Onychomycosis or nail fungus is contagious
a fungal disease that affects fingernails and toenails and is easily transmitted to others.The main causative agents are fungi of the genus Trichophyton, Epidermophyton or Microsporum.For growth and reproduction, fungal colonies use keratin protein, which is one of the components of nails, hair and the upper layer of the skin (epidermis).
Onychomycosis is easily transmitted both by direct contact with an infected person or animal, and by other transmission factors, such as the patient's personal belongings or any item that interacts in any way with the carrier of the infection.It is more common in older people or adults with weakened immune systems.
Although the nail fungus itself does not pose a threat to life, it "attacks" the human immune system, the body becomes more susceptible to other diseases, and in the absence of adequate treatment, it can cause irreparable complications, so the treatment of nail fungus should be done very seriously.
Causes of nail fungus
A warm and constantly humid environment is the optimal condition for fungal colonies.The risk of infection increases in places where the sanitary-epidemiological regime is not followed.You can "catch" onychomycosis in public places or through common objects.
Fungi are natural inhabitants of the skin and mucous membranes;the immune system constantly encounters them and can easily cope with them in a healthy state.However, some factors cause a decrease in the body's ability to defend itself, thereby activating fungal invasion.Among them:
- suffered from serious illnesses;
- circulatory problems (for example, due to tight shoes);
- constant exposure to a warm, moist environment (for example, with hyperhidrosis or wet shoes);
- hormonal imbalance;
- vascular thrombosis, systemic vascular diseases;
- nail injuries;
- taking antibacterial drugs;
- stress etc.
Patients with systemic diseases are especially susceptible to mycosis: diabetes, psoriasis and immunodeficiency states.
People who suffer from skin fungus are more likely to develop onychomycosis.Mycosis of the skin is accompanied by severe itching, and constant scratching leads to nail infection and the spread of infection.
Types of nail fungus
Onychomycosis refers to superficial mycoses - fungal invasions that affect the skin and mucous membranes.If the immune system is significantly weakened, deep mycoses can develop - fungal infections of internal organs.
There are many types of nail fungus, but they all fall into one of three categories:
- Normotrophic onychomycosis - the nail may change color, be covered with light spots or stripes, but the shape and structure of the nail plate does not change.
- Hypertrophic - the nail noticeably turns yellow, thickens, deforms, the nail loses its shine, begins to collapse on the sides.
- Onycholytic (atrophic) - affected nails become thin, brittle and gradually peel off from the nail bed.
Signs of fungal damage to the nail plate
There are many types of fungi, so the symptoms of the disease can manifest in different ways:
- light spots or streaks appear;
- the color of the nail becomes earthy gray, yellow or light brown, the pink color fades;
- the nail thickens, deforms, cracks and in advanced cases peels off;
- pain in the affected nail area, especially when wearing shoes.
Nails affected by onychomycosis can cause an unpleasant odor and severe pain when walking.Advanced fungal infections can cause allergic reactions and create a favorable "platform" for the development of other infectious diseases.
Stages of development
The fungus can enter from the free (distal) edge of the nail, lateral folds on the sides, or damaged areas of the nail.First, the infection is fixed on the edges of the nail, and as the colony grows, it spreads to the entire nail.The fungus can penetrate the epithelial tissue under the nail plate through microcracks and wounds in the nail.
Usually, the thumbs are the first to suffer from the fungus.The first manifestations of onychomycosis are the appearance of light spots on the nails.The color of the nail plate changes - the pink color characteristic of healthy nails disappears.The nail plate becomes earthy-gray, yellowish or whitish and loses its transparency.The edge of the nail begins to crack and become thinner.
If the fixation of fungi and the formation of mycelium occurs, the deformation of the nail begins gradually.Penetrating the nail plate, mycosis slowly spreads to the hard shell of the nail, and then to the adjacent tissues.Air gaps appear and delamination begins.Some try to cut the entire affected area - this will not give the expected result, because the infection has already penetrated deeper layers.Sometimes there are disturbances in the process of nail tissue formation - the nails will grow poorly and the new areas will already look deformed.
Then, the nail begins to deteriorate, pain may appear and an unpleasant odor may be felt.The next stage of the infectious process is the transfer of the fungus to the adjacent nails and adjacent areas of the skin.
The longer you ignore the fungal problem, the stronger it "takes root" in the body and the harder it is to treat it later.Therefore, if the color, structure or shape of the nail has changed, you should immediately consult a dermatologist or mycologist.
Diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis
Onychomycosis will not go away on its own.Treatment of onychomycosis with "folk methods" or the use of "random" antimycotic drugs, as a rule, is not effective.Even if this has a short-term effect, over time the untreated disease recurs.To get rid of onychomycosis, you need a systematic approach and the participation of a doctor.
To confirm the diagnosis, a nail scraping is usually prescribed - a microscopic examination for the presence of pathogenic fungi, then a culture is performed to identify the specific pathogen.Based on the test results, the doctor will be able to choose the optimal course of treatment.
The course of treatment for onychomycosis can last from 2 to 6 months, depending on the severity of the disease.The result will be seen later, after a few more months, when the nail is restored.
Antimycotics are both local (cream, spray, ointment, gel) and complex-acting (injections, tablets) drugs.In addition to the use of drugs, it is necessary to disinfect shoes, gloves, floors and bathrooms, towels and bedclothes during the treatment of fungi.
In extremely advanced cases, the nail is destroyed to such an extent that the only effective treatment is its removal.However, surgery is used only when other methods of treating onychomycosis have failed and there is a danger of the infection spreading further.
Prevention of nail fungus
The body does not create specific (targeted) immunity against fungi, therefore, even after successful treatment of onychomycosis, if hygiene rules are not followed, there is a risk of re-infection.
It is important to avoid onychomycosis:
- observe the rules of personal hygiene;
- do not use other people's personal belongings or clothes;
- wash your feet (or at least your feet) every day with cool water and soap;
- socks or stockings should always be clean and dry;if you tend to sweat excessively, treat your feet with special preparations;
- don't let your nails grow, but don't cut them too short so that your toe pads stay like this;
- periodically disinfect the nails with an antiseptic;
- Clean regularly and avoid moisture and excessive humidity.
In case of nail damage, it is important to immediately treat the wound with antiseptics and consult a doctor for quick treatment of the wound, because it can serve as a "doorway" for fungal infection.