Mycosis is a disease that is easy to acquire but difficult to treat. There are many reasons for this. Pathogenic microorganisms adapt quickly to changing conditions, getting used to the active ingredients of drugs. They are able to stay on different surfaces for a long time. They multiply rapidly, seizing more and more new areas. They literally penetrate the horny plates, penetrating deeper and deeper. Nail fungus should be treated in a comprehensive manner, following all rules. Otherwise, you may face a situation where the symptoms begin to go away, but everything quickly returns to its original state.
How can onychomycosis?
According to statistics, the most common infection is as follows:
- A personal relationship with a person suffering from a fungus;
- Personal items: dishcloths, towels, shoes;
- When visiting saunas, beaches, showers, sports clubs;
- With pedicure with non-disinfected instruments.
The infection can occur anywhere people walk barefoot. When a man with mycosis walks across the floor, the scales of his skin remain on the surface. If they get on healthy nails, a pathological process begins. A similar route of infection occurs when using other people’s personal items. Fungal microorganisms are particularly active in warm places with high humidity. Therefore, they usually accumulate in saunas, baths, baths.
Even if a fungus gets on the nails, it does not mean the onset of the disease. The body's defenses are sufficient to fight infection. However, there are factors that cause the fungus to enter and spread more actively. If they are present, the risk of detecting this disease alone increases many times over. Consider these factors:
- Wounds and cuts on the feet, microcracks characteristic of dry skin - these are all passages of infection;
- Weakened immune system;
- Taking antibiotics that change the acidity of the foot;
- Poor hygiene
- Sweating of the foot;
- Metabolic problems;
- Diabetes;
- AIDS;
- Overweight.
Factors that can cause the disease include:
- Lack of personal slippers when visiting public places;
- Using someone else's shoes;
- Use of tight synthetic materials;
- Ignoring regular disinfection of the bath;
- Lack of proper foot hygiene.
Based on these observations, it is easy to derive methods for the prevention of mycosis.
Symptoms
Signs of the disease only become apparent when the fungus is already at a moderate stage. However, it is possible to define the disease in the first stage. All you have to do is carefully monitor the condition of your nails. The following symptoms should alert you:
- Peeling feet;
- Appearance of white spots on nails;
- Mild itching;
- Dry feet.
It is better to see a doctor with these signs. They are not specific, so one disease can be easily confused with another. The symptoms of the later stages will be much more pronounced:
- The nail loses its natural shine, becomes cloudy;
- The disc gets unnatural shades: yellow, green, blue;
- The nail begins to crumble, peels, becomes much more fragile;
- The plate begins to detach from the nail bed. Prior to this, free spaces are created between him and the bed;
- The structure of the nail changes. Thickening appears. The nail is flexible, growth pathologies are observed;
- The disease spreads to the skin. They develop an inflammatory process, which manifests itself in the release of pus and redness;
- Exfoliation between the fingers comes off, cracks appear;
- Itching and burning increase;
- An unpleasant odor appears.
In the most advanced stages, the fungus severely destroys not only the nails but also the skin. Abscesses may appear. All this causes serious discomfort, disrupts the normal way of life.
Is mycosis dangerous if left untreated?
Untreated disease causes the following problems:
- Appearance of infectious complications;
- Appearance of severe allergic reactions;
- Causing exacerbation of various diseases, including diabetes mellitus;
- Defeating internal organs with fungal microorganisms.
In the last stages, the disease is very uncomfortable. The pus discharges and cracks appear. It hurts to walk. A pronounced odor is produced. All this makes it difficult to lead a normal life. In addition, pathogens enter the bloodstream and can affect the entire body. This is extremely dangerous and can lead to disability or even death.
Treatment depending on the stage of the disease
The nail fungus has several stages, depending on the extent of the lesion. The methods of therapy are 90% dependent on the stage. Take into account the characteristics of the treatment depending on the stage of the disease:
- Section 1There are good reviews of the medical solution. It works great in the early stages of the disease. The solution is used to treat sick nails twice a day. Before processing, it is recommended to prepare a hot bath for the feet, cut the nails and process with a file. The cost of the solution is about 500 rubles. The advantage of the solution in the form of a solution is its immediate absorption and rapid action;
- Section 2The loose part of the nail is removed with scissors or a nail file. A healing solution is applied in the cavity as well as on the entire surface of the plate. It is advisable to start taking the tablets. The treatment takes about 6 months;
- Section 3In this case, the lesion affects not only the disc but also the root, nail bed, and nearby skin. Treatment is with systemic drugs. Be sure to see a doctor as you cannot get rid of the advanced stage without the help of a specialist.
The success of nail fungus treatment is determined by regenerating a healthy plate with no signs of damage.
Basics of mycosis treatment
How to cure nail fungus? The therapy is performed using two basic groups:
- Topical preparations.It is used in the first and second stages of the disease. Can be combined with systemic drugs. This category includes varnishes, solutions, ointments, gels;
- Systemic drugs.Antifungals. These can be tablets, capsules. They stop the spread of the disease, kill the pathogenic microorganisms. It has an accumulative effect. That is, the active components of the drug remain in the unit even after the end of therapy. This prevents relapse.
Early treatment of nail fungus is best. This is due to the fact that in this case only topical preparations can be used. The tablets are very effective but also toxic, with many contraindications and side effects. Pregnant women and children are not allowed.
Use of medical varnishes
Varnishes are great for the early stages of nail fungus. They have the following advantages:
- You do not need to use the product daily. Twice a week is enough;
- The varnish dries almost immediately;
- The device creates a film on the surface of the nail that does not allow bacteria and further infections into it;
- The varnish is transparent and therefore not noticeable on the nails.
The characteristics of the course depend on the particular varnish. Their significant disadvantage is their significant cost.
Antifungal pills
Antifungal tablets will be needed if the mycosis has spread to more than 1/3 of the nail. The person skilled in the art should prescribe a cure for the fungus, as the choice depends on the type of microorganisms causing the disease.
Almost all tablets have a cheap companion. The cost of medicines is different.
Laser therapy
In some cases, the nail fungus does not respond to medication. In this case, you can use laser therapy. The following benefits should be considered:
- Pain relief;
- Effective destruction of fungal microorganisms;
- It does no harm to healthy tissues;
- The possibility of curing the disease at a severe stage in only 4-6 procedures.
It is advisable to supplement the laser effect with systemic drugs as well as vitamin complexes aimed at enhancing the body's defenses.
Nail removal
Nail removal is usually indicated at an advanced stage of the fungus. The use of this method on a relatively healthy plate is not recommended. Removal has the following benefits:
- Painlessness (removal is due to maximum softening of the disc);
- Stopping the spread of pathological processes;
- Better penetration of drugs into the center of the disease.
Removal can be done at home. There are special preparations for this. The removal is done due to the urea content of the products. The preparation also contains auxiliary components that stop the growth of the fungus and have an antiseptic effect: stearic acid, tea tree oil.
Before use, steam the legs in a bath with a spoonful of baking soda. They should be wiped dry. A plaster is then glued to the integument near the nail. The product should not come into contact with the skin as this will cause burns. The composition is applied to the nail with a thick layer and then sealed with plaster. After 4 days, the patch is removed. If the nail does not come off, the event can be repeated.
Traditional treatment methods
It makes sense to apply folk techniques at an early stage. They have an additional effect. However, it should be borne in mind that these funds are not a substitute for local medicines. Consider the most common folk methods of nail fungus:
- Apple vinegar.The vinegar is mixed with water in one proportion. The legs are placed in a hot bath for 15-20 minutes. The procedure is performed daily. The legs should then be dried thoroughly. The effect is visible after 2 weeks. If not, the product must be replaced;
- Tea tree oil.It is applied three times a day in clean form to the affected nails. One drop is required for each plate. Contraindications are: childhood and pregnancy;
- Fresh celandine.The plant must be ground. The oatmeal is squeezed out of its juice. This can be done with gauze. A glass of juice is combined with a glass of 70% alcohol. The solution is infused throughout the day. Steam the legs before processing. The infusion is then applied to the plates. Processing is performed 3-4 times a day. The course is 10-12 days;
- Iodine.Apply a drop of iodine to the affected area daily. Remember to cut the growing nail. If there is a burning sensation, stop the procedure. This effect indicates burning of the tissues;
- Tea mushrooms.Compressors can be made from it. To do this, a piece of mushroom is placed on the nail. The finger is wrapped in cellophane and bandaged. Then put on cotton socks. The procedure is performed at night. In the morning, the compress is removed, the foot is washed under warm water, and the dead areas are removed.
What is the best treatment for nail fungus? Folk recipes will not affect this. They can only be used as an aid. However, the main therapy is taking pills and topical medications.
Recommendations
People who have had nail fungus remember the effectiveness of a medical solution that is convenient to use. However, keep in mind that the device should be used regularly for a long time. Without this, mycosis appears immediately.
Celandine is also effective. People note that the visible effect can be observed as early as 3 weeks of use. The structure of the nail changes, the signs of damage disappear. However, this is only relevant in the early stages of the disease.
You can also see negative opinions. Remedies for abuse of remedies are usually warned. For example, patients suffered severe burns while taking iodine and acetic acid. Therefore, these funds should be used in compliance with security measures. In particular, the recommended dose should not be exceeded. If a burning sensation occurs, it indicates the onset of burning. Don’t believe the articles that say pain is a sign of healing. Usually, this is a sign of severe processes that can leave greater complications than after a fungus.
Additional measures
Further measures are needed to speed up treatment and prevent relapses. Consider the most important:
- Particles of the patient's skin remain on the socks and shoes. Once a person is completely healed, they can re-infect by interacting with them. Therefore, the socks should be boiled for 5 minutes. All fungal microorganisms are killed in boiling water. The shoes are treated with special compounds found in pharmacies;
- Vitamin complexes should be taken to stimulate the immune system;
- All money is used regularly during the required course. Otherwise, the treatment will be completely useless.
Attentive attitude to all recommendations is the key to quick recovery.
Preventive measures
In order to prevent re-infection with mycosis, preventive measures are applied:
- Before visiting spas, saunas and other public institutions, it is recommended to lubricate your nails with antifungal varnishes;
- Do not wear other shoes;
- You can do a hot foot bath once a week where sea salt and soda are added;
- It is advisable to exclude sweets from the diet;
- Sweaty feet should be avoided.
Once a week, after a recent course of treatment, you can use a local antifungal or similar folk remedy. It is applied to all nails. Even if the infection reappears, it stops quickly.
It is harder to protect yourself from the disease if you live with a sick person. In this case, it is important to regularly disinfect all surfaces of the bathroom and the house. The patient should store and wash their belongings separately from other clothing. Households can use local mycosis treatments once a week for prevention.
Mycosis is difficult to treat. Your therapy should be taken very seriously. It is advisable to consult a doctor at the first signs. You get a scrape from the affected area. You can then determine which microorganisms caused the disease. Based on this information, medications are prescribed. Each factor also plays a role in the choice of drug. For example, if a woman is pregnant, pills are rarely prescribed. This is due to the fact that they penetrate the bloodstream and can harm the fetus. Nail removal is usually used in combination with topical treatments.