Rain-soaked boots, tight and warm shoes, reduced immunity - all this increases the risk of onychomycosis.
Mushrooms attack in autumn
Unpleasant cracks on the foot between the toes and a yellowed nail? Maybe you got the fungus. About 10% of the world's population suffers from this microscopic enemy, and in the last 10 years the number of victims of onychomycosis (or nail fungus) has more than doubled.
Both men and women become victims with equal success. But the risk of getting the disease increases with age. For example, after the age of 70, every other person suffers from onychomycosis.
Fortunately, children are much less likely to become infected, because baby nails grow much faster than adults, and fungi, on the contrary, develop quite slowly.
Where can fungi be obtained? Yes, most likely from his relatives.
Recent studies have found that nail fungus most commonly infects a family, even if it consists of two people. The risk group includes people who have excessive sweating, weakened immunity, flat feet. Too tight shoes can cause disease: in it, the skin of the feet and nails are more susceptible to injury. Socks and socks made of synthetic fibers, poor ventilation in autumn and winter footwear create a humid microclimate for the feet. Frequent contact of hands with washing and cleaning products damages the nails on the hands, and fungi only prefer weakened and damaged nail plates, a healthy nail is practically invulnerable to fungal infection. Here are the main causes of onychomycosis:
Cracks and scratches on the skin, nail injuries, constantly wet feet.
Presence of diseases: diabetes, AIDS, obesity, decreased immunity. The risk of disease increases if the vascular tone of the legs is disturbed, for example, in heart failure or varicose veins.
Taking antibiotics, oral contraceptives.
The disease first appears on the skin of the feet, often in the interdigital folds. A parasitic fungus that has settled on the skin can poison anyone's life.
Over time, the affected area affects the nails not only on the feet, but also on the hands. Sooner or later, the other person will step on a fallen skin flake and become infected.
From the outside, the appearance of fungus on the nails can look like this: the color and thickness of the nails change, the nails begin to disintegrate or collapse.
Where is the infection
You can pick up the fungus both in common areas (floor in the locker room of the gym, in the bathroom, swimming pools, manicure / pedicure salon, in the hotel, on the beach) and in your own home.
Shared shoes at home in the family, at the village or at a party, walking barefoot, household items and furniture (towels, rugs, blankets) - these are the factors that determine the transmission of fungi between members of the same family, their relatives and friends.
The most effective means in the fight against nail fungus is primary prevention. It is better to avoid infection than to treat it later. To avoid getting a nail fungus infection, you need to follow these simple rules:
- Never use other people's shoes and do not give your shoes to others, even close people.
- Do not use the same manicure accessories to treat diseased and healthy nails.
- If possible, disinfect all objects with which the patient's feet and hands have come in contact.
- Don’t walk barefoot in public places, and it’s better not to do it at home either. When visiting the bathroom, sauna or pool, use closed rubber slippers that protect against splashes. And go to the beach only in slippers.
- After the pool you have to take a shower.
- Never visit baths and swimming pools if cracks appear on your soles.
- After visiting public places, treat the skin of the feet with boric alcohol or some kind of antifungal ointment, cream, gel or spray. Almost all antifungal agents or alcoholic antiseptic solutions are suitable for prevention.
- Don't wear long rubber boots, uncomfortable shoes that rub your feet.
- Do not abuse synthetic socks or tights, change them daily.
See a doctor now!
At the first suspicion that you have a fungal infection, consult a mycologist or dermatologist. The doctor will not only perform an examination, assess the thickness, structure of the nail, but will also do a tissue scraping for analysis. Only in that way will he be able to determine the presence of the fungus, its type and prescribe the correct treatment.
If onychomycosis is not treated, it can lead to nail loss. The infection damages the whole body. The fungus releases toxic substances, causing allergic reactions and reduced immunity.
It is necessary to know clearly that in the first stages it is quite easy to get rid of the infection. If the disease has not progressed, local treatment can be carried out: cut off the affected areas of the nail, cover the remaining nail with antifungal varnish, lubricate with antifungal ointments, of which there are many today.
Remember that the longer the fungus lives on your nails, the harder it is to get rid of them. In the later stages, when a few years pass after the infection (and the toenails are affected), the fungal diseases are difficult to treat.
What you need to know
- It is necessary to alert at the first skin signs of the fungus. A fungal infection on the skin heals easier and faster than on the nails. It only takes a week to apply some of the antifungal agents that are available in abundance in every pharmacy.
- Fungi can also infect the hair, although the most common fungus is on the nails.
- Sometimes the change in the appearance of the nail is not associated with the fungus, but is caused by a condition of the internal organs: cardiovascular and pulmonary insufficiency, kidney or liver dysfunction. Nails may turn yellow after taking strong medications. Nail damage is also caused by lichen planus, eczema, psoriasis, and eventually nail injuries. But most often the appearance of the nails still changes due to a fungal infection.
Folk recipes
Treating nail fungus with folk remedies is rarely effective. However, here are two recipes.
- Apply a piece of kombucha on the sore nail and wrap your finger. This will soften the nail and make it easier for you to cut it. Repeat the procedure until the nail becomes completely soft. Then steam the legs well and smear with this mixture: take one part of vinegar essence, two parts of glycerin, two parts of 96% alcohol. Prepare the garlic oil: grate the garlic and pour over the sunflower oil heated to sixty degrees (the oil should cover the garlic) - mix everything and leave it to stand for a few days in a well-closed container. Soak a cotton ball in this oil, apply on the sore nail and bandage. Put a plastic bag on top - so you will not soil the bedding, because such treatment must be done before bedtime. The course of treatment is 10-15 days.
- Wash your feet well before going to bed. Soak cotton wool in 9% vinegar and put it on the nail. Wrap your finger on top of the film and fix with a band-aid. Repeat the procedure in the morning. Wash your feet the day after such treatment. Get your nails in order - where to cut, where to clean. Repeat the procedure several times on the sole.