Nail fungus or onychomycosis is an unpleasant disease that cannot be noticed immediately.The fungus destroys your nail plate, causing discomfort and pain;if treatment for onychomycosis is initiated, it may lead to soft tissue pathologies.The fungus can easily spread to healthy fingernails or toenails, and this poses a great danger to your health and the health of others.
If you have doubts about the health of your nails, it is best to make an appointment with a dermatologist.Only with a complex treatment, which consists of a course of drugs, regular foot hygiene and special treatment of the nail plates, the treatment will bring a positive result.
The main symptoms of fungal infections:
- Brittle, rough nails
- Deformation of the nail plate
- The presence of inflamed tissue around the nail
- Delamination, thickening or thinning of the nail plate
- The presence of brown, black or yellow areas on the nails.
How do you get nail fungus?
Ways of infection with onychomycosis.If you follow hygiene rules, have good immunity and healthy and well-groomed skin, the risk of fungal infection is low.Fungi often enter the body through scratches, cuts, cracks and altered damaged areas of nails and skin.Excessive sweating or dry skin, or wearing tight shoes can contribute to fungal growth.
You are more vulnerable to nail fungus if you:
- Do you have varicose veins?
- Reduced immunity
- Wear non-breathable rubber shoes
- There are endocrine and vascular diseases
- Were in contact with a person infected with the fungus
- There are flat feet.
What danger does toenail fungus pose to humans?
In the advanced stage of onychomycosis, nail fungus causes an allergic reaction, has an intoxicating effect on the body and can affect internal organs.
How to cure nail fungus?
In the treatment of nail fungus, local medicines can be used - creams, ointments, plasters, which can also be used at home.Various spray options are available that have strong antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
In the early stages of the disease, the use of sprays or creams is recommended. Do not forget that the treatment of nail fungus is not only the removal of external manifestations. During the treatment, the dermatologist prescribes systemic drugs.The drug can be prescribed in the form of tablets, which will be taken for three to six months.
The most common mistakes in the treatment of toenail fungus
The moisture of your feet. Spore-shaped fungi are all around us.When the humidity of the skin is higher than 80%, fungal spores begin to multiply and infect the nail plate and the surrounding skin.
The presence of fungal spores on things.When you steam your socks, you kill the active fungal spores that remain there.If this is not done, then from the spores, in the presence of moist skin of the feet (favorable environment), high humidity of the shoes, the fungus actively begins to multiply.
Footwear hygiene.When you start treating nail fungus, be sure to treat all the shoes you wear.Use a personal towel intended for feet only.
Remains of fungal spores on the instruments. All nail cutting tools must be treated with disinfectant solutions;it is advisable to use disposable files for the care of affected nails.If the spores of the fungus remain on the tools, you can manually remove them for years, cut the traces of the fungus along with the nail, but this will not bring any results.
What should you follow when treating toenail fungus?
If you do not follow the recommendations during the treatment of nail fungus, a relapse may occur.Try to always keep your feet clean and change your socks daily.It is important that your feet wear the right shoes to prevent sweaty feet.After taking any water procedures, wipe your feet dry, paying special attention to the area between the toes.
Use an individual foot towel, which must be dried after use.If your shoes get wet, dry them immediately.It is recommended to change indoor shoes at least twice a year during treatment.Foot baths with soda and salt will also be useful.Feet should be washed daily with laundry soap or tar soap.
Always follow hygiene rules when visiting public places: saunas, baths, hammam, swimming pools.Do not self-medicate;it would be best to consult a dermatologist who will prescribe a treatment to get rid of nail fungus quickly and save your time and nerves.