Rain-soaked boots, tight and warm shoes, reduced immunity - all this increases the risk of onychomycosis.
Mushrooms attack in the fall
Unpleasant cracks on the foot between the toes and the nail turns yellow? You may have contracted the fungus. About 10% of the world's population suffers from this microscopic enemy, and the number of victims of onychomycosis (or nail fungus) has more than doubled in the last 10 years.
Both men and women fall victim to it with equal success. But the risk of disease increases with age. For example, after 70 years, every second person suffers from onychomycosis.
Fortunately, children are much less likely to become infected, as babies' nails grow much faster than those of an adult, and the fungus, on the other hand, develops quite slowly.
Where can you get the fungus? Yes, most likely from their own relatives.
Recent studies have found that nail fungus is most commonly contracted in 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 provoke the disease: the skin of the foot and nails are more susceptible to injury. Socks and socks made of synthetic fibers, poor ventilation in autumn and winter shoes create a humid microclimate for the feet. Frequent contact of the hands with washing and cleaning household products injures the fingernails, and the fungus simply prefers 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.
The presence of diseases: diabetes, AIDS, obesity, reduced 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 catches the nails not only on the feet but also on the hands. Sooner or later, another person will step on the fallen skin flakes and become infected.
Externally, the appearance of fungus on the nails may look like this: the color and thickness of the nails change, the nails begin to crumble or collapse.
Where is the infection
You can get fungus both in the common areas (the floor in the locker rooms of the gyms, in the bathroom, swimming pools, manicure / pedicure salon, in a 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, carpets, covers) - these are the factors that determine the transmission of the fungus between members of the same family, their relatives and friends.
The most effective means of combating nail fungus is primary prevention. It is better to avoid infection than to treat it later. To avoid nail fungus infection, you should follow these simple rules:
- Never use someone else's shoes and do not give your shoes to others, even close people.
- Do not use the same manicure accessories to treat sore and healthy nails.
- If possible, disinfect all objects with which the patient's feet and hands have been in contact.
- Do not walk barefoot in public places and it is better not to do this at home. When visiting a bath, sauna or swimming pool, use closed rubber slippers that protect against splashes. On the beach also walk only in slippers.
- After the pool you should take a shower.
- Never visit bathrooms or 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 any antifungal agents or alcoholic solutions of antiseptics are suitable for prophylaxis.
- Do not wear rubber boots for a long time, uncomfortable shoes that rub your feet.
- Do not abuse synthetic socks or tights, change them daily.
Immediately to the doctor!
At the first suspicion that you have caught a fungal infection, you should consult a mycologist or dermatologist. The doctor will not only perform an examination, assess the thickness, structure of the nail, but will also make tissue scrapings for analysis. Only in this way he will be able to determine the presence of the fungus, its type and prescribe the right treatment.
If onychomycosis is not treated, it can lead to nail loss. The infection damages the whole body. The fungus releases toxic substances, provoking allergic reactions and reduced immunity.
It is necessary to know clearly that in the early stages it is quite easy to get rid of the infection. If the disease is not advanced, local treatment can be performed: trim the affected areas of the nail, cover the remaining nail with antifungal varnish, lubricate with antifungal ointments, which are many today.
Remember that the longer the fungus lives on your nails, the harder it is to get rid of it. In the later stages, when several years have passed since the infection (and the toenails are affected), the fungal diseases are difficult to treat.
what you should Know
- You should be alert at the first sign of skin fungus. Fungal infections on the skin heal easier and faster than on the nails. It is enough to lubricate the affected areas with one of the antifungals, which are abundant in every pharmacy.
- Fungi can also infect hair, although nail fungus is the most common.
- Sometimes the change in the appearance of the nails is not related to fungi, but is caused by the condition of the internal organs: cardiovascular and pulmonary insufficiency, renal or hepatic dysfunction. Nails may turn yellow after taking powerful medications. Nail damage is also caused by lichen planus, eczema, psoriasis and finally nail injuries. But most often the appearance of the nails changes eventually after a fungal infection.
Folk recipes
Treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies is rarely effective. However, here are two recipes.
- Apply a piece of kombucha on the inflamed nail and bandage your finger. This will soften the nail and make it easier for you to cut it. Repeat the procedure until the nail is completely soft. Then steam your feet well and smear with this mixture: take one part vinegar essence, two parts glycerin, two parts 96% alcohol. Prepare garlic oil: grate the garlic and pour sunflower oil heated to sixty degrees (the oil should cover the garlic) - mix everything and leave to infuse for several days in a tightly closed container. Soak a cotton swab in this oil, apply on the affected nail and bandage it. Place a plastic bag on top - this way you will not soil the bed linen, as such treatment should be done before bedtime. The course of treatment is 10-15 days.
- Wash your feet well before bed. Soak a cotton ball in 9% vinegar and place on the nail. Wrap your finger on top with film and secure with adhesive tape. Repeat the procedure in the morning. Wash your feet one day after such treatment. Arrange your nails - where to cut, where to clean. Repeat the procedure several times on the sole.