The defeat of the nail by fungus not only affects the aesthetic appearance and quality of life of the patient, but can cause serious complications. Especially dangerous is the disease for individuals with weakened immune system and reduced hormonal background. Treatment of fungal infection is fraught with difficulties and it lasts for a long period of time. In spite of later measures are taken, the harder it is to get rid of the nail parasites, therefore, when detected the first signs of the disease would have to be as fast as possible, consult a dermatologist.
Causes of nail fungus
The defeat of the nail plate parasitic fungi-dermatophytes is called onychomycosis. The etiology of the disease is not only associated with invasion of the parasite in the body, but also with the closure of the horn layers, that can't happen without the creation of certain conditions. The main cause of occurrence of nail fungus is the presence of a favorable environment for reproduction of microorganisms. The infection happens when coming in contact with external areas of the body with contaminated objects or an infected person.
After getting the parasites in the skin, is fixed in the superficial layer of the epidermis and gradually begin to spread to healthy skin caps.
Until penetration of the fungi into the deeper layers, the disease is asymptomatic, and the absence of favourable conditions for the pathogens is replaced re-educated healthy cells beyond the stratum plates. If certain conditions, contribute to shaping a favourable environment for the increase of the total mass of fungi, occurs the penetration of the nail plate and quick promotion in the rat.
The consequences for fungal infections of the nails
In the absence of timely treatment fungus spreads on all the healthy nails. A violation of the aesthetic perspective of the fingers and toes — it's not the most dangerous consequence of the disease. The athlete is a source of contamination, which is able to cause inflammation in the skin and cause increased sensitivity of the organism. As allergen act the waste products of microorganisms that have a high toxicity for the human body.
Available pathogens of onychomycosis biological substances can cause the development of somatic diseases, including very serious. Under the influence of toxic biologically active substances can develop the following diseases:
- inflammatory defeat of the skin allergic nature?
- lesions of the liver;
- acute defeat across the surface of the skin and mucous membranes.
Individuals with a diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, not only to a greater extent at risk of fungal infection, and often others suffer the consequences of onychomycosis. Diabetics have been a violation of the sensitivity of the limb that prevents detect the first signs of pathology, and a delay in the treatment of the disease in patients in this category are filled with infection cracks are formed in the skin when avium. The most common complications of fungal infection with diabetes are:
- the bone infection?
- the gangrene of the lower limbs;
- trophic ulcers of the feet.
The treatment of nail fungus
A course of treatment when onihomicose depends on the stage of detection of the disease and the character of the flow. The goal of treatment is eradikation (total destruction) fungi parasites. Chart antifungal therapy has been developed by a dermatologist based on the results of this diagnosis, which is detected type of the pathogen of the disease and is controlled by the presence in the body of other pathogens (bacterial complications).
The arsenal of therapeutic methods includes various methods of destruction of the mushrooms, the feasibility of which is determined by the doctor based on the degree of deformation of the nail. Treating fungal nails is one of the following methods:
- Medical – pathology, flowing in a mild form, which shall be appointed by local antimycotic (creams, ointments, gels, lotions, varnishes, sprays) as monotherapy, when onihomikozah moderate and severe forms of regimen filled with pills, capsules for oral administration.
- Laser therapy – shown with minor losses in case of absence of related infections, is an alternative method, which can replace the prolonged taking of medicines.
- Removal of the nail – radical way of treatment of frequently relapsing onychomycosis and severe forms of the disease.
- Treatment with antibiotics – appointed in the case of complications of fungal diseases bacterial infection.
Removal of the nail
Before the development of modern methods of medical treatment for fungal infection removing nail was the only way to get rid of fungal infections. The classical method for the relief of the infected nail is surgery. Currently, in this high-traumatic and painful method of resorting to rare, which is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications (infection of the wound, a long and difficult recovery period).
In an alternative, less painful removal procedures include hardware pedicure and laser treatment. During these processes, plate is milder keratolytic medications and layers is removed with special tools (cone grinders with abrasive-impregnated or laser instrument). The shortcomings of these methods include the risk of allergic reaction, the shores of the contamination, partial removal of the fungus.
Remove the nail plate can, without resorting to mechanical stress, as well as with the use of special medicines. Medical facilities, lγια softening the keratin (biomaterial, included with the nail), called ceratolici. The mechanism of action is based on the ability of the basic compound constituents (urea and acid) to change the structure plate, making the plastic soft.
The tablets
Preformed drugs appear with moderate and severe fungal diseases. In the treatment of onychomycosis included mainly 2 groups of antimycotics – the azoles and allylamines. The effectiveness of the treatment with the use of oral media is growing in importance, but the taking the pill should be done under medical supervision, due to the presence of side effects, associated with high-specific action antifungal.
Ointments and creams
When there is no need for systemic treatment of fungal infections (mild forms, the prevalence of destruction no more than 2/3 the square of the nail) drugs local action can be used as monotherapy. Antimycotic ointments and creams potenziruut effect of drugs taken by the mouth, therefore, the combined use of systemic and topical therapy speeds up the process of recovery.
The drug from nail fungus should appoint a dermatologist based on the clinical picture of the disease and the specific based on the results of the diagnosis of the pathogen. If you choose the wrong treatment tools can be not only ineffective, but dangerous. The advantages of the use of creams and ointments to get rid of the mildew is fewer side effects, rapid response to unpleasant symptoms, disadvantages – the duration of the course and the inefficiency when severe disease.
Treatment response of fungi in the feet and hands, varnishes
Tools for local action, used for direct application to the nail, it is anti-fungal lucky. Inclusion in a regimen of varnishes does not invalidate the use of other pharmaceutical forms of antifungal. On your own, these tools can only be used as a prevention. The advantage of a supplement to the treatment varnish is the treatment of sensory deficiencies in the form of a modified color or deformation, the disadvantage is the high cost of the therapeutic beam.
The mechanism of action antifungal medicines in the form of varnishes based on fungicidal properties of their constituents. To enhance the effectiveness of these instruments should be applied daily to clean, of dead tissue and the fat nail plate (the old layer of varnish you have to delete with the help of the solvent).
Laser treatment
One of the modern treatments for the fungus is laser treatment – burning laser beam of fungal colonies in a matrix of keratin plates without damaging the healthy tissues. Testimony to the conduct of this process, it can work in any form and the stage of onychomycosis. Laser application provides direct destruction of parasites and speeds up the process of recovery. The number of sessions laser treatment (duration about 30 min.) is determined based on the severity of the damage. Produced manipulation does not cause pain and almost does not cause side effects.
The treatment of nail fungus, folk remedies
Use of recipes of folk medicine in the treatment of onychomycosis is permissible only as one of the ways for traditional therapy to enhance the therapeutic effect. If for any reason you can't seek medical help when it detects signs of fungus, should be taken as early as possible, to avoid transfer of the disease in a heavy form (in an advanced stage of self-medication can lead to very dangerous consequences).
Due to the wide spread fungal infections alternative medicine offers many methods to resolve this issue with the implementation of internal and external media. The most popular folk remedies treatment of nail fungus:
- Vinegar (70% absolutely necessary). Effective and fast-acting treatment is the pasta made from acetate distillates, eggs and butter. In a bowl, pour 200 ml of vinegar, put the whole egg and placed in a dark place. After the dissolution of eggs, you will need to strain the liquid and enter 1 tsp. oil. The resulting paste is applied to the 12-14 hours under the film-vapor areas. As well as soothe the plates of cut up to the complete disappearance of symptoms of fungal growth.
- Iodine. If immediately after the detection of first symptoms of onychomycosis to benefit both affordable antiseptic, such as iodine, – you can resolve the issue for 1-2 procedures. In later stages this method is ineffective. Manipulation is applied on the affected areas of iodine until the moment that the substance is not to stop the penetration of the product. Before the procedure you will need to steam the foot or the hand and give them to dry completely. When you receive a strong burning sensation during the treatment you need to put the end in a container with cold water.
- The juice of the plant. The plant has a bactericidal action, causes the application for the treatment of fungal infections of the. Therapeutic manipulations are made to clean your feet or hands. The juice from the stem recently-torn celandine, should be moist piece of cotton and apply it to frighten areas, cover with a gauze. Daily full execution of this process will help for 2-3 weeks to get rid of the signs of the disease.
- The peroxide of hydrogen. One of the methods that contribute to the rapid response to fungal infection, is a three-phase process with the use of hydrogen peroxide. Affected surface is first treated with a mixture of vinegar (3%) and hydrogen peroxide (3%), in a ratio of 1 to 1, after which the fingers dipped for 30 seconds. in a very mild solution of sodium hypochlorite. After soaking in the programme will need to rinse well, dry the fingers of the hands or feet and apply on nails mixture of oils of tea tree and petroleum jelly. The duration of treatment is 1 week.
- Tincture milkweed. For the treatment of skin and nail diseases you can use all the varieties of milkweed. For the preparation of the tincture you will need to pour a small amount of the raw material with boiling water and leave to infuse for 2-3 hours In a cooled 45-50 degrees infusion, you'll need to steam the feet or hands during a half an hour. After 3-4 weeks of daily routine symptoms of the disease should disappear.
- The tea tree oil. The content in this tool, such as substances, such as limonene, alpha-terpinene, sabine, alpha-phellandrene, cineole provides antiseptic and anti-inflammatory action. For the destruction of fungi-dermatophytes is recommended during 8-10 weeks basin by adding 15-20 drops of oil.
Prevention
Parasitic organisms is widespread everywhere, and completely limit your contact with them is not possible, but, observing certain precautions, you can reduce the risk of infection. Prevention of onychomycosis aims to reduce the likelihood of infection and strengthening the immune protection for the obstacles establishment of pathogens in the body. The main preventive measures include:
- the regular carrying out of sanitary measures for the skin care stand, and the palms?
- to get rid of hyperhidrosis a stop sign?
- dealing with excessive dryness of the skin;
- the restriction of the contact of open skin with household objects in places of public visit?
- daily change of socks, stockings, tights, etc.?
- wearing comfortable shoes and clothes from breathable materials?
- timely treatment of minor injuries, dystrophic changes of the nail?
- compliance with the technical sterilization and disinfection of tools for manicure and pedicure?
- waiver of the bad habits?
- compliance with the principles of a balanced diet, limiting the quantity of sweets products?
- periodic (spring and autumn) taking vitamin complexes.
You can't ignore the signs of the disease or to attempt to install it yourself diagnosis. Most of the references to medical assistance is already in the severe stages of the disease, which is associated with the trust of the patients is that it may develop onychomycosis, as it will comply with all the rules listed. It should be borne in mind, that even with all medical recommendations for the prevention of fungal infection possibility of infection is reduced, but some risk of infection still remains.