The fungus damages both part and the entire nail, including the nail plate, the bed and the root of the nail. The infection develops slowly, causing the nail to change color, thicken and bend. Simultaneous signs may be skin lesions on the fingers, peeling, itching, and redness. Over time, the nails become so deformed that they interfere, for example, with wearing ordinary shoes.
The fungus most commonly affects the toenails. The medical name is onychomycosis. It is mostly found in the elderly and rarely in children. In most cases, nail fungus develops under the influence of the dermatophyte fungus, which also affects the skin. Sometimes the disease is caused by other types of fungi.
In milder cases, nail treatment may not be necessary. To determine the exact cause of the infection and rule out other possible diseases, the dermatologist will analyze the cut nail. Nail fungus can be cured, but sometimes it takes several months. Antifungal medications come in the form of tablets and nail polishes. In case of advanced nail fungus resort to surgical removal of the nail. There is also a method of laser treatment.
Signs and symptoms of nail fungus
The most common symptom of onychomycosis is discoloration and deformation of the nails. The nail can become white, black, yellow or green. Fungus on the nails is usually not a concern at first and in most cases there are no complications. If the infection is not treated, pain can develop in the affected nail. Fungus on toenails makes it difficult to walk and wear shoes, and if your toenails are affected, it can be difficult to write.
As onychomycosis develops, other symptoms appear, for example, the nail may become brittle, sagging, or completely peel off the nail. If the fungal infection is not treated, it can spread to the skin of the fingers and interdigital spaces. White or yellow spots may appear on the nail bed, and the skin around the nail may peel off. All these changes can be seen in the photo of the fungus on the nails.
Causes of nail fungus
The most common cause of nail damage on the nails is a fungal infection of the skin, such as a fungus on the foot. Fungus on the feet usually develops on the skin between the toes, which causes it to turn red, peel and itch. Fungi grow quickly and multiply in warm, humid environments, so prolonged wearing of sneakers or sweating of the feet increases the chances of developing an infection. About a third of people with foot fungus experience nail decay.
Nail fungus can be caused by an infection caused by the yeast candida, which is also the culprit for diseases like vaginal thrush or stomatitis. Nail fungus is more likely to occur if a person has to wash their hands often or keep their hands in water for a long time at work. Moisture peels the skin at the base of the nail, making it easier for fungi to access the nail. The risk of developing candidal nail lesions is higher in certain diseases, as follows:
- diabetes mellitus or psoriasis;
- weakened immunity, for example, in HIV;
- poor general health.
Other factors that can increase the risk of developing nail fungus include:
- wearing fake nails;
- nail damage;
- constant nail biting;
- life in a warm, humid climate;
- smoking.
With age, the probability of developing fungus on the nails increases. Sometimes the fungus appears for no apparent reason.
Treatment of nail fungus
In milder cases, treatment may not be necessary. However, if left untreated, the infection can spread to other nails and the skin of the toes and hands. To get rid of nail fungus as soon as possible, it is important to follow simple rules: give up sweaty foot shoes, trim your nails and follow foot hygiene carefully.
Using medication, a new healthy nail will begin to grow at the base of the nail bed, indicating that the treatment is helping. The old affected nail will gradually grow and can be trimmed within a few months. If after 2-3 weeks of treatment the new nail does not start to grow, you should consult a doctor. It is impossible to stop using prescribed medications without consulting a doctor, as this can lead to a return of the infection.
Tips for foot care for nail fungus
Below are tips on how to curb the infection during and after treatment.
- keep your feet dry and cool, socks and shoes should allow your feet to "breathe";
- wear clean cotton socks and try to wear sneakers as little as possible;
- start treating fungus on your feet at the first signs of damage to prevent the infection from spreading to your nails;
- trim nails properly;
- remove the affected nail areas with separate scissors to avoid spreading the infection;
- wear shoes of appropriate size on low heels and with a wide toe;
- wearing clean slippers in the public shower;
- if walking is difficult due to thickened nails, consult a dermatologist;
- it is advisable to get rid of old shoes that can be contaminated with fungal spores.
Remedies for nail fungus
When an antifungal tablet is taken, the drug reaches the nail through the bloodstream. Terbinafine and itraconazole are most often prescribed for nail fungus, which is a very effective medicine. However, it takes several months of therapy for the infection to completely resolve. If treatment is not completed, the infection may return.
The advantage of the tablets is that they will help eliminate all related fungal infections, such as foot fungus, at the same time. Possible side effects of antifungal tablets:
- headache;
- itching;
- loss of taste;
- nausea;
- diarrhea.
Topical remedies for nail fungus
Antifungal nail polish can be used instead of tablets. It is not as effective as tablets, because the medicine is applied to the affected nail and must reach the site of infection. It is often not possible to cover the entire lesion. Nail treatment on the hand can take about six months, on the nail - up to a year.
To remove the affected nail plates, you can use a paste that contains 40% urea. This paste is sold without a prescription. In the evening, the paste is lightly applied to the affected nails, which are covered with a bandage overnight. In the morning the paste is washed off, and in the evening the nail is applied according to the instructions and the procedure is repeated. In about two weeks, the nails affected by the fungus dissolve.
This is a painless procedure that allows you to remove the affected nail plate and get rid of the fungus. She avoids taking medication for several months and painful surgery. After the nail plate has melted, antifungal nail polish should be applied to the nails twice a week so that the new nail is not infected.
Surgery and laser treatment of onychomycosis
In case of advanced nail fungus or severe pain, surgical removal of the nail may be recommended if other treatments have failed. After surgery, over time, a new nail will grow at the site of the removed nail, but this can take a year or longer.
Another method of treating advanced nail fungus is laser treatment. The laser emits powerful light energy that kills the fungus. The results of the study showed that this method of treatment is safe and effective, with some studies achieving 90% efficacy after 3 months. However, there is little data on the long-term efficacy of this method, as most studies followed people for only 3 months. To achieve a lasting result, you must undergo every 3 months for a maximum of one year. This procedure can be expensive.
The need for treatment and selection of drugs should consult a dermatologist. Once the infection is removed, the nail may not return to its original appearance. In these cases, pieces of the nail are taken for analysis to determine if the infection is still retained in the nail thickness despite treatment.