Beautiful, well-groomed legs are a source of pride for every woman and a source of worship for men. And it's a real shame if your nails turn yellow, cracks and stains appear. And then 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 of the Earth suffers from fungal diseases of the feet and nails. The reasons for the event are various: from weakened immunity to incorrectly selected shoes.
- Open and 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, to select the most effective drug available on the modern pharmaceutical market. There is a large variety of products.
- One of the most "popular" places where you can contract nail fungus are bathrooms 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 fitness centers and public baths.
- What begins as an innocent sign of dry skin can turn out to be fungus. Don't delay treatment!
Nail fungus: what kind of "beast" is this?
A healthy nail plate should be smooth, pink and shiny. And if at least one of these requirements 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 cosmetic problems, treatment also requires serious and long treatment.
It all starts with the skin of the feet, most often with the interdigital folds. As a rule, the first symptom of foot mycosis (more often called onychomycosis in medical circles) is scaling, accompanied by burning and itching. Then bubbles appear and burst, forming ulcers and cracks. You shouldn't think that everything will go away by itself, you just need to have a little patience. If treatment is not started immediately, the fungus can spread to the nails and continue to grow and multiply. Slowly but surely, foot fungi are conquering more and more spaces.
The main symptoms of nail fungus:
- Cracks in the interdigital folds (usually between the 1st-2nd and 4th-5th toes);
- Thickening of the skin;
- Itching;
- Redness;
- Burning sensation;
- Thickening, brittleness or thinning of the nail.
Risk area
Nail fungus is transmitted from person to person. And the main way the infection penetrates the skin is microcracks. Why do they appear? For example, wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes on the beach can cause sand to get into the spaces between your toes. In the future, the disease leads to inflammation of the skin and the formation of deep cracks. The risk of contracting a fungus is greater 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 cause the development of fungal infections, as they contribute to reduced immunity.
The easiest way to get a fungal infection is in public places. For example, in a bathhouse, in a swimming pool or in the showers of fitness clubs, where a humid environment, so loved by microorganisms, is constantly maintained. The whole family can suffer from it, where all family members 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 should also be careful while on vacation. In the beach sand, the mushrooms remain viable for months. The affected skin particles easily stick to the wet foot.
Nail fungus: self-medication canceled
The appearance of the mushroom cannot be hidden. If you notice the symptoms of this disease, in no case should you postpone a visit to the doctor. Self-medication is fraught with complications. Prolonged onychomycosis can cause an allergic reaction, weaken the immune system and lead to exacerbation of chronic diseases. Unfortunately, without special diagnostics, it is impossible to determine the exact cause of changes in the structure of the nails. 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 of the nail for microscopic examination. Most often, these data are sufficient to prescribe treatment. True, there are special cases that require a culture test, when nail particles are taken and placed in special conditions for the active growth of fungi. This allows you to understand exactly which "parasites" have attacked the nail and which antifungal drugs are best to fight them.
The mycologist knows everything about the disease. True, it can hardly be found in public clinics. For consultation, you need to contact the dispensary of skin and venereal diseases (KVD). Another option is a dermatologist. This specialist is more accessible.
Treatments without sacrifices
Previously, radical methods were used to treat fungi: the affected nails were simply removed surgically, after which there was a long period of rehabilitation. Since then, medicine has made a big step forward and now a more adequate method is used - hardware treatment of nails. The unit is somewhat reminiscent of a dentist's drill. At the end of the device there is a drill that smoothes the nail as necessary. After the procedure nothing hurts. Nails should be treated as they grow. And only the doctor can decide how many sessions will be 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 lasts from 3 to 6 months. And you don't have to believe the numerous stories of happy relief from the disease with traditional methods. Unfortunately, no homemade bath or compress can kill the fungus.
Removal of the nail plate is necessary only 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 drugs are sufficient: medicinal varnish or a special solution. If less than 40% of the nail plate is affected, a course of antifungal drugs is prescribed.
Disinfect it!
An important issue during and after nail fungus treatment is the antibacterial treatment of all places where affected skin particles may remain. The walls and bottom of the tank must be cleaned thoroughly with special disinfectants. Throw away your slippers, even if they are your favorite. Boots, shoes and sneakers can be treated using a special device that emits ultraviolet light. Alternatively, clean shoes with acetic acid (25%) or formaldehyde solutions. Wash socks, stockings, towels and bedding and iron well. Nail scissors are disinfected by soaking them in alcohol and heating them over a fire.
Prevention methods for nail fungus
If the treatment is carried out correctly, the disease does not return. Reinfection is much more common. So the most effective remedy in the fight against nail fungus is prevention. Don't go barefoot in public places. Always bring flip-flops and your own towel to the beach. In the pharmacy you can buy a special spray that protects against fungi. They can be used to treat shoes and feet. Very convenient for visiting swimming pools or fitness rooms.
It is easy to avoid nail fungus infection in your family - just follow simple hygiene rules and only use 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 to visit, bring slippers with you. Then no mushroom is scary.