.
- Wash the sick person's things with everyone else. It must be remembered that not all detergents and washing compounds are able to destroy the fungus. This infection is very tenacious. The clothes of a sick person must be treated with special solutions. This is especially true for shoes. It must be rinsed well inside and change the insoles frequently.