Beautiful and well-groomed legs are the pride of any woman and worship for men. And it's a shame if your nails turn yellow, crack and stains appear on them. And besides, the constant itching between the fingers bothers me. All these unpleasant manifestations are symptoms of a fungal infection. The problem is serious, but completely solvable.
- According to statistics, every fifth inhabitant of the Earth suffers from fungal diseases of the feet and nails. The reasons for the occurrence are varied - from weak immunity to wrongly chosen shoes.
- Open and uncomfortable shoes often lead not only to swelling of the feet, but also to the development of fungal infections.
- Even if you decide to cure nail fungus yourself, a preliminary consultation with a specialist is still required. At least, to choose the most effective drug available on the modern pharmaceutical market. There are different types of products.
- One of the most "popular" places where you can catch nail fungus are baths and showers, swimming pools (outdoor and indoor) and other similar establishments. Use personal shoes, towels and dressing gowns, do not walk barefoot and do not borrow pumice stones from neighbors - this is a simple but very effective preventive measure against foot fungus for those who frequent fitness centers and public baths.
- What started out as innocent signs of dry skin may turn into fungus. Do not delay treatment!
Nail fungus - what kind of "beast" is this?
A healthy nail plate should be smooth, pink and shiny. And if at least one of these requirements is not met, then there is a problem. According to statistics, 50% of all nail diseases are fungal infections. In addition to the fact that the disease is purely aesthetic causes many problems, treatment also requires serious and long treatment.
It all starts with the skin of the feet, more often with the interdigital folds. As a rule, the first symptom of foot fungus (more often referred to in medical circles as onychomycosis) is peeling, accompanied by burning and itching. Then bubbles appear, which burst, forming ulcers and cracks. You should not think that everything will go away by itself, you just have to be patient. If treatment is not started immediately, the fungus can spread to the nail and continue to grow and multiply. Slowly but surely, athlete's foot is taking over more and more space.
The main symptoms of nail fungus:
- Cracks in the interdigital folds (usually between the 1st–2nd and 4th–5th fingers);
- Thickening of the skin;
- Itching;
- Redness;
- Burning sensation;
- Thickening, brittleness, or thinning of the nail.
Risk zone
Nail fungus is transmitted from person to person. And the main way for infection to penetrate the skin is microcracks. Why do they appear? For example, wearing tight and uncomfortable shoes, sand gets into the space between the toes on the beach. In the future, this disease leads to inflammation of the skin and the formation of deep cracks. The risk of fungal infection is higher in people with circulatory problems in the legs, deformed legs, excessive sweating in the legs, and those who are overweight. Stress, smoking, and alcohol abuse can also cause the development of fungal infections, as they contribute to a decrease in immunity.
The easiest way to get infected with fungus is in public places. For example, in a bath house, a swimming pool, or in a fitness club shower, where a moist environment, which microorganisms like very much, is always maintained. The whole family can suffer, where all members of the household use the same bathroom and it becomes a habit to share towels. In this way, those infected from relatives account for more than 30% of all cases. Fungi are also spread through pedicure and manicure accessories, shoes, and socks. You should also be careful while on vacation. In beach sand, the fungus remains viable for months. Affected skin particles easily stick to wet feet.
Nail fungus: self-medication is canceled
The appearance of fungus cannot be hidden. If you find yourself with symptoms of this disease, then under no circumstances should you delay a visit to the doctor. Self-medication is fraught with complications. Prolonged onychomycosis can trigger allergic reactions, weaken the immune system and lead to exacerbation of chronic diseases. Unfortunately, without special diagnostics it is impossible to determine the exact cause of changes in the structure of the nail plate. There are several dozen types of fungal infections. In addition, it may not be a fungus, but a manifestation of allergies, vitamin deficiency and many other pathologies.
The correct diagnosis can only be made by a specialist based on scraping the nail for microscopic examination. Often, this data is enough to prescribe treatment. True, there are special cases that require a culture test, when nail particles are taken and placed in special conditions for the active growth of fungi. This makes it possible to understand exactly the "pests" that attack the nails and the best antimycotic drugs against them.
Mycologists know everything about this disease. True, it is almost impossible to find in public clinics. For consultation, you need to contact the skin and venereal disease dispensary (KVD). Another option is a dermatologist. These experts are more accessible.
Treatment without sacrifice
Previously, radical methods were used to treat the fungus: the affected nail was only surgically removed, after which there was a long recovery period. Since then, medicine has made a big step forward and now a more adequate method is used - nail hardware treatment. This unit is somewhat reminiscent of a dentist's training. At the end of the device there is a drill, which grinds down the nail as much as necessary. After the procedure there is no pain. Nails need to be treated as they grow. And only the doctor can decide how many sessions are needed.
There are many fungi, the difference is related to the symptoms and the route of infection, but the treatment of all fungal infections is almost the same and takes from 3 to 6 months. And you don't have to believe the many stories of happy relief from illness using traditional methods. Unfortunately, no homemade bath or bandage can kill fungus.
Removal of the nail plate is only necessary if more than 40% of the surface is affected. In the early stages of the disease, when the fungus has not yet started to destroy the nail, external medicine is sufficient: medical varnish or a special solution. If less than 40% of the nail plate is affected, a course of antimycotic drugs is prescribed.
Wash germs!
An important problem during and after the treatment of nail fungus is the antibacterial treatment in all places where the affected skin particles can remain. The walls and bottom of the bathtub must be thoroughly cleaned with a special disinfectant. Throw away your slippers, even if they are your favorite slippers. Boots, shoes and boots can be treated using a special device that emits ultraviolet light. Alternatively, wipe the shoes with a solution of acetic acid (25%) or formaldehyde. Wash socks, stockings, towels and bed linen and iron well. Nail scissors are disinfected by soaking in alcohol and heating over a flame.
Prevention methods for nail fungus
If the treatment is carried out correctly, the disease will not return. Reinfection is more common. So the most effective medicine in the fight against nail fungus is prevention. Do not go barefoot in public. Always bring your own slippers and towel to the beach. You can buy a special spray at the pharmacy that protects against fungus. It can be used to treat shoes and feet. It's easy to visit the pool or fitness room.
It is very easy to prevent nail fungus infections in your family - just follow simple hygiene rules and only use your own shoes. But the best thing is to simply monitor the health of your feet, wear comfortable, not tight shoes, and always take care of the skin of your feet and nails using special creams and sprays. And make a rule for yourself: when going on a visit, take slippers with you. Then there is no scary fungus.