Causes of nail fungus: symptoms and treatment

Nail fungus is a disease caused by various pathogenic groups.To eliminate it, you need to undergo diagnostics to determine all the characteristics of the disease.What are its reasons?There are many reasons for the appearance of a fungal infection and the prerequisites for its occurrence.

Genetic causes of the disease

Fungal spores can remain on various surfaces for years.People often encounter pathogenic microorganisms, but infection does not always occur.Predisposing factors are required for the appearance of nail fungus.There must be conditions for the development of infection.Scientists have conducted many studies on the mechanism of the onset of the disease.

It turned out that one of the factors of the appearance of fungal infection is a genetic predisposition.According to these studies, mycosis occurs most often in people whose relatives have a similar disease.The development of the disease affects the genetic level.

Interesting cases of infection when living together.It is easiest to get mycosis through close contact.However, it often develops in one family member but does not affect another.And the disease usually appears in the person who has the most similar genes to the person who developed the primary mycosis.According to all these data, the closeness of the relationship during infection is less important than the closeness of genetic relationships.

Mycosis symptoms

Nail fungus manifests itself differently in different stages.Usually, infection with mycosis begins in the spaces between the fingers.At this time it is observed:

• Appearance of bubbles;
• Redness of the skin;
• itching.

If treatment is not carried out at this stage, the disease begins to affect the nails.In this case, the following symptoms are detected:

1. Dullness of the nail plate, loss of transparency;
2. The appearance of white streaks and spots;
3. Anxious feelings.

It is better to treat at this stage, because it will reduce the cost of therapy.External preparations are enough to destroy microorganisms: ointments, varnishes.If no action is taken, nail fungus will progress.This is expressed by the following symptoms:

• Thinning or thickening of the nail;
• Delamination of the nail plate;
• Out of the nail bed;
• The plate acquires an abnormal color: it becomes white, yellow or black;
• In the final stages, the nail literally collapses, crumbles, and an unpleasant odor may appear.

Mycosis pathological activity is not only in toenails.Inflammatory processes affect the whole leg.

It starts to redden and peel.The patient feels itching that intensifies during periods of exacerbation.The presence of characteristic symptoms allows to identify the disease during the initial examination.

Types of fungal infections

Nail fungus is divided into types according to which group of microorganisms it is caused by.There are three main groups:

1. Dermatophytes.The most common case.This group is the cause of mycosis in 95% of cases;
2. Candida.These yeast-like microorganisms help to thin the nail plate.He begins to turn yellow and lag behind in his bed.The lesion begins at the nail fold.Swelling occurs as the disease progresses.In some cases, pus can be drained.The skin of the plate stops growing and therefore turns brown.The nail is broken.These groups of microorganisms usually develop in women.There are risk groups - housewives who constantly deal with household chemicals.It has an aggressive effect on the skin, which opens the "doors" for infections;
3. Mold types.These groups of microorganisms cannot penetrate deeply into the nail plate.This prevents it from being completely destroyed, but the disease is fraught with other effects.The nail color changes a lot.It can be black, blue, green.

Treatment depends on the group of microorganisms, because different pathogenic microbes respond differently to drugs.Sometimes three types of fungus are detected during the diagnosis.In this case, complex therapy will be required.

Mushroom forms

There are different stages of the disease, depending on the type of lesions:

1. Normotrophic.There is a change in the color of the nail plate.It may turn yellow and lose its transparency.White and yellow stripes or dots appear.The difference between the disease is that the nail does not undergo significant deformation.Sometimes it can even retain its former shine;
2. Atrophic.The nail becomes thinner and loses its shine completely.White and yellow stripes and dots appear, representing specific foci of infection;
3. Hypertrophic.The plate varies significantly.Signs of thickening and collapse are observed.It becomes porous.Severe pain syndrome is also possible, worsened during movements and wearing tight shoes.Illness can limit a person's activities.

The prescribed treatment regimen depends on the stage, as well as the type of microorganisms.In the first stages, external means proved their effectiveness.In the later stages, the treatment regimen is usually a combination of external drugs and agents for internal use.

Where can you get infected with a fungus?

Nail fungus is usually passed from person to person.Microbial spores may remain on surfaces.When you touch them, the fungus will remain on the feet and begin to develop.You can catch Mikoz in the following places:

• State institutions: saunas, swimming pools, showers of sports clubs.This is the most likely way to get fungus, because it multiplies most actively in warm and humid conditions.In order to protect against it, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment of the feet with drugs before going to the institution.You must bring your own slippers;
• If mycosis occurs in one household member, the most likely way for the disease to appear in other family members is through bathing.Mycosis-causing fungal spores remain on its walls.For protection, it is necessary to treat the surfaces with disinfectant compounds after each visit to the bathroom;
• Sometimes the cause is a manicure or pedicure done with tools that have not been disinfected after previous use.This applies to procedures carried out in beauty salons;
• Controversies can be hidden in shoes in stores, because they are often tried on by different people.To be safe, you can only try on shoes on the toe;
• A less likely source of infection is public beaches, as nail fungus does not survive well in salty sand.

To prevent the disease, it is necessary to forget about the importance of personal slippers and use preventive measures.

Possible complications with long-term treatment

Mycosis is characterized by the speed of development and spread.If the treatment is delayed, the symptoms of the disease will become more and more obvious.At first, a person is worried about the aesthetic factor, because thickening and white dots appear on the toenails.But if you do not deal with the problem, more serious consequences will arise - pain, itching and burning when moving.Let's consider the most likely results of long-term treatment:

• As the body weakens, other infections are likely to occur;
• Exacerbation of diabetes mellitus.Occurrence against the background of an infectious process, gangrene or infection of bone tissue.All these can lead to the need for limb amputation;
• If nail fungus is not treated for a long time, the body can react to it with sensitivity and allergic reactions.Against their background, allergic dermatitis, skin diseases and bronchial asthma worsen;
• The extreme stage of mycosis is damage to internal organs.The infection begins to spread throughout the body.This can be fatal.

Another important consequence of not starting therapy on time is significant financial costs.Treatment of the disease in the final stages is not only more difficult, but also more expensive.You will have to spend money on local procedures and pills.Really effective drugs are more expensive.In some cases, even surgery may be prescribed.

Preventive measures

Nail fungus is preventable, that's what preventive measures are all about.They prevent the entry and further spread of pathogenic microorganisms.Prevention is quite simple and consists in following the following recommendations:

• The latter is chosen incorrectly, except for tight shoes.All this leads to the appearance of calluses and other deformations penetrated by the infection;
• You should not wear synthetic socks and tights because your feet will sweat in them.Sweaty and humid environments are the best conditions for the development of fungi;
• You must follow the rules of personal hygiene, wear slippers when entering public places and pre-treat your feet with preventive means;
• After each washing of the feet, the interdigital areas are thoroughly dried;
• Socks and stockings should be changed every day;
• You cannot wear someone else's shoes;
• The house must be kept clean, for this periodic disinfection is carried out.

Prevention is aimed at two goals - to prevent infection and stop its development when spores are possible.To achieve the second goal, you will need to take care of your immune system: exercise, eat right.

Treatment methods

Nail fungus usually takes a long time to heal.The duration of therapy will be from 6 months to a year, regardless of the cause of the disease.The advantage is that most drugs can quickly relieve symptoms.However, despite the disappearance of symptoms, it is necessary to continue therapy until the microorganisms are completely destroyed.

In the early stages, external drugs are used for treatment.These include:

1. Special varnishes;
2. creams and gels;
3. Solutions and tinctures.

In the following stages, oral drugs are added to external drugs:

• Tablets;
• Antibiotics.

Lacquers are especially popular.They have two effects at once: they destroy existing microorganisms and create a film that prevents new infections from entering.The product can penetrate deep into the nail.It is colorless and odorless and therefore can be used by men.Before use, it is recommended to remove the nail plate for deeper penetration.

Ointments and gels are mild.They are easy to use.Relieve symptoms quickly.With the help of drugs, you can treat not only the nails, but also the skin around them.The disadvantage is that the product can quickly wash off the skin.To prevent this, you can apply compresses: a cotton pad is placed on top of the ointment layer, fixed with a bandage.

In severe cases, tablets are prescribed.This product has a strong effect, is toxic and has contraindications.For this reason, therapy is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

If the condition develops completely, surgical intervention comes to the rescue.During the operation, the affected nail is removed.It can be removed without surgery.Special tools are used for this.The last option is painless.

Nail fungus is a very common problem.Its insidiousness is that the symptoms of the disease are insignificant in the first stages.Because the patient does not feel discomfort, he can constantly postpone the treatment.All this leads to the problem being ignored.You will need a lot of funds and medicines to solve this.Mycosis spreads quickly, which causes pain, separation of the plate, unpleasant odors and modification of the nail.