Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is the most common disease in which the nails turn yellow, become brittle and thick, are covered with cracks.In the initial stages, the symptoms of nail fungus are barely noticeable.Treatment of the disease is difficult due to impaired cellular immunity.The disease proceeds slowly, without proper treatment progresses and can accompany the patient all his life.
More often, nail fungus is detected in a man and people with weakened immunity.Patients with diabetes, obesity, faces with blood vessel pathology and skin diseases are subject to disease.With high sweating legs, there is more chances of fungal damage to the skin of the feet and nails on the legs.
The fungus can get on the nail plates from clothes, shoes, from manicure sets, carpets, floor.It enters the nails through microcracks of the skin and through the nail bed.It is a lot where it is warm and humid: in souls, baths, locker rooms and pools.In healthy people, the disease rarely develops.
The cause of the disease
Onychomycosis is caused by three species of fungi (one by one or in combination).Most cases of the disease are caused by mushrooms of the Trichophyton Rubrum type.Much less often - Trichophyton Interdigitale, Epidermophyton Floccosum and Microsporum and Aspergillus.
- The yeast fungi of the type of Candida albicans always parasitize on the skin and nails.Taking antibiotics, contraceptives and a decrease in immunity may develop yeast infection.
- Mold fungi often cause diseases in countries with tropical climate.
- Soil fungi live in the soil and cause onichomycosis only in some people.From person to person are not transmitted.
Which is the source of infection
- Diseases in family and friends can become a source of pathogens for you.
The fungus is transmitted to the family through use by a common towel, slippers, bedding, etc. - The fungus on the hands can become a source of the disease of the nails and skin of the legs.
- In large numbers, the fungus lives in bath rooms, shower and pools.
- The source of infection can be the patient’s clothing and shoes, manicure sets, carpets and floors.
Which increases the risk of the disease
- The fungus of the skin of the feet.
- Reducing immunity.
- Family members suffering from fungal defeat.
- Elderly age.
- Diabetes.
- The presence of microtraumas and burrs.
- Increased sweating of the legs.
- Unknown and poor -quality shoes.
- The habit of walking barefoot in public places.
- Accommodation and work in a wet climate.
- Long -term wearing artificial nails.
Which affects the development and progression of onychomycosis
- General health.
- Susceptibility to infection.
- The level of moisture and thermal background.
- The type of nail plate (nails on the fingers grow slower).
Symptoms of nail fungus
At the beginning of the disease, the usual color of the nail changes.It becomes opaque.A gap in which the fungi itself appears between him and his bed.
The nail is painted in one of the colors: whitish-gray, yellow, green and brown, up to black.Yellow oblong stripes inside the nail and under it are visible.Spots of different shades.
The nail thickens and deforms above the affected area.Horn masses grow gradually, preventing the penetration of drugs.
At first, increased brittleness is also noted, when the fungus affects the entire nail plate, it begins to crumble and collapse.When processing, a large amount of “garbage” consisting of destroyed fragments and epidermis is formed.Often there is damage to the skin around.
Forms of onychomycosis
- Distal submarine onychomycosis.
- Lateral onychomycosis.
- White surface onychomycosis.
- Proximal tray onychomycosis.
- Total dystrophic onychomycosis.
Distal submarine and lateral onychomycosis
This form of the disease is the most common.Up to 90% of cases, its cause is mushrooms of the genus Trichophyton Rubrum.Infection of the nail plate begins in the free edge from the affected skin of the foot.First, the nail bed is touched.The type of damage resembles a splinter or a stained yellowish color.With the progression of the disease, the nail thickens and can split or separate from the skin.Distal submarine onychomycosis is difficult to treat.Wearing shoes causes discomfort.
White surface onychomycosis
The second most common form of onychomycosis.In 90% of cases, the disease is caused by the genus of the genus Trichophyton Interdigitale, which affects only the upper layer of the nail plate, which never thickens and does not separate from the skin.Over time, its entire surface becomes loose, like chalk powder.The cure occurs quickly.
Proximal tray onychomycosis
This form of onychomycosis is rare.Red trichophyte on blood and lymphatic paths spreads throughout the body.This is evidenced by the damage to the nail from the back (proximal) and the detection of the pathogen in the lymph nodes of the inguinal region and the secretion of the prostate gland.The disease is often recorded in HIV infected.The defeat begins with the skin in the area of the nail fold, which thickens.Further, the nail plate is involved in the process, which acquires a white opaque color.
Total dystrophic onychomycosis
This form of the disease is a consequence of the progression of one or a set of types of the above forms of onychomycosis.The nail plate is partially or completely destroyed.
Diseases with similar symptoms
Of all infectious diseases, onychomycosis is found in 50% of cases.Similar symptoms are found in the following diseases:
- Eczema.
- Psoriasis.
- Reuters syndrome.
- Daria disease.
- Flat lichen.
- Norwegian scabies.
Diagnosis of nail fungus
In order to get information about what caused certain changes, you need to consult a dermatologist who organizes the procedure for diagnosing the disease.The scraping from the affected part will be sent to the laboratory to clarify the causes of the disease.
Microscopy will identify the presence of a fungus, and sowing on a nutrient medium will highlight the pure culture of the pathogen and determine the sensitivity to antifungal drugs.
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to identify the type of infection. The fungus of nails on the legs is easier to warn.Examine the feet and nails on your feet more often.Early begun treatment will help to quickly achieve improvement, reduce the feeling of discomfort and eliminate the cosmetic effect.