Beautiful, well-groomed legs are a source of pride for every woman and a source of worship for men. And it is such a pity if your nails turn yellow, cracks and spots appear on them. And besides, the constant itching between the fingers bothers me. All these unpleasant manifestations are symptoms of a fungal infection. The problem is serious, but completely solvable.
- According to statistics, every fifth inhabitant of the Earth suffers from fungal diseases of the feet and nails. The reasons for the appearance are very different - 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 offered on the modern pharmaceutical market. There is a wide variety of products.
- One of the most popular places where you can catch nail fungus are bathrooms and showers, swimming pools (outdoor and indoor) and similar establishments. Use personal shoes, towels and bathrobes, do not walk barefoot and do not borrow pumice stones from neighbors - these are simple but very effective preventive measures against foot fungus for those who regularly visit fitness centers and public baths.
- What starts out as innocent signs of dry skin can turn out to be a fungus. 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, then there is a problem. According to statistics, 50% of all nail diseases are fungal infections. Apart from the fact that the disease causes many problems purely aesthetically, the treatment also requires serious and long-term treatment.
It all starts with the skin of the feet, more often with the interdigital folds. As a rule, the first symptom of foot fungus (more commonly called onychomycosis in medical circles) is peeling, accompanied by burning and itching. Then bubbles appear, which burst, forming ulcers and fissures. You should not 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 nail and continue to grow and multiply. Slowly but surely, foot fungus conquers more and more spaces.
The main symptoms of nail fungus:
- Cracks in the interdigital folds (usually between 1–2 and 4–5 fingers);
- Thickening of the skin;
- itching;
- Redness;
- Burning sensation;
- Thickening, brittleness or thinning of the nail.
Risk zone
Nail fungus is passed from person to person. And the main way for the infection to penetrate the skin are microcracks. Why do they appear? For example, wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes, getting sand in the spaces between the toes at the beach. In the future, the disease leads to inflammation of the skin and the formation of deep cracks. The risk of fungal infection is higher in people who have problems with blood circulation in the feet, deformed feet, excessive sweating of the feet, as well as those who are overweight. Stress, smoking and alcohol abuse can also cause the development of fungal infections, as they contribute to a decrease in immunity.
The easiest way to catch a fungus is in public places. For example, in the bathroom, swimming pool or in the showers of fitness clubs, where a moist environment is constantly maintained, which microorganisms love so much. The whole family can suffer where all members of the household use the same bathroom and it is common to share towels. By the way, those who became infected from relatives account for more than 30% of all cases. Fungi are also transmitted through pedicure and manicure accessories, shoes and socks. You should also be careful on vacation. In beach sand, the fungus remains viable for months. The affected skin particles easily adhere to the wet leg.
Nail fungus: self-treatment is canceled
The appearance of fungus cannot be hidden. If you find symptoms of this disease, under no circumstances should you delay seeing a doctor. Self-medication is fraught with complications. Prolonged onychomycosis can provoke an allergic reaction, weaken the immune system and lead to exacerbation of chronic diseases. Alas, without special diagnostics, it is impossible to establish the exact cause of the changes in the structure of the nail plates. There are several dozen varieties of fungal infections. In addition, it may not be a fungus, but a manifestation of allergies, vitamin deficiency and many other pathologies.
The correct diagnosis can only be made by a specialist based on a scraping of the nail for microscopic examination. Most often, these data are sufficient to prescribe treatment. It is true that there are special cases that require a culture test, when particles are taken from the nail and placed in special conditions for the active growth of the fungus. This makes it possible to understand exactly which "pests" have attacked the nail and which antifungal drugs best fight them.
The mycologist knows all about the disease. It is true that it is difficult to find in public clinics. For consultation, you should contact the dispensary for skin and venereal diseases (KVD). Another option is a dermatologist. This specialist is more accessible.
Treatment without casualties
Previously, radical methods were used to treat fungus: the affected nails were simply removed surgically, after which there was a long period of rehabilitation. Since then, medicine has taken a big step forward and now a more adequate method is used - apparatus treatment of nails. The device somewhat resembles a dental drill. At the end of the device is a drill that files the nail as necessary. Nothing hurts after the procedure. Nails should be treated as they grow. And only the doctor can decide how many sessions will be needed.
There are many fungi, the differences are in the symptoms and ways of infection, but the treatment of all fungal infections is almost the same and takes from 3 to 6 months. And you don't have to believe the numerous stories of happy cures from the disease using traditional methods. Alas, no amount of homemade baths or wraps can kill the fungus.
Removal of the nail plate is required only if more than 40% of the surface is affected. In the initial stage of the disease, when the fungus has not yet begun to destroy the nail, external drugs are sufficient: medical varnish or a special solution. If less than 40% of the nail plate is affected, a course of antifungal drugs is prescribed.
Disinfect it!
An important issue during and after the treatment of nail fungus is the antibacterial treatment of all places where the affected skin particles may remain. The walls and bottom of the bathtub must be thoroughly cleaned with special disinfectants. Throw away the slippers, even if they are your favorite. Boots, shoes and sneakers can be treated using a special device that emits ultraviolet light. Alternatively, wipe the shoes with solutions of acetic acid (25%) or formaldehyde. Wash and iron socks, stockings, towels and bedclothes well. Nail clippers are disinfected by immersing in alcohol and heating over a fire.
Nail fungus prevention methods
If the treatment is carried out correctly, the disease does not return. Reinfection is much more common. So the most effective way to fight nail fungus is prevention. Do not walk barefoot in public places. Always wear flip flops and your own beach towel. At the pharmacy, you can buy a special spray that protects against fungus. They can be used to treat shoes and feet. Very convenient for visiting swimming pools or gyms.
It's easy to avoid nail fungus infection in your family - just follow simple rules of hygiene and wear only your own shoes. But it is best to simply monitor the health of your feet, wear comfortable, not tight shoes and regularly take care of the skin of your feet and nails using special creams and sprays. And make a rule for yourself: when you go to visit, take slippers with you. Then no fungus is scary.