Onychomycosis or nail fungus is contagious
a fungal disease that affects fingernails and toenails and is easily transmitted to others.The causative agents are mainly fungi from the genus Trichophyton, Epidermophyton or Microsporum.For the growth and reproduction of fungal colonies, they use the protein keratin, which is one of the ingredients of nails, hair and the upper layer of the skin (epidermis).
Onychomycosis is easily transmitted both by direct contact with an infected person or animal, and by other transmission factors, for example, by contact with the patient's personal belongings or any object that has somehow interacted with the carrier of the infection.It occurs more often in older people or in adults with a weakened immune system.
Although nail fungus in itself is not life-threatening, it "disturbing" a person's immune system, the body becomes more susceptible to other diseases, and in the absence of adequate treatment, it can cause irreparable complications, so the treatment of nail fungus must be taken very seriously.
Causes of nail fungus
A warm and constantly moist environment is the optimal conditions for fungal colonies.The risk of infection is increased in places where the sanitary and epidemiological regime is not respected.You can "catch" onychomycosis in public places or through shared objects.
Fungi are natural inhabitants of the skin and mucous membranes;the immune system constantly encounters them and in a healthy state easily copes with them.But some factors cause a decrease in the body's defenses, which activates the fungal invasion.among them:
- suffered serious illnesses;
- circulation problems (for example, due to tight shoes);
- constant exposure to a warm, humid environment (for example, with hyperhidrosis or wet shoes);
- hormonal imbalances;
- venous thrombosis, systemic vascular diseases;
- nail injuries;
- taking antibacterial drugs;
- stress, etc.
Patients with systemic diseases are especially susceptible to mycoses: diabetes, psoriasis and immunodeficiency conditions.
The probability of developing onychomycosis is much higher in people who suffer from skin fungi.Mycosis of the skin is accompanied by severe itching, and constant scratching causes nail infection and the spread of the infection.
Types of nail fungus
Onychomycosis refers to superficial mycoses - fungal invasions affecting the skin and mucous membranes.If the immune system is significantly weakened, deep mycoses can develop - fungal infections of internal organs.
There are many types of nail fungus, but they all fall into one of three categories:
- Normotrophic onychomycosis - the nail may change color, be covered with bright spots or stripes, but the shape and structure of the nail plate does not change.
- Hypertrophic - the nail noticeably turns yellow, thickens, deforms, the nail loses its shine and begins to collapse on the sides.
- Onycholytic (atrophic) - affected nails become thin, brittle and gradually peel off from the nails.
Signs of damage to the fungal nail plate
There are a huge number of types of fungi, so the symptoms of the disease can manifest in different ways:
- light spots or streaks appear;
- the color of the nail becomes earthy gray, yellow or light brown, the pink shade changes;
- the nail thickens, deforms, cracks and, in advanced cases, peels;
- pain in the area of the affected nail, especially when wearing shoes.
Nails affected by onychomycosis can cause an unpleasant odor and severe pain when walking.Advanced fungal infections can cause allergic reactions and create a favorable "platform" for the development of other infectious diseases.
Stages of development
Fungi can enter through the free (distal) edge of the nail, lateral folds on the side or through damaged areas of the nail.First, the infection is fixed on the edges of the nail and as the colony grows, it spreads to the entire nail.The fungus can penetrate the epithelial tissue under the nail plate through microcracks and wounds on the nail.
Usually, the big toes are the first to suffer from fungus.The first manifestations of onychomycosis are the appearance of bright spots on the nails.The color of the nail plate changes - the pink shade characteristic of healthy nails disappears.The nail plate becomes earthy-grey, yellowish or whitish and loses its transparency.The edge of the nail starts to crack and become thinner.
If there has been fixation of fungi and the formation of mycelium, deformation of the nail gradually begins.After penetrating the nail plate, mycosis slowly spreads to the hard shell of the nail, and then to the adjacent tissues.Air voids appear and delamination begins.Some try to cut off the entire affected area - this will not give the expected result, because the infection has already penetrated into the deeper layers.Sometimes there are disturbances in the process of nail tissue formation - the nails will grow poorly, and new areas will appear already deformed.
Then, the nail begins to decay, pain may appear and an unpleasant odor may be felt.The next stage of the infectious process is the transfer of the fungus to the adjacent nails and adjacent areas of the skin.
The longer you ignore the problem of fungi, the stronger they will "take root" in the body and the harder it will be to cure them later.Therefore, if the color of the nail, its structure or shape has changed, immediately consult a dermatologist or mycologist.
Diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis
Onychomycosis will not go away on its own.Treatment of onychomycosis with "folk methods" or the use of antimycotic drugs "randomly", as a rule, is not effective.Even if it has a short-term effect, then over time the untreated disease recurs.To get rid of onychomycosis, you need a systematic approach and the participation of a doctor.
To confirm the diagnosis, nail scraping is usually prescribed - a microscopic examination for the presence of pathogenic fungi, then a culture is performed to determine the specific pathogen.Based on the test results, the doctor will be able to choose the optimal course of treatment.
The course of treatment for onychomycosis can last from 2 to 6 months, depending on the severity of the disease.The result will be visible later, in a few months, when the nail recovers.
Antimycotics are preparations of local (cream, spray, ointment, gel) and complex action (injections, tablets).In addition to the use of medicines, during the treatment of fungi it is necessary to disinfect shoes, gloves, floors and bathrooms, towels and bedding.
In extremely advanced cases, the nail is destroyed to such an extent that the only effective treatment is its removal.However, surgery is resorted to only if other methods of treating onychomycosis have failed and there is a risk of further spread of the infection.
Prevention of nail fungus
The body does not create specific (targeted) immunity against fungi, and even after successful treatment of onychomycosis, if hygiene rules are not followed, there is a risk of re-infection.
To avoid getting onychomycosis, it is important to:
- adhere to the rules of personal hygiene;
- do not use other people's personal belongings or clothing;
- wash your feet (or at least your feet) daily with cold water and soap;
- so that socks or stockings are always clean and dry;if you are prone to excessive sweating, treat your feet with special preparations;
- do not let your nails grow, but do not cut them too short so that they remain even with the pads of the toes;
- periodically disinfect the nails with an antiseptic;
- Clean regularly and avoid moisture and excessive moisture.
In case of nail injuries, it is important to immediately treat the wound with an antiseptic and consult a doctor for immediate treatment of the wound, because it can serve as a "gateway" for a fungal infection.