Beautiful, well-groomed legs are a source of pride for every woman and a source of adoration for men. And it's such a pity when your nails turn yellow, cracks and spots appear on them. And the constant itching between my fingers bothers me. All of these unpleasant phenomena are symptoms of a fungal infection. The problem is serious but completely solvable.
- According to statistics, one in five people on earth suffers from fungal diseases of the feet and nails. The reasons for its occurrence are diverse - from weakened immunity to incorrectly selected shoes.
- Open, uncomfortable shoes often lead not only to swelling of the feet, but also to the development of a fungal infection.
- Even if you decide to cure nail fungus yourself, an initial consultation with a specialist is still necessary. At least to choose the most effective drug available on the modern pharmaceutical market. There is a wide variety of products.
- One of the "most popular" places to contract nail fungus are bathrooms and showers, swimming pools (outdoor and indoor) and similar facilities. Wear personal shoes, towels and bathrobes, do not walk barefoot and do not borrow a pumice stonefrom the neighbor - these are simple but very effective preventive measures against athlete's foot for those who regularly visit gyms and public pools.
- What starts as harmless signs of dry skin can turn out to be fungal. Do not delay treatment!
Nail fungus – what kind of "beast" is this?
A healthy nail plate should be smooth, pink and shiny. And if at least one of these requirements is not met, there is a problem. According to statistics, 50% of all nail diseases are fungal infections. In addition to the fact that the disease causes many problems purely aesthetically, the treatment also requires serious and lengthy treatment.
It all starts with the skin of the feet, more often with the interdigital folds. Typically, the first symptom of athlete's foot (more commonly referred to as onychomycosis in medical circles) is peeling, accompanied by burning and itching. Blisters then appear, which burst and form ulcers and cracks. You shouldn't think that everything will disappear by itself, you just need to be a little patient. If treatment is not started immediately, the fungus can spread to the nails and continue to grow and multiply there. Slowly but surely, athlete's foot is spreading.
The main symptoms of nail fungus:
- Cracks in the interdigital folds (usually between the 1st – 2nd and 4th – 5th fingers);
- thickening of the skin;
- Itching;
- redness;
- Burning feeling;
- Thickening, brittleness or thinning of the nail.
Risk zone
Nail fungus is transmitted from person to person. And the main route for infection to penetrate the skin is through microcracks. Why do they appear? For example, wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes, sand getting into the spaces between your toes on the beach. In the future, the disease leads to inflammation of the skin and the formation of deep cracks. The risk of developing a fungus is higher in people with poor circulation in the legs, deformed feet, excessive sweating of the feet and being overweight. Stress, smoking and alcohol abuse can also lead to the development of fungal infections as they contribute to weakening immunity.
The easiest way to become infected with fungi is in public places. For example, in a bathhouse, a swimming pool or in the showers of fitness clubs, where a humid environment that microorganisms love so much is constantly maintained. The whole family can suffer if all household members use the same bathroom and it is common to share towels. By the way, infections from relatives account for over 30% of all cases. Fungi are also transmitted through pedicure and manicure accessories, shoes and socks. You should also be careful on vacation. Mushrooms remain viable in beach sand for months. The affected skin particles easily stick to the wet foot.
Nail fungus: No need for self-medication
The appearance of fungi cannot be hidden. If you experience symptoms of this disease, you should definitely not delay seeing a doctor. Self-medication is fraught with complications. Prolonged onychomycosis can cause an allergic reaction, weaken the immune system and lead to exacerbation of chronic diseases. Unfortunately, without special diagnostics, it is not possible to determine the exact cause of changes in the structure of the nail plates. There are several dozen types of fungal infections. In addition, it may not be a fungus, but a manifestation of allergies, vitamin deficiency and many other pathologies.
Only a specialist can make the correct diagnosis by scraping the nail for microscopic examination. In most cases, these data are enough to prescribe treatment. True, there are special cases that require a culture test when nail particles are taken and placed under special conditions for the active growth of fungi. This makes it possible to see exactly which "pests" have attacked the nail and which antifungal agents best combat them.
The mycologist knows everything about the disease. However, it is rarely found in public clinics. For advice, please contact the Skin and Venereal Diseases Outpatient Clinic (KVD). Another option is a dermatologist. This specialist is more accessible.
Treatment without sacrifice
So far, radical methods have been used to treat fungi: the affected nails were simply removed surgically, followed by a long rehabilitation period. Since then, medicine has taken a big step forward and now a more appropriate method is used - hardware treatment of nails. The device is somewhat reminiscent of a dentist's drill. At the end of the device there is a drill that grinds the nail as much as necessary. Nothing hurts after the procedure. Nails should be treated as they grow. And only the doctor can decide how many sessions are required.
There are many fungi, the differences relate to symptoms and routes of infection, but the treatment of all fungal infections is almost the same and takes 3 to 6 months. And you don't need to believe the numerous stories about happy relief from the disease using traditional methods. Unfortunately, no homemade baths or packs can kill the fungus.
Removal of the nail plate is only necessary if more than 40% of the surface is affected. At the initial stage of the disease, when the fungus has not yet begun to destroy the nail, external medications are enough: medical varnish or a special solution. If less than 40% of the nail plate is affected, treatment with antifungal drugs is prescribed.
Disinfect it!
An important problem during and after the treatment of nail fungus is the antibacterial treatment of all areas where infected skin particles may remain. The walls and floor of the bathtub must be thoroughly cleaned with special disinfectants. Throw away your slippers, even if they are your favorite slippers. Boots, shoes and sneakers can be treated with a special device that emits ultraviolet light. Alternatively, you can wipe the shoes with solutions of acetic acid (25%) or formaldehyde. Wash socks, stockings, towels and bed linen and iron them well. Nail scissors are disinfected by dipping them in alcohol and heating them over a fire.
Nail fungus prevention methods
If treated correctly, the disease will not recur. Reinfection is much more common. The most effective way to combat nail fungus is prevention. Do not go barefoot in public places. Always bring flip flops and your own towel to the beach. At the pharmacy you can buy a special spray that protects against fungi. They can be used to treat shoes and feet. Very convenient for visiting swimming pools or fitness rooms.
It's easy to prevent a fungal nail infection in your family - just follow simple hygiene rules and wear only your own shoes. But it's best to simply pay attention to the health of your feet, wear comfortable, not too tight shoes and regularly care for the skin of your feet and nails with special creams and sprays. And make a rule: take slippers with you when visiting. Then no mushroom is scary.