The fungus damages both part and the entire nail, including the nail plate, the bed and the root of the nail. The infection develops slowly, causing the nail to change color, thickening and folding. Concomitant signs can be skin lesions on the fingers, peeling, itching and redness. Over time, the nails deform so much that they interfere, for example, with the usual shoes.
Most often, the fungus affects the toenails. The medical name is onychomycosis. It is found mainly in older people and rarely in children. In most cases, mycosis of the nails develops under the influence of the dermatophyte fungus, which also affects the skin. Sometimes the disease is caused by other types of fungi.
In mild cases, nail treatment may not be necessary. To determine the exact cause of the infection and to rule out other possible diseases, a dermatologist will analyze the cut nail. Nail fungus can be cured, but sometimes it takes several months. Antifungal drugs come in the form of pills and nail polish. In case of advanced nail fungus, they resort to surgical removal of the nail. There is also a laser treatment method.
Nail fungus signs and symptoms
The most common symptom of onychomycosis is the discoloration and deformation of the nails. The nail can turn white, black, yellow or green. As a rule, nail fungus is not very worrying at first, and in most cases it presents no complications. If the infection is not treated, pain can develop in the affected nail. Toenail fungus makes walking and wearing shoes difficult, and if the nails are affected, it can be difficult to write.
As onychomycosis develops, other symptoms appear, for example, the nail may become brittle, loose or completely detach from the nail bed. If left untreated, the fungal infection can spread to the skin of the fingers and between the toes. White or yellow spots may appear on the nail bed and the skin around the nail may flake off. All these changes can be seen in the photo of the nail fungus.
Causes of nail fungus
The most common cause of toenail damage is a fungal skin infection, such as a toenail fungus. Foot fungus usually develops on the skin between the toes, causing it to become red, scaly, and itchy. The fungus grows and multiplies rapidly in hot, humid environments, so prolonged use of sneakers or sweating of the feet increases the chances of developing an infection. In about one third of people with foot fungus, tooth decay occurs.
Toenail fungus can be caused by an infection caused by candida yeast, which is also guilty of diseases such as vaginal thrush or stomatitis. The likelihood of developing nail fungus is higher if a person has to wash their hands often or keep them in water for a long time at work. Moisture exfoliates the skin at the base of the nail, making it easier for fungi to access the nail. The risk of developing candidal nail lesions is greater with some diseases, namely:
- diabetes mellitus or psoriasis;
- weakened immunity, for example, with HIV;
- poor general health.
Other factors that can increase the risk of developing nail fungus include:
- wearing false nails;
- damage to the nail;
- constantly biting your nails;
- live in a hot and humid climate;
- to smoke.
With age, the likelihood of developing nail fungus increases. Sometimes the fungus appears for no apparent reason.
Nail fungus treatment
In mild cases, treatment may not be necessary. However, if left untreated, the infection can spread to other nails and the skin of the toes and hands. To get rid of nail fungus as soon as possible, it is important to follow simple rules: give up shoes with sweaty feet, trim your nails and carefully monitor foot hygiene.
With the use of medication, a new healthy nail will begin to grow at the base of the nail bed, indicating that the treatment is helping. The old affected nail will gradually grow back and can be trimmed within a few months. If, after 2-3 weeks of treatment, the new nail does not begin to grow, consult a doctor. It is impossible to stop using prescribed medications without consulting a doctor, as this can lead to a return of the infection.
Foot Care Tips for Toenail Fungus
Below are some tips on how to contain the infection during and after treatment.
- keep the feet dry and cool, socks and shoes should allow the feet to "breathe";
- wear clean cotton socks and try to wear sneakers as little as possible;
- starting foot fungus treatment at the first signs of damage to prevent the infection from spreading to the nails;
- cut nails correctly;
- remove the affected areas of the nails with separate scissors to avoid spreading the infection;
- wear shoes of adequate size with low heels and a wide toe;
- wearing clean slippers in a public shower;
- if walking is difficult due to thickened nails, consult a dermatologist;
- it is recommended to get rid of old shoes that may be contaminated with fungal spores.
Medicines for nail fungus
When an antifungal tablet is taken, the medicine reaches the nail through the bloodstream. Most often, terbinafine and itraconazole are prescribed for nail fungus, which are very effective drugs. However, several months of therapy are required to completely clear the infection. If treatment is not completed, the infection can recur.
The advantage of the pills is that they will simultaneously help in eliminating any associated fungal infections, such as foot fungus. Possible side effects of antifungal pills:
- headache;
- itch;
- loss of taste;
- nausea;
- diarrhea.
Topical remedies for nail fungus
Antifungal nail polish can be used instead of pills. It is not as effective as pills because the medicine is applied to the affected nail and has to reach the site of the infection through it. It is often not possible to cover the entire lesion. Treatment of a nail on a hand can take about six months, on a toenail - up to a year.
To remove the affected nails, you can use a paste containing 40% urea. This paste is sold over the counter without a prescription. In the evening, the paste is gently applied to the affected nails, which are then covered with a bandage overnight. In the morning, the paste is washed off, and in the evening the nail is filed according to the instructions and the procedure is repeated. In about two weeks, the nails affected by the fungus dissolve.
This is a painless procedure that allows you to remove the affected nail plate and get rid of the fungus. Avoid taking medications for several months and painful surgeries. After the nail plate has melted, apply antifungal varnish on the nails twice a week so that the new nail is not infected.
Surgery and laser treatment for onychomycosis
In case of advanced toenail fungus or severe pain, surgical removal of the nail may be recommended if other treatments have failed. After the operation, over time, a new one will grow at the site of the removed nail, but this may take a year or more.
Another method of treating advanced nail fungus is laser treatment. The laser emits a powerful light energy that kills the fungus. Research results have shown that this treatment method is safe and effective, with some studies reaching 90% effectiveness after 3 months. However, there is little data on the long-term effectiveness of this method, as most studies have followed people for only 3 months. To achieve a lasting result, it is necessary to undergo a treatment every 3 months for up to a year. This procedure can be expensive.
The need for treatment and the choice of drug should be consulted with a dermatologist. Once the infection is cleared, the nail may not return to its original appearance. In these cases, the pieces of the nail are taken for analysis to determine if the infection has persisted in the thickness of the nail despite the treatment.