Beautiful well-groomed legs are a source of pride for any woman and a source of worship for men. And it’s such a shame if your nails turn yellow, cracks 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 weakened immunity to incorrectly selected shoes.
- Open, uncomfortable shoes often lead not only to swelling of the feet, but also to the development of a fungal infection.
- Even if you decide to cure nail fungus yourself, an initial consultation with a specialist is still necessary. At a minimum, in order to select the most effective drug available on the modern pharmaceutical market. There are a great variety of products.
- One of the most "popular" places where you can catch nail fungus is 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 from a neighbor - these are simple but very effective preventive measures against foot fungus for those who regularly visit fitness centers and public baths.
- What starts out as innocent signs of dry skin may turn out to be a fungus. Don't 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 purely aesthetically causes a lot of problems, the treatment also requires serious and lengthy 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 shouldn’t think that everything will go away on its own, you just need to be patient a little. If treatment is not started immediately, the fungus can spread to the nails and continue to grow and multiply. Slowly but surely, foot fungus is taking over more and more spaces.
The main symptoms of nail fungus:
- Cracks in the interdigital folds (usually between the 1st–2nd and 4th–5th fingers);
- Thickening on 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, uncomfortable shoes, sand getting into the spaces between the toes on the beach. In the future, the disease leads to inflammation of the skin and the formation of deep cracks. The risk of contracting a fungus is higher in people who have circulatory problems in the legs, deformed feet, excessive sweating of the feet, 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 become infected with fungus is in public places. For example, in a bathhouse, a swimming pool, or in the showers of fitness clubs, where a humid environment, which microorganisms love so much, is constantly maintained. The whole family can suffer, in which all household members use the same bathroom and it is customary to share towels. By the way, those who became infected from relatives account for more than 30% of all cases. Fungi are also transmitted through pedicure and manicure accessories, shoes, and socks. You should also be careful while on vacation. In beach sand, fungi remain viable for months. The affected skin particles easily stick to the wet foot.
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 put off visiting a doctor. Self-medication is fraught with complications. Prolonged onychomycosis can provoke an allergic reaction, weaken the immune system and lead to exacerbation of chronic diseases. Alas, without special diagnostics it is impossible to determine the exact cause of changes in the structure of the nail plates. There are several dozen varieties 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. Most often, this data is enough to prescribe treatment. True, there are special cases that require a culture test, when particles of the nail are taken and placed in special conditions for the active growth of fungi. This makes it possible to understand exactly which "pests" attacked the nail and which antimycotic drugs best fight them.
The mycologist knows everything about the disease. True, it can hardly be found in public clinics. For consultation, you should contact the skin and venereal disease dispensary (KVD). Another option is a dermatologist. This specialist is more accessible.
Treatment without sacrifices
Previously, radical methods were used to treat fungus: the affected nails were simply surgically removed, after which there was a long rehabilitation period. Since then, medicine has made a big step forward and now a more adequate method is used - hardware treatment of nails. The unit is somewhat reminiscent of a dentist's drill. At the end of the device there is a drill, which grinds down the nail as much as necessary. After the procedure nothing hurts. Nails should be treated as they grow. And only the doctor can decide how many sessions will be needed.
There are many fungi, the differences relate to symptoms and routes 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 numerous stories of happy relief from the disease using traditional methods. Alas, no homemade baths or wraps can kill the fungus.
Removal of the nail plate is required only if more than 40% of the surface is affected. At the initial stage of the disease, when the fungus has not yet begun to destroy the nail, external medications are sufficient: medicinal varnish or a special solution. If less than 40% of the nail plate is affected, a course of antimycotic drugs is prescribed.
Disinfect it!
An important problem during and after treatment of nail fungus is the antibacterial treatment of all places where affected skin particles could remain. The walls and bottom of the bathtub must be thoroughly cleaned with special disinfectants. Throw away your slippers, even if they are your favorite ones. Boots, shoes and sneakers can be treated using a special device that emits ultraviolet light. Alternatively, wipe shoes with solutions of acetic acid (25%) or formaldehyde. Wash socks, stockings, towels and bed linen and iron well. Nail scissors are disinfected by immersing in alcohol and heating over a fire.
Prevention methods for nail fungus
If treatment is carried out correctly, the disease does not return. Re-infection is much more common. So the most effective remedy in the fight against nail fungus is prevention. Don't go barefoot in public places. Always bring flip-flops and your own towel to the beach. You can buy a special spray at the pharmacy that protects against fungus. They can be used to treat shoes and feet. Very convenient for visiting swimming pools or fitness rooms.
It’s easy to avoid nail fungus infection in your family - just follow simple hygiene rules and use only your own shoes. But the best thing is to simply monitor the health of your feet, wear comfortable, not tight shoes, and regularly care for 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 no fungus is scary.