How to cure nail fungus and how much does it cost
I have been treating toenail fungus for five years - the disease goes away and then comes back again.
During this time, I have already tried, probably, all types of folk remedies, several times I went to the doctor. In the article I will tell you what nail fungus is, why it occurs, why it is dangerous and how to get rid of it.
There will be photos in the article - they are not the most pleasant. But forewarned means armed, because most often the fungus can be suspected by the appearance of the nails.
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What is nail fungus
Officially, this disease is called onychomycosis - a fungal infection of the nail. In 60-70% of cases, it is caused by special dermatophyte fungi; infection from molds and yeasts is less common. To live, reproduce and grow, dermatophytes need a protein called keratin. That is why these fungi live in the nail plates, hair and the stratum corneum - where keratin is produced.
Onychomycosis: Epidemiology, clinical features, and diagnosis - article on Uptodate
Usually, the fungus begins to develop from the side of the cut of the nail. The tip of the nail gradually changes color: it becomes yellowish, light brown or milky. If left untreated, the infection spreads towards the cuticle. The fungus can also start from the lateral surface of the nail.
There is also white superficial onychomycosis. Outwardly, it looks like white or dull spots on the surface of the nail. It spreads from the center to the edges, if the disease is not treated, it can cover the entire nail plate.
Occasionally, proximal onychomycosis occurs - it affects the nail in the cuticle and root area. This usually happens in people with weakened immunity.
When the nail is completely destroyed due to the fungus, this condition is called general dystrophic onychomycosis. Outwardly, the nail looks terrible: it is thick, ribbed and an unpleasant dark color.
Nail fungus is not skin fungus
Fungus of nails should not be confused with fungus of the skin or "fungus of the feet", even if they are looking for it on the Internet under these requests.
Doctors call nail fungus onychomycosis, this word is derived from the Greek όνυχο - "nail" and μύκης - "mushroom". In the vast majority of cases, it affects the toenails. Fungi on the skin are called dermatomycosis - they settle not only on the feet, but also on other parts of the body.
These diseases are caused by similar pathogens, but they have different symptoms and different treatments. In this article, we will talk specifically about nail fungus.
Causes of occurrence
Nail fungus is a very common disease. Onychomycosis accounts for 50-60% of all nail problems. I do not know where I picked up the fungus myself, but here are the ways doctors give it.
Contact with contaminated surfaces. The causative agents of the fungus are very fond of dampness, and therefore live well in humid rooms - baths or swimming pools. Sometimes, as a bonus, the fungus is brought from beauty salons after a manicure or pedicure: just one micro-cut and poorly processed tools are enough - and that's it, the disease is right there. You can also get fungus if you put shoes on your bare feet after a sick person.
What to do?
Should beauty salon employees have medical records?
Intrafamilial infection. The fungus is highly contagious. If one of the household members is sick , the rest of the family can also become infected with onychomycosis. The risks are increased if you use the same slippers, a common washcloth or bath mat. However, the fungus can even be transmitted through carpets, which is why it is so important for a person with diseased nails to follow the rules of hygiene.
Poor hygiene. If a person does not wash his feet well, does not cut his nails on time, rarely changes socks, it will be easier for him to pick up the fungus.
Tight shoes. This is another factor that increases the risk of the disease. When we wear tight shoes, the blood supply in the foot and nail roots is disrupted. Onychodystrophy may develop - a condition that looks like nail fungus and is often associated with it.
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Certain professions. Fungus of nails is much more common in people of some professions - housekeepers, cooks, cleaners, car wash workers. They often come into contact with damp surfaces, wear rubber shoes and rubber gloves, and use chemicals that soften the nail plate. And the fungus is very fond of all this and actively grows in such conditions.
Comorbidities increase the risk of infection because they weaken the immune system. Fungus is more common in people who suffer from varicose veins, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease or malignant neoplasms. Smokers and obese people are also at risk. Excessive sweating - hyperhidrosis - also promotes the growth of fungi.
Typically, the fungus occurs in people 30 and older, especially the elderly. Children get sick less often and respond better to local treatment: they have a thinner nail plate, and the nail itself grows faster. It turns out that with a shorter exposure to the drug, the effect in children comes faster.
Onychomycosis: Managemen - Article on Uptodate. Section Dermatophyte Onychomycosis
Is it possible to get a fungus in the pool
Toenail fungus is really easy to get in humid rooms and places where there are a lot of people. This is due to the fact that the nail plates quickly soften, plus in such an environment the fungi themselves actively multiply.
To protect yourself, you must definitely wear shoes, thoroughly wash your feet and disinfect them - there are often baths or taps with special solutions before entering the pool hall. It is important to use only your own towels and never wear someone else's shoes.
Why the fungus is dangerous
Fungus of nails does not just spoil the appearance of the feet, it is a real disease that is dangerous to the body. If left untreated, the fungus on one nail will spread to the rest of the nails that are still healthy. In some people, a fungal infection can cause allergies - the fungus itself becomes the allergen.
Dermatophyte fungi feed on keratin, so there is not enough of it for nail growth. Because of this, they become brittle, crumble and exfoliate. Over time, "keratin debris" will begin to accumulate between the nail and the nail bed - it is formed when keratin is destroyed due to the influence of fungi on it. From this, the nail becomes thicker and grows crookedly. Despite the fact that the nail is thick, it is still very fragile - it will catch on clothes and easily break.
Sometimes, with nail fungus, the feet begin to sweat more than usual - this leads to an unpleasant odor, so you have to change socks several times a day.
If the infected nail is left untreated for a long time, it will begin to separate from the nail bed. First , it just hurts. Secondly , a semblance of a wound will appear at the site of the removed nail, a moist warm environment will appear - just the kind that dermatophytes love. In it, they will grow even faster.
And neglected nail fungus is expensive to treat. Most likely, the person will have to buy medications and change all shoes after treatment is complete. If at the initial stages of onychomycosis it can be disinfected with the help of special disinfecting solutions, then after recovering from a neglected disease, all old shoes will have to be thrown away so as not to become infected again.
The fungus significantly reduces the quality of life. I was physically uncomfortable: my legs were sweating, my nails were thick, crumbled and broke. Even in the summer I had to walk in closed shoes so as not to frighten others. In addition, the fungus severely limited activity: I could not really play sports and go to the pool. I read that some people have such a feeling of shame, which sometimes even rolls into severe depression. Fortunately, I didn't get to that.
