The fungus damages both the part and the entire nail, including the nail plate, the bed and the root of the nail. The infection develops slowly, causing the nail to change color, thicken and curl. Concomitant symptoms may include skin lesions on the fingers, peeling, itching, and redness. Over time, the nails become so deformed that, for example, they interfere with the wearing of ordinary shoes.
Often the fungus affects the toenails. The medical name is onychomycosis. It occurs mainly in the elderly, rarely in children. In most cases, mycosis of the nails develops under the influence of dermatophyte fungi that affect the skin. Sometimes the disease is caused by other fungi.
In mild cases, nail treatment may not be necessary. A dermatologist will analyze the cut nail to determine the exact cause of the infection and rule out other possible diseases. Nail fungus can be treated, but sometimes it takes several months. Antifungal drugs are in the form of tablets and nail polish. In the case of advanced nail fungus, surgical removal of the nail is recommended. Laser treatment is also available.
Signs and symptoms of nail fungus
The most common symptoms of onychomycosis are discoloration and deformity of the nail. The nail can be white, black, yellow or green. As a rule, nail fungus is not very annoying at first and in most cases does not cause complications. If the infection is not treated, pain can develop in the affected nail. Nail fungus makes it difficult to walk and wear shoes, and if your nails are affected, it can be difficult to write.
When onychomycosis develops, other symptoms appear, such as the nail becoming brittle, loose, or completely torn from the nail bed. If left untreated, the fungal infection can spread to the skin of the fingers and the interdigital space. White or yellow spots may form on the nail bed and tear the skin around the nail. All these changes can be seen in the photo of the nail fungus.
Causes of nail fungus
The most common cause of nail injuries is a fungal skin infection such as athlete's foot. Generally, athlete's foot develops on the skin between the toes, causing redness, breakage and itching. The fungus grows and multiplies rapidly in hot and humid environments, so wearing sports shoes or sweaty feet for long periods of time increases the chances of developing an infection. About one-third of people with toenail fungus develop tooth decay.
It can be caused by an infection caused by a yeast candidiasis, which is also the culprit of diseases such as nail fungus, vagina or stomatitis. The probability of developing nail fungus is higher at work if a person has to wash their hands often or keep their hands in water for a long time. Moisture exfoliates the skin at the base of the nail and makes it easier for fungi to reach the nail. The risk of developing candidal nail lesions is higher with certain diseases, namely:
- diabetes or psoriasis;
- weak immunity, for example, with HIV;
- poor general health.
Other factors that may increase the risk of developing nail fungus include:
- wear fake nails;
- nail damage;
- constant biting of nails;
- live in a warm, humid climate;
- to smoke.
With age, the likelihood of developing nail fungus increases. Sometimes the fungus appears for no reason.
Nail fungus treatment
In mild cases, treatment may not be required. However, if left untreated, the infection can spread to other nails and the skin of your toes and hands. To get rid of nail fungus as soon as possible, it is important to follow simple rules: avoid shoes with sweaty feet, cut your nails and carefully monitor foot hygiene.
With the use of medications, a new healthy nail will begin to grow at the bottom of the nail bed, indicating that the treatment is helping. The old affected nail will grow gradually and can be cut in a few months. If new nails do not start to grow after 2-3 weeks of treatment, you should consult a doctor. It is not possible to stop taking the prescribed medication without consulting a doctor, as this can lead to a recurrence of the infection.
Foot care tips for nail fungus
The following are instructions on how to treat the infection during and after treatment.
- keep feet dry and cool, socks and shoes should allow feet to "breathe";
- wear clean cotton socks and try to wear sneakers as little as possible;
- start treatment for athlete's foot at the first sign of damage to prevent the infection from spreading to the nails;
- cut the nails properly;
- remove the affected parts of the nails with separate scissors to prevent the spread of infection;
- wear shoes that fit low heels and a wide toe;
- put clean slippers in the common shower;
- If it is difficult to walk due to thickened nails, consult a dermatologist;
- It is advisable to get rid of old shoes that can be contaminated with fungal spores.
Drugs against nail fungus
When an antifungal tablet is taken, the drug reaches the nail through the bloodstream. Terbinafine and itraconazole are often prescribed for nail fungus, which is a very effective drug. However, a few months of therapy is needed to completely get rid of the infection. If treatment is not completed, the infection may return.
The advantage of the pills is that they will also help eliminate related fungal infections such as athlete's foot. Possible side effects of antifungal pills:
- Headache;
- itching;
- loss of taste;
- nausea;
- diarrhea.
Local remedies for nail fungus
Instead of pills, anti-fungal nail polish can be used. The pills are not as effective as the drug is applied to the affected nail and must reach the site of infection. Often it is not possible to cover the entire lesion. The treatment of a hand nail can last for about six months, up to a year on a nail.
You can use a paste with 40% urea to remove the affected nail plates. This cake is sold on the counter without a prescription. In the evening, it is gently applied to the affected nails, then covered with a bandage overnight. In the morning the putty is washed and in the evening the nail is applied according to the instructions and the procedure is repeated. Nails affected by the fungus dissolve in about two weeks.
This is a painless procedure that allows you to remove the affected nail plate and get rid of the fungus. He avoids taking medication and painful surgery for several months. Once the nail plate is dissolved, antifungal varnish should be applied to the nails twice a week to prevent new nail infection.
Surgery and laser treatment for onychomycosis
In cases of advanced nail fungus or severe pain, surgical removal of the nail may be recommended if other treatments fail. After surgery, a new nail will grow in place over time, but this can take a year or longer.
Another method of treating advanced nail fungus is laser treatment. The laser emits a strong light energy that kills the fungus. Research has shown that this treatment is safe and effective, with some studies reaching 90% effectiveness after 3 months. However, little is known about the long-term effectiveness of this method, as most studies followed humans for only 3 months. You should receive treatment every 3 months for a maximum of one year to achieve a lasting result. This procedure can be expensive.
The need for treatment and the choice of medication should consult a dermatologist. Once the infection is cleared, the nail cannot return to its previous appearance. In these cases, nail pieces are taken for analysis to determine if the infection persists in the nail thickness despite treatment.