Causes of toenail fungus: symptoms and treatment

Nail fungus is a disease caused by different groups of pathogens.To destroy it, you will have to undergo diagnostics to identify all the characteristics of the disease.What are its causes?There are many reasons for the appearance of a fungal infection and prerequisites for its occurrence.

Genetic causes of disease

Fungal spores can remain on various surfaces for years.People often encounter pathogenic microorganisms, but infection does not always occur.In order for nail fungus to appear, the presence of predisposing factors is necessary.The infection must have conditions for development.Scientists have conducted many studies on the mechanism of the disease.

It has been shown that one of the factors for the occurrence of fungal infection is genetic predisposition.According to these studies, mycosis most often occurs in people whose relatives have a similar disease.The progression of the disease affects the genetic level.

Interesting cases of infection during life together.It is easiest to get mycosis in close contact.However, it often develops in one member of the household but does not affect another.And the disease usually occurs in a person who has genes most similar to the person who initially developed mycosis.According to all these data, closeness of contact is less important during infection than closeness of genetic links.

Mycosis symptoms

Nail fungus manifests itself differently in different stages.Usually, mycosis infection starts in the spaces between the toes.At this point it is observed:

• Appearance of bubbles;
• Redness of the skin;
• Itching.

If treatment is not carried out at this stage, the disease begins to affect the nails.In this case, the following signs are detected:

1. Dullness of the nail plate, loss of transparency;
2. Appearance of white streaks and spots;
3. Unpleasant sensations.

It is better to carry out treatment at this stage, because it will reduce the cost of therapy.External preparations will be sufficient to destroy microorganisms: ointments, varnishes.If nothing is done, nail fungus will progress.This is expressed through the following symptoms:

• Thinning or thickening of the nail;
• Delamination of the nail plate;
• His departure from the nails;
• The plaque takes on an abnormal color: it becomes white, yellow or black;
• In the final stage, the nail literally crumbles, collapses and an unpleasant smell may appear.

Mycosis performs its pathological activity not only on toenails.Inflammatory processes affect the entire foot.

It starts to redden and peel.The patient feels itching, which intensifies in periods of exacerbation.The presence of characteristic signs allows you to identify the disease during the initial examination.

Types of fungal infections

Nail fungus is divided into types depending on which group of microorganisms causes it.There are three main groups:

1. Dermatophytes.The most common case.This group is the cause of mycosis in 95% of cases;
2. Candida.These yeast-like microorganisms contribute to the thinning of the nail plate.He starts to turn yellow and falls behind his bed.The lesion starts at the fold of the nail.As the disease progresses, swelling occurs.In some cases, discharge of pus may occur.The skin of the plaque stops growing and therefore turns brown.The nail is falling apart.These groups of microorganisms usually develop in women.There are risk groups - housewives who constantly deal with household chemicals.It has an aggressive effect on the skin, which opens the "door" for infections;
3. Types of mold.These groups of microorganisms cannot penetrate deep into the nail plate.This prevents its complete destruction, but the disease is fraught with other consequences.The nail greatly changes its color.It can take on a black, blue, green shade.

Treatment depends on the group of microorganisms, because different pathogenic microbes respond differently to drugs.Sometimes three types of fungi are detected during the diagnosis.In this case, complex therapy will be required.

Forms of fungi

There are different stages of the disease, which differ according to the type of lesions:

1. Normotrophic.There is a change in the color of the nail plate.It can turn yellow and lose its transparency.White and yellow streaks or spots appear.The difference between the diseases is that the nail is not subject to significant deformations.Sometimes it can even retain its former luster;
2. Atrophic.The nail becomes thinner and completely loses its shine.Pronounced white and yellow stripes and dots appear that represent specific foci of infection;
3. Hypertrophic.The board changes significantly.Thickening and signs of crumbling are observed.It becomes porous.A severe pain syndrome is also possible, which worsens during movement and wearing tight shoes.The disease can limit a person's activity.

The prescribed treatment regimen depends on the stage, as well as on the type of microorganism.In the first stages, external drugs proved to be effective.In the later stages, the treatment regimen is usually a combination of external drugs and means for internal use.

Where can you get a yeast infection?

Nail fungus is usually passed from person to person.Microbial spores can remain on surfaces.When you touch them, the fungus will remain on the feet and begin to develop.You can get Mikoza from the following places:

• Public facilities: saunas, swimming pools, sports club showers.This is the most likely way to get the fungus, as it multiplies most actively in warm and humid conditions.In order to protect yourself from it, it is necessary to perform preventive treatment of the feet with drugs before going to the institution.You must bring your own slippers;
• If mycosis occurs in a member of the household, the most likely way for the disease to occur in other family members is through bathing.Fungal spores that cause mycosis remain on its walls.For protection, it is necessary to treat surfaces with disinfectants after each visit to the bathroom;
• Sometimes the reason is a manicure or pedicure performed with tools that have not been disinfected after previous use.This refers to procedures carried out in beauty salons;
• Controversy can be hidden in shoes in stores because they are often tried on by different people.For protection, you can try the shoes only on your toes;
• A less likely source of infection is public beaches, as nail fungus does not survive well in salty sand.

To prevent the disease, you should not forget about the importance of personal slippers and use preventive measures.

Possible complications with prolonged treatment

Mycosis is characterized by the speed of development and spread.If the treatment is delayed, the symptoms of the disease will become more and more obvious.At first, a person is concerned about the aesthetic factor, because thickenings and white spots appear on the nails.But if you don't deal with the problem, more serious consequences will occur - pain when moving, itching and burning.Let's consider the most likely consequences of prolonged treatment:

• Other infections are likely to appear as the body weakens;
• Exacerbation of diabetes mellitus.The appearance, against the background of an infectious process, of gangrene or bone tissue infection.All of these can lead to the need for limb amputation;
• If nail fungus is not treated for a long time, the body can react to it with hypersensitivity and allergic reactions.Against their background, allergic dermatitis, skin diseases and bronchial asthma worsen;
• The extreme stage of mycosis is damage to internal organs.The infection begins to spread throughout the body.This can be fatal.

Another important consequence of not starting therapy on time is significant financial costs.In the final stage, the disease is not only more difficult to treat, but also more expensive.You will have to spend money on local procedures and pills.Really effective drugs are more expensive.In some cases, even surgery may be prescribed.

Preventive measures

Nail fungus can be prevented, which is what preventive measures are aimed at.They help prevent the entry and further spread of pathogenic microorganisms.Prevention is quite simple, and consists of the following tips:

• Exception of narrow shoes, wrongly chosen last.All this leads to the appearance of blisters and other deformations through which the infection penetrates;
• You should not wear synthetic socks and tights, because your feet will sweat in them.Sweat and a moist environment are the best conditions for the growth of fungi;
• Maintain personal hygiene, wear slippers when entering public places and pre-treat your feet with preventive means;
• After each foot wash, the interdigital areas are thoroughly dried;
• Socks and stockings should be changed every day;
• You cannot wear other people's shoes;
• The house must be kept clean, which is why periodic disinfection is carried out.

Prevention aims at two goals - preventing infection and stopping its development if spores are introduced.To achieve the second goal, you will need to take care of your immune system: exercise, eat right.

Treatment methods

Nail fungus usually takes a long time to heal.The duration of therapy, regardless of the cause of the disease, will be from 6 months to a year.The advantage is that most drugs can relieve symptoms quickly.But, despite the disappearance of symptoms, it is necessary to continue the therapy until the microorganisms are completely destroyed.

External drugs are used for treatment in the early stages.This includes:

1. Special varnishes;
2. Creams and gels;
3. Solutions and tinctures.

In later stages, oral medications are added to external medications:

• Tablets;
• Antibiotics.

Lacquers are especially popular.They provide two effects at once: they destroy existing microorganisms and create a film that will prevent the entry of new infections.The product can penetrate deep into the nail.It is colorless and odorless, so men can also use it.Before use, it is recommended to remove the nail plate to ensure deeper penetration.

Ointments and gels are gentle.They are easy to use.Rapid relief of symptoms.With the help of medicines, you can treat not only nails, but also the skin around them.The disadvantage is that the product can be quickly washed off the skin.To prevent this, you can apply compresses: a cotton pad is placed on top of the fat layer, fixed with a bandage.

Tablets are prescribed in severe cases.This product has a strong effect, is toxic and has contraindications.For this reason, the therapy is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

If the case is completely advanced, surgical intervention comes to the rescue.During the operation, the affected nail is removed.Its removal can be done without surgery.Special means are used for this.The last option is painless.

Nail fungus is an extremely common problem.Its cunning lies in the fact that in the first stages the signs of the disease are insignificant.The patient can constantly delay treatment because he does not feel discomfort.All this leads to the problem becoming neglected.To solve it, you will need a lot of resources and medicine.Mycosis spreads rapidly, leading to pain, separation of the plate, unpleasant odors and modification of the nail.