Nail fungus or fungal diseases of the nails and tissues of the hands and feet is a common infectious disease. It is caused by yeast fungi that destroy nail plates and cause skin inflammation. In medicine, these diseases are called onychomycosis or paronychia. The standard misconception is that only people who do not keep their hands and feet clean can get the fungus. Nail fungus most often affects those who have to stay in their shoes for a long time due to their profession or other circumstances.
Symptoms
The classification of the disease depends on the type of infection and the localization of its spread.
- Normotrophic onychomycosis is manifested by small changes in the structure of the nail plate in the form of yellowish spots and streaks along the nail. It is the least noticeable and often does not cause any discomfort. The main concern is the appearance of the nail, which people in the initial stages try to hide with the help of cosmetics.
- Hypertrophic onychomycosis causes an increase in the volume of the horny plate of the nail. With this disease, a person may feel pain when pressing a finger. This creates discomfort when walking in shoes.
- The superficial white fungus is characterized by roughness on the surface of the nail plates and unpleasant whitish spots.
A mycologist specializing in fungal diseases can determine the cause of the disease and prescribe the correct treatment.
Types of fungi
The symptoms of a fungal infection are similar, but the doctor chooses the treatment depending on the type of fungus that caused the disease.
- Dermatophyte is the most common fungus that causes damage to nail plates and tissues around them. He usually chooses the thumb, little finger and the skin between the fingers. It is easily cured by early diagnosis
- Candida begins its action in the skin between the fingers and passes to the nail.
- Fusarium and Alternaria molds are rare and are mostly found in immunocompromised individuals
Reasons for occurrence
The main cause of infection is violation of sanitary standards. But even a person who carefully monitors the cleanliness of hands, feet and things can become infected in common areas.
- Contact with the fungus carrier and his belongings. This can be a visit to the bath or sauna, the use of individual foreign accessories or poorly processed manicure items.
- Excessive sweating of the feet creates a favorable environment for the spread of fungi.
- The use of narrow and poorly ventilated shoes made of artificial materials contributes to the creation of high humidity, helps the development of disease.
- A weakened immune system is unable to fight infection.
- Antibiotic treatment leads to a weakening of the immune system and the breakdown of the body's own microflora.
- Long period of taking antibacterial agents that destroy beneficial bacteria together with bacteria that cause diseases
- Diseases of the blood vessels of the extremities reduce the resistance and allow the fungus to disrupt the integrity of the skin for the development of the disease.
- Manifestations of diabetes mellitus in the form of skin disorders are a good environment for the development of fungal colonies.
- Wounds on the skin and cracks on the nails help the fungus to settle and start working.
- Visiting nail salons can cause fungal infections if sanitary standards for tool handling are not followed.
In children
Fungal infections are less common in childhood. This is due to the characteristics of the organism. As you know, children's feet are not prone to excessive sweating. However, going to swimming pools and gyms can lead to infection in children. Immunity weakened by colds also contributes to this. In old age and adolescence, when rapid hormonal changes occur in a child's body, there is also a risk of contracting a fungal infection. To protect yourself from infection, it is necessary to monitor the cleanliness of shoes and wash them in time with antiseptic compounds.
One of the causes of fungal infections in children can be a lack of vitamins in the body. It is desirable to compensate for the deficiency with the help of proper nutrition and complex vitamin therapy. Consulting a doctor will help you choose a quality composition of vitamin supplements for your child.
Development process
Favorable conditions are needed for the development of fungal infection. Wet shoes from sweat and a neutral or slightly acidic environment create comfort for the reproduction of fungi.
Unpleasant appearance of the nail, itching and pain around the nail indicate the initial infection. If you do not engage in treatment, after a while the fungus will completely destroy the nail plate and reach the soft tissues of the toes and feet. In the advanced stage of disease development, qualitative changes may occur in the form of blisters filled with a turbid liquid with a strong unpleasant odor.
Complications
A disease that is common on the outer surface of the nail plate may not cause discomfort. In some cases, this condition can last for years. The carrier of the fungus does not suffer alone, but is able to transmit the infection to others.
The consequences of fungal infection primarily affect the nails and tissues around them, but in the future they can cause negative consequences for the health of the whole organism.
The growth of fungal colonies causes pain in the legs and leads to difficulties in wearing shoes. Nails change shape and can grow into the tissues of the fingers, causing unbearable pain when walking.
Deterioration of the immune system, caused by toxins released by the fungus during its lifetime, leads to the frequent occurrence of colds and inflammatory processes in the body.
Allergic reactions caused by fungal products lead to numerous side effects of the respiratory system and liver and kidney diseases.
An infection that has settled in the body can cause conjunctivitis, rhinitis of various etiologies. Itchy skin, red spots and irritation can affect not only the sites of initial localization of fungal colonies, but also the skin of the body and head. It also affects the condition of the hair and facial skin. It can be part of the cause of dandruff.
Constant itching and discomfort caused by the disease is a fairly common reason to visit a neurologist and psychotherapist.
Advanced form of the disease can lead to nail loss and deformity of bones and joints.
Prevention
To avoid infection, it is necessary to carefully observe hygienic standards not only when visiting public places, but also personal ones.
It is forbidden:
- Use common hygiene items. Each family member should have their own nail scissors, foot towel, soap and more.
- You can't use other people's shoes. Through shared slippers in the family, the infection can easily spread.
- Wash the sick person's things with everyone else. It must be borne in mind that not all detergents and detergents are able to destroy the fungus. This infection is very durable. The clothes of the sick person should be treated with special solutions. This is especially true of shoes. It must be thoroughly rinsed from the inside and the cartridges changed frequently.