Nail fungus or onychomycosis is an unpleasant disease that may not be noticed immediately.The fungus destroys your nail plate, causing discomfort and pain;If treatment for onychomycosis is started, this can cause soft tissue pathology.Fungus can easily spread to healthy nails or toenails, and this poses a great danger to your health and the health of others.
If you have doubts about the health of your nails, the best thing to do is make an appointment with a dermatologist.Only with a complex treatment, which consists of a course of medication, regular foot hygiene and special treatment of the nail plate, will the treatment bring positive results.
The main symptoms of fungal infection:
- Brittle, rough nails
- Change the shape of the nail plate
- The presence of inflamed tissue around the nail
- Removal, thickening or thinning of the nail plate
- The presence of brown, black or yellow areas on the nail.
How do you get nail fungus?
Ways of infection with onychomycosis.If you follow hygiene rules, have good immunity, and have healthy and well-groomed skin, the risk of contracting a fungal infection is low.Fungus often enters the body through abrasions, cuts, cracks, and injured areas of nails and skin.Excessive sweat or dry skin, or wearing tight shoes can contribute to fungal growth.
You are more susceptible to nail fungus if:
- Do you have varicose veins?
- Reduces immunity
- You wear rubber shoes that don't breathe
- There are endocrine and vascular diseases
- Have been in contact with a person infected with the fungus
- There are flat feet.
What is the danger of toenail fungus to humans?
In more advanced stages of onychomycosis, nail fungus causes allergic reactions, has an intoxicating effect on the body, and can affect internal organs.
How to cure nail fungus?
When treating nail fungus, local medicines can be used - creams, ointments, patches, which can also be used at home.A variety of spray options are available that have strong antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
In the early stages of the disease, the use of sprays or creams is recommended. Do not forget that treating nail fungus is not only about getting rid of external manifestations. During treatment, dermatologists prescribe systemic drugs.This medicine can be prescribed in tablet form, which will be taken for three to six months.
The most common mistakes when treating toenail fungus
Moisture your feet. Fungi in the form of spores are everywhere around us.When skin humidity is more than 80%, fungal spores begin to multiply and infect the nail plate and surrounding skin.
The presence of fungal spores on matter.When ironing socks with steam, you kill the active fungal spores that live there.If this is not done, then from the spores, in front of the moist skin of the feet (a favorable environment), the high humidity of the shoes, the fungus actively begins to multiply.
Hygiene shoes.When starting treatment for nail fungus, be sure to treat all the shoes you wear.Use personal towels only for feet.
Residue of fungal spores on instruments. All tools for cutting nails must be treated with a disinfectant solution;It is recommended to use a disposable file to care for the affected nail.If the fungal spores remain on the tool, then you can remove them manually for years, cutting the traces of the fungus along with your nails, but this will not bring any results.
What should you follow when treating nail fungus?
If you do not follow the recommendations during the treatment of nail fungus, a relapse may occur.Try to keep your feet clean and change your socks every day.It is important for your feet to wear the right shoes to prevent your feet from sweating.After taking any water procedure, wipe your feet dry, paying special attention to the area between the toes.
Use individual foot towels, which must be dried after use.If your shoes get wet, dry them immediately.It is recommended to change indoor shoes at least twice a year during treatment.A foot bath with soda and salt will also be useful.Feet should be washed daily using laundry soap or tar.
Always follow hygiene rules when visiting public places: sauna, bath, hammam, swimming pool.Do not self-medicate;It is better to contact a dermatologist who will prescribe a course of treatment for you so that you can quickly get rid of toenail fungus and save your time and nerves.