During this time, I probably tried various home remedies and consulted doctors several times.In this article, I’ll tell you what onychomycosis is, why it occurs, why it’s dangerous, and how to get rid of it.
What is onychomycosis
Officially, the disease is called onychomycosis – a fungal infection of the nails.60-70% of cases are caused by specific dermatophytes; mold and yeast infections are less common.In order to survive, reproduce and grow, dermatophytes require keratin.That’s why these fungi live in the nail plate, hair, and cuticles of the skin—where keratin is produced.
Typically, fungus begins to grow on the cut surface of the nail.The tip of the nail gradually changes color: to yellow, light brown or milky white.If left untreated, the infection can spread to the stratum corneum.Fungus can also start on the sides of the nail.
There is also white superficial onychomycosis.Physically, it looks like white or dark spots on the surface of the nail.It spreads from the center to the edges; if the disease is not treated, it can cover the entire deck.
Sometimes, proximal onychomycosis occurs - it affects the cuticle and root area of the nail.This usually occurs in people with weakened immune systems.
When the nail is completely destroyed by fungus, the condition is called general dystrophic onychomycosis.Visually, the nail looks terrible: it's thick, ribbed, and very dark in color.
reason
Onychomycosis is a very common disease.Onychomycosis accounts for 50-60% of all nail problems.I don't know where I got this fungus from, but the doctor gave me a way to get it.
Contact with contaminated surfaces.Fungal pathogens love moisture and therefore survive well in humid rooms (bathrooms or swimming pools).Sometimes fungus is a bonus in the beauty salon after a manicure or pedicure: just a micro-incision and poorly processed instruments are enough - that's it, the disease is there.You can also get a fungal infection if you wear shoes while barefoot after being sick.
Infection within the family.This fungus is highly contagious.If one family member becomes ill, other family members may become infected with onychomycosis.The risk increases if slippers, towels or bath mats are shared.However, the fungus can even spread through carpets, which is why it is so important for people with sore nails to follow hygiene rules.
Poor sanitary conditions.If a person doesn't wash their feet properly, trim their nails regularly, or rarely change their socks, they are more likely to contract fungus.
Tight shoes.This is another factor that increases the risk of disease.When we wear tight shoes, the blood supply to the feet and the base of the nails is disrupted.Onychodystrophy—a condition that looks similar to onychomycosis and often occurs along with onychomycosis—may occur.
certain professions.Onychomycosis is more common among people in certain occupations - housekeepers, cooks, cleaners, car washers.They frequently touch wet surfaces, wear rubber shoes and rubber gloves, and use chemicals that soften the nail plate.But the fungus loves all this and grows actively in such conditions.
accompanying diseasesIncrease the risk of infection because they weaken the immune system.This fungus is more common in people with varicose veins, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, or malignant tumors.Smokers and obese people are also at risk.Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) can also promote the growth of fungi.
Typically, this fungus occurs in people aged 30 and above, especially the elderly.Children get sick less frequently and respond better to topical treatments: their nail plates are thinner and the nails themselves grow faster.It has been proven that the shorter the exposure to the drug, the faster the effects occur in children.
Why are fungi dangerous?
Onychomycosis not only ruins the appearance of your feet but is a real disease that is harmful to your body.If fungus on one nail is not treated, it can spread to the remaining nails that are still healthy.For some people, fungal infections can cause allergies—the fungi themselves become allergens.
Dermatophytes feed on keratin, so keratin is no longer sufficient to promote nail growth.As a result, they become brittle, broken, and flaked.Over time, "keratin debris" will begin to accumulate between the nail and nail bed - this is formed when keratin breaks down due to fungal attack.This causes the nails to thicken and grow crookedly.Even though the nail is thick, it's still fragile - it can get caught on clothing and break easily.
Sometimes, with onychomycosis, your feet start to sweat more than usual - this can lead to a bad smell and you'll have to change your socks several times a day.
If an infected nail goes untreated for too long, it will begin to separate from the nail bed.First, it just hurts.Second, a wound appears where the nail was pulled, creating a moist, warm environment—the kind that dermatophytes like.In it they will grow faster.
And the treatment of late-stage onychomycosis is expensive.Most likely, a person will have to buy medications and change all shoes after completing treatment.If onychomycosis can be disinfected with a special disinfectant in the early stages, then after the condition is cured, all old shoes must be thrown away to avoid reinfection.
Fungi significantly reduce quality of life.I felt physically sick: my feet were sweating, and my nails were thick, brittle, and broken.Even in summer I have to wear closed shoes so as not to scare others.Additionally, the fungus greatly limited my activities: I couldn't really play sports or go to the swimming pool.I read that some people have a sense of shame that sometimes leads them to severe depression.Luckily, I didn't get to that point.
What are the symptoms of onychomycosis?
This condition occurs on your nails and feet when you have a fungal infection.
Nail color changesYellow, white or brown spots appear.This is more common in the initial stages of infection and is associated with the accumulation of keratin fragments in and under the nails.Nails look dull and not as shiny as before.
Structural changes:Nails thicken or begin to grow in a wavy pattern.When cutting, the cut will be uneven and the nail will break into pieces.
An unpleasant odor occursFeet sweat more.
I suspect fungus late.On the middle toe of the left foot, the nail becomes very thick and grows upward, making it stand out among other areas.I put off going to the doctor for so long and didn't get any treatment, so the infection spread to my other nails - and they turned yellow.
How I deal with fungus myself
When I suspected fungus, I thought it was nonsense.I did nothing for about a year hoping it would go away on its own.I then decided I should try to get away from him, but I still didn't understand the full complexity of the situation.I decided that just putting the magic polish and drops advertised on TV on my nails would be enough and it would all disappear.
When I realized the drops and varnish weren't helping, I started making foot baths.They write on the Internet that these are miracle procedures that will get rid of fungus forever.I don't like going to the doctor, so I trust these recommendations.
I soaked my feet in a solution of soda and liquid soap, dropped iodine into the water, and even took a few coffee baths.Then I learned that it's better to use brown laundry soap instead of liquid soap - when I grated it, the smell in the apartment was indescribable.I cut and scraped my steamed nails, then filled the bowl with vodka with scissors and files.I collected the nail fragments on a napkin and threw them in the trash.I also put aloe vera juice and propolis on my nails.These surgeries took much longer, so in the end I simply gave up on treatment.
I later realized that self-medicating was a big mistake on my part because it took over a year.But that didn't lead to anything: the fungus just seemed to start spreading.The reason for this was my laziness and lack of understanding of the situation.
how the doctor diagnosed me
The infected nail continues to grow and thicken.When I put on my socks and shoes, I feel uncomfortable and even have a little difficulty walking.
Then my wife and I booked a trip to Turkey.This was another reason I went to the doctor - it was just too embarrassing to show people my legs.
I made an appointment with a mycologist at the Dermatology and Venereology Clinic.Just by looking at the appearance of my nails, she said they looked like fungi, but she still sent me for testing.
I was asked to clip the infected nail and submit it for testing and they also asked for a general blood test.As the doctor explained, if the diagnosis was fungus, in my case, medication would definitely be required.Some of these have contraindications that can be identified by blood cell counts.
How do I treat onychomycosis under a doctor's supervision?
Three groups of drugs are used to treat fungal infections: drugs based on terbinafine, fluconazole, and itraconazole.All of these drugs destroy fungal cells, ultimately reducing their numbers and causing the death of the pathogen.The formal name for this class of drugs is antifungals.Like antibiotics, they must be taken on a strict schedule.This means it's not enough to take one pill and wait for symptoms to go away - it's important to complete the entire course of treatment.
The specific type of medication is prescribed by your doctor based on the type of fungus, extent of nail damage, patient's health, possible contraindications, and other factors.
Often, in addition to tablets, external treatments are available in the form of creams, ointments, sprays, etc. - which can help speed up the process.Such drugs may also help patients who are unable to take systemic antifungals for various reasons.
Photodynamic therapy is sometimes performed - when the nails are coated with a special substance which is then exposed to a cold beam of light and stops the spread of infection.They may offer laser treatment - a laser beam is believed to penetrate all layers of the nail and burn the mycelium of the fungus.But scientists still have little evidence that lasers actually work.
In the most severe cases, the nail is completely surgically removed.
The doctor prescribed Itraconazole tablets - 2 tablets, 2 times a day for a week.
I tolerated the treatment well, with the exception of two weeks where I had severe drowsiness - then I went to work, two hours each way, and slept on the train the whole time.No problem with digestion.
The nails themselves must be scraped off by hand.They suggested I bathe with laundry soap and soda and then apply urea paste to my nails.I use a small spatula, spread it on a quarter of a cotton pad, put it on my nail, wrap it up with a bandage and plaster, and leave like that for the day.During this time the top hard layer of the nail softened a bit and I then scraped it off.Then he immediately applies the composition again; this happens at least five times during the entire treatment period.The ointment helped and the nails were noticeably thinner.Cutting it became easier.
Three weeks later, the doctor scheduled a follow-up appointment.She then prescribed an econazole nitrate-based cream - which acts topically and destroys fungal cells like a pill.I need to apply cream on my nails twice a day and this time I am not lazy anymore.
Are there any problems with your nails now?
I did nail care for a year and a half.In July 2020, I started noticing white spots on them again.This time I went to the doctor right away and found out I had another infection.It's still early days, so topical treatments can help - the same varnishes, drops and creams.
Reinfection should not be confused with disease recurrence.Re-infection occurs when you are infected by the external environment, which means that it is actually no different from the original infection.As for recurrence, the most common reason is incomplete treatment.The focus of the infection then remains in the nail: it may not be apparent on the surface, but over time growth will definitely appear.
It's also possible that the wrong diagnosis was made from the beginning.For example, my doctor said that in medical practice, nail fungus is sometimes confused with nail psoriasis.The initial external symptoms of both diseases are very similar.
How to prevent onychomycosis
Prevention of fungi is directly related to the cause of its occurrence.Find out the causes, reverse the meaning and get prevention advice.
You must wear shoes in public places.Especially in those wet areas - gyms, showers, bathrooms, near swimming pools.
Don't wear other people's shoes.Even open-toed rubber flip-flops can present a risk of fungal infection.It's best to use a special solution to disinfect ordinary shoes, such as at an ice rink or bowling alley.When buying shoes, try on only the toes or heels.
Don't wear tight shoes.No amount of beauty can equal the health of your skin and nails.
Keep your feet dry.If your feet get wet, wash, dry and put on clean socks as soon as possible.The shoes themselves must be dry.
Maintain good foot hygiene.Dousing them with water every day in the shower is not enough.It is recommended to have a separate towel for your feet and wash them with soap, washing them all thoroughly and not just once on your heels and feet.
Trim nails carefully.Try to avoid injuries and micro-cuts - they will be entry points for any infection, not just fungus.Only use your own scissors and do not share them with anyone in the household.
If you get a manicure and pedicure, sterilize your tools.- This is also important for other infections.For example, I use alcohol spray on my files and scissors.I tell my wife to make sure the man in the manicure sterilizes the tools—usually done with hot steam.
How much does onychomycosis treatment cost?
To treat nail fungus, you need to see a dermatologist - if he specializes in fungal diseases, he is called a mycologist.Such a doctor will be able to make a diagnosis, assess the severity of the infection and choose a treatment.Self-administered medications may not be effective and may even be dangerous.
You can contact a dermatologist through compulsory health insurance: for this you need to make an appointment at a regular clinic or a dermatology and venereology clinic.Consultations, examinations and diagnostics are free of charge.
If you receive treatment at a private medical center, you will need to pay all costs.The cost of nail fungus testing depends on the method of analysis.
Onychomycosis, or onychomycosis, is an infectious disease that can easily be contracted in public showers, swimming pools, gyms, shoe stores, and nail salons.The earlier you start treating onychomycosis, the better and faster the results will be.It may be possible to use only local remedies without taking medications.
Only a doctor can choose the right treatment.Prescribing your own medications based on reviews and recommendations on the Internet is a questionable strategy.No matter how lazy you are, it's important to complete your treatment.To prevent onychomycosis, it's important to maintain foot hygiene and never wear someone else's shoes barefoot.