Causes of nail fungus: symptoms and treatment

Nail fungus is a disease caused by different groups of pathogens.To destroy it, you will need to undergo diagnostics to identify all the features of the disease.What are its causes?There are many reasons for the occurrence of a fungal infection and prerequisites for its occurrence.

Genetic causes of the disease

Fungal spores can remain on various surfaces for years.Humans often encounter pathogenic microorganisms, but infection does not always occur.For nail fungus to appear, the presence of predisposing factors is required.The infection must have the conditions to develop.Scientists have conducted many studies regarding the mechanism of the disease.

It turned out that one of the factors in the occurrence of fungal infection is genetic predisposition.According to these studies, mycosis most often occurs in people whose relatives have a similar disease.The progression of the disease affects the genetic level.

Interesting cases of infection when living together.In close contact, it is easier to get mycosis.However, it often develops in one family member but does not affect another.And the disease usually occurs in the person who has the most similar genes to the person who first developed mycosis.According to all these data, proximity of contact is less important during infection compared to proximity of genetic links.

Mycosis symptoms

Nail fungus manifests itself differently in different stages.Usually, the fungal infection begins in the spaces between the toes.At this time it is observed:

• The appearance of bubbles;
• Redness of the skin;
• Itching.

If the treatment is not carried out at this stage, the disease begins to affect the nails.In this case, the following signs are observed:

1. Dullness of the nail plate, loss of transparency;
2. The appearance of white lines and spots;
3. Unpleasant feelings.

It is better to carry out treatment at this stage, as this will reduce the cost of therapy.To destroy microorganisms, external preparations will be sufficient: ointments, varnishes.If left untreated, nail fungus will progress.This is expressed through the following symptoms:

• Thinning or thickening of the nail;
• Delamination of the nail plate;
• Removing it from the nail bed;
• The plate takes on an abnormal color: it becomes white, yellow or black;
• In the final stages, the nail literally crumbles, collapses, and an unpleasant smell may appear.

Mycosis carries out its pathological activity not only on toenails.Inflammatory processes affect the entire leg.

It starts to redden and peel.The patient feels itching, which intensifies during periods of irritation.The presence of characteristic signs allows you to identify the disease during the initial examination.

Types of fungal infections

Nail fungus is divided into types depending on the group of microorganisms that cause it.There are three main groups:

1. Dermatophytes.The most common case.This group is the cause of mycosis in 95% of cases;
2. Candida.These yeast-like microorganisms contribute to the thinning of the nail plate.It begins to turn yellow and remains behind her bed.The lesion starts at the nail fold.As the disease progresses, swelling appears.In some cases, pus can be discharged.The skin of the plaque stops growing, and therefore it turns brown.The nail is crumbling.These groups of microorganisms usually develop in women.There are risk groups - housewives who constantly deal with household chemicals.It has an aggressive effect on the skin, which opens the "doors" for infections;
3. Types of mold.These groups of microorganisms cannot penetrate deep into the nail plate.This prevents it from being completely destroyed, but the disease is fraught with other effects.Thoi changes its color a lot.It can take a black, blue, green shade.

Treatment depends on the group of microorganisms, as different pathogenic microbes react differently to drugs.Sometimes, during the diagnosis, three types of fungi are detected.In this case, complex therapy will be needed.

Mushroom shapes

There are different stages of the disease, different in the type of lesions:

1. Normotrophic.There is a change in the color of the nail plate.It may turn yellow and lose transparency.White and yellow streaks or dots appear.The difference between the disease is that the nail is not subject to significant deformations.Sometimes it can even retain its former splendor;
2. Atrophic.The nail becomes thinner and completely loses its shine.Bold white and yellow lines and dots appear, representing specific foci of infection;
3. Hypertrophic.The plate varies significantly.Thickening and signs of decay are observed.It becomes porous.Severe pain syndrome is also possible, worsening during movements and wearing tight shoes.The disease can limit a person's activity.

The prescribed treatment regimen depends on the stage, as well as the type of microorganisms.In the early stages, external remedies have proven effective.In the later stages, the treatment regimen is usually a combination of external medications and agents for internal use.

Where can you get infected with fungi?

Nail fungus is usually spread from person to person.Microbial spores may remain on the surface.When you touch them, the mushrooms will remain standing and begin to grow.You can catch mycosis in the following places:

• Public institutions: sauna, swimming pool, sports club showers.This is the most likely way to get mushrooms, as they multiply most actively in warm and humid conditions.To protect against it, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment of the feet with medications before going to the institution.You must bring your own slippers;
• If mycosis appears in one family member, the most likely way for the disease to appear in other family members is by taking a bath.Fungal spores remain in its walls, which cause mycosis.For protection, it is necessary to treat the surfaces with a disinfectant composition after each visit to the bathroom;
• Sometimes the reason is a manicure or pedicure performed with tools that have not been disinfected after previous use.This refers to procedures performed in beauty salons;
• Controversies can be hidden in shoes in stores, because they are often tried on by different people.For protection, you can try toe-only shoes;
• A less likely source of infection is public beaches, as nail fungus does not survive well in salty sand.

To prevent the disease, the importance of personal slippers should not be forgotten and preventive measures should be used.

Possible complications with prolonged treatment

Mycosis is characterized by the speed of development and spread.If the treatment is delayed, the symptoms of the disease will become more and more visible.At first, a person is concerned about the aesthetic factor, as thickening and white spots appear on the toenails.But if you do not deal with the problem, more serious consequences will occur - pain during movement, itching and burning.Let's consider the most likely consequences of prolonged treatment:

• Other infections are likely to occur as the body weakens;
• Aggravation of diabetes mellitus.The appearance, against the background of an infectious process, of gangrene or infection of bone tissue.All this can lead to the need for limb amputation;
• If nail fungus is not treated for a long time, the body can react to it with hypersensitivity and allergic reactions.Against their background, allergic dermatitis, skin diseases and bronchial asthma worsen;
• The extreme stage of mycosis is damage to internal organs.The infection begins to spread throughout the body.This can be fatal.

Another important consequence of not starting therapy on time is the significant financial costs.In the last stages, the disease is not only more difficult to treat, but also more expensive.You will have to spend money on local procedures and pills.Really effective drugs are more expensive.In some cases, surgery may also be prescribed.

Preventive measures

Nail fungus can be prevented, which is what preventative measures are all about.They help prevent the entry and further spread of pathogenic microorganisms.Prevention is quite simple and consists of following the following tips:

• Exclusion of narrow shoes, wrongly chosen last.All this leads to the appearance of calluses and other deformations through which the infection penetrates;
• You should not wear synthetic socks and tights, as your feet will sweat in them.Sweat and moist environment are the best conditions for mushroom growth;
• You must maintain personal hygiene, wear slippers when entering public places and pre-treat your feet with preventive agents;
• After each foot wash, the interdigital areas are thoroughly dried;
• Socks and stockings should be changed daily;
• You cannot wear someone else's shoes;
• The house must be kept clean, for which periodic disinfection is carried out.

Prevention aims at two goals - preventing infection and stopping its development if the spores can be ingested.To achieve the second goal, you will need to take care of your immune system: exercise, eat right.

Treatment methods

Nail fungus usually takes a long time to heal.The duration of therapy, regardless of the cause of the disease, will be from 6 months to a year.The advantage is that most medicines can quickly relieve symptoms.But, despite the disappearance of symptoms, it is necessary to continue the therapy until the microorganisms are completely destroyed.

For treatment in the early stages, external medications are used.These include:

1. Special varnishes;
2. Creams and gels;
3. Solutions and tinctures.

In later stages, oral medications are added to external medications:

• Tablets;
• Antibiotics.

Varnishes are especially popular.They provide two effects at once: they destroy existing microorganisms and create a film that will prevent the entry of new infections.The product is able to penetrate deep into the nails.It is colorless and odorless, so it can be used by men.Before use, it is recommended to remove the nail plate to ensure deeper penetration.

Ointments and gels are mild.They are easy to use.Relieve symptoms quickly.With the help of medications, you can treat not only the nails, but also the skin around them.The downside is that the product can be quickly washed off the skin.To prevent this, you can apply compresses: a cotton pad is placed on top of the oil layer, secured with a bandage.

Tablets are prescribed in severe cases.This product has a strong effect, is toxic and has contraindications.For this reason, the therapy is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

If the case is completely advanced, surgical intervention comes to the rescue.During the operation, the affected nail is removed.Its removal can be done without surgery.Special tools are used for this.The last option is painless.

Nail fungus is an extremely common problem.Its cunning lies in the fact that, in the first stages, the signs of the disease are insignificant.The patient can constantly postpone the treatment because he does not feel discomfort.All this leads to overlooking the problem.To solve it, you will need a lot of funds and medicines.Mycosis spreads quickly, which leads to pain, detachment of the plate, unpleasant odors and modification of the nail.