Fungal diseases can affect various tissues in the body, even internal organs. If the disease has affected the nail, it is called onychomycosis. Its appearance is caused by fungal microorganisms.
They are subdivided into different genera: candida, moldy fungi, dermatophytes. Parasites literally feed on the nail plate, which leads to its early destruction. The ringworm itself does not disappear. This is only possible with the most powerful work of the immune system and the first stage of the disease, when the symptoms are not visible. If signs of illness appear, you can be sure that they will not go anywhere without therapy.
Reasons for the appearance
Fungal microorganisms belong to the class of irritants. They are extremely tenacious. They quickly penetrate tissues, adapting to various conditions. This is due to the complexity of the treatment of the disease. If you use the same drug for a long time, the parasites may stop responding to it.
The only reason for the onset of the disease is the entry of fungi into the nail plate. However, there are factors that favor its early introduction into the interior and subsequent reproduction. Microorganisms are more likely to penetrate tissues if they have calluses. Even dry skin can cause micro-cracks, through which the fungus can penetrate easily. The microorganism "loves" wet conditions and therefore actively spreads to people who prefer tight shoes made from poor materials that do not allow air to pass.
Often, toenail fungus occurs in the context of several pathologies:
- Endocrine diseases;
- Psoriasis;
- Varicose veins;
- Vascular diseases;
- HIV and AIDS;
- Problems with metabolic processes;
- Eczema;
- Dermatitis;
- Infectious processes of the skin.
Fungal microorganisms can enter the plate in the following ways:
- Contact with a person with infection;
- Visiting public baths, saunas, showers;
- Put on other people's slippers (for example, at a party);
- Living with a person with ringworm;
- Trying on shoes;
- Use pedicure tools that have not been disinfected;
- Visiting beauty salons.
The factors that cause the appearance of ringworm are also:
- Lack of adequate personal hygiene;
- Preference for synthetic items;
- Wear tight shoes that do not allow the skin to "breathe";
- Excessive obesity;
- Frequent alcohol consumption;
- Elderly age.
The disease will have more marked manifestations if the person has circulatory disorders in the foot region. In addition, a change in acid balance seen when taking antibiotics can lead to pathological processes.
Stages of the disease
The surface under the nails is very favorable for the growth of fungal microorganisms. It contains many nutrients that parasites feed on. Gradually, due to the effects of bacteria, the nail plate is destroyed. Voids begin to form, in which the mycelium of the fungus multiplies. There are the following stages of the disease:
- Initial.Refers to the type of normotrophic damage. The main damage affects the center or the edge of the board. Stains and streaks appear, which gradually start to grow;
- Average.It represents hypertrophic changes. This phase is characterized by thickening of the nail, a change in its structure, direction of growth. Pathological processes gradually spread across the plaque;
- Dystrophy stage.Inflammation in the nail fold area is added to the listed processes. The discharge of pus is possible. The lesion reaches the nearby skin. Additional bacterial infections accelerate the destruction of the nail. It starts to fall apart, it can peel off the nail bed.
At first, the symptoms are insignificant and therefore people tend to take the disease lightly. However, it is progressing rapidly. Very soon, the spots that have emerged will start to grow. The disease can spread from the thumb to other people.
If only the thumbnail is affected, it is usually mild to moderate. Therapy should be carried out immediately.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary widely, depending on the stage of the disease. At first, the signs of a threat are almost impossible to notice. With the development of the disease, the following symptoms can be observed:
- Slight itching;
- Redness in the thumb area;
- Burning sensation.
But the pathological process does not stop. Its growth can be measured by the following resources:
- Brittle plate, loss of natural luster;
- Acquisition of yellow, blue or green tint (depending on the type of fungal microorganisms that affected the nail);
- Sharp spots and streaks appear;
- The nail grows with its corners on the roller, which is evidence of the deformity of its growth.
In advanced stages, the following symptoms are likely:
- Pain syndrome when walking;
- The appearance of swelling of the finger, its significant redness;
- Discharge of pus under the edges.
The signs of fungus on large nails can vary depending on the type of fungus that is causing the infection. For example, if they are moldy fungi, the disease will be very pronounced. The nail can literally go black. There is swelling, the appearance of silver scales, yellow edges. The plaque starts to move away from the bed, which causes great discomfort. However, in 95% of cases, the cause of the infection is dermatophytes. They are characterized by a relatively moderate course of the disease.
The disease affects not only the nails, but the entire body. This is due to the fact that toxins enter the lymphatic channels. This causes the following changes:
- Allergic reactions, appearance of skin rashes;
- Gastrointestinal problems;
- Signs of intoxication.
If nothing is done with the advanced stage of ringworm, the lesion can spread to the internal organs. This is extremely dangerous.
How is the treatment done?
How to cure nail fungus? Pathogenic microorganisms are characterized by an enviable resistance to various influences. They quickly take root and start to multiply actively. Therefore, it is desirable to carry out a complete antifungal therapy. Includes:
- Using local funds. They can be ointments, drops, medicated varnishes, solutions. They are necessary to defeat the disease at a superficial level. Local remedies include varnish, serum;
- Systemic drugs. They are used for significant nail plate injuries. The pills are used daily. Pulse therapy is effective. It consists of taking short-term medications with a long break. Then the course is repeated. It must be kept in mind that the pills cannot be taken in all cases. Do not use them in the early stage of the disease. These funds are quite powerful and therefore have contraindications: pregnancy, childhood, kidney failure, intolerance to the components.
The disease is usually accompanied by bacterial complications. You can also be protected from them. The antifungal varnish is perfect for this purpose. It creates a film on the surface of the plate, through which bacteria do not penetrate.
In addition, it is necessary to stimulate the organism's defensive objectives, which will be directed towards fighting infections. For this, vitamin complexes, immunomodulatory drugs are used.
Most drugs have a cumulative effect. It is not enough to take them once and forget about therapy. Compulsory full course.
It does not end even if all the symptoms have disappeared. The active substances accumulate in the integument and continue to act even after the end of the medication intake.
Another additional procedure is the removal of nails. Relevant for strong pathological processes. Removal can be done with special products that contain urea. If the card is rigid, several procedures are necessary to remove it completely. Removal should not be feared, as it is painless. After removal, you need to treat the surface with antiseptics. Removal is convenient because, after that, local remedies can be applied directly to the nail bed. This greatly improves its efficiency.
Traditional methods
Folk remedies cannot replace medications. But they are suitable for additional help. The following components help with the fungus:
- Iodine.The affected area should be lubricated with iodine twice a day. If there is a burning sensation, it is necessary to remove all excess and reduce the dosage;
- Lemon.A slice of lemon is applied to the affected area and then fixed with a bandage. Cellophane is placed on top;
- Hydrogen peroxide.A cotton wool is moistened with hydrogen peroxide and then fixed on the nail for 30 minutes. Those areas that are smoothed out can be removed.
After all these procedures, treatment with topical antimicrobial agents is desirable.
Preventive measures
It is important to observe preventive measures not only for a person who does not wish to become infected with ringworm. They are essential for those who have just got rid of the disease. Prevention consists of the following rules:
- Compliance with personal hygiene;
- Daily footbath;
- Lubrication of the feet with moisturizers, pedicure;
- Use of personal slippers;
- Treatment of nails with prophylactic agents before visiting baths, showers. You can replace the special product with lemon juice.
Prevention measures for people who have had ringworm recently are even more stringent:
- Use a local fungal medicine once a week;
- Regular use of foot baths with the addition of sea salt;
- Treatment of footwear with antifungals;
- Boiling socks, in which the total destruction of microorganisms occurs;
- You should continue to take vitamins;
- The bath surface is disinfected. It is advisable to treat all other surfaces in the house as well.
Prevention with a high degree of probability protects against ringworm. You just need to monitor the state of your feet. If obscure signs reappear, you should see a doctor immediately. Self-medication is not recommended, because ringworm is easily confused with other problems. In that case, the wrong treatment will be chosen and the disease will continue to progress. All of this is fraught with major problems in the future. The receipt of systemic resources, without fail, is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.