Onychomycosis is a fungal disease of the skin and its appendages (nails and hair). In adults, the feet are more often affected, in children - the hands.
Treatment of onychomycosis includes removal of non-viable areas of the nail and destruction of remaining microorganisms with antimycotic drugs (creams, varnishes, solutions).
Tissue can be removed with a nail file, surgery, or laser. A file is suitable if the volume of the dead area of the nail is small. The surgical path is painful, long and radical. Targeted non-contact laser action allows you to quickly and painlessly treat nail fungus.
Signs of nail fungus
- Dry skin;
- Itching in the interdigital fold;
- Peeling of the skin between the fingers;
- Cracks in the skin;
- Thickening of the stratum corneum (upper) layer of the epithelium;
- Pain in the affected areas;
- Redness;
- Swelling;
- getting wet;
- Blistering rashes;
- Changes in the color, shape and thickness of the nail;
- Crumbling of the nail plate;
- Nail detachment.
How does nail fungus start?
At first, onychomycosis manifests itself only as dry skin and flaking: at first the skin looks powdery, and then large scales come off it. White or yellowish stripes and spots appear on the nail, and the corners of the free edge may crack.
The main problem with which patients come to the doctor is unbearable itching. But it may not be there for a long time, as well as the unpleasant odor. Therefore, pay attention to your feet to notice the problem in time.
How is nail fungus transmitted?
Infection with onychomycosis occurs in several ways:
- Direct skin-to-skin contact with the patient (usually through hands).
- Wearing general shoes and gloves.
- Household items in public places (shower mats, washcloths, manicure accessories).
Where there is a risk of catching a fungus:
- In common showers in dormitories, gyms, swimming pools;
- Baths and saunas;
- Swimming pools and jacuzzi;
- Nail salons;
- When massaging the feet.
How to get rid of old nail fungus?
Remove non-viable areas of the nail with fungi with a laser. It will take 3 procedures depending on the degree of damage and the type of fungus.
Then treat with creams and medicinal varnishes. Depending on the type of fungus and its type, medication and laser treatment may be required.
How to cure nail fungus with folk remedies?
Main methods:
- Vinegar;
- Hydrogen peroxide;
- Iodine;
- Celandine;
- Tea tree oil;
- Tar;
- Vitriol;
- Soap;
- Propolis.
All of them are not only useless, but also dangerous. Using aggressive substances will only make the situation worse. A chemical burn will allow the fungus to penetrate deep into the tissue. Tea oil and tar create a framework over the fungal surface. This way you will create a "cozy greenhouse" for mushrooms, where they will begin to grow and destroy the skin and nails more actively.
Do not self-medicate, but go straight to a dermatovenerologist!
How to soften toenails with fungus?
Do not do anything until you see a doctor. Softening your nails can only cause harm.
Why is nail fungus dangerous?
- Negative consequences of onychomycosis:
- Nail destruction;
- Skin ulcers;
- Unpleasant odor;
- Easily transmitted to other people (especially household members);
- Inflammation of the fingers;
- When fungi enter the bloodstream, they can migrate to any organ. Fungal inflammation is difficult and takes a long time to treat, and may not be noticed by the patient for a long time;
- Transition of onychomycosis into a chronic form;
- The condition of the blood vessels in the feet worsens;
- Sleep disturbance;
- Embarrassment and psychological problems.
What is the best treatment for nail fungus?
This will be decided by a dermatovenerologist. He will prescribe antifungal drugs for topical use (creams, solutions, special medicinal varnishes) or tablets.
A more modern solution is laser treatment for nail fungus.
The dermatologist degreases the nail, brings the laser pen to the problem area and blasts the nail with a laser beam for 30-60 seconds. At this point, the patient may feel warmth and tingling. After the procedure, the patient receives recommendations on nail care.
How to treat fungus in children?
Antifungal drugs for local (creams, solutions, medicinal varnishes) or systemic (tablets) use.
Laser treatment of nail fungus is not recommended for children. Causes:
- Thin sensitive nail plate;
- Unpleasant procedure;
- You need to sit still for a long time (20-40 minutes).
What causes fungus?
Infection with onychomycosis occurs through contact with a patient, sharing shoes, clothing, washcloths, showers, and manicure accessories.
Your risk of becoming infected increases if you:
- Poor foot and nail care;
- Work in damp, damp areas;
- Abrasions and cracks in the folds between the fingers;
- The habit of wearing gel polish longer than expected (1. 5 months or more);
- Tight, chafing shoes;
- Scuffs or calluses on the palms and feet;
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis);
- Dry skin;
- Narrow interdigital folds;
- Flat feet;
- Circulatory disorders (vascular diseases, diabetes, etc. );
- Decreased immunity (diseases, pregnancy, taking certain medications).
Treatment of nail fungus during pregnancy
Onychomycosis itself is not dangerous to the fetus. Pregnant women cannot take tableted antifungal drugs, but local treatment is allowed. You can use laser, medicinal solutions, creams and varnishes.
Toenail fungus: why and how is it treated with laser?
Advantages of laser treatment for onychomycosis:
- Point impact;
- Painless;
- Fast;
- No direct contact with skin and nails;
- No blood;
- Low risk of infection;
- Processing at any level of the upper layers of fabrics;
- No side effects;
- Complete cure – in 85-90% of cases (without taking antifungal drugs! ).
The laser beam heats up to 50 °C and above. It destroys mycelium (mycelium) and fungal spores. The mycelium itself lies deep: up to 7 mm of skin thickness, so it is almost impossible to completely cure onychomycosis surgically. The laser length can be adjusted and quickly destroy all myceliums and the mushrooms themselves. In most cases, one course of laser therapy is enough to get rid of nail fungus. In difficult situations, it is necessary to "finish off" microorganisms with antimicrobial drugs.
Stages of treatment for nail fungus
Stages of therapy for onychomycosis:
- Consultation with a dermatovenerologist. Assessment of skin and nails condition.
- Laser nail treatment.
- Re-appointment after 10-14 days. Doctor's assessment of the result and prediction of the number of procedures for the course.
- A total of 3 sessions are required to completely get rid of nail fungus.
- If laser treatment does not help, the doctor initiates local therapy with antifungal drugs (you can start a combination right away: laser + antimicrobial cream/varnish/tablets).
- After recovery, the nail may remain damaged. Regeneration will take from a month to a year, so you can have your nails extended by a podiatrist.
What types of fungi are there on nails?
Classification of onychomycosis:
- Normotrophic (the shape and thickness of the nail plate is not changed, only yellowish-white stripes appear);
- Hypertrophic (pronounced keratosis - thickening of the nail plate, yellow coloration of the nail, crumbling and jagged edges of the plate are characteristic);
- Atrophic (partial or complete destruction, thinning or detachment of the nail plate).
- Based on the location of the lesion, the following forms of onychomycosis are distinguished:
- Distal (free edge of the plate);
- Proximal (roller);
- Lateral (sides);
- Total (entire plate).
Hypertrophic onychomycosis: how to treat?
At the medical center, all growths on the nail are removed with a laser by a podiatrist and a dermatologist.
After recovery, the damaged nail can be restored in a specialized clinic.
Lateral onychomycosis: how to treat?
It is necessary to remove growths and all non-viable tissue. The whole procedure is unpleasant, but painless if an anesthetic is used.
After dead tissue and fungus are removed, the nail is gradually built up with natural ingredients that stimulate the growth of its own nail plate.
Mold onychomycosis: how to treat?
The doctor uses a laser to target the affected area. The difference from other types of onychomycosis is a deeper effect and a longer course of therapy.
Black nail fungus
Molds give black color to nails. They are the most "aggressive" and corrosive.
Several dozen causative agents of onychomycosis are known. Mold onychomycosis is distinguished separately. Their distinctive feature is a pungent odor and a variety of colors: black, yellow, greenish, gray, etc.
Can I get a manicure and pedicure with nail fungus?
No. When applying varnish, the fungus remains "under the hood". Greenhouse conditions (warm and humid) are created for it. The varnish will quickly come off, and the fungi will begin to infect the skin and nails more actively, going deeper.
To treat nail fungi, special medicinal varnishes with antifungal components are used. Most often they are transparent or flesh-colored.
Which doctor should I contact for nail fungus?
See a dermatovenerologist or podologist.
In some beauty salons, cosmetologists-dermatovenerologists deal with the treatment and restoration of nails.
How to wash your feet with nail fungus?
Basic hygiene rules for patients with onychomycosis:
- Wash your feet and hands gently but thoroughly.
- Don't rub too hard to avoid damaging your skin.
- Use tar soap to degrease and disinfect the skin (but no more than 2 times a day, it dries the skin).
- Disinfect the bathtub after each wash (it is enough to pour hot water or boiling water over the bottom).
- Do not use shared sponges or washcloths. Get your own, or better yet, temporarily abandon them.
- Dry your skin thoroughly after showering or bathing. Pay attention to the spaces between the fingers. Don't rub!
At what temperature does the fungus die?
At +50 °C and above.
Fungus after nail removal
Removal of the nail is a radical measure and is used only in cases of advanced total onychomycosis. After removing the nail, it is not always possible to get rid of onychomycosis. This means that the mycelium (mycelium) is located very deep and not all spores are destroyed.
Treatment can take up to six months, depending on the extent of the damage. The procedure is carried out once every 2 weeks. Number of procedures from 3.
Nail fungus test
Diagnosis of onychomycosis includes:
- Assessment of the clinical picture of the disease;
- Microscopic examination of the affected nail plates and skin scrapings (done in the laboratory);
- To determine the type of pathogen, the scraping is cultured in laboratories (the results of the analysis must be brought with you to the appointment at the center).
Nail fungus in diabetes
In diabetes mellitus, small vessels suffer. Due to the fact that the capillaries do not nourish the nail well, it is more difficult for it to resist the aggressive external environment and is more vulnerable.
Due to impaired microcirculation, treatment of nail fungus in people with diabetes lasts longer than in patients with healthy blood vessels.
Consequences of nail fungus
If onychomycosis is not treated, it will slowly destroy the nail plate. The nail will change shape, the itching will become unbearable over time, and new scratches will cause the fungus to quickly spread to neighboring toes and the sole of the foot. Fungi melt the nail plate, so instead of beautiful, smooth nails, you will end up with frightening depressions with small remnants of a disfigured plate. They will hurt, itch and smell unpleasant.