To start treatment of onycomycosis in time, you need to know what the nail fungus looks like.Mushrooms regarding the types of dermatophytes, candidates and those similar to yeast can provoke the disease.Timely and accurate determination of the pathogen will allow you to cure the fungus on the foot quickly and effectively.
What is nail fungus?
Nail fungal disease has a scientific name - onychomycosis, which from the ancient Greeks means "chronic infection".This disease affects the nail plate in which power was broken for several reasons.Fungal disputes spread rapidly, they do not need special conditions for development.The disease itself does not occur due to the high survival of the fungus.
Causes of nail fungus
Factors, as a result of which nail fungus manifest themselves:
- Wet and warm environment.After a long day in the shoes, the legs sweat a lot.It is necessary to dry the shoes and completely abandon synthetic socks.
- AgeThe largest number of cases of the disease occurs at the age of 18 to 55 years.Basically, men suffer.If in young people, nail fungus occurs extremely rarely, then in men of old age the incidence percentage of at least 90%.This is mainly due to the decreased growth of nail plates.
- Drugs.Taking medication, such as antibiotics and cytostatics, can cause disease.
- The immune system.Once you have trampled unprotected legs on any contaminated surface, you can easily become infected.A person with poor immunity to do this is much easier.
- OccupationNail fungi can occur due to the high temperature in the working room, gasket or ionizing radiation.Employees of mining, medical institutions, baths and showers are more sensitive to the disease.
Three main paths were identified through which the fungi are able to fall under the nail plate:
- Through the nail roll.Nail roller is a skin skin that surrounds the nail plate from 3 sides.
- Through the edge of the nail.In this case, the fungus falls under the nail, and not on it.In the future, this can develop into keratosis - a disease during which the nail begins to separate from the nail bed.
- Through the dorsal part of the nail.This part is more stable, which is why, through it, the fungus penetrates much less frequently.
Types of nail fungus
Apparently nail fungus depends on which particular type of fungus provoked the disease
DERMATOPHYTE
This is the most common type of fungal disease.The nail plate with dermatophytes is affected in 90% of cases.
There are 3 types of this disease, each of which has a different lesion territory:
| Trichophyte rubrum | The impact of nails and legs |
| Epidermofite | The fungus manifested on the fingers 1 and 5 |
| Tricofit | The fungus manifests on the 1st and 5th fingers, can go to interdigital folds |
Moldings
This type of disease is extremely rare.When infected, the nail plate changes its color and becomes black, yellow, brown or blue.
Peak -like mushrooms
These mushrooms are able to manifest not only on the nails, but are also the cause of stunning in girls.The disease makes the nail thinner.The nail plate wins yellow.If the disease is ignored, then it is possible to separate the nail from the box.
The stages of the disease
It looks like the nail fungus depends on the stage of the disease.
In medicine, it is customary to distinguish the 3 main stages of its development:
- In the first stage, it is quite difficult to identify the presence of fungi.All because there are no visible signs.
- The second stage.When moving in the second phase, the nails lose their brightness, the color of the plate gradually begins to change.The nail becomes more fragile at the edges.You can now see small white dots or grooves, which over time will grow in size.
- The third stage is a neglected form of pathology, when a person ignored the disease for a long time and did not treat it.At this time, there is a great risk of losing the nail.He begins to broadly and break more and more.
What looks like nail fungus: symptoms and signs
The fungus has severe symptoms.At the beginning of the disease, the brightness on the nail gradually disappears.The surface of the tile becomes waves, small small spots appear.
Over time, the nail becomes fragile, scaly.Despite its fragility, the thickness of the nail can increase.Probably an unbearable feeling of itching between the fingers.Sleeping in the leg is growing gradually.Probably the appearance of corn and bubbles.
Another special sign of the disease is an unpleasant odor.This is due to the fact that the gap between the nails and the bed is blocked with dirt and fungal products.
When the disease has begun too much, the patient can raise the temperature and pain in the leg, which prevents him from moving normally.
Onycomycosis regional
Regional onycomycosis is the initial stage of the disease.It is quite difficult to determine the disease at this stage.
It looks like nail fungus depends on the degree of development of pathology.A narrow gray row gradually appears along the edges of the plate.The nail itself begins to dull.In the center of the nail, yellow spots of small sizes occur.The plate does not change thickness, but becomes fragile.
The nail is not completely touched.Only its individual sections suffer.Therefore, the surface of the affected nail becomes controlled.Underneath the nail you can consider the gray matter, but the nail itself does not become thicker than it.
Normal
Normotrophic onycomycosis occurs for the same reasons as the rest of the fungus.Microorganisms enter the skin, after which they penetrate its surface through minor damage deep into the nail plate.
With normotrophic onycomycosis in the early days of the disease, the color of the nail does not change completely, but only in areas.On the sides and bottom, the nail becomes white, yellow or gray.The nail plate loses its shine and fades.Over time, the color of the nail changes completely, but its thickness does not decrease.
Hypertrophic
Hypertrophic onycomycosis is considered an advanced form of a normotrophic type of disease.The causes of its appearance are no different from the causes of other types of nail fungus.
The appearance of hypertrophic onycomycosis contributes to contact with infected people, wearing unpleasant shoes or hygiene disruption.The cause can also be a disease: HIV, hyperhidrosis and diabetes.
On the legs with hypertrophic onycomycosis, the nail thickness increases significantly.Plane thickening can lead to a disease such as hyperkeratosis (with a disease, the skin under the nail becomes keratinized).
The color of the tile changes, due to which it looks yellow or gray.The nails become dark, dull.The appearance of onichogrifosis is possible - a fungus in which the nail deforms and takes the shape of a bird's claws.
With hypertrophic onycomycosis, the lateral parts of the nail suffer more strongly.As a result, severe pain occurs in the fingers, preventing a person from moving normally.
Superficial form
The superficial white form of onychomycosis is the rarest type of disease.With it, the nail of the thumb and the little finger is damaged.
With the disease, the nail leg and the matrix do not suffer.White spots gradually appear on the surface of the nail.Over time, their size and area increase.The color of the dots varies from white to yellow.The nail begins to destroy.
If the disease is initiated, then inflammation of the skin around the nail is possible.Along with it, severe redness and itching appear.
The thickness of the plate does not change, and its surface becomes rough.Often, nails break down, the brightness disappears.
People who visit the most risk of getting sick:
- baths;
- saunas;
- Public books.
The combination of high humidity and heat is an ideal environment for the rapid development of a fungal disease.Those people who use common hygiene and shoe products are very at risk.
The superficial white form of onychomycosis is easy to confuse with such diseases:
- Seborrhea.
- The first stage of eczema.
- Psoriasis.
Therefore, the dermatologist does not stop on a visual examination of the patient.Mandatory takes a biological material from it and sends it to the laboratory to determine the type of pathogen.
Onycolitical
Onicholytic onycomycosis is characterized by the separation of the nail plate from the box.The nail loses its shine and becomes gray.In the field of damage, there is a plot that is covered with hyperkeratosis (excess thickening of the layer of the epidermis layer, can be from 1 mm to several cm).
With a disease, both a nail thickening and thinning are possible.
Candidiasis onychomycosis
This type of disease occurs due to a decrease in the protective properties of skin coating and poor immunity.Candida fungi, which live in the gut and the urinary tract, begin to multiply quickly and populate nail plates.The disease is more common in half of the female population.Most often, people who work with waitresses and dishwashers suffer.
At the beginning of the disease, the mushroom affects the nail roller and the skin next to it.The skin reds and begins to become inflamed.Roller swells, the skin on it practically disappears.If the disease is not treated, then it can develop in chronic and peel the skin in the nail and nail roller area will remain permanently.
Rejection of treatment can cause nail deformity.It starts from the roller to the center of the nail.It becomes thinner and with a light press on the plate, pus is possible.On the plate itself, white wave -shaped stripes are clearly visible.
There is a proximal candidate onycomycosis.The difference is that the nail roller does not suffer.Determination of the disease is helped by white spots of small sizes under the nails.
The third form of candidial onychomycosis is distal.The fungus affects the remote part of the nail and move in the middle of it.The color of the tile changes, and the nail becomes thicker.Hyperkeratosis occurs under the nail, as a result of which the nail rises.
Programs-deformator
Proximal-deformation onycomycosis begins to develop in the event of the sincere lesion of the nail plate.The main characteristic of the disease is the nail bed.With this form of the disease, it is deformed and made in the form of a wave.
atrophy
Atrophic onychomycosis is characterized by a change in the color of the nail plate in a brown gray.The nail is affected by the outer end and gradually moves to the skin roller.
There are such signs:
- Losing a natural nail glow.
- The plate is atrophied.
- The nail bed is exposed.
- The nail is thinner and atrophy in the future.
- There is a layer of skin scales on the nail bed.
- The infection applies to neighboring tissues.
With atrophic onycomycosis, only the nail seedling remains affected.
Treatment methods
Before you start treating any form of onycomycosis, you should contact a dermatologist for diagnosis.Only after the laboratory tests and the determination of the size of the affected areas, the patient's further treatment is described.
As a rule, in the treatment of onycomycosis, local medicines and medicines are used to be taken orally.
For more effective treatment, in addition to taking the drug, it is recommended to treat personal items and general items to exclude re -infection.
Maybe treatment with the following ways:
- Physiotherapy.This procedure is prescribed in order to improve the blood circulation of the limbs.Physiotherapy is used in combination with UHF and amplulsion crillation in lumbosacral and cervical departments.Laser and diaatermy therapy are also used.
- In the case of a neglected disease, when the nail deforms and exfoliates, doctors decide to remove the nail plate.This will further prevent the spread of the fungus and give the medication more efficiently work on a healthy surface.
Pharmacy products
The main methods of combating fungal diseases include antimycotics.They cause more damage to the nail fungus, and therefore, effectively treats the affected areas.Antimicotics is suitable for the treatment of almost all types of disease, with the exception of the candidate (here the treatment should be selected individually).
Dermatologists often prescribe the following antimycotics:
- Curves that can protect the nail from further development of the disease.
- Solutions that destroy the fungus from the nail rollers and from the plates themselves.
- Ointments or gels that relieve itching and inflammation.
When local treatment does not give the right effect to the maximum, preparations are described for getting inside.The main difficulty of treating such tools lies in a large number of contraindications and precautions.The effect of the medication gradually increases.
Traditional medicine
In the treatment of a fungal disease, popular medicine can be used, but only in relation to other medicines.
Tea mushrooms
To use it, it is necessary to evaporate the legs.After that, a small portion of the fungus is applied to the diseased nail, bent with a bandage.The compressor holds all night, and is removed in the morning.Wipe the dead areas should be removed, and then treat the surface with any antiseptic.The course of treatment lasts several weeks.
Air
Kalamus boiling is also able to become an assistant in the fight against nail fungi.Take such a decoction 3 times a day.During waiting, it is necessary to trim the joined skin and growing nails.
- To prepare the product, 2 tablespoons are needed.Grind the rhizomes of the plant and pour boiling water (as a rule, 100 ml are enough).
- Then, the rhizomes are boiled in the water for no more than 1 min.
- When the product has cooled, it is ready for use.
Due to the fact that the decoction has a bitter taste, it can be washed with water.
Acetic bath
Acetic baths have a good effect only on the initial stages of the disease.In the future, they are used only with the doctor's permission and along with other medicines.
Acetic baths soothe the epidermis, improve blood circulation and also transforms the appearance of the feet.
Vinegar can be used in combination of the following ingredients:
- SodaIt significantly mitigates the epidermis and improves the effect of the procedure as a whole.To prepare a solution for the procedure, it is necessary to stir 0.5 tbsps in 3 liters of water.Vinegar with 2 tbsp.l.soda
- Essential oils.Such a component reduces the course of treatment several times.For a vinegar bath, 3 drops of oil is needed.
- Glycerin.For 3 liters of water, 9 tablespoons.l.Vinegar and 3 tbsp.l.glycerin.When preparing the solution, glycerin is added to the water for better thinning.Glycerin in vinegar baths helps to hydrate the skin of the feet.
Baths can also be used as a prevention.
There are a number of contraindications in which vinegar baths cannot be used:
- Oncology.
- Wounds, ulcers and scratches on the legs.
- Individual intolerance.
- Thrombophlebitis.
- Pregnancy.
- Cardiovascular system violations.
- Age up to 10 years.
Before the procedure, you must perform 3 steps:
- Do a sensitivity test.A small area near the elbow is moistened with a prepared solution.After 15 minutes.There should be no allergic reactions (itching, burning, redness).
- Before the procedure, the legs should evaporate and the affected fabrics are removed.
- After the procedure, you need to rinse your feet and dry well.For 2 hours, you can't charge your feet.
- The duration of the procedure is 10-20 minutes.
In general, treatment with vinegar baths lasts 2-3 weeks.
Tea tree oil
The use of tea tree oil contributes to the effective recovery of the affected nail.During the procedure, the oil should be applied under the nail in the calculation of 1 drop for 1 nail.The procedure is performed 3 times a day.Treated nail areas should be glued with a patch, so the treatment effect will be higher.
Iodine processing
In the fight against nail fungus, iodine is widely used.It is best to use a 5% solution for the procedure.All that is needed for treatment is to apply a iodine solution 2 times a day to the affected area of the nail.
When applying iodine, a feeling of burning is possible.If the burning sensation is weak and does not cause discomfort - everything is fine.If the pain is severe, then iodine processing should be stopped immediately.The course of treatment with a iodine solution is 2-3 months long.
The advanced stage of the disease can lead to more serious consequences.Any way of independent treatment the patient does, in the first signs, it is necessary to consult a specialist.From the way the nail fungus looks like, the doctor will be able to prescribe complete treatment.The onycomycosis in the legs is treated quite quickly and effectively with the right approach.