The fungal infections of the nail plate are about half of all nail diseases and are quite common in modern society.
In most cases, the onychomycosis affects the nails plates on the legs, therefore the disease is not noticed immediately, but in the phase of the pronounced symptoms.This is an infectious disease that can manifest itself not only with a cosmetic defect, but also with a violation of the immune system and even the digestive tract.The nail fungus cannot be underestimated, its treatment should be timely under the control of an expert doctor.
Causes of fungal infection
The cause of the infection of the nail plate is usually three types of mushrooms: dermatophytes, mushrooms and molds similar to yeast.Very often in the moderate climate, onychomycosis is caused by the fungal microorganisms of Trichophophyton Rubrum (Trichophophyte Red) - is 70% of cases of Mentagophytes and Trichophyton (Trichophophyton of the Inter -Down) - 20% of the diagnosis.
You can be infected with onychomicosis in commonplaces such as a swimming pool, a sauna, a bathing establishment, when wearing the socks of other people and even in a pedicure session.
In addition, some people are predisposed to this disease due to various diseases.Among these pathologies, immunosuppressive states are distinguished associated with HIV infection or chronic treatment with immunosuppressants after organ transplantation or with some autoimmune diseases.
Despite the fact that the unicomicosis not treated is an infectious disease, most patients do not recognize their changes in the pathological of the nails, therefore they usually turn to medical help in advanced cases.And, by the way, ignoring the disease can lead to the loss of nails and spread nearby skin infection.
How the disease is manifested
Very often, the infection develops on the first and/or fifth finger of the foot (if the changes influence all nails, this is usually a symptom of another disease, for example psoriasis).Initially, the changes influence the edge of the nail, change the natural color in brown-yellowish.After the nail plate, it becomes fragile and fragile, over time it changes shape and thickens.
The most characteristic symptoms of the fungal nail infection include:
- Change the color of the nail in yellow, brown, black or black;
- Inspe with the nail plate and the development of its greater fragility;
- Deformation of the dish and its separation from the nail bed;
- An unpleasant smell that emanates from an infected nail;
- The formation of an inflammatory process around the nail.
At the advanced phase of the disease, the pain pronounced in the nail can develop and even difficulty walking.
Prevention and treatment of the nail fungus
Onychomycosis should be treated as soon as possible, since the infection tends to extend to other nails.In addition, the disease in the advanced phase leads to the destruction of the entire nail plate, which must later be removed.
Before prescribing the treatment, the doctor will surely prescribe a laboratory analysis, which will determine the type of mushroom, the degree of damage and choose the most effective treatment.The analysis includes the capture of the material from the affected nail plate and its microscope search.
How is the treatment of oticomicosis?The method and duration of infection therapy depend on many factors, including the severity of the nail injuries, the type of pathogen and related pathologies.
The treatment of fungal nail infection usually begins with the use of local drugs in the form of paints, lotions or creams that face the disease well in the early stages.If the changes affect more than a plate, they occur for a long time, local drugs are integrated by antifungal agents for oral administration.The doctor may prescribe drugs based on itraconazole or fluconazole.
In the event that the onychomycosis is persistent, it is not subject to the pharmacological or constantly recurring treatment, the doctor recommends removing the infected nail plate, thus eliminating the source of the infection.
Please note that onychomycosis is an infectious disease subject to frequent recurrences, so you should adhere to important preventive rules:
- Do not walk barefoot in the pool, gyms;
- Perform pedicure in salons with disinfection for high quality equipment;
- monitor the cleaning of the shoes;
- Wash your feet regularly;
- Answer the first symptoms, for example, a change in the color of the nail plate.
Attention!The source of ri -infection of the fungal infection is the shoes, so it is recommended to launch or disinfect it with special means that the doctor will talk about.