Onychomycosis: preventing onychomycosis

Just a few years ago, fungal nail diseases did not receive enough attention, but now everyone recognizes the need to promptly detect and treat large-scale contagious fungal infections caused by multiple dermatophytes. Due to widespread public awareness, the number of specialist visits for patients with this disease has increased, which in turn has led to an increase in the detection of foot mycoses. Since any deformation of the nail plate without an obvious cause (such as injury) is mainly suspected of a fungal infection, self-diagnosis is the decisive factor in this case. Therefore, any change in the nail plate is a reason to contact a dermatologist, since at least half of such diseases have a fungal etiology, and the rest require careful diagnosis, again by a specialist.Factors causing mold:

1. In fact, fungal nail infection is a slow-moving disease that does not lead to life-threatening conditions and does not cause pain or discomfort. It more commonly affects older adults, who often associate changes in appearance with the aging process.
2. Patients themselves are often embarrassed by the disease, unprepared to bear the financial costs of treatment, or convinced that the disease is incurable. Many people begin to self-medicate and do not consider the disease a reason to see a specialist.
3. Because this disease primarily affects the feet, even during a physical or doctor's exam, questions usually do not directly involve the feet, and no patient specifically complains about changes in the nails. Even in specialized facilities, the time allotted for seeing patients is extremely short, allowing doctors to examine patients only for the primary reason for the visit.

Fungal infections of the nails can last for a long timeTherefore, the earlier the disease is detected, the higher the likelihood of complete cure. Furthermore, early initiation of treatment allows us to limit ourselves to only external preparations and nail cleaning, and this is possible only when the infection affects a single nail less than 1/3-1 of the distal or lateral edge. /2 board. Topical treatments are used to treat the initial stages of fungal nail infections. Late forms of fungal infections require longer and more expensive treatments. Regular preventive examinations and physical examinations for the population play a special role in early detection of nail fungus.

result

This seemingly harmless disease can have very serious complications:

• Damage to smooth skin and secondary infection;
• Fungal sensitization, formation of allergic reactions and microbial eczema lesions;
• Complications of chronic skin diseases, varicose veins of lower limbs, diabetic foot lesions, etc.

It is impossible not to mention the epidemiological significance of existing foci of fungal infections: patients can infect public places and other people, and in daily life can become a source of spread of fungal infections in the home. Onychomycosis (medically known as onychomycosis) is a fairly common disease. According to doctors, it affects more than 15% of the world's population, although the condition is diagnosed much less frequently (only 2% of people). The explanation of this difference is simple: onychomycosis does not threaten life, and if it worsens its quality, then in most cases it is very trivial. Therefore, people do not always consult a doctor about onychomycosis and instead try to deal with the disease on their own or simply leave it untreated.Onychomycosis grows very slowly. Therefore, the first signs of a fungal infection usually bring it to the patient's attention. When nail changes caused by fungus start to become apparent, it means the process is far enough advanced that it's not easy to defeat the fungus.Onychomycosis is often considered a cosmetic problem: Nails affected by the fungus look unsightly. But fighting fungus is not only necessary to restore your nails to their correct shape and shine. If the fungus is not treated, it can spread further. Usually the big toenails are affected first. If treatment is not started, the fungus can spread to other toes, and since we inevitably touch our feet with our hands, the nails and fingernails may subsequently become infected with the fungus. The fungus can also spread to the skin around the nail, causing irritation and itching.

Causes of onychomycosis

Onychomycosis can be caused by several types of fungi. First, these are dermatophytes. Second on the list are yeast fungi of the genus Candida, which are always present in small amounts on human skin (they most commonly affect nails). Fungal infections are also possible (they are often accompanied by other pathogens. Isolated infections with mold fungi are not typical of our climate, but of tropical climates).The risk of fungal infections increases with age. Onychomycosis is very rare in children, whereas it is relatively common in older adults. Additionally, men are more likely to develop onychomycosis than women.The age-specific nature of fungi can be explained by the fact that our local immunity declines over time, and the natural defenses of the young body are often very good at suppressing the activity of fungi, preventing them from colonizing the nail plate. It relies not only on local immunity but also on systemic immunity. A weakened overall immune system is a favorable background for any fungal infection to occur.For fungi of the genus Candida, it is enough that there are problems with the immune system: they simply begin to actively multiply. Other species of fungi still need to somehow get into our bodies from the outside environment. Certain types of fungi can be carried by animals. Molds can be found everywhere; they don't need a host to multiply. However, in most cases, fungal infections are spread from person to person. Mushrooms like moist conditions. Therefore, fungal infections often occur in places with high humidity. These are swimming pools, saunas, locker rooms, gyms. Wearing socks and shoes on wet feet can also be a trigger.If there are cuts and cracks, they allow infection to penetrate directly into the tissue, thereby avoiding damaging the protective barrier on the skin's surface.Negligence in personal hygiene can promote the spread of fungus: you should not use someone else's slippers, soap or towels. Precisely because not every family follows this rule, onychomycosis often becomes a family disease.Nail damage usually starts at the edges. Dermatophytes penetrate below the free edge of the nail plate (into the subungual recess). In this case, the pathological process occurs mainly in the nail bed. The second route of fungal penetration is through the nail fold. Candida usually affects the posterior nail fold first (paronychia occurs) before affecting the nail itself. A type of dermatophyte (T. mentagrophytes) can penetrate directly through the nail plate.

Symptoms of onychomycosis

The first sign of a fungal infection is loss of shine, cloudiness, and discoloration of the nails. If the infection affects the skin around the nails, itching can occur. If treatment is not started, the fungus begins to destroy the nail plate: the surface of the nail becomes rough, and the nail peels, peels, breaks, and crumbles.The specific manifestations depend on the pathogen, the location, duration and form of the pathological process. Fungal infections include normotrophic, hypertrophic, and atrophic types.Its characteristic is that the thickness of the nail plate remains unchanged. The disease appears as white or yellowish spots that gradually increase in size. Eventually, the color of the entire nail changes. The nail plate may fall off because the fusion of the nail with the subungual tissue is disrupted.It is characterized by a significant increase in nail plate thickness (due to growth of the subungual epithelium). Nail color changes to brown or gray. The deck will often break on its own initiative. The sides of the nail are particularly damaged, resulting in a claw-like shape.With this form of fungal infection, the nail thins and becomes damaged starting at the outer edge. The damage is deeper, reaching the posterior nail fold; the nail bed is filled with loose material formed from decayed epithelial particles. Eventually, the nail may fall off completely.

Diagnosis of onychomycosis

Changes in nail color and brittle nails should be reasons to consult a dermatologist. You should not change doctors and diagnose yourself - you can make mistakes: changes in the nails can have different causes.Doctors make a diagnosis based on visual examination (maybe using a microscope). To confirm the diagnosis, laboratory diagnosis is required. It is also necessary to determine the type of pathogen (this will allow the development of the most effective treatment). During your appointment, your doctor will scrape the affected nail plate. If the pathological process affects only the free edge of the nail, the subungual epithelium is also scraped.Microscopy is performed in a laboratory. Culture studies (placement of material in a favorable environment and observation of the emergence of fungal colonies) are also performed. Cultural studies can determine which fungi are causing the disease.For an accurate diagnosis of illness, make an appointment with a specialist in the Family Physician Network.

Onychomycosis treatments

Treatment for onychomycosis involves removal of the affected portion of the nail. Next, treat with a topical antifungal (ointment, drops, spray, varnish). For obvious lesions, your doctor may prescribe general antifungal medications (tablets).Since fungal activity increases in cases of immune problems, the recommended course of treatment may include measures aimed at improving overall immunity.It is recommended to apply local products (ointments, creams, drops) to the open nail bed. Do not stop treating the affected area until the time prescribed by your doctor has expired. Before canceling treatment, your doctor will likely do another scrape so that lab tests can confirm the presence of fungus. Otherwise, the risk of disease recurrence is high.Do not self-medicate. Contact our experts who will correctly diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Recipe for treating onychomycosis with vinegar

After discovering toenail fungus, only a few people decide to seek expert help. Others often ignore the problem until it reaches a serious stage. Given the high cost of medical treatment, more and more people are turning to folk remedies to eliminate the undesirable manifestations of the disease.Treating onychomycosis with vinegar is the easiest home method to get rid of this unpleasant disease. If used correctly, simple and affordable recipes will help heal incipient infections quickly. Vinegar and eggs, as a supplement to medications, provide important help in the complex treatment of onychomycosis. This product is also used to prevent and quickly relieve unwanted symptoms.Reviews of the folk remedy using vinegar and eggs to treat toenail fungus are mostly positive. Many patients have stated that they were able to cure their disease in as little as 2-3 weeks with the help of this therapy. However, this effect is only achieved when onychomycosis is in a non-progressive state.

Fungal Causes and Symptoms

Disease symptoms and photos:

1. Changes in plate thickness – thickening or thinning;
2. foul smell;
3. Swelling, congestion, nail fold pain;
4. The appearance of stripes or spots of different colors - white, yellow, black;
5. Delamination, damage, and deformation of sheets.

Later, the plate leaves the bed and becomes mobile, and you will feel severe pain when moving. Deformed panels make it difficult to put on shoes. For women, the trouble caused by not being able to wear open sandals increases as their appearance suffers. Onychomycosis is usually accompanied by skin infection, which manifests as itching, peeling, and flaking of the skin on the limbs. Vinegar essence can be used in any home and can be a real lifesaver in the early stages of treating onychomycosis.The causative agents of onychomycosis are opportunistic; they often appear in the vicinity of humans. What factors contribute to the development of the disease:

• decrease in immunity;
• Regular contact with patients and their belongings;
• Wearing and using other people's clothing and hygiene products - towels, slippers, manicure and pedicure accessories;
• Ignore hygiene rules;
• Increased sweating in the extremities;
• Went to a beauty salon and the disinfectant used was poor.

It is very easy to get infected with onychomycosis. Treating onychomycosis with vinegar, as well as any antifungal agent, takes a long time. Usually, an infection is detected when the pathogen penetrates deep into the nail plate and its damage is evident.

How does vinegar affect the cause of disease?

The positive effects of treating onychomycosis with acetic acid occur through its action on pathogenic microorganisms. An acidic environment is harmful to dermatophytes.With prolonged contact with acid, the fungus stops multiplying and dies.

therapeutic ointment

An ointment that can quickly and effectively treat fungus can be prepared according to the following formula:

1. Take the glycerin and any 7% or 9% vinegar and mix everything together. The ingredients must be used in the amount necessary to create a paste-like consistency. Thereafter, apply the finished mixture on your feet about 2 times a day.
2. You need to take 1 egg and soak it in 70% vinegar essence. After waiting for the eggshells to dissolve, you need to remove the film and mix the egg whites and yolks with 200 grams of butter. Before applying the ointment, it is recommended to steam your feet first. The retention time is up to 8 hours, so it is best to use the product at night.

You can make a nail fungus treatment ointment at home using one of the following recipes:

• Take equal parts of glycerin, olive oil and dimethyl phthalate. Stir and add double the 70% acetone to the resulting mixture and mix again. Apply to nails, leave for 10 hours, then wash off with laundry soap and water;
• Take 40 grams of eucalyptus essential oil, 1 tablespoon of 9% vinegar and 15 grams of honey, mix everything and put it in the refrigerator for 3 days. Thereafter, the finished ointment must be applied to the affected nail plate once a day.

You can use vinegar to combat toenail fungus by cauterizing it. The main advantage of this method is that it requires minimal time and is equally efficient as other methods.How to prepare the mixture? Traditionally, equal parts vinegar and iodine are mixed and applied to all nail plates of the feet. The amount of product used depends on the size of the dish. Typically use no more than 2-4 drops. Next, you need to wait for the solution to be absorbed before you can get dressed or go to bed. This procedure should be performed no more than 1-2 times per day.

What causes fungal infections?

fungusSpread from the feet (called"Dermatophytes"), causes most fungal nail infections. Less commonly, nail infections are caused by other types of fungus, usually yeast (such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae).Candida) andMold.These fungi tend to attack nails that are already damaged because the fungi can penetrate more easily. Fungal toenail infections are very common (one in four people may be affected at some point), while toenail fungus is less common. Both types are most common in older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and people with diabetes and poor peripheral circulation. Warm, moist conditions help fungus grow and cause infection. Wearing tight shoes or using showers, bathrooms, or locker rooms may increase your risk of yeast infection.

Are they genetic?

Absolutely not. However, in some extremely rare cases, genetic risk factors exist and other family members may also be affected.

What are the symptoms of fungal nail infection?

There are usually no symptoms initially. Later, when pressure is applied to the inside of the shoe, the nail may thicken and become painful. Then they become difficult to prune. Seeing infected nails, especially fingernails, can be embarrassing. Affected nails can damage socks and pantyhose and rub adjacent skin. There may also be a fungal infection in the nearby skin; it may be itchy, cracked, blistered, or white, especially between the toes.

What does a fungal nail infection look like?

fungal nail infectionIt usually starts at the free edge of the nail and spreads along the sides of the nail to the base of the cuticle. Eventually the entire nail may be affected. Infected areas turn white or yellowish and become thick and flaky. Less commonly, there may be white inclusions on the surface of the nail. The nails most susceptible to damage from fungal infections are the big and little toes. Sometimes, especially for people who often work in wet jobs, such as housewives or cleaners, the skin around the nails can become red and swollen. This is called paronychia, and the infection can easily enter the nail.

How is a fungal nail infection diagnosed?

fungal nail infectionUsually diagnosed clinically. Your doctor may remove a piece of the infected nail and send it to a laboratory to see if the fungus can be seen under a microscope or grow in a culture. Sometimes it may be necessary to repeat the sample.Many nail problems may just look likefungal infection, - For example, changes in psoriasis are observed after a bacterial infection or an old injury, but antifungal tablets do not help. Proper treatment may depend on knowing the fungus causing the problem; it may take several weeks to see results.

Can fungal nail infection be cured?

Yes. However, in order to succeedTreat fungal nail infectionsLong-term treatment is required, which may take up to a year. Nails are easier to treat.fungal nail infectionIt usually recurs, especially on the toes.

How to treat fungal nail infection?

fungal nail infectionNot disturbing in itself, not all of these require treatment. Some people with toenail infections aren't worried at all. In this case, they can sometimes be left alone (although the patient must be careful to try not to spread the infection to other parts of the body and nails, or to other people).On the other hand, ifinfected nailscausing embarrassment or inconvenience, they will usually be treated. It is important to treat people whose infections could lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes or a weakened immune system, to prevent potentially serious health problems.The goal of treatment is to eliminate the fungus: the nail will then usually return to normal. However, if the nail was damaged before it became infected, it will be more difficult to clean and may revert to its previous state.nail infectionCaused by molds and yeasts that are highly resistant to treatment.

Treatment options include:

Nail Treatment (Topical Treatment)Treatments used on nails are not as effective as oral treatments. They are most effective if the infection is in its early stages. The most common methods are medicated nail polish solutions of amorolfine, ciclopirox, and tioconazole.They may not be able to clean the deeper parts of an infected nail on their own, but regular use of nail clippers or polishing to remove the damaged part of the nail can help. Oral medications combined with antifungal medications may increase the likelihood of cure. They may take 4-12 months to see results. forfingernail infectionThe course of treatment is shorter. The cure rate for local treatment alone is approximately 15-30%. Topical treatments are safe. Redness and irritation may occur.Before you start taking the medication, your doctor must send a portion of the nail to a laboratory to see if the diagnosis of fungal infection is confirmed.Laser and photodynamic therapy may be helpful, but are not as effective as the topical and systemic treatments listed above.Plant-based products are also promotedTreat fungal nail infections, but there is no convincing evidence that it is safer or more effective than standard treatment.

Surgical nail removal

Occasionally, surgeons can remove very thick nails under local anesthesia that are unresponsive to medication alone, but this is rare because the level of results is not high enough to justify surgery.

Take care of yourself

• Keep nails short, dry, and clean. Use one pair of scissors to trim the infected nail and another pair to trim the normal nail.
• Don’t just take care of your nails; take care of your nails too. Treat the skin of your feet with an antifungal cream.
• Avoid cutting cuticles yourself or your nail technician as this increases the risk of nail damage and infection.

For fungal infection of toes:

• Wear shoes that fit comfortably and don't wear high heels or tight socks.
• Keep your feet dry, wear cotton socks and change them daily, and wear breathable shoes. Regular washing with hot water will clean most contaminated socks, but using an antifungal spray before washing can be more effective. Other clothing is generally not contaminated.
• Maintain good foot hygiene, including treating any infections.
• Please wear clean shower shoes when using shared showers.
• Pay special attention to hygiene of the affected feet.
• If thickened toenails cause discomfort when walking, consider seeking help from a podiatrist.

in conclusion

Daily use of vinegar and eggs has a positive effect on onychomycosis. If no effects are observed during treatment, you need to consult a doctor and start medication. In this case, you can continue to use folk remedies - they will only speed up the healing process.It must be remembered that treatment of onychomycosis always takes a long time. Achieving full recovery can take anywhere from a few months to a year with conventional treatment procedures.