Yellow toenails and cracks between the toes are not an aesthetic problem. This is how onychomycosis manifests itself - a fungal disease that quickly jumps from one nail plate to another, causing it to crumble, flake and change color.
This is what fingers look like without fungus :)
Types of fungi (more details) Fungal infection can be transmitted from person to person, but most often the causes of toenail fungus are the objects around us on which pathogenic fungi “live”. There are three types of toenail fungi: 1. Dermatophytes. These pathogens appear on the nails most often; in 95% of cases they are responsible for damage to the nail plate. Experts distinguish three types of them:
2. Yeast-like fungi Candida thin the nail. Most often they cause thrush, but they can also live on the nails. It becomes yellow in color and lags behind the nail bed. Toenail yeast fungus first affects the nail fold (those folds of skin that surround the nail plate on three sides). The skin of the nail does not grow, it turns brown and begins to crumble. In advanced cases, the nail separates from the nail bed (this is the layer of connective tissue on which the nail plate rests). Yeast-like fungi often “settle” on women’s toenails. 3. Molds are a fairly rare cause. They are not able to penetrate inside the nail, but they can change the color of the nail plate: it becomes black, blue, brown, green or yellow. There may be cases when a person is found to have two or three types of fungus at once. Where do they come from, you ask? Toenail fungus can appear in three ways:
Medicine considers toenail fungus as a public disease, and this is not surprising if you look at the list of places where infection most often appears and nail plates become infected.
After reading the list, you're probably thinking about this. A lot of people visit swimming pools, beaches, and bathhouses, so why doesn’t everyone get fungus on their nails? Indeed, fungi begin to infect only those who have a certain predisposition to onchymycosis.
The easiest way to catch a fungus is in a public place
Why do fungi appear and multiply so actively on the nail plates of the feet and refuse to leave them even with intensive treatment? The reason is very simple: the climate of our country is such that we wear closed shoes most of the year, where there are all the conditions for the fungus to live: the inside of shoes, boots, boots is warm, dark and humid.
In addition, blood circulation in the toes is not as intense as in the fingers, and the immune system does not always recognize and, therefore, does not destroy the fungal infection.
Let's look at other factors that contribute to the development of toenail fungus:
The pH of a neutral environment is 7, and the pH of the skin of a healthy person is 5.5, that is, the skin in a normal state has a certain acidity, which is also necessary for protection against pathogenic microflora. Decreased acidity is one of the main causes of chronic fungi of the skin and nails.
To avoid a decrease in acidity, you must follow simple rules:
Many people consider fungus a cosmetic problem. Hundreds of people put off visiting a dermatologist until their nails begin to cause inconvenience in everyday life. Thus, severe fungus on the toenails can completely destroy the nail plate, causing discomfort at rest and pain when walking. In addition to external negative manifestations, neglected toenail fungus can harm the body as a whole.
Perhaps one more, financial, argument can push you to decide to go to the doctor with not yet advanced nail damage. Treatment of a fungal infection at the initial stage may be limited to the purchase of inexpensive special varnishes, but advanced nail fungus requires complex (external and internal effects), and sometimes surgical treatment.
Prevention of foot fungus
It's no secret that modern people are at risk of being infected with onychomycosis every day. Toenail and fingernail fungus is very insidious and can be caught anywhere. But many have no idea how to recognize it and how to remove it. Infection occurs through the entry of a fragment of skin or nail plate from the patient. Since you will notice the first signs of toenail fungus only after a long time, identifying the source itself is not an easy task. In this situation, self-medication is not recommended; it is better to immediately discuss symptoms and treatment with a dermatologist, otherwise irreversible processes may begin.
Fungus under the nails and on the fingers is one of the most common infectious diseases, the development of which is provoked by epidermophytes (microorganisms). It can be recognized by the presence of obsessive itching sensations, as well as deformation of the toenail. It acquires a yellowish tint and characteristic spots with scales on the surface.
Some people are scared just by the thought of this disease. At the first manifestations, they dig through a lot of literature and in panic run to the hospital for clarification. After all, they care:
In this article we will try to answer the questions posed. Treatment of nail onychomycosis is lengthy and requires a competent, responsible approach.
Close communication with a carrier of mycosis or contact with his shoes is a direct road to infection and subsequent treatment of toenail fungus, which is always accompanied by questions: how to defeat toenail fungus and what are the most effective remedies for toenail fungus. Also, a similar nuisance can happen in crowded places, which are extremely convenient for successful life and the spread of parasites; here the fungus appears very quickly. These include various sports complexes, swimming pools, saunas. But most often the colonization of fungus on the feet occurs in lovers of tight, closed shoe models, as well as in people suffering from excessive sweating. Doctors say that mostly fungal species prefer moist conditions with a neutral and slightly alkaline environment.
In some cases, toenail fungus appears after another visit to the beauty salon where you had a pedicure procedure. This can happen due to the negligence of the salon craftsmen in their duties, as a result of which they do not follow the basic rules for processing the tools they use.
The occurrence of fungus under the nails in childhood is an uncommon occurrence; adult men and women are more susceptible to it. This fact is explained by a decrease in the body’s defenses and a deviation of the pH of the skin from the norm due to increasing age. The reasons that nail fungus appears on the toes can be different. But most often, mycosis of the toenails manifests itself against the background of the following abnormalities:
People with an addiction to tobacco products and alcoholic beverages are also at risk of developing nail fungus. How to identify fungus on toenails? Yes, very simple. Signs of fungus on the toenails are a change in color towards brown, white, yellowish or other shades. Its color will be influenced by a specific pathogen; it may be a yeast, mold or dermatophyte.
The nail plate will become brittle and begin to crumble, then keratinize. After a while, you will see for yourself how toenail fungus manifests itself. Growths will appear; as they become neglected, they will increase in size and interfere with the therapy. Unfortunately, at the first stage, many are not even aware of the presence of the disease; the symptoms of fungus on the toenails are not pronounced. But subsequently, it quickly destroys the nail plate, and advanced mycosis of the nails on your feet already requires complex treatment.
You should know that any fungi are extracellular parasites that are particularly resilient. Their spores can withstand extremely low and high temperatures (-60 °C - +100 °C), many of them are not afraid of the use of chemicals when carrying out disinfection measures at home. As mentioned above, infection of the feet (the most common is nail fungus on the big toe) can occur anywhere, but it is easiest to get to the extremities from family members with onychomycosis who have toenail fungus. Dermatophytes are transmitted by sharing household items, but there are many other ways to become infected with the fungus.
Prevention of toenail fungus involves fulfilling a number of simple conditions:
As for public places, to avoid catching fungus on your big toe nail, try to wear flip-flops on the beaches and closed shoes in the pools.
When someone living in the same apartment with you begins to treat a nail fungus on their feet, be sure to clean the bathroom afterward to avoid the spread of infection. To combat spores, you can use, for example, chloramine in equal proportions with detergent. After application, the mixture is left for 30 minutes and then removed.
There are many reasons for the appearance of fungus and you need to get rid of it by any means. Treatment of mycosis of toenails also involves special treatment of the patient’s underwear, including socks. They can be boiled for about twenty minutes in a 2% solution of soda and soap, then ironed. It is recommended to regularly treat pedicure scissors with alcohol.
How to recognize fungus on toenails? In this situation, at the initial stage of infection, a person is faced with excessive dryness and characteristic peeling of the feet, which can be accompanied by severe itching and a change in the color of the skin to a reddish color. In practice, the symptoms of nail fungus are very diverse, specific to each specific case.
The development of the disease can begin through unobtrusive peeling in the folds between the fingers. If there is heavy sweating, diaper rash appears. Sometimes very itchy small blisters are added to the above. The color and shape of the toenails change. Parasitic spores strive to penetrate deeper and deeper, forming yellowish spots with stripes on the nail. You can also recognize toenail fungus by brittle and cracked nail plates, with a void forming underneath them.
It is very important to treat onychomycosis of the nails, since if the disease is particularly severe, the body temperature may rise, and any movement may become difficult.
Seek help from a dermatologist, he will know what fungus is and how to accurately identify nail fungus, and will also suggest the best comprehensive treatment. Sometimes at the very beginning it is enough to use various antifungal sprays, powders or gels for the feet, but when you notice fungus under the toenail, it is already serious.
Not everyone knows that concomitant diseases of mycoses are eczema and psoriasis, which are even more difficult to remove. Therefore, if you still doubt whether it is worth and whether it is possible to cure toenail fungus, remember these two terrible ailments, the consequences of which are more dire.
Today, experts will tell you how to quickly cure toenail fungus and how to properly treat it at home. There are various modern drugs for this. They must be consumed in accordance with the dosage and regularly. Recently, the pulse therapy method has proven itself to be excellent for the treatment of toenail fungus. Treatment of the disease occurs in a short time using antifungal agents in loading doses, while side effects are kept to a minimum. It is characterized by fairly long breaks between courses. Pulse therapy is used for critical conditions, when you no longer know what and how to get rid of fungus on your nails.
The dermatologist will also give advice on how to treat onychomycosis using various films, varnish coatings or special ointments, the basis of which are fungicidal agents. He will prescribe competent treatment, even if the nail fungus has already spread from the big toe to the others. But, unfortunately, drugs do not always solve the problem, and the question of how to deal with toenail fungus remains relevant. In fact, in order to get the desired effect and make nail treatment quick, it is necessary to initially identify the type of pathogen and the extent of its spread. The obtained test results are guaranteed to tell you how to treat toenail fungus. And only after this should you start purchasing expensive drugs.
Sometimes it happens that you have to remove the nail surgically. Don't worry, the removed nail plate will grow back after a while. And this procedure is carried out absolutely painlessly.
To destroy the fungal pathogen, you can use the following tablet preparations:
The following topical drugs are also used:
Of the varnishes used to treat the disease, the most common are:
To remove a damaged nail plate, you can use effective patches and ointments:
For lovers of traditional medicine, there are also a large number of effective methods and recipes proven over the years. If you are still wondering how to cure toenail fungus, try some of these.
Celandine is a common plant with a rich range of medicinal properties. In addition to beneficial substances, it also contains toxic ones. They are necessary for the treatment of parasitic infections, as they quickly eliminate harmful microorganisms. Medicinal herbs can be used in different ways:
Now you know how to recognize nail fungus, as well as how the insidious infection begins. We really hope that our article will be useful to you and help you quickly cope with this disease. Remember that the faster we treat the identified ailment, the more effective the expected result. In addition, the right approach to the treatment process will allow you to save a lot of precious time and “not break the bank.”
Most often, people who lead an active lifestyle, visiting swimming pools, public baths, and fitness clubs, suffer from fungal infections. An advanced form of the fungus is more often observed in men, because they, as a rule, do not immediately pay attention to changes in the nail plates and do not begin treatment in the initial stages of the disease. By retirement age, almost every second person's nails are affected by fungus.
Symptoms that should alert you and promptly take measures to treat nail fungus . Without delay, get diagnosed and promptly begin treatment for onychomycosis if:
There are a great variety of pathogenic fungi, but fungal infections of the nails are usually caused by microscopic organisms, dermatophyte fungi, and, less commonly, molds.
Fungi love warmth and moisture and do not need sunlight. Their favorite habitats are swimming pools, baths, showers.
Fungi penetrate the skin through microdamages, cuts, or getting into the space between the nail and the nail bed.
The feet and toenails are affected more often, since the feet are often in shoes, it is warm, humid, dark and there is food nearby - an excellent habitat, and the blood flow in the feet is weaker than in the palms, so the immune system is not always promptly identifies and destroys fungal infections.
Factors that increase the risk of fungal infections:
In the initial stages, fungus on the feet and nails can be cured with local remedies , without ingesting toxic antifungal drugs. However, it should be borne in mind that even in the initial stages, treatment of nail fungus is quite painstaking and lengthy, 1-2 months or longer, until the edge of the nail plate affected by the fungus is completely cut off. In case of minor damage to the nail plate, for successful treatment it will be necessary, if possible, to remove the fungus-infected layer of the nail before using antifungal drops, varnishes, and folk recipes.
If hygiene is maintained, skin fungus on the feet can be treated much faster with local medications and traditional methods than if it has already penetrated the nail plate.
In severe cases with a weakened immune system, in addition to pain and damage to the nail plates, the fungus can lead to dangerous infections that require serious systemic treatment.
After an external examination, if onychomycosis or mycosis is suspected, the mycologist will send you to the laboratory to determine the type of infectious agent. The laboratory will take scrapings from the skin of the feet, nail plates, and contents from under the nails for analysis.
Based on the test results, appropriate treatment is prescribed according to a specific protocol.
For fungal infections of the nails, doctors prescribe long-term use of local antifungal drugs, ointments, solutions, antifungal varnishes, and also oral antifungal drugs.
For minor fungal infections of the nails (conditionally, up to half the nail), modern local antifungal drugs are quite effective. Traditionally, medicinal ointments, solutions, sprays such as Exoderil, Lamisil, Nizoral, Mikospor, Mifungar, Terbinox, Terbizil, Zalain, Mikonorm and other analogues are prescribed for the treatment of nail and foot fungus.
Recently, medicinal antifungal nail polishes such as batrafen, loteril, oflomil, and mycozan have become popular.
Typically, topical antifungal medications are used until a healthy nail grows out. During treatment, a new nail grows without signs of fungus, slowly moving the infected part of the nail.
The result of the treatment is visible only after the complete growth of a new healthy nail; the process of changing the nail plate takes 4-6 months.
In older people, treatment with local antifungal agents takes longer and is less effective.
The active substances contained in varnishes have a fungistatic and fungicidal effect, i.e. have a destructive effect on the protective shell of fungi, suppresses the reproduction and growth of foreign microorganisms. With prolonged use, fungal colonies decrease and die over time (of course, if the mycelium has not grown deeply into neighboring tissues).
The advantages of antifungal varnishes are that they penetrate deep into the nail plate and the active substances accumulate in them and work for several months, and the varnishes are very easy to use.
Checked! There is definitely an effect. The nail grows healthy , the fungus does not strive to “occupy the territory” treated with antifungal varnish. Thus, it is possible to successfully cut off a nail with traces of fungal infection.
To prevent the spread of fungus to neighboring healthy nails (after all, the fungus will look for a more favorable habitat), in addition, in the intervals between applying varnish, you can treat the affected nail and neighboring healthy nails, for example, with Exoderil or another antifungal agent.
The standard scheme for applying medicinal varnish for nail fungus: a warm nail bath with salt and soda, filing off the damaged edge of the nail plate, applying varnish. After the varnish has dried, you can put on socks and shoes. According to the instructions, nail fungus varnish is usually applied 1-2 times a week.
Similar recommendations when using fungal cream or liquid antifungal agent.
Comment: It is often advised to deeply file the affected nail plate before each use of antifungal agents . However, in practice it has been observed that a fungus deprived of nutrition tends to penetrate further into the healthy part of the nail with the same speed, especially if the nail plate is thinned by filing. Therefore, for example, when using antifungal varnishes, we would not advise filing the edge of the nail frequently and deeply. Then the fungus mostly remains on the edge and does not “climb” further and is completely removed as the nail grows.
Antifungal antibiotics of systemic action, such as Mycozoral, Nizoral, Itraconazole, Orungal, Terbinafine, Exittern, Lamisil, Bramisil, are prescribed by the doctor for severe forms of fungal infection. You should not take antifungal tablets without a doctor’s prescription and supervision.
Not all doctors warn that, as a rule, antifungal drugs taken by mouth are very toxic and can cause serious side effects, ranging from skin rashes to damage to vital organs such as the liver and kidneys. Perhaps your nails will be beautiful, but a diseased liver and an organism poisoned by toxins are a reason to read the list of contraindications and carefully consider the pros and cons of such treatment.
Yes, colonies of fungi that have grown in the body also release toxins and products of their vital activity, but to get rid of all kinds of fungi and parasites, there are so-called anti-parasitic programs based on herbal complexes that have strong antifungal and antiparasitic effects . Such herbs have been known since ancient times; our ancestors used them to treat them.
For severe lesions, doctors recommend complete removal of the nail plate. In combination with the use of antifungal agents, a new healthy nail grows in place of the removed nail. However, this process is very slow and lengthy; nail renewal can take up to a year.
Sometimes to treat nails and nail beds in conjunction with topical antifungal agents.
Laser treatment is expensive and, moreover, is effectively used, as a rule, in the complex treatment of advanced nail fungus.
A fungal infection can affect absolutely any part of the body. Fungi, like other bacteria and microorganisms, are always present in the human body and on its skin in strict balance. When the number of fungi increases for various reasons, an infection may begin.
Onychomycosis, also called onychia fungus, is a fungal infection that affects the nails of either the toenails or fingernails. It develops slowly, so it is very difficult to notice any signs of the disease at first.
A fungal nail infection begins when the number of fungi inside, under or on the nails increases dramatically. Fungi love a warm and humid environment, so in any suitable environment they begin to multiply intensively. Nail fungus is caused by the same fungi that cause eczema fringe, athlete's foot, and ringworm.
Fungi, which live quietly on and in the body of absolutely any person, can cause a nail infection. If you have been in contact with someone who has this disease, it can be passed on to you. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, fungal infections are more likely to affect toenails than fingernails because the toes are more likely to be exposed to warm, moist environments.
If you're used to getting manicures and pedicures at a salon, then it's worth finding out how the staff disinfects tools and how often they do it. Accessories for manicure and pedicure, such as files and nail clippers, can be a source of infection, which in any case will be transmitted to another person without proper disinfection.
There are many causes of fungal nail infections, and each has its own treatment. Most of these causes are naturally preventable, but there are some factors that significantly increase your risk of developing this infection. People who are at greatest risk of developing nail fungus are:
Fungal infections are more common in men than women and more common in older people than children. If someone in your family has a fungus, then most likely you will have it in the future. Older people are at greatest risk of developing this infection because blood circulation decreases with age and nails grow more slowly and become thicker.
A fungal infection can affect part of a nail, the entire nail, or several nails at once.
The obvious symptoms of nail fungus are:
Common symptoms of a fungal infection include:
The only way to confirm the diagnosis is to see a doctor because some other infections can also affect the nails and have similar symptoms to fungus. In such cases, a scraping from the nail is usually taken, which is sent to the laboratory for detailed analysis and clarification of the diagnosis.
In most cases, nail fungus is considered a purely cosmetic problem. However, in some people, a yeast infection can cause serious complications. For example, in people with diabetes, nail fungus can later lead to foot ulcers or other foot problems. According to a 2012 study, chronic toenail fungus is considered a major risk factor and key condition for the development of bacterial cellulite of the feet.
Therefore, if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, you should not use home remedies to treat nail fungus. Consult your doctor for help to find out how to treat foot fungus and how to treat it.
Over-the-counter medications are generally not recommended for treating fungal nail infections because they do not provide reliable results. Instead, your doctor will prescribe oral antifungal medications such as:
These drugs are very effective, but have a lot of side effects, from upset stomach and dizziness to skin problems and jaundice.
You can also use other antifungal products, such as antifungal polish or nail base. It is applied to the nail just like regular nail polish. Depending on the type of fungus, as well as the extent of damage to the nail plate, you may have to use this remedy for several months.
Unfortunately, treatment does not guarantee complete relief from the fungal infection quickly. In almost half of the cases, nail fungus comes back again. Complications cannot be ruled out. This may be why many people more often resort to traditional medicine.
Toenail fungus is not something you want to see on your feet, especially during the summer beach season. Therefore, we decided to collect the 10 most popular and effective traditional medicines to find out how to treat toenail fungus.
VIX VAPORAB OINTMENT
Vicks VapoRub is an ointment for external use. It is used primarily as a cough suppressant, but its active ingredients, camphor and eucalyptus oil, can help treat toenail fungus. A 2011 study confirmed a “positive clinical effect” when treating fungus with this ointment. Apply a small amount of ointment to the affected area several times a day.
SNAKE MINE EXTRACT
Knotweed extract is a natural antifungal agent. Snake knotweed belongs to the sunflower family. A 2008 study found that the extract was as effective against toenail fungus as the prescription drug ciclopirox. To get rid of a fungal infection on the legs using this method, you need to adhere to the following regimen: in the first month of treatment, apply the extract to the affected area every third day, in the second month twice a week and during the third month 1 time per week.
TEA TREE OIL
Tea tree oil, also called melaleuca, is an essential oil that has antifungal and antiseptic properties. It is also recommended for the treatment of nail fungus. Simply apply tea tree oil directly to the affected nail twice a day with a cotton swab.
Oregano oil contains thymol. Thymol has antifungal and antibacterial effects. To treat toenail fungus, apply the oil twice a day with a cotton swab. Some people use oregano oil along with tea tree oil. Both products are powerful and can cause irritation and allergic reactions, so combining these oils is not recommended.
OLIVE LEAF EXTRACT
The active substance in olive leaf extract, oleuropein, is believed to have antifungal, antimicrobial and immunomodulatory effects. You can apply olive leaf extract directly to the nail fungus or drink it in capsule form. Moreover, treatment with capsules is considered more effective than applying olive oil extract. Take 1-3 capsules with food 2 times daily. Drink plenty of fluids throughout your treatment.
Ozonated oils, such as olive and sunflower, are produced by saturating them with ozone gas. According to a 2011 study, exposure to low concentrations of ozone for a short period of time can kill many microorganisms such as fungi, yeast and bacteria. Another study found that ozonated sunflower oil was more effective in treating fungal toenail infections than the prescription antifungal drug ketoconazole (Xolegel).
To treat toenail fungus with ozonated oil, treat your nail with the oil twice a day.
There is no scientific evidence that vinegar helps treat fungus. However, it is a fairly safe home remedy to try. To do this, make warm water foot baths with vinegar, diluting 1 part vinegar in 2 parts water. The procedure should be carried out daily for 20 minutes.
Lysterine contains menthol, thymol and eucalyptus, which have antibacterial and antifungal properties. Perhaps this is why it is so popular among people in the treatment of toenail fungus. You just need to hold the problem foot in a bowl of amber Listerine for 30 minutes. Carry out the procedure daily.
Garlic is known to have antifungal and antimicrobial effects. To get rid of a fungal infection, apply crushed garlic cloves to problem nails for 30 minutes daily. If you don't like the smell, you can try garlic capsules. Take strictly according to instructions.
CHANGE YOUR DIET
Our health depends on what you eat. The healthier the food you consume, the more likely it is that your body will cope with various adverse factors and diseases, including toenail fungus.
Eat the foods your body needs to function properly, including:
Home remedies may be more effective than prescription drugs in treating mild to moderate disease. It is obvious that traditional medicine has fewer side effects, but their effectiveness has not been scientifically proven. Many factors are worth considering when treating a fungal nail infection, such as nail permeability, severity of the disease, and overall health.
Treatment with traditional medicine usually lasts longer than treatment with drugs. The first results may appear only after a few months. It often happens that the problem returns again.
Just a few simple lifestyle changes can protect you from this serious and annoying infection. Take care of your nails, trim them on time and keep them clean. Try not to further injure the skin around your nails. If your hands come into frequent contact with water, wear rubber gloves.
Here are some tips to protect yourself from fungus:
Don't expect instant results. For some people, treatment may not help immediately and may require several courses or a change in medication. A fungal infection is considered cured only if a new nail has grown without signs of fungal infection. But this does not guarantee that the yeast infection will not return. In more advanced cases, the nail becomes permanently infected with fungus and will have to be removed.
The main complications of fungal infection are:
You should consult a doctor in any case, especially if you have diabetes and toenail fungus. People with diabetes put themselves at great risk of developing serious complications, so don't hesitate to make an appointment with your doctor.
Why do you feed pharmacies, the fungus is afraid like fire of the simplest cheap one.
Almost every third person develops toenail fungus. The disease is called onychomycosis and causes separation and crumbling of the nail plate. Onychomycosis can occur at any age and requires timely, competent treatment under the guidance of a specialist.
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail plate . The disease can be caused by dermatophyte fungi or microsporia. Fungi negatively affect the building base of the nail - keratin and, gradually eating it, cause deformation changes.
Work experience in the field of fungal treatment - 12 years.
The fungus kills! Save your loved ones, they are in great danger! Get rid of dangerous bacteria - fungus!
For 2 years now, a miracle drug for treating fungus has been on the European market. It is several times more effective than its analogues - it not only gives a quick effect after the start of use, but also restores the natural functions of the body, strengthens the immune system, and has no side effects.
Since pharmacies did not want to sell TINEDOL due to low profits, the manufacturer, in order to attract the attention of ordinary people on its own, took extreme measures - as a promotion, up to (and inclusive) it temporarily set a preferential price for one package.
The following types of onychomycosis exist::
A fungal infection can cause deformation of the nail at the free edge, on the sides and in the area of the back ridge. As the disease develops, the process affects the entire nail plate.
Alexander Leonidovich Myasnikov: “To get rid of nail fungus forever, lubricate it generously. »
Fungus on toenails appears not only due to decreased immunity. About 70% of people become infected from a sick person, and most often this is a relative. The smallest flakes of skin from the feet fall on household items, and, in contact with healthy tissues of the nails or skin, infect a healthy person.
Most often, infection occurs through:
When visiting the beach, sauna or bathhouse without slippers, there is a high risk of infection with foot fungus. With high humidity and temperature, infection occurs much more often.
You need to be especially careful in public places where people walk barefoot. Fungi are resistant to both low and high temperatures, and in beach sand they remain viable for several months.
The slightest wound and abrasion on the leg in contact with infected objects can cause onychomycosis. You should not wear other people's shoes , even if no external manifestations of the fungus are found in them. They can be carriers of pathogenic microflora, and with strong immunity, the disease does not manifest itself in any way.
Even a “neglected” fungus can be cured at home. Just remember to apply once a day.
The initial stage of foot fungus is manifested by dryness and flaking. At this time, a person cannot notice visual changes in the nail plates, but he is tormented by itching and burning in the area of the fingers. Sweating gradually increases, and in rare cases, blisters and corns appear. As the fungus invades the nails, their color begins to change and they become brittle and cracked.
The nail under the microscope contains crumbling mixture and voids. The feet begin to smell unpleasant, and the general symptoms intensify.
In severe cases, body temperature rises and severe pain occurs , which prevents normal movement. What toenail fungus looks like and what changes are characteristic of it largely depends on its type and the strength of a person’s immune system.
Dermatophyte fungi appear as yellow longitudinal stripes, while yeast fungi cause peeling of the nail plate and its yellowing. Molds cause superficial damage to the nail plate, which can turn yellow, brown, blue or green.
The description of the disease for different types of fungi differs, but has common symptoms.
The disease begins with damage to the nail of the little finger or big toe, after which all plates become infected. The nail becomes keratinized, thickens and crumbles. Mycoses usually affect adults and the elderly, and they are extremely rare in children.