The fungus, also known as onychomycosis, is a nail surface infection caused by dermatophytes, yeast or mold.
The color of the nails changes, first acquires a whitish hue, then darker and can smell bad. Play, deform, start to crumble.
There is a high probability that the infection can spread to other nails on the legs and adjacent skin. The pain will appear when walking, wearing shoes. Therefore, the fungus should be treated on time.
The causes of nail fungi
The causes of onychomycosis are quite banal:
- Contact with microscopic mushrooms that are everywhere. Another question is that nails are susceptible to infections when a person walks barefoot in humid places - swimming pools, changing rooms and showers are perfect to catch the fungus.
- Damaged nail, cracks, injured finger, infection by other bacteria or pus provide a slight penetration of dermatophytes in the body.
- If a person suffers from chronic diseases such as diabetes, peripheral vascular diseases and immunodeficiency conditions, he is a class A candidate for a fungal leg infection.
If there are irritations, the legs sweat a lot, and the shoes are tight and poorly ventilated for long periods of time - this is an ideal environment for the growth of the dispute.
Nail fungus symptoms
The most common symptom caused by a fungal infection is the thickening of the plate. The nail can be bleached, have white, black, yellow or green.
With the development of the disease, it becomes fragile and small pieces of nails break or may separate completely from the finger. If you do not pay due attention, the skin is swollen, becomes painful and scaly. An unpleasant odor occurs
If the disease is not in operation, there are usually no other symptoms. Sometimes the body can respond to the fungus on damage -free skin. A rash or itching caused by dermatophytes may be an allergic reaction of the body to a fungus.
Risk factors for nail fungus development
Anyone may have a leg finger infection, but there are certain risk factors that make a person more prone to fungal nail infection. Some of them are as follows:
- Performance is a predominant risk factor for the occurrence of a nail fungus. When people are aging, the quality of the blood vessels is reduced and the blood supply to the peripheral parts is disturbed, which is why there is a slowdown in nail growth and general susceptibility to infections.
- The male floor is more inclined to have a nail fungus.
- Greater sweating, as well as if a person works in a humid environment, for example, erases, washing, cleaning or cooking foods.
- Using socks and shoes prevents skin ventilation from the legs, and synthetic material does not absorb sweat; So choose cotton products.
- Risk of accounting, if you live with a person who has a nail fungus - CO and can be infected.
- Walking barefoot in raw places such as pools, gyms and showers.
- Irritation between fingers, itching, peeling, skin or nail injury, psoriasis.
- Chronic diseases such as diabetes, peripheral vascular diseases, weak immunity and certain syndromes, such as Down syndrome.
Fungus complications
A severe leg infection can be very painful and lead to constant damage to your nails. If a person has a depressed immune system, diabetes or any other chronic disease, there is a high risk of complications. With diabetes, blood circulation decreases and neuropathy usually occurs. Sometimes you can't notice the pain.
So not only nail fungus, but also any slight leg injury can be a serious problem. If a person has diabetes and feels that there is an infection, it is reasonable to visit a doctor.
Tests and Diagnostics
Nail fungus infection is sometimes diagnosed incorrectly such as psoriasis, contact dermatitis and tumors such as melanoma. To avoid an incorrect diagnosis, laboratory tests may be required.
As a rule, three approaches are used:
- The first is a cooked spot using potassium hydroxide.
- Secondly, it is a culture of an infectious organism.
- The third is the histological confirmation of the body.
These three approaches use microscopic studies of nail material obtained by scrapers or cutting.
According to some recent improvements from the point of view of sensitivity, the most useful are direct traits, histological examination and nail plate biopsy using the periodic chiff acid spoon.
To correctly diagnose fungus organisms, several samples may be required.
Prevention
The first step that can be taken to avoid leg fungal infections is to observe proper hygiene. Pure and dried legs definitely prevent fungal infections.
Perform regular complete discharge with soap and do not forget to dry after the procedure. In public places, you need to wear shower slippers.
You may have to change shoes, socks and underwear more than once a day.
Improve the nail cutting technique - cut them so that the nails do not go beyond your feet.
You may have to wear shoes that do not fit your fingers firmly, and your material should be such that you provide ventilation.
Avoid wearing cotton or wool socks. Prefers socks made of special synthetic fibers that take the moisture out of their legs more efficiently than cotton and wool.
Drink nails and pedicure tools. Do not use nail varnish that have an infection.
When to see a doctor
It is worth making an appointment with your doctor if your nail fungal infection causes signs of bacteria: you should check the list of signs and symptoms for the exact diagnosis and the correct choice of medicines.
The doctor will examine the patient, hear the complaints, after which primary tests are performed with the collection of biomaterials to determine the type of fungus. Then a complete analysis of the results and the objective of therapy.
Accessible treatment and medicines
If fungal infection is light, there is no need for complex treatment. However, ignoring can lead to its propagation to other nails. Below are the treatment options available for nail fungi:
Medicines are usually recommended when fungal nail infection is severe.
You may have to take the medicine for several months for the infection to disappear. The drug parade will lead to fall very early. Some side effects of medications may include headache, itching, loss of flavor, nausea and diarrhea.
If a person does not want to take pills, the doctor will advise using the enamel. It is not as effective as oral products, because it cannot always penetrate deep in the focus of the infected area. Terms of use reach 12 months.
Chemical removal of nails
An abnormal appearance nail can be chemically removed using a 40% urea folder. The pasta is easily available in pharmacies. You need to arrest it to the nails, cover and leave it at night. Rinse the dough in the morning and repeat the procedure daily. The infected plate will dissolve after about 2 weeks.
This is a painless treatment option that removes the patient with the nail and also gradually removes ringworm. With this treatment, it is not necessary to take pills for several months and surgery can be avoided.
Surgery and Laser Therapy
Surgery to remove an infected nail is recommended only under difficult conditions if it becomes very painful and other treatment methods have not helped. After the operation, the nail will begin to grow again, however, a year may be necessary for complete recovery.
Is laser treatment a good option to get rid of nail fungus?
In the case of a stubborn nail infection, laser treatment is possible. The laser radiates high doses of luminous energy, which kills and destroys the mushroom.
According to the survey, laser therapy is completely safe and the treatment rate is 90% after 3 months. However, it requires repetition every three months during the year and is not cheap.
How long can you treat nail fungus?
Treatment of nail infection can be a long and expensive process.
Peri -medication operate on average about four months, while the infected nail is replaced by healthy.
When using antifungal enamel, the duration of treatment increases and can take about one year.
Laser and surgical removal provides faster results.