Onychomycosis, or nail fungus, is contagious
a fungal disease that affects fingernails and toenails and is easily spread to others.The pathogens are mostly fungi belonging to the genera Trichophyton, Epidermophyton or Microsporum.Fungal colonies use the protein keratin, which is a component of nails, hair and the top layer of the skin (epidermis), to grow and reproduce.
Onychomycosis is easily transmitted both through direct contact with an infected person or animal, and through other transmission factors, such as contact with the patient's personal belongings or any objects that have been in contact with the carrier of the infection in some way.It is more common in the elderly or adults with weakened immune systems.
Although nail fungus itself is not life-threatening, it "harasses" the human immune system, the body becomes more vulnerable to other diseases, and in the absence of proper treatment, it can cause irreparable complications, which is why the treatment of nail fungus must be taken very seriously.
Causes of nail fungus
The warm and constantly humid environment provides optimal conditions for fungal colonies.The risk of infection increases in places where the sanitary and epidemiological system is not observed.You can "catch" onychomycosis in public places or through shared objects.
Fungi are natural inhabitants of the skin and mucous membranes;the immune system constantly encounters them and in a healthy state easily copes with them.However, some factors reduce the body's defenses, thereby activating the fungal invasion.Among them:
- suffered from serious illnesses;
- circulation problems (for example due to tight shoes);
- constant exposure to a warm, moist environment (for example, with hyperhidrosis or wet shoes);
- hormonal imbalances;
- venous thrombosis, systemic vascular diseases;
- nail injuries;
- taking antibacterial drugs;
- stress, etc.
Patients with systemic diseases are particularly susceptible to mycosis: diabetes, psoriasis and immunodeficiency conditions.
The likelihood of developing onychomycosis is much higher in people with skin fungus.Mycosis of the skin is accompanied by severe itching, constant scratching causes nail infection and the spread of the infection.
Types of nail fungus
Onychomycosis refers to superficial mycoses - fungal invasions of the skin and mucous membranes.If the immune system is significantly weakened, deep mycoses can develop - fungal infections of the internal organs.
There are many types of nail fungus, but they all fall into three categories:
- Normotrophic onychomycosis - the color of the nail may change, it is covered with light spots or stripes, but the shape and structure of the nail plate does not change.
- Hypertrophic - the nail noticeably turns yellow, thickens, deforms, the nail loses its shine and collapses on the sides.
- Onycholyticus (atrophic) - affected nails become thin, brittle and gradually separate from the nail bed.
Signs of fungal damage to the nail plate
There are many different types of fungi, so the symptoms of the disease can appear in different ways:
- light spots or streaks appear;
- the color of the nail becomes earthy gray, yellow or light brown, the pink shade fades;
- the nail thickens, deforms, cracks, and in advanced cases detaches;
- pain in the area of the affected nail, 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.
Stages of development
The fungus can enter the free (distal) edge of the nail, the lateral folds, or damaged parts of the nail.First, the infection is fixed at the edges of the nail, and as the colony grows, it spreads to the entire nail.The fungus can penetrate into the epithelial tissue under the nail plate through microcracks and wounds on the nail.
Usually, the big toes are the first to suffer from fungus.The first manifestation of onychomycosis is the appearance of light spots on the nails.The color of the nail plate changes - the pink shade inherent in healthy nails disappears.The nail plate becomes earthy-grey, yellowish or whitish and loses its transparency.The edge of the nail begins to crack and thin.
Once the fungi have been attached and the mycelium has formed, the deformation of the nail begins gradually.After penetrating the nail plate, the mycosis slowly spreads to the hard shell of the nail and then to the adjacent tissues.Air voids appear and delamination begins.Some people try to cut off the entire affected area - this does not bring the expected result, since the infection has already penetrated into the deeper layers.Sometimes there are disturbances in the process of nail tissue formation - the nails grow poorly and new areas are already deformed.
Then the nail starts to deteriorate, pain may appear and an unpleasant smell can be felt.The next stage of the infectious process is the transfer of the fungus to the adjacent nails and adjacent skin areas.
The longer you ignore the problem of the fungus, the stronger it "takes root" in the body, and the more difficult it is to cure it later.Therefore, if the color, structure or shape of the nail has changed, consult a dermatologist or mycologist immediately.
Diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis
Onychomycosis does not go away on its own.Treatment of onychomycosis with "folk methods" or "random" use of antimycotics is usually ineffective.Even if this brings a short-term effect, over time the untreated disease will recur.Getting rid of onychomycosis requires a systematic approach and the participation of a doctor.
To confirm the diagnosis, a nail scraping is usually prescribed - a microscopic examination is carried out for the presence of pathogenic fungi, and then a culture is carried out to determine the specific pathogen.Based on the test results, the doctor can choose the optimal treatment method.
The process of treating onychomycosis can take 2-6 months, depending on the severity of the disease.The result will be visible later, in a few more months, when the nail is restored.
Antimycotics are local (cream, spray, ointment, gel) and complex (injections, tablets) products.During fungal treatment, in addition to drug treatment, shoes, gloves, floors and bathrooms, towels and bed linen must be disinfected.
In extremely advanced cases, the nail is destroyed to such an extent that the only effective treatment is to remove it.However, surgery is used only when other methods of treating onychomycosis have failed and there is a risk of further spread of the infection.
Prevention of nail fungus
The body does not develop specific (targeted) immunity against the fungus, so there is a risk of re-infection even after successful treatment of onychomycosis if hygiene rules are not followed.
To avoid catching onychomycosis, it is important to:
- follow personal hygiene rules;
- do not use other people's personal belongings or clothing;
- wash your feet (or at least your feet) daily in cold water and soap;
- that the 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 stay together with the pads of the toes;
- regularly disinfect the nails with an antiseptic;
- Clean regularly and avoid moisture and excessive moisture.
In the case of nail injuries, it is important to immediately treat the wound with antiseptics and to consult a doctor for immediate treatment of the wound, as it can serve as a "gateway" for a fungal infection.