Fungus affecting the toe nails is an infectious disease caused by a fungus.Today, there are over 50 pathogens, making classification of the disease even more complex; this article discusses the most common varieties, as well as ways to get rid of this condition.
reason
The cause of fungal infection of toenails is infection with pathogenic microorganisms; their penetration can occur in three main ways:
- This path, which penetrates beneath the free edge of the nail plate and subsequently deepens, is the most common.
- In rare cases, penetration of the dorsal part of the nail is observed, since not all fungal organisms can gain access.In this case, the development of pathological processes occurs faster.
- Penetration through the proximal ridge is also fairly rare and occurs most often in the arms rather than the legs.
Usually, fungal infections occur under the influence of the following predisposing factors:
- Mechanical damage resulted in damage to the deck.
- Excessive use of degreasers or cleaning products containing harmful ingredients; systematic exposure to water.
- Wearing ill-fitting, uncomfortable shoes and items made of synthetic materials creates favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.
- Increased sweating, regardless of the cause.
- flatfoot.
- The anatomy of the developing foot, specifically the narrow space between the toes, disrupts natural air exchange.
- Lack of hygienic foot care and prompt trimming of overgrown nails.
- Immune system dysfunction.
- There is a tendency for varicose veins.
- Due to the climatic conditions of the area, always wear warm clothing or shoes.Living in a subtropical climate also increases the risk of fungal diseases, as warm temperatures and high humidity are favorable factors for the reproduction of these organisms.
- Advanced age.Changes in the body of older adults increase the likelihood of infection.
- Perform work activities under adverse conditions, including gas- and dust-filled rooms, difficult physical labor, high humidity, and frequent exposure to chemicals.
- Gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, obesity, natural metabolic disorders, HIV infection, thyroid dysfunction.All of these health problems can put people at risk.
- Long-term use of powerful antibiotics and hormonal drugs.
- Visit public baths, saunas and swimming pools.
- Use shared footwear and personal care products.
- Undergoing various cosmetic surgeries where the instruments used were not properly handled.
Types and symptoms
The symptoms that occur when a toenail is affected depend on the type of fungus and the causative agent of the disease.
The main types and their characteristic clinical manifestations are as follows:
- Normal nutritional fungi.The main symptom is a change in the color of the nail plate; its thickness and structure are not affected by the pathological process.In the initial stage, obvious white or yellowish stripes and spots will form, which are concentrated on the sides.If left untreated, they can begin to grow and cover the entire nail.
- Hypertrophic fungi.With this disease, not only changes in color occur, but also an increase in plate thickness is observed, which is associated with accelerated growth of the skin under the nails.Gradually, nails lose their healthy shine, they become more brittle, and they begin to discolor even with the slightest amount of force.First, the lateral areas are destroyed, but if left untreated, overall deformation is observed, as a result of which the appearance of the nail begins to resemble a bird's claw.
- Atrophic fungi.The first symptom of this pathology is a change in color: the nail plate takes on a characteristic brown-gray hue.Soon, its natural shine disappears and damage occurs gradually.If left untreated, disease progression can lead to complete exposure of the nail fold and tissue necrosis.
- Lateral and distal fungi.Both species cause the formation of yellow transverse grooves, at the same time a darkening of the nail plate surface is observed.If the causative agent is mold, the affected area may appear green or black.The brittleness gradually increases and the structure of the plate becomes uneven and rough.After the affected area dies, the nail becomes deformed and the nail fold becomes partially exposed.This pathology causes severe physical discomfort to the patient, resulting in ongoing pain if the ridges of skin become swollen and red.
- Proximal fungi.This disease is extremely rare; in the initial stages, the area around skin folds is affected.The main cause of the pathology is a side effect of the removal of the cuticle, after which the area of the plate near the growth zone acquires a characteristic white color.The localization of the lesions is related to the spreading characteristics of the fungal spores; they gradually occupy the entire deck.
- total number of fungiOccurs when other forms of the disease are not treated, in which the nails undergo color changes and increase in brittleness, gradually leading to complete nail loss.
- White superficial fungi.The main symptom is localized white spots near the back pad.Without appropriate treatment, the pathology progresses and the lesions begin to spread to adjacent areas.In most cases, a large number of small specks form that coalesce into a single pattern and look like dispersed powder.
stages of fungus
Regardless of the type of causative agent of the disease, the nail plate is not completely affected.The development of pathology occurs gradually, which allows us to distinguish the following stages:
- In the initial stages, lesions are localized to distinct areas,Most commonly they are side or free edges.At this stage, subtle streaks or spots will form that people usually don't notice.
- During the normal nutritional disease stage, pathological changes become apparent,Traces of fungi can be seen even with the naked eye.Nails also become more brittle and change color; in some forms of the disease, serous discharge may protrude from under the plates.
- In the hypertrophic stage, the lesion continues to develop in the subungual space, which causes the plate to become thicker.Depending on the form of the disease, deformation, separation, thinning, lack of natural growth and other types of destruction may occur.
Before the initial stage, a person often develops problems with the skin of his feet: severe itching, burning or cracking of the upper layers of the epidermis may occur.Diagnosis and making an accurate diagnosis at this stage is almost impossible due to the lack of clear clinical manifestations.
In the advanced stages, the disease actively progresses; symptoms spread not only to the toenails, but also to the hands and plates on the skin.
How to treat it at home?
In the early stages, you can use traditional medicine to eliminate the disease, but such measures must be approved by experts, otherwise there is a risk of harming your health.Some effective techniques are described below:
- iodineIs the most common treatment used to apply it on a cotton swab and subsequently treat the affected area, it can also be used as an adjunct to foot baths.
- vinegarThis is another very effective remedy since almost all fungal pathogens die in a highly acidic environment.It can be used neat or diluted with water and applied directly to the affected area.
- salicylic acidIt is effective in treating any form of fungus and can be used in the same way as vinegar.
- Eucalyptus or tea tree essential oil.Both drugs have powerful antibacterial effects, but they are often included in complex treatments.
How to get rid of foot fungus with medication?
If the first symptoms of a fungal infection appear, it is recommended to seek professional medical help immediately, since only diagnostic measures can make an accurate diagnosis, and measures taken at the initial stage allow you to quickly get rid of the pathology and minimize the risk of adverse consequences.
Specialists often prescribe medicines that can be produced in multiple forms.
prevention
It is impossible to completely protect yourself from fungal infections, but the preventive measures described below can significantly reduce the risk of infection:
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle, exercise, ensure a balanced diet, supplement vitamin deficiencies in the body, participate in sports and other measures to strengthen the immune system.
- Wear shoes when going to the beach.
- Wear special closed-toe rubber slippers when going to the bathroom or sauna.
- Wear socks made only from natural materials and change them every day.
- Only wear your own shoes.
- Dry your feet thoroughly after showering and make sure your feet are completely dry.
Comment
- I have had fungus on my toenails for a long time.I tried iodine and vinegar but the effects were temporary.Only antiseptics helped me.I applied this ointment to my nails for a few days and soon noticed that the condition was slowly receding.
- I recently discovered a fungus; I apparently picked it up in the shower after working out.Therefore, only wear flip-flops when swimming and don’t go anywhere barefoot.Fungus is a difficult infection to get rid of.I've taken antifungals, which have helped.But at the same time, she also applied vinegar to the affected area.It all adds up to such a great result.
- This isn’t my first battle with fungus.It's hard to leave me.I've used various medications with great results.
- This fungus is a very unpleasant thing.Especially in summer!You're too embarrassed to even go out, but I'm using a topical antifungal, which helps a lot.If you find fungus once, the chance it will show up a second time is 70%.Be careful!