Onychomycosis, or nail fungus, is contagious
a fungal disease that affects nails and toenails and is easily contagious to others.Mostly, the causative agent is a fungus of the genus Trichophyton, Epidermophyton or Microsporum.For growth and reproduction, fungal colonies use the protein keratin, which is one of the components of nails, hair and the upper layer of the skin (epidermis).
Onychomycosis is easily transmitted through direct contact with infected people or animals, and through other transmission factors, for example, through contact with the patient's personal belongings or any object that somehow interacts with the carrier of the infection.It occurs more often in older people or in adults with weakened immune systems.
Although the nail fungus itself is not life-threatening, it "disrupts" a person's immune system, the body becomes more susceptible to other diseases, and if there is no adequate treatment it can cause irreparable complications, so the treatment of nail fungus must be taken very seriously.
Causes of nail fungus
A warm and constantly moist environment is the optimal condition for fungal colonies.The risk of infection increases in places where sanitary and epidemiological regimes are not observed.You can "catch" onychomycosis in public places or through common objects.
Fungi are natural inhabitants of the skin and mucous membranes;the immune system faces them constantly and, in a healthy state, can easily overcome them.But some factors cause a decrease in the body's defenses, thereby activating the invasion of fungi.Among them:
- suffering from a serious illness;
- circulatory problems (for example, due to tight shoes);
- constant exposure to a warm and humid environment (for example, with hyperhidrosis or wet shoes);
- hormonal imbalance;
- vein thrombosis, systemic vascular disease;
- nail injury;
- take antibacterial drugs;
- pressure, etc.
Patients with systemic diseases are particularly susceptible to mycosis: diabetes, psoriasis, and immunodeficiency conditions.
The chances of getting onychomycosis are higher in people with skin fungus.Cutaneous mycosis is accompanied by severe itching, and constant scratching causes nail infection and the spread of infection.
Types of nail fungus
Onychomycosis refers to superficial mycoses - fungal invasion that affects the skin and mucous membranes.If the immune system is significantly weakened, deep mycoses can develop - fungal infections of internal organs.
There are many types of nail fungus, but they all fall into one of three categories:
- Normotrophic onychomycosis - the nail can change color, be covered with light spots or stripes, but the shape and structure of the nail plate does not change.
- Hypertrophic - the nail becomes noticeably yellow, thickens, changes shape, the shine of the nail disappears, and begins to collapse on the sides.
- Onycholytic (atrophic) - the affected nail becomes thin, brittle and gradually peels off from the base of the nail.
Signs of fungal damage to the nail plate
There are a large number of types of fungi, so the symptoms of the disease can manifest themselves in different ways:
- light spots or streaks appear;
- nail color becomes earthy gray, yellow or light brown, pink color changes color;
- nails thicken, deform, crack and, in advanced cases, peel;
- pain in the affected nail area, especially when wearing shoes.
Nails affected by onychomycosis can cause an unpleasant odor and severe pain when walking.Advanced fungal infections can cause allergic reactions and create a favorable "platform" for the development of other infectious diseases.
Stage of development
The fungus can enter through the free (distal) edge of the nail, the side-to-side fold, or through damaged areas of the nail.First, the infection is attached to the edge of the nail and as the colony grows, it spreads throughout the nail.The fungus is able to penetrate the epithelial tissue under the nail plate through micro cracks and wounds on the nail.
Usually, the big toe is the first to experience fungus.The first manifestation of onychomycosis is the appearance of light spots on the nails.The color of the nail plate changes - the pink color that exists in healthy nails disappears.The nail plate becomes earthy gray, yellowish or whitish, and loses transparency.The edges of the nail begin to crack and become thinner.
If the fixation of the fungus and the creation of the mycelium has taken place, the deformation of the nail gradually begins.Having penetrated the nail plate, mycosis slowly spreads to the hard shell of the nail, and then to the adjacent tissue.Air cavities appear and delamination begins.Some try to cut out the entire affected area - this will not give the expected results, because the infection has penetrated into deeper layers.Sometimes a disturbance occurs in the process of nail tissue formation - the nail will grow poorly, and the new area will look deformed.
Next, the nails begin to deteriorate, pain may appear and an unpleasant odor may be felt.The next stage of the infectious process is the transfer of the fungus to neighboring nails and adjacent skin areas.
The longer you ignore the fungal problem, the stronger it "takes root" in the body and the harder it is to cure it later.Therefore, if the nail color, structure or shape has changed, you should immediately see a dermatologist or mycologist.
Diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis
Onychomycosis will not go away on its own.Treatment of onychomycosis with "folk methods" or "random" use of antimycotic drugs, as a rule, is ineffective.Although this has a short-term effect, over time the untreated disease recurs.To get rid of onychomycosis, you need a systematic approach and the participation of a doctor.
To confirm the diagnosis, a nail scraping is usually prescribed - a microscopic examination for the presence of pathogenic fungi, then a culture is performed to determine the specific pathogen.Based on the test results, the doctor will be able to choose the optimal course of treatment.
The course of treatment for onychomycosis can take from 2 to 6 months, depending on the severity of the disease.The results will be visible later, in a few more months, when the nail recovers.
Antimycotic agents are local preparations (creams, sprays, ointments, gels) and complex actions (injections, tablets).In addition to the use of drugs, during the treatment of fungus it is necessary to disinfect shoes, gloves, floors and bathrooms, towels and bed linen.
In very advanced cases, the nail is so destroyed that the only effective treatment is its removal.But surgery is only performed if other methods of treating onychomycosis have failed and there is a danger of further spread of the infection.
Nail fungus prevention
The body does not form specific immunity (target) against fungi, therefore, even after successful treatment of onychomycosis, if hygiene rules are not followed, there is a risk of re-infection.
To prevent onychomycosis infection, it is important:
- follow personal hygiene rules;
- do not use other people's personal belongings or clothing;
- wash your feet (or at least your feet) every day in cold water and soap;
- so that socks or stockings are always clean and dry;if you are prone to excessive sweating, treat your feet with special preparations;
- do not let your nails grow, but also do not cut them too short so that they remain even with your footwear;
- disinfect periodically with an antiseptic;
- Clean regularly and avoid excess humidity and moisture.
In the case of nail injuries, it is important to immediately treat the wound with an antiseptic and consult a doctor for immediate treatment of the wound, because it can serve as a "gateway" for fungal infections.