Defeat nail fungus not only affects their aesthetic appearance and quality of life of the patient, but also can become the cause of serious complications. Especially dangerous is the disease for people with weakened immune systems and impaired perception of hormonal background. Treatment of fungal infection is associated with difficulty and it takes a longer time. Than later measures taken, the harder it is to get rid of the nail parasites, therefore, when the detection of the first symptoms of the disease need to quickly contact a dermatologist.
The causes of nail fungus
The defeat of the nail plate parasitic fungi-dermatophytes is called onychomycosis. The etiology of the disease is associated not only with the penetration of the parasite into the body, but also with its anchor in the Horny layers, that can not occur without the creation of certain conditions. The main cause of nail fungus is the availability of a suitable environment for multiplication of micro-organisms. Injection occurs during the contact of open areas of the body with contaminated objects or an infected person.
After penetration of the parasites on the skin, are fixed in the surface layer of the epidermis and gradually begin to spread to the healthy skin of the veil.
The penetration of the fungi into the deeper layers of the disease is asymptomatic, and in the absence of a favorable environment to pathogens replaced by the newly created healthy cells outside of the horny plates. With the availability of the same to certain conditions, which contribute to the creation of a favourable environment for the increase in the total mass of the fungi, leads to their penetration of the nail plate and rapid progress in the nail.
The consequences of fungus on the nails
In the absence of timely treatment, the fungus spreads on all the healthy nails. Violation of the aesthetics of the appearance of the fingers on the hands and feet — is not the most dangerous consequence of the disease. Thrush is an outbreak of infection, which is able to trigger inflammatory processes in the dermis and cause increased sensitivity of the organism. As the allergen affects the waste products of microorganisms that are highly toxic for the human body.
Issued by the representatives of onychomycosis of the biological substances can cause the development of physical diseases, including very heavy. Under the influence of toxic biologically active substances may develop the following diseases:
- inflammatory defeat of the skin sheets of allergic nature;
- damage to the liver;
- acute defeat the entire surface of the skin and mucous membranes.
Persons with diagnosed diabetes mellitus is not only more fully exposed to the risk of fungal infection, but also more often than others suffer from the consequences of onychomycosis. In diabetics are celebrating the violation of the sensitivity of the limbs, which prevents timely recognize the first signs of pathology, and procrastination in the treatment of diseases in this category of patients carries with it the infection of the cracks that arise on the skin in the the athlete's foot. The frequent complications of fungal infection in diabetes are:
- bone infection;
- gangrene of the lower extremities;
- trophic ulcers on the legs.
Treatment of nail fungus
Duration of therapeutic course in onichana athlete's foot depends on the stage of identification of the disease and the nature of his swing. The goal of treatment is eradication (total destruction) of fungal parasites. The scheme of antifungal therapy is being developed by a dermatologist based on the results of diagnostics, in which was recorded the type of the causative agent of the disease and is controlled by the presence in the body of other pathogens (when bacterial complications).
Arsenal of therapeutic methods includes several methods of destruction of fungi, the effectiveness of the application, which determines the physician on the basis of the extent of deformation of the nail. Treatment of fungus on nails is performed by one of the following ways:
- The cure – in pathology, which flows in a simple way, called a local antimycotic agents (creams, ointments, gels, lotions, varnishes, sprays), as monotherapy, in onychomykózax moderate and severe forms of the treatment scheme is followed by the pills, capsules for oral ingestion.
- Laser is indicated when less damage in the absence of accompanying infection, is an alternative method that can replace the long-term use of the drug funds.
- Removal of the nail plate – a radical method of treatment of often recurring onychomycosis and severe forms of the disease.
- Antibiotic treatment – is appointed in the case of complications a fungal disease bacterial infection.
The removal of the affected nail
In the development of modern methods of pharmacological treatment of fungal infections of the removal of the nail was the only way to get rid of fungal infections. The classical method is the removal of the affected nail plate is a surgical procedure. Currently to this highly traumatic and painful way resort rarely, that is associated with the risk of developing postoperative complications (injection wounds, a long and difficult recovery period).
To alternative, less painful methods of removal include hardware pedicure and laser. During these procedures the board softens keratolytic medication and a layer of excluded special tools (cone mills with abrasive products or laser equipment). The shortcomings of these methods include the risk of allergic reactions, entering infection, incomplete removal of the mold.
To withdraw the nail plate can be, without resorting to mechanical action, and with the help of special preparations. Drug means, lpro softening the keratin (biomaterial, incoming in the composition of the nails) are called ceratolici. The mechanism of their action is based on the capabilities of the basic structural components (urea and acid) to change the structure of the board, so it is plastic and soft.
Pills
Tablets products, pointing to mild and severe fungal disease. In the scheme of treatment of onychomycosis included mainly 2 groups of antifungal agents – synthesis and allylamines. The effectiveness of therapy with the use of oral devices is growing significantly, but the intake of tablets should be administered under medical control due to the availability of side effects associated with the highly specific action of antifungal drugs.
Ointments and creams
Without the need for systemic therapy of fungal infections (of the lighter forms, the prevalence of the destruction of more than 2/3 of the surface of the nail plate) preparations of local action can be used as monotherapy. Antimycotic ointments and creams to amplify the effect of the drugs while inside, so the combined use of systemic and topical therapy speeds up the healing process.
Cure for nail fungus prescribed by a dermatologist on the basis of the clinical pictures of the disease and certain results of diagnostics of pathogens. With a wrong choice of means of treatment may be not only ineffective, but also dangerous. The benefits of using creams and ointments, how to get rid of mold and mildew are a smaller number of side effects, rapid elimination of unpleasant symptoms, disadvantages – duration of the course and the inefficiency in the heavy course of the disease.
Treatment of fungus on the feet and on the hands of varnishes
Funds for local action, which relate to direct application on the nails – it's antifungal lacquers. Inclusion in the treatment scheme of the varnishes does not preclude the use of other dosage forms of antifungal drugs. By themselves these funds can only be used as a preventive. Advantage of supplement therapy varnishes consists in the removal of the aesthetic shortcomings in the form of changed color or deformation, the disadvantage is the high price of the treatment course.
The mechanism of action of antifungal drugs in the form of a varnish is based on the fungicidal properties of their individual components. To increase the effectiveness of resources need to be applied every day on the cleaned from keratinized tissues and degreased the nail plate (the old layers of paint need to be removed using a solvent).
Laser therapy.
One of the modern ways to treat mold is laser – burning with a laser beam of fungal colonies in the matrix keratin plates without destroying the healthy tissue. Testimony to the implementation of this procedure can act all forms and stages of onychomycosis. Laser application provides the immediate death of the parasite and accelerates the process of healing. The number of sessions of laser therapy (in a duration of about 30 min) shall be determined on the basis of the severity of the lesion. Made manipulation do not lead to painful sensations and almost never lead to unwanted side effects.
Treatment of nail fungus folk remedies
The use of recipes of folk medicine in the treatment of onychomycosis is permissible only as one of the ways, as a traditional therapy to strengthen the therapeutic effect. If for some reason it is not able to seek medical help, when they find signs of mold, it is necessary to take measures as soon as possible to prevent the transition of the disease into severe form (in the running stage of the self can lead to very dangerous consequences).
Due to the wide occurrence of mycoses alternative and natural medicine offers many ways to solve this problem with the use of internal and external funds. The most popular folk remedy for the treatment of nail fungus:
- Vinegar (70% of the essence). Effective and fast remedy is a paste prepared from vinegar essence, eggs and butter. In a vessel pour 200 ml of vinegar, omit the whole egg and give it away to a dark place. After the dissolution of the egg is necessary to strain the liquid and inject the 1 tsp oil. The resulting mass apply on 12-14 hours under the foil on the steamed plots. At least softening of the plate is necessary to cut it up to complete disappearance of symptoms of thrush.
- Iodine. If it is immediately after the detection of the first symptoms of onychomycosis use is so available antiseptic, such as iodine – can be remove the problem for 1-2 treatments. In the later stages of this method is inefficient. Manipulations consist in applying on the affected areas of iodine into the moment, until the mass ceases to absorb. Before the procedure it is necessary to steam the legs or hands, and put them to dry completely. Upon the occurrence of a strong burning sensation when the processing is necessary to omit the limb into a container of cold water.
- Juice of celandine. The plant has a bactericidal effect, which makes its use for the treatment of fungal diseases. Therapeutic manipulations are performed on clean feet or hands. In the juice from the stem of a freshly-ripped celandine, moisten a cotton disk and connect it to was hit by part, covering the top with gauze. Daily all perform this procedure for 2-3 weeks to get rid of the symptoms of the disease.
- Hydrogen peroxide. One of the methods that contribute to the rapid removal of the fungal infection, is a three-stage procedure with the use of hydrogen peroxide. The affected area is first treated with a mixture of vinegar (3%) and hydrogen (3%) in a ratio of 1: 1, after which the fingers dipped for 30 seconds. a very weak solution of sodium hypochlorite. After soaking in the vehicle should be thoroughly rinsed, dry the fingers on the hands or feet and apply it on the nails, a mixture of tea tree oil and vaseline. The duration of treatment is 1 week.
- Tincture kind of plant. For the treatment of skin and nail disease it is possible to use all kinds of kind of plant. For the preparation of tinctures need to pour a small amount of raw materials boiling water and let it brew for 2-3 hours In cool to 45-50 degrees, the infusion should be on the couple's feet or hands in the course of half an hour. After 3-4 weeks of daily routine symptoms of the disease disappear.
- Tea tree oil. The content in this vehicle substance, such as limonene, alpha-terpinene, sabine, alpha-phellandrene, cineole provides an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. For the destruction of the fungus-the dermatophytes, it is recommended that after 8-10 weeks, the trays with the addition of 15-20 drops of oil.
Prevention
Parasitic microorganisms common everywhere, and completely limit your contact with them is impossible, but, to adhere to certain measures, can reduce the risk of infection. Prevention of onychomycosis is aimed at reducing the likelihood of infection and strengthens the immune protection for the handicap to consolidate the pathogens in the body. The main preventive measures include:
- regular carrying out of sanitary activities in the care of the skin of the feet and hands;
- how to get rid of sweating of the feet;
- removing excessive drying of skin sheets;
- limit the contact of open skin with household items in places of public visits;
- daily change of socks, stockings, tights and so on;
- wear comfortable shoes and clothes made of breathable materials;
- early treatment of trauma, the degenerative changes of the nail plate;
- compliance with equipment sterilization and disinfection of instruments for manicure and pedicure;
- refusal of bad habits;
- compliance with the principles of a balanced diet, limiting the amount of consumed sweets;
- the regular (spring and fall) reception of vitamin complexes.
You cannot ignore the symptoms of the disease, or trying to themselves to establish the diagnosis. Most of the requests for medical assistance takes place in the severe stage of the disease, which is associated with the confidence of the patients is that they may develop onychomycosis, as well as compliance with all those rules. It is necessary to take into account that even with compliance with all medical recommendations to prevent a fungal infection the probability of infection decreases, but a proportion of the risk of infection still remains.