Nail fungus: causes and treatment of onychomycosis
Onychomycosis, or nail fungus, is an infection usually caused by a parasitic fungus of the nail. Damaged, yellowed, peeled off, the nail affected by onychomycosis requires specific treatment, followed rigorously for several months.
About 10% of the population has onychomycosis , most often on the nail of the big toe. Update on the causes of onychomycosis, its symptoms and the treatments for this nail fungus, too often neglected.
Nail fungus: the causes
Onychomycosis is most often caused by dermatophyte fungi , more rarely by yeasts or molds . Germs which have in common to like hot and humid places.
- A fungal nail infections caused by dermatophytes usually follows a fungus feet (known as the athlete's foot) , incurred on public land infected by fragments of skin filed by patients. This is particularly the case in swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms, sports locker rooms, medical offices, dance halls ... After several months, untreated athlete's foot spreads to the skin. nail and causes onychomycosis.
- Yeasts can also be the cause of onychomycosis in the fingernails. These fungi proliferate under the fingernails of people too often in contact with water.
- Mold contamination can occur from contact with contaminated soil.
- Risk factors for nail fungus
- Rare in children, onychomycosis is however very common in adults, reaching approximately 1 in 10 adults. Its prevalence increases with age, reaching 30% in those over 70 years of age.
Onychomycosis affects three times more men than women. If it is due to contamination by certain germs, different factors can however favor this infection:
- Certain diseases ( diabetes , HIV infection, AIDS , circulation disorders, skin diseases, etc.) and treatments ( immunosuppressive treatments , chemotherapy , cortisone, etc.);
- Toes that overlap or stand up, blows or bruises caused by sports activities or poorly fitted shoes;
- Wearing poorly ventilated shoes, occupations and / or activities requiring frequent contact with water;
- Aging ;
Symptoms of onychomycosis
A onychomycosis caused by fungus preferentially manifest to foot, and specifically at the corner of the big toenail . The symptoms are:
- Nail thickened, protruding and yellowish;
- A whitish, contagious powder appears when scratching under the nail;
- Appearance of white spots on the nail surface;
- Appearance, much more rarely, of black spots (which require the opinion of a specialist).
When caused by yeasts, onychomycosis mostly affects the fingernails . The symptoms are then more or less the same, namely:
- a detachment of the nail in which a yellowish-white coating forms;
- swollen, red, painful skin around the nail;
- superinfection with bacteria can lead to the appearance of a green pigment giving a musty appearance to the nail.
- These same symptoms characterize onychomycosis caused by molds .
Diagnosis of nail fungus
The diagnosis of onychomycosis is based on a mycological examination, a prerequisite to rule out other nail diseases. Unpleasant without being painful, the mycological sample requires cutting the detached nail as far as possible and scraping the powdery debris.
If the symptoms of onychomycosis are the white spots on the surface of the nail, the doctor will scrape the nail off for analysis. Few laboratories are specialized in the collection and analysis of nails, so the results are relatively slow to obtain (around 1 month).
Treatments for nail fungus
The treatment of onychomycosis can combine local treatments to general treatments depending on the severity and extent of the infection.
- For the beginning forms of onychomycosis , the application of an antifungal cream or a treatment varnish for two to six months is enough to overcome the onychomycosis.
- Sometimes the diseased nail has to be removed with the help of a paste applied every day and covered with a bandage. The nail thus treated disintegrates at the end of the treatment which lasts between two and four weeks; if it is not completely destroyed, the doctor will have to cut it out with special pliers. An antifungal cream or a treating varnish complete this treatment.
- In the event of failure, or for moldy onychomycosis , surgical removal of the nail is essential.
- The advanced forms , in turn, require the taking of a general treatment . Lasting from two to six months, it is taken orally and can cause side effects which are generally mild ( digestive disorders , redness), but sometimes more serious (hypersensitivity, skin rash, blood abnormalities, etc.).
How to prevent recurrence of onychomycosis?
Like any yeast infection, onychomycosis is an infection that recurs frequently.
Tips for preventing dermatophyte onychomycosis:
- Strict foot hygiene is essential, especially in people who sweat a lot in the extremities.
- Sports shoes should be reserved for sports activities and ventilated regularly. The rest of the time, it is better to prefer shoes with a leather insole.
- Cotton socks should also be preferred over synthetic socks, which do not absorb sweat well.
- In case of excessive sweating, there are antiperspirants in powder or spray form.
For all types of nail fungus, dermatologists also recommend:
- to have their nails cut short;
- to dry your feet well when you come out of the bath or shower, emphasizing the interdigital spaces;
- not to lend or borrow bathroom linen;
- to decontaminate his shoes and slippers using powders or antifungal lotions.
- The appearance of a crack or cut between the toes, a characteristic symptom of athlete's foot, is a warning signal for onychomycosis.
Yeast onychomycosis can be prevented:
- by wearing rubber gloves during activities requiring hand contact with water;
- by less frequent hand washing.