Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is the most common disease in which nails become yellow, brittle and thick, are covered with cracks.In the early stages, nail fungus symptoms are almost imperceptible.The treatment of the disease is difficult due to impaired cellular immunity.The disease continues slowly, without proper treatment, progresses and can accompany the patient for a lifetime.
More often, nail fungus is detected in a man and people with weakened immunity.Patients with diabetes, obesity, faces with blood vessel pathology and skin diseases are subject to disease.With high legs high, there is more chances of fungal damage to the skin of the feet and nails on the legs.
The fungus can take the plates of clothing, shoes, manicure, rugs, floor.It enters the nails through the micro -bells of the skin and through the nail bed.It is a lot where it is hot and humid: in souls, baths, changing rooms and swimming pools.In healthy people, the disease rarely develops.
The cause of the disease
Onychomycosis is caused by three species of fungi (one by one or in combination).Most cases of the disease are caused by trichophyton rubrum mushrooms.Much less often - Trichophyton Interdigital, Epidermophyton Floccosum and Microsporum and Aspergillus.
- Candida albicans type fungi always parasitize on the skin and nails.Taking antibiotics, contraceptives and a decrease in immunity may develop fungal infection.
- Mold fungi usually cause disease in countries with tropical climate.
- Soil fungi live on the ground and cause anicomycosis only in some people.From person to person are not transmitted.
What is the source of infection
- Diseases in family and friends can become a source of pathogens for you.
The fungus is transmitted to the family for use by a common towel, slippers, bedding etc. - The fungus in the hands can become a source of nail disease and leg skin.
- In large numbers, the fungus lives in bathrooms, showers and pools.
- The source of infection can be the patient's clothing and shoes, manicure sets, rugs and floors.
Which increases the risk of the disease
- The skin fungus of the feet.
- Reducing immunity.
- Family members suffering from fungal defeat.
- Elderly age.
- Diabetes.
- The presence of microtraums and burrs.
- Increased leg perspiration.
- Unknown and low quality shoes.
- The habit of walking barefoot in public places.
- Accommodation and work in a damp climate.
- Long -term artificial plants.
That affects the development and progression of onychomycosis
- General health.
- Susceptibility to infection.
- The moisture level and thermal background.
- The type of nail plate (nails on the fingers grow more slowly).
Nail fungus symptoms
At the beginning of the disease, the usual color of nails changes.It becomes opaque.A gap in which the fungi themselves appear between him and his bed.
The nail is painted in one of the colors: whitish gray, yellow, green and brown, even black.The yellow oblong stripes inside the nail and under it are visible.Spots of different tones.
The nail thickens and deforms above the affected area.Horn masses grow gradually, preventing drug penetration.
At first, increased fragility is also observed, when the fungus affects the whole nail plate, begins to collapse and collapse.When processing, a large amount of "garbage" consisting of destroyed fragments and epidermis is formed.Often there is damage to the surrounding skin.
Forms of onychomycosis
- Distal submarine onychomycosis.
- Lateral onychomycosis.
- Onychomycosis of the white surface.
- Onychomycosis proximal tray.
- Total Dystrophic Onychomycosis.
Distal submarine and lateral onychomycosis
This form of the disease is the most common.Up to 90% of cases, their cause is the mushrooms of the genus Tricophyton Rubrum.Nail plate infection begins at the free edge of the affected skin of the foot.First, the nail bed is touched.The type of damage resembles a chip or a stained yellowish color.With the progression of the disease, the nail thickens and can separate or separate from the skin.Distal submarine onychomycosis is difficult to treat.Wearing shoes causes discomfort.
White surface onychomycosis
The second most common form of onychomycosis.In 90% of cases, the disease is caused by the genus of the genus trichophyton interdigital, which only affects the upper layer of the nail plate, which never thickens and does not separate from the skin.Over time, its entire surface is loose, like the chalk powder.Cure occurs quickly.
Proximal tray onicomicosis
This form of onychomycosis is rare.The red tricophyte over blood and lymphatic paths spread throughout the body.This is evidenced by the damage to the back of the back (proximal) and the detection of the pathogen in the lymph nodes of the inguinal region and the secretion of the prostate gland.The disease is often recorded in infected HIV.The defeat begins with the skin in the nail folding area, which thickens.In addition, the nail plate is involved in the process, which acquires a white opaque color.
Total Dystrophic Onychomycosis
This form of the disease is a consequence of the progression of one or one set of types of shapes above Onychomycosis.The nail plate is partial or completely destroyed.
Diseases with similar symptoms
Of all infectious diseases, onychomycosis is found in 50% of cases.Similar symptoms are found in the following diseases:
- Eczema.
- Psoriasis.
- Reuters Syndrome.
- Daria's disease.
- Lichen plan.
- Norwegian drain.
Nail fungus diagnosis
For information about what has caused certain changes, you need to consult a dermatologist who organizes the procedure to diagnose the disease.The scraping of the affected part will be sent to the laboratory to clarify the causes of the disease.
Microscopy will identify the presence of a fungus and sowing in a nutrient medium will highlight the pure culture of the pathogen and determine the sensitivity to antifungal drugs.
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to identify the type of infection. The nail fungus on the legs is easier to warn.Examine your feet and nails on your feet more often.Initial treatment will help to quickly achieve improvement, reduce the feeling of discomfort and eliminate the cosmetic effect.