Causes of Toenail Fungus: Symptoms and Treatment

Nail fungus is a disease caused by various groups of pathogens.To destroy it, you need to undergo diagnostics to identify all the features of the disease.What are its causes?There are many reasons for the occurrence of a fungal infection and prerequisites for its occurrence.

Genetic causes of the disease

Fungal spores can remain on various surfaces for years.People often encounter pathogenic microorganisms, but infection does not always occur.For nail fungus to occur, predisposing factors must be present.The infection must have the conditions to develop.Scientists have conducted many studies on the mechanism of the onset of the disease.

It turned out that one of the factors in the occurrence of a fungal infection is a genetic predisposition.According to these studies, mycosis most often occurs in people whose relatives suffer from a similar disease.The course of the disease influences the genetic level.

Interesting cases of infection when living together.It is easiest to get mycosis from close contact.However, it often occurs in one household member but does not affect another.And the disease usually occurs in the person whose genes are most similar to those of the person who originally developed mycosis.According to all these data, the proximity of contact in infection is less important than the proximity of genetic ties.

Symptoms of mycosis

Nail fungus manifests itself differently in different stages.An infection usually begins with mycoses in the spaces between the fingers.At this time the following is observed:

• The appearance of blisters;
• redness of the skin;
• Itching.

If no treatment is carried out at this stage, the disease begins to affect the nails.In this case, the following signs are detected:

1. Dullness of the nail plate, loss of transparency;
2. The appearance of white streaks and spots;
3. Unpleasant sensations.

It is better to carry out treatment at this stage as it will reduce the cost of therapy.To kill microorganisms, external preparations are sufficient: ointments, varnishes.If nothing is done, the nail fungus will progress.This is manifested by the following symptoms:

• thinning or thickening of the nail;
• delamination of the nail plate;
• His departure from the nail bed;
• The plate takes on an unusual color: becomes white, yellow or black;
• In the final stage, the nail literally crumbles, collapses and an unpleasant odor may appear.

Mycoses do not only develop their pathological effects on the toenails.Inflammatory processes affect the entire foot.

It begins to turn red and peel.The patient feels itching, which increases during periods of exacerbation.The presence of characteristic signs allows you to detect the disease during the initial examination.

Types of fungal infections

Nail fungus is classified into different types depending on which group of microorganisms causes it.There are three main groups:

1. Dermatophytes.The most common case.This group is the cause of mycoses in 95% of cases;
2. Candida.These yeast-like microorganisms contribute to the thinning of the nail plate.It begins to turn yellow and lag behind its bed.The lesion begins at the nail fold.As the disease progresses, swelling occurs.In some cases, pus may ooze.The skin of the plate stops growing and therefore turns brown.The nail is crumbling.These groups of microorganisms mostly develop in women.There are risk groups - housewives who constantly deal with household chemicals.It has an aggressive effect on the skin and opens the “doors” to infections;
3. Types of mold.These groups of microorganisms cannot penetrate deep into the nail plate.This prevents complete destruction, but the disease is associated with other effects.The nail changes color significantly.It can take on a black, blue, green shade.

Treatment depends on the group of microorganisms, since different pathogenic microbes react differently to drugs.Sometimes three types of fungi are identified during diagnosis.In this case, complex therapy is required.

Shapes of mushrooms

There are different stages of the disease that differ in the type of lesions:

1. Normotrophic.There is a change in color of the nail plate.It may turn yellow and lose transparency.Stripes or dots appear in white and yellow.The difference between the disease is that the nail is not subject to significant deformation.Sometimes it can even retain its former glory;
2. Atrophic.The nail becomes thinner and completely loses its shine.Distinct white and yellow stripes and dots appear, which represent specific foci of infection;
3. Hypertrophic.The record changes significantly.Thickening and signs of friability are observed.It becomes porous.Severe pain syndrome is also possible, which worsens with movement and wearing tight shoes.The disease can limit a person's activity.

The prescribed treatment regimen depends on the stage and type of microorganisms.In the first phases, external remedies have proven to be effective.In later stages, the treatment regimen usually consists of a combination of external medications and internal medications.

Where can you get infected with fungi?

Nail fungus is usually transmitted from person to person.Microbial spores can remain on surfaces.If you touch them, the fungus will stay on the feet and begin to develop.You can catch mycosis in the following places:

• Public facilities: saunas, swimming pools, showers of sports clubs.This is the most likely way to get the fungus, as it reproduces most actively in warm and humid conditions.To protect yourself from this, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment of the feet with medications before visiting the institution.You must bring your own slippers;
• If mycosis occurs in one household member, it is likely that the disease will occur in other family members through bathing.Fungal spores remain on its walls, causing mycoses.For protection, it is necessary to treat surfaces with disinfectants after each visit to the toilet;
• Sometimes the reason is a manicure or pedicure performed with tools that have not been disinfected after previous use.This refers to procedures performed in beauty salons;
• Shoes in stores can harbor controversy because they are often tried on by different people.For protection, you can only try on shoes on the toe;
• A less likely source of infection is public beaches, as nail fungus does not survive well in salty sand.

To prevent the disease, one should not forget the importance of personal slippers and take preventive measures.

Possible complications with prolonged treatment

Mycoses are characterized by the speed of their development and spread.If treatment is delayed, the symptoms of the disease become more and more obvious.First of all, a person is worried about the aesthetic factor, since thickening and white dots appear on the toenails.However, if you do not fight the problem, more serious consequences appear: pain when moving, itching and burning.Let's consider the most likely consequences of prolonged treatment:

• As the body weakens, further infections may occur;
• Exacerbation of diabetes mellitus.The appearance of gangrene or infection of bone tissue against the background of an infectious process.All of this can result in the need to amputate limbs;
• If nail fungus is not treated for a long time, the body can react with hypersensitivity and allergic reactions.Against this background, allergic dermatitis, skin diseases and bronchial asthma worsen;
• The extreme stage of mycosis is damage to internal organs.The infection begins to spread throughout the body.This can be fatal.

Another important consequence of not starting therapy on time is significant financial costs.In the final stages, the disease is not only more difficult to treat, but also more expensive.You have to spend money on local procedures and pills.Really effective drugs are more expensive.In some cases, surgery may even be prescribed.

Preventive measures

Nail fungus can be prevented; this is what preventative measures are aimed at.They help prevent the penetration and further spread of pathogenic microorganisms.Prevention is very simple and consists of following the following tips:

• The exception is tight shoes and incorrectly chosen lasts.All this leads to the appearance of calluses and other deformations through which the infection penetrates;
• You should not wear synthetic socks and tights as your feet will sweat in them.Sweat and a humid environment are the best conditions for fungi to grow.
• You should pay attention to personal hygiene, wear slippers when entering public places, and pre-treat your feet with preventive agents;
• After each foot wash, the interdigital areas are dried thoroughly;
• Socks and stockings should be replaced every day;
• You cannot wear someone else's shoes;
• The house must be kept clean, for which regular disinfection is carried out.

Prevention aims at two goals: preventing infection and preventing its development when spores may be ingested.To achieve the second goal, you need to take care of your immune system: exercise, eat right.

Treatment methods

Nail fungus usually takes a long time to heal.The duration of therapy is 6 months to a year, regardless of the cause of the disease.The advantage is that most medications can relieve symptoms quickly.However, despite the disappearance of symptoms, it is necessary to continue therapy until the microorganisms are completely destroyed.

Topical medications are used to treat the early stages.This includes:

1. special paints;
2. creams and gels;
3. Solutions and tinctures.

In later stages, oral medications are added to external medications:

• tablets;
• Antibiotics.

Varnishes are particularly popular.They have two effects at the same time: they destroy existing microorganisms and form a film that prevents new infections from penetrating.The product can penetrate deep into the nail.It is colorless and odorless and can therefore be used by men.Before use, it is recommended to remove the nail plate to ensure deeper penetration.

Ointments and gels are gentle.They are easy to use.Quickly relieves symptoms.With the help of medications you can treat not only nails, but also the skin around them.The disadvantage is that the product can be quickly washed off the skin.To prevent this, you can apply compresses: a cotton pad is placed on the ointment layer and fixed with a bandage.

In severe cases, tablets are prescribed.This product has a strong effect, is toxic and has contraindications.For this reason, therapy is carried out under medical supervision.

If the case is already advanced, surgical intervention can help.During the operation, the affected nail is removed.Removal can be done without surgery.For this purpose, special means are used.The last option is painless.

Nail fungus is an extremely common problem.The tricky thing is that the signs of the disease are insignificant in the early stages.The patient can constantly postpone treatment because he does not feel any discomfort.All of this leads to the problem being neglected.To solve it you need a lot of money and medicine.Mycoses spread quickly, causing pain, detachment of the plate, unpleasant odors and changes in the nail.