The fungus damages both part and the entire nail, including the nail plate, the nail bed and the root of the nail. The infection develops slowly, causing the nail to change color, thicken, and bend. Concomitant signs may be skin lesions on the fingers, peeling, itching, and redness. Over time, the nails become so deformed that they interfere, for example, with wearing normal shoes.
Most often, the fungus affects the toenails. The medical name is onychomycosis. It is found mainly in older people and rarely in children. In most cases, nail fungus develops under the influence of the dermatophyte fungus, which also affects the skin. Sometimes the disease is caused by other types of fungi.
In mild cases, nail treatment may not be necessary. To determine the exact cause of the infection and rule out other possible diseases, a dermatologist will analyze the cut nail. Nail fungus can be cured, but sometimes it takes several months. Antifungal medications come in the form of pills and nail polish. In the case of advanced nail fungus, they resort to surgical removal of the nail. There is also a laser treatment method.
Signs and symptoms of nail fungus
The most common symptom of onychomycosis is discoloration and deformation of the nails. The nail can turn white, black, yellow, or green. As a general rule of thumb, nail fungus is not a cause for great concern at first, and in most cases there are no complications. If the infection is not treated, pain can develop in the affected nail. Toenail fungus makes it difficult to walk and wear shoes, and if your nails are affected, it can be difficult to write.
As onychomycosis develops, other symptoms appear, for example, the nail may become brittle, loosen, or completely detach from the nail bed. If left untreated, the fungal infection can spread to the skin of the fingers and interdigital spaces. White or yellow spots may appear on the nail bed and the skin around the nail may peel off. All these changes can be seen in the photo of nail fungus.
Causes of nail fungus
The most common cause of toenail damage is a fungal skin infection, such as a toenail fungus. Typically, foot fungus develops on the skin between the toes, causing it to become red, scaly, and itchy. Fungi grow and multiply rapidly in hot and humid environments, so prolonged use of sports shoes or sweaty feet increases the chances of developing an infection. In about a third of people with toenail fungus, tooth decay occurs.
Toenail fungus can be caused by an infection caused by candida yeast, which is also to blame for conditions such as vaginal yeast infection or stomatitis. The probability of developing nail fungus is higher if a person has to wash their hands frequently or keep them in water for a long time at work. Moisture exfoliates the skin at the base of the nail, making it easier for fungi to access the nail. The risk of developing Candida nail lesions is higher with certain diseases, namely:
- diabetes mellitus or psoriasis;
- weakened immunity, for example, with HIV;
- poor general health.
Other factors that can increase your risk of developing nail fungus include:
- wear false nails;
- damage to the nail;
- constantly biting your nails;
- live in a hot and humid climate;
- of smoking.
With age, the likelihood of developing nail fungus increases. Sometimes the fungus appears for no apparent reason.
Nail fungus treatment
In mild cases, treatment may not be required. However, if left untreated, the infection can spread to other nails and the skin on the fingers and toes. To get rid of nail mycosis as soon as possible, it is important to follow simple rules: give up shoes with sweaty feet, trim your nails, and carefully monitor foot hygiene.
With the use of medications, a new healthy nail will begin to grow at the base of the nail bed, indicating that the treatment is helping. The old affected nail will gradually grow back and can be trimmed in a few months. If, after 2-3 weeks of treatment, the new nail does not start to grow, you should consult a doctor. It is impossible to stop using prescription drugs without consulting a doctor, as this can lead to a recurrence of the infection.
Foot care tips for nail fungus
Here are tips on how to contain the infection during and after treatment.
- keep feet dry and cool, socks and shoes should allow feet to "breathe";
- wear clean cotton socks and try to wear sneakers as little as possible;
- start treatment for foot fungus at the first signs of damage to prevent the infection from spreading to the nails;
- trim nails correctly;
- remove the affected areas of the nails with separate scissors to prevent the spread of infection;
- wear shoes of an appropriate size with low heels and with a wide toe;
- put on clean slippers in a public shower;
- if walking is difficult due to thickened toenails, consult a dermatologist;
- It is advisable to get rid of old shoes that may be contaminated with fungal spores.
Medications for nail fungus.
When an antifungal tablet is taken, the medicine reaches the nail through the bloodstream. Most of the time, terbinafine and itraconazole are prescribed for nail fungus, which are very effective medications. However, it takes several months of therapy to completely clear the infection. If treatment is not completed, the infection may return.
The advantage of the pills is that they will simultaneously help to eliminate associated fungal infections, such as foot fungus. Possible side effects of antifungal pills:
- headache;
- Itch;
- loss of taste;
- nausea;
- Diarrhea.
Topical remedies for nail fungus
Antifungal nail polish can be used instead of pills. It is not as effective as pills because the drug is applied to the affected nail and needs to reach the infection site through it. Often times, it is not possible to cover the entire injury. Treatment of a nail on a hand can take about six months, on a toenail - up to a year.
To remove the affected nail plates, you can use a paste containing 40% urea. This paste is sold without a prescription. In the evening, the paste is gently applied to the affected nails, which are then covered with a bandage overnight. In the morning, the paste is washed off, and in the evening the nail is filed according to the instructions and the procedure is repeated. In about two weeks, the nails affected by the fungus dissolve.
This is a painless procedure that allows you to remove the affected nail plate and get rid of the fungus. Avoid taking medications for several months and painful surgeries. After the nail plate has dissolved, antifungal varnish should be applied to the nails twice a week so that the new nail does not get infected.
Surgery and laser treatment for onychomycosis.
In cases of advanced nail fungus or severe pain, surgical removal of the nail may be recommended if other treatments have failed. After the operation, over time, a new one will grow at the site of the extracted nail, but this may take a year or more.
Another method of treating advanced nail fungus is laser treatment. The laser emits powerful light energy that kills the fungus. Research results have shown this treatment method to be safe and effective, with some studies reaching 90% effectiveness after 3 months. However, there is little data on the long-term effectiveness of this method, as most studies have followed people for only 3 months. To achieve a long-lasting result, you need to undergo treatment every 3 months for up to one year. This procedure can be expensive.
The need for treatment and the choice of medication should be discussed with a dermatologist. Once the infection is removed, the nail may not return to its original appearance. In these cases, fragments of the nail are taken to analyze them and determine if the infection has persisted in the thickness of the nail despite the treatment.