Beautiful, well-groomed legs are a source of pride for any woman and a source of worship for men. And it's a shame if your nails turn yellow, cracks and stains appear on them. And what's more, the constant itching between my 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 on Earth suffers from fungal diseases of the feet and nails. The reasons for this event are varied - 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 treat nail fungus yourself, an initial consultation with a specialist is still necessary. At a minimum, in order to select the most effective drug available on the modern pharmaceutical market. There is a wide variety of products.
- One of the most "popular" places where you can catch toenail fungus are baths and showers, swimming pools (outdoor and indoor) and other similar establishments. Use personal shoes, towels and dressing gowns, do not walk barefoot and do not borrow pumice from a neighbor - these are simple but very effective preventive measures against foot fungus for those who regularly visit thefitness centers and public baths.
- What starts out as an innocent sign of dry skin may turn out to be fungus. Do not delay treatment!
Nail fungus - what kind of "beast" is it?
A healthy nail plate should be smooth, pink and shiny. And if at least one of these conditions is not met, then there is a problem. According to statistics, 50% of all nail diseases are fungal infections. In addition to the fact that the disease causes many purely aesthetic problems, treatment also requires serious and long treatment.
It all starts with the skin of the feet, most often with the interdigital folds. Typically, the first symptom of foot fungus (more often called onychomycosis in medical circles) is peeling, accompanied by burning and itching. Bubbles then appear which burst, forming ulcers and cracks. You don't have to think that everything will disappear on its own, you just have to be a little patient. If treatment is not started immediately, the fungus can spread to the nails and continue to grow and multiply. Slowly but surely, foot fungus invades more and more space.
The main symptoms of nail fungus:
- Cracks in the interdigital folds (usually between the 1st and 2nd and 4th and 5th fingers);
- Thickening of the skin;
- Itching;
- Redness;
- Burning sensation;
- Thickening, brittleness or thinning of the nail.
Risk area
Nail fungus is spread from person to person. And the main way the infection enters the skin is through microcracks. Why do they appear? For example, wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes causes sand to get into the spaces between the toes on the beach. In the future, the disease leads to inflammation of the skin and the formation of deep cracks. The risk of contracting a fungus is higher in people who have circulatory problems in the legs, deformed feet, excessive sweating of the feet and in those who are overweight. Stress, smoking and alcohol abuse can also provoke the development of fungal infections, as they contribute to a decrease in immunity.
The easiest way to become infected with fungus is in public places. For example, in a public bath, swimming pool or in the showers of fitness clubs, where a humid environment is constantly maintained, so appreciated by microorganisms. The whole family can suffer from this, in which all members of the household use the same bathroom and it is customary to share towels. By the way, those who were infected by relatives account for more than 30% of all cases. Fungi are also transmitted through pedicure and manicure accessories, shoes and socks. You also need to be careful during vacations. In beach sand, mushrooms remain viable for months. Affected skin particles easily adhere to the wet foot.
Nail fungus: self-medication is canceled
The appearance of fungus cannot be masked. If you have symptoms of this disease, in no case should you delay a visit to the doctor. Self-medication is fraught with pitfalls. Prolonged onychomycosis can cause an allergic reaction, weaken the immune system and lead to an exacerbation of chronic diseases. Alas, without special diagnostics it is impossible to determine the exact cause of changes in the structure of the nail plates. There are several dozen varieties of fungal infections. Moreover, 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 on the basis of scraping the nail for microscopic examination. Most often, this data is enough to prescribe treatment. True, there are special cases that require a culture test, when particles of the nail are taken and placed in special conditions for active growth of fungi. This makes it possible to understand exactly which "parasites" have attacked the nail and which antimycotic drugs fight them best.
The mycologist knows everything about the disease. Certainly, it is difficult to find in public clinics. For a consultation, you should contact the dispensary for skin and venereal diseases (KVD). Another option is a dermatologist. This specialist is more accessible.
Treatment without sacrifices
Previously, radical methods were used to treat fungus: the affected nails were simply surgically removed, after which there was a long rehabilitation period. Since then, medicine has taken a big step forward and a more adequate method is now used: hardware treatment of nails. The device is somewhat reminiscent of a dentist's drill. At the end of the device is a drill that grinds the nail as much as necessary. After the procedure, nothing hurts. Nails should be treated as they grow. And only the doctor can decide how many sessions are necessary.
There are many fungi, the differences are in the symptoms and routes of infection, but the treatment of all fungal infections is almost the same and takes 3 to 6 months. And there is no need to believe the numerous stories of happy relief from the disease thanks to folk methods. Alas, no homemade bath or wrap can kill the fungus.
Removal of the nail plate is only necessary if more than 40% of the surface is affected. At the initial stage of the disease, when the fungus has not yet begun to destroy the nail, external medications are enough: medicinal varnish or a special solution. If less than 40% of the nail plate is affected, a course of antimycotic drugs is prescribed.
Disinfect it!
An important issue during and after nail fungus treatment is antibacterial treatment of any areas where affected skin particles might remain. The walls and bottom of the bathtub must be thoroughly cleaned with special disinfectants. Throw out your slippers, even if they're your favorite. Boots, shoes and sneakers can be treated using a special device that emits ultraviolet light. You can also wipe shoes with solutions of acetic acid (25%) or formaldehyde. Wash socks, stockings, towels and bed linen and iron them well. Nail scissors are disinfected by immersion in alcohol and heated over a fire.
Prevention methods against nail fungus
If treatment is carried out correctly, the disease does not return. Reinfection is much more common. The most effective remedy in the fight against nail fungus is therefore prevention. Do not go barefoot in public places. Always bring flip flops and your own towel to the beach. You can buy a special spray at the pharmacy that protects against fungus. They can be used to treat shoes and feet. Very practical for visiting swimming pools or fitness rooms.
It's easy to avoid nail fungus in your family: just follow simple hygiene rules and use only your own shoes. But the best thing is 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 visiting, take slippers with you. So no mushrooms are scary.