Nail fungus in adults: symptoms, causes, treatment

In medicine, the nail fungus is officially called onychomycosis.This is a fungal disease that affects the nails plates on the fingers or legs.According to whom, this is a fairly common disease.It occurs in about 27% of people and on the legs the pathology is diagnosed 2 times more often than on the hands.The problem of the nail fungus is very delicate, since the unpleasant type of interested plates makes the patient feel uncomfortable and hiding them from others.

Symptoms and signs of nail mushrooms

Onichomicosis is very easy to recognize, since its signs on the nails cannot be ignored.Initially, the nails plates become opaque and rough, they lose the lucid shine.So instead of rose, the nail acquires dirty, whitish or gray yellow.Subsequently, other characteristic symptoms of the mushroom appear:

  • an increase in the thickness of the dish;
  • defects in the form of strips, curves, irregularities and waves;
  • Relaxing and shiver the dish;
  • An unpleasant smell from the nails.
Nail fungus

Consequently, the nail is completely destroyed and even exfoliating, exposing the bed under the nail.The skin next to the plates becomes red and causes serious itching.

Causes

The main reason for the development of fungal infections is to enter the body or within the human body.As a rule, these are Mikrosportum, Metridium and Epidermofiton.These are the mushroom causes of onychomicosis above all often.

When entering the body, these mushrooms are located on keratinized skin derivatives, that is nails and hair.This is due to the nutrition of parasites for which they use the chestroine of the fibrillar proteins, which is available in nails and hair.

Ways of infection

The risk of obtaining an infection with a mushroom in public places with high humidity is particularly high.These are saunas, swimming pools, gyms, public bathrooms, etc.The most common ways of infection:

  • Direct contact with an infected person.Here the mushroom falls from its habitat in healthy areas, thus causing an infection;
  • Domestic path.In this case, the infection occurs when using the patient's personal things: shoes, personal hygiene objects, etc.

Risk factors

The incidence of the icydomicosis increases by 60 years.At the moment, the probability of developing this infection is 60%, which is explained by a slowdown in the metabolism, especially in the distal (remote) areas of the body, which are only the fingers and legs.

Other risk factors for the development of the nail fungus include:

  • diabetes mellitus;
  • varicose veins;
  • Nail injuries and adjacent fabrics;
  • HIV and other states of immunodeficiency;
  • Long -term intake of antibiotics;
  • weakened immunity;
  • Vascular and skin diseases, dermatitis, diaper eruption;
  • Blood intake compromised in the limbs;
  • Insufficient hygiene.

Complications

With a simple course, the disease causes traditional symptoms for the mushroom, causing a person only a serious discomfort.But without treatment, onychomycosis can cause complications.Very often, they appear in the addition of a bacterial infection.

Sometimes the onychomycosis is very acute with the advent of bubbles, ulcerations and crying areas on the skin next to the nail.In serious cases, the disease acquires a generalized form.This means that the nail fungus applies to the internal organs and systems, so the patient will need hospitalization in emergency hospital.

When to consult a doctor

Many who have encountered the onychomycosis know that the disease develops slowly and is treated with an incredible labor.That's why it is very important to consult a doctor when the first signs of the disease appear.The treatment of the oticomicosis of the nails is engaged in a dermatologist.The specialist will provide competent assistance and guide you up to a complete recovery.

Preparation for a visit to a doctor

Before taking a dermatologist, it is important not to process the affected areas of the nails, i.e. not to use drugs, including iodine and green.It is also necessary to exclude the use of creams and mushroom ointments.It is worth taking all the tests previously done, also on other diseases.Interested nails cannot be cut for 3-4 days before consultation.

Diagnosis of nail mushrooms

First of all, the patient is directed to microscopy, which allows you to identify the presence of the pathogen.In the future, it is necessary to determine its variety in order to choose the correct treatment of the nail fungus on the legs.The most modern and common methods are practiced for the diagnosis of onychomycosis:

  • Bacteriological sowing.For this reason, a biological sample of interested fabrics is placed in a means of artificial nutrients, in which the pathogen is grown to determine its type;
  • The polymerase chain reaction method (PCR) to detect the pathogen DNA in the sample taken of the fabrics concerned.

Treatment

In the initial phase of the disease, local therapy is usually prescribed, which consists in the use of creams and ointments with antifungal effects.

Antiseptic solutions are also used as external products from the nail fungus.In addition to the effective tools of the icydomicosis of the nails, antihistamines and desensitizing drugs are prescribed, which relieve swelling, inflammation and sensitivity.

If the nail is completely influenced by the mushroom and the pharmacological treatment does not provide positive results, the plate is subjected to surgical removal.In addition, with a total form of onychomycosis, antifungal drugs are prescribed within the form of tablets, which have a systemic effect on the body.

Products for home treatment

Before using funds for domestic treatment, you need to consult a doctor.With its resolution, you can use the following recipes:

  • iodine.Before using the leg, steam is necessary, rinse with home soap, then remove the affected areas of the nail plates.Subsequently, it treats the nails and skin between the fingers with iodine, they resist it with a soda solution for 20-30 minutes and dry thoroughly;
  • vinegar.For 3 liters of water, take 1 tablespoon.Apple cider vinegar and add a little potassium permanganate.Keep your legs in the bathroom for 20-30 minutes, then completely dry;
  • Hydrogen peroxide.Those abandoning the legs, remove the interested areas of the nail plates.Put on them inhumiditis cotton wheels with hydrogen peroxide, wrap with a bandage and left for half an hour.

Myths and dangerous disappointments in the treatment of the nail fungus

One of the most important and dangerous myths is that the nail fungus is not considered a serious illness.In fact, the onychomycosis, progressing, can lead to serious consequences up to the deformation and complete refusal of the nails from the nail bed.

In addition, an infected person is a danger to loved ones daily, because, being next to him, they also risk getting sick.That's why it is important to know how to cure the nail fungus in time.

Prevention

To prevent the development of oticomicosis, it is necessary to exclude the negative effect on the body of the risk factors:

Healthy nails
  • Treat system diseases in time;
  • Don't wear someone else's shoes;
  • in the pool and sauna for walking on scans;
  • Change socks daily and follow the rules of personal hygiene;
  • Do not wear wet shoes: completely drying;
  • Exclude direct contact with potential media mushrooms.