The fungus of nails on the legs is a very easy disease to infected and is much harder to heal.Nail fungus does not disappear itself and is very difficult to treat.
How can you get an infection with nail fungus
Six to eight percent of the adult population suffer from nail fungus.
The fungal nail infection is more common in men than in women, as well as in older people than in young people.Additional signs or factors that increase the risk of fungal nail infection include the following:
- reduction of blood flow to the legs;
- If nails grow slowly;
- Family history of fungal infection (genetics);
- Increased leg perspiration;
- Work environment - wet or wet legs;
- using socks and shoes that prevent ventilation;
- barefoot walking in damp public places (swimming pools, sports rooms and showers);
- lesions or skin or nail infections;
- Diabetes, AIDS, circulatory problems, weakened immune system;
- Hard shoes with pressure on the fingers.
Systemic diseases, for example: for the fungus of the legs, predisposing to the fungus
- diabetes mellitus,
- obesity,
- anemia,
- Hormonal disorders,
- gastrointestinal disorders,
- immune and cardiovascular systems,
- as well as long -term treatment with antibiotics,
- Reception of steroid therapy and chemotherapy.
Heat and moisture contribute to mushroom growth - if you do not clean your feet well after washing, walk in air -resistant shoes and wear synthetic socks.The fungus develops when the nail plate is damaged for a very short cut in the legs, it can easily be under the nail.Wearing tight shoes can weaken the nail plate, such as acrylic nails and varnishes.
Onychomycosis more often affects legs in the legs than in the hands.It can be limited by a plate or move to the neighbors.Generally, the fungal nail infections on the legs affect the thumb and the little finger.Probably because the inner surface of the shoes plays them above all.
Nail fungus types
Fungal nail infections are caused by microscopic organisms that do not require sunlight to survive.In most cases, it is a group of mushrooms called dermatophytes (for example, Candida).However, some yeast and mold also cause these infections.
Although trichophyton dermatophytes are the most common cause of nail fungus infection, trichophyton interdigital, epidermophyton floccosum, trichophyton violaceum, microsporum gypemum, tonsurans trichophyton and trichophyton soutadanense can also lead to infection.Common forms of fungi - neoscitalidium, scopularopsis and aspergillus.
Nail fungus pathogens, as a rule, fall under the skin through small cuts or small cracks between nail and nail bed.They grow when the environment gives them a warm, damp climate.
How is nail fungus - symptoms
In the early stage The nail infected with a fungus gradually changes its appearance.The strips appear - first whitish, then yellowish and finally brown.The peeling appears in the nail, relaxes and becomes thicker, it is difficult to cut it.The nail smells bad, because fungal deposits accumulate under their nails.
The doctor, after the exam, may immediately determine onychomycosis.Sometimes, however, the disease image is unclear and laboratory tests need to be performed.Samples taken from nails and fragments of nail plates under a microscope can confirm that the disease is really caused by mushrooms.Sometimes, in the laboratory, a fungus is cultivated from the sample to determine the chosen species and medicine.
Before the selection, you cannot paint your nails, lubricate your legs with creams or powders.
In the second stage - Fungal infected nails are usually thickened, are fragile, break, worn, curved, opaque and dark, yellowish or brown.
The patient may also suffer from onicolisis when individual nail areas are absent, exposing the nail bed.Sometimes fungal nail infections can lead to pain in the fingers and cause an unpleasant odor.
Another symptom associated with fungal infections is skin damage near the nail.There may be a rash or itching that looks like an allergic reaction.
Nail fungus diagnosis
To diagnose nail fungus, as a rule, the doctor should study cutting and microorganisms under the nail.
Doctors should be careful when diagnosing fungal nail infections due to other conditions that may cause these symptoms.This includes psoriasis, flat red lichen, contact dermatitis, lesions, nail bed tumors, eczema.The fungus culture (sowing) can take several weeks.
How to determine the fungus of nails at home
It is very simple to do this:
We will need potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), water and basin.
Bring the water to the basin so that it completely covers the feet of the legs.Play some potassium permanganate in the water so that the water is shiny - pink (color of fuchsia).Place your legs or arms in the water for 5 to 10 minutes.
Then we remove and examine our nails carefully.If they have become completely brown, everything is fine - the nails are healthy.But if there are areas that have not changed color - they are infected with nail fungus.
Nail fungus treatment
Treatment of fungal nail infections can be a long and expensive process.
Oral drugs for the treatment of infection, as a rule, should be taken up to four months until a fully infected nail in the finger should be replaced.These medications are prescribed by a dermatologist according to certain schemes.As medicines act in the liver and blood composition, tests are required before and during treatment.
In the initial phase of the fungus, local medicines - ointments and varnishes help well.
Local antimicotic - The most effective means of local therapy, as they are more active than onicomycosis pathogens.Among the many local drugs against nail fungus, only 2 can be called medicines to treat onicomycosis itself, as they are available in the most appropriate way - in the form of enamel.Other antifungal medications are most often used to treat fungal skin infections.
Failed varnish
Special nail polishes designed to treat nail fungus allow you to better drive antimycotic through the nail plate deeply in the nail bed.In addition, the varnish movie, freezing on the nail surface, prevents the evaporation of the nail medicine and creates a barrier for the infection.
The main advantage of modern vestis used in the treatment of onychomycosis is that they can be applied to the nail plate without removing it.The remaining medicines cannot penetrate the nail plate, which requires its preliminary removal or at least significant thinning.
Current antimicotics, which are part of the varnishes, are delayed in the nail for a long time after application, effective concentrations are preserved for at least 7 days.This allows varnishes 1 or 2 times a week.
Batrafen's varnish is applied every day for the first month of treatment, 2 times a week for the 2nd month and then 1 time a week.
Before starting treatment, any varnish should be removed as many of the affected nail plate.The remaining nail plate to which the varnish will be applied must be sawn with the attached file to create an irregular surface.The varnish is applied with the attached brush or spatula.Before each varnish application, the anterior layer is removed using a solvent or attached alcohol cap and a nail plate is treated with a file.A layer of varnish can be removed by placing a nail in warm water and shaving the scissors lakes.
The duration of treatment depends on the speed of cultivating a healthy nail plate.For the treatment of onychomycosis, for 6 months in the hands, in the legs-9-12 months.
Real fungal treatment methods include enamel, such as cycloopirox, as well as other creams.Local ointments and creams can clean the fungal nail infection, but often do not completely heal the infection.
In some extreme cases, the doctor may recommend removing the nail.
Alternative drugs used to treat fungal nail infections include Australian tea tree oil extract and grapefruit seeds.However, there is no scientific evidence in support of the use of these products.
Effective antifungal medicines
There are 3 effective antifungal medications for oral administration (orally).All three medications have serious side effects and can interact with many other medications.Patients who take antifungal drugs should periodically test to control liver and blood cell function.Octus antifungal agents continue to work even after treatment with the drug.
None of the oral antifungal agents can be taken during pregnancy.
Prevention
- Put a new pair of socks every day.The socks should be made of natural fibers such as silk, wool or cotton.These fibers allow moisture to move away from the foot and contribute to the distribution of the air around the thumb of the leg and the foot.If your legs or socks are wet from sweat, you need to remove it as soon as possible, dry your legs with a clean towel and put a new pair of socks.
- Using the same pair of shoes, day after day, can have a negative effect on the legs and expose it to bacteria and fungi.When storing shoes, you need to ensure that it is stored in a well -ventilated room for complete drying.It is advisable to have multiple sneakers and change them before going to the gym so that these steam have the ideal drying time.And finally, wear shoes in front of the entrance to the shower, sauna or gym.This is fertile soil for fungi that cause onicomyomycosis and other bacterial infections.
- There are ways to avoid infection and help a manicure and pedicur expert to avoid nail fungus before starting.The first sentence, bring your varnish with you.This is an easy way to prevent infection by using general varnish - when the fungus falls directly to the nail bed.The second proposal is the requirement to sterilize all equipment for manicure and pedicure.Each device must be disinfected and stored correctly.And finally, the bathtubs for the pedicure.This is a blessing for bacteria, which are just waiting to infect your nails.If you are not sure that the bath has been cleaned with the corresponding disinfectant after each client, try to avoid this at all costs.
- Fungal infections are a common sign of a suppressed immune system.The enrichment of your diet with nutrients and vitamins, of course, can help prevent bacteria.Eat more garlic for food.Tea tree oil is also a natural antifungal agent.Peel the nail area in the legs of the tea tree oil.Black black extract can also work well in preventing onychomycosis.
- General use can lead to infections and cause a nail fungus on the finger.The fungus can be transmitted from person to person.The maximum prevention is not to divide towels, shoes, scissors with someone else.And, as we always recommend, treat nail fungus to the dermatologist in the first signs of the infection.