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Toenail fungus

Yellow toenails due to fungus

Toenail fungus is an infectious disease, caused by fungal organisms such as dermatomycetes, molds and yeasts of the genus Candida.In fact, there are up to 50 species of fungi that can lead to the development of pathological nail conditions, but they are all grouped into these three large groups.Furthermore, in up to 90% of cases, the cause of nail plate disease is caused by fungi belonging to the dermatomycetes group, of which there are up to 20 different species.Yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida cause nail disease infrequently, in about 10% of cases.The remaining small percentage of illness occurs due to nail infections caused by mold.Nail fungus in medical terms sounds like onychomycosis.

According to statistics, the incidence of the disease is quite wide.Foot fungus affects 20% of the world's population.The incidence of the disease in the population is influenced by many factors: the climatic conditions in which the population lives, the social conditions of a particular person, his age, gender and occupation.In addition, dermatologists note a continuous increase in the number of cases in both adults and children.The likelihood of developing toenail fungus increases with age (it is more common in older people over 65 years of age).

Symptoms of toenail fungus

Symptoms of toenail fungus will depend on the type of pathogen causing the infection, as well as the extent of damage to the nail plate.The patient's age can affect the speed of recovery.It is known that in childhood, the knuckles are much less affected than in the elderly.

Symptoms vary depending on the form of fungus:

  1. Symptoms of nail fungus are normal.The color of the affected sheet changes but the thickness and gloss remain the same.First, stripes and spots appear on the nails - their shape and size are different, the location is on the lateral parts of the nail.The color of such spots is ocher or white;If the disease is not treated, the spots will increase in size, gradually covering the entire area of the plaque.Nails change color completely, retaining normal thickness.Onycholysis is another symptom of normal nail fungus.It involves the nail plate's inability to grow into the nail bed.Thanks to this, the patient can easily remove it - accidentally or intentionally.
  2. Symptoms of hypertrophic nail fungus.In addition to discoloration, this form of the disease is also characterized by thickening of the plate with dimensions exceeding 2 mm or more.This increase occurs due to the growth of skin scales under the nails.Losing shine, the affected panels become dull and begin to crumble.As a result, the nail is severely deformed.The more advanced the disease stage, the greater the degree of deformation.Onychomycosis - the nail has a shape similar to a bird's claw, is a common symptom of hypertrophic disease.The lateral parts of the nail are the most damaged.The complexity of symptoms accompanying this form of nail fungus leads to the fact that a person begins to feel pain when walking.Nail color becomes dark yellow or gray.
  3. Symptoms of nail fungus atrophy.First of all, the patient notices a change in the color of the plate;it becomes gray-brown.The normal shine is lost, the nail surface becomes pale and dull.As the disease progresses, this plate is destroyed.The final stage of the atrophic form of the fungus is nail exposure and complete necrosis.(read more: Causes and symptoms of necrosis, results and prevention) Above the bed surface, the patient discovered loose layers, including skin scales.Atrophy of the plate occurs in stages, starting from the outer end toward the growth zone and nail fold.The growth area remains intact longer than other parts of the nail.
  4. Symptoms of lateral and distal nail fungus.What these two types of fungal lesions have in common is that they are often diagnosed as symbiotic and cause similar changes in parts of the nail plate.The affected part of the plate loses its normal color and becomes dull.Transverse grooves run along it, have a yellowish color.When toenail fungus occurs due to infection with mold and fungal organisms, the nail plates may turn blue to black.The nail itself begins to crumble, becoming rough on the sides.Over time, the affected parts will die, causing the shape of the plate to become deformed.The nail bed remains partially exposed.The final stage of the disease is characterized by complete destruction of the nails and the opening of a scaly layer of skin on top.If the clinical picture of distal onychomycosis is complemented by lateral onychomycosis, then the ridges around the nail swell, turn red and become thicker.A man is suffering pain.When the pathology is aggravated by a bacterial infection, pus may ooze from under the nail if you gently press on it.
  5. Symptoms of nail fungus near.This rare lesion of the nail plate mainly affects the area on the lateral side of the skin fold.The main cause of proximal nail fungus is the removal of the cuticle (cuticle).The nail plate begins to turn white in the area adjacent to the growth zone.The fungus precisely locates its spores and mycelium in the tunnels of the nail located in this area.As the fungus multiplies, it surrounds the entire nail and completely destroys it.
  6. Symptoms of total toenail fungus.If the lateral, distal or proximal form of the disease is not treated, generalized onychomycosis will occur.Nails lose color, begin to crumble, break and are completely destroyed.
  7. Symptoms of white surface nail fungus.Opal white spots appear in the dorsal pad area. When the fungus multiplies, they completely cover the entire nail.The spots tend to merge and may visually resemble scattered fine powder.

Although there are differences in the clinical presentation of different types of fungal infections, some common symptoms can be identified, including:

  • Nails crumble;
  • Change sheet color;
  • Dissection of the nail phalanx;
  • Pain occurs as the pathological process progresses;
  • Itchy skin may occur in the area around the nails.

Causes of toenail fungus

Toenail fungus always occurs due to infection by fungal organisms.Usually they are dermatomycetes.Increased keratophilicity is a prominent feature of fungi in this group.They are helped to penetrate the skin and nails by the variety of proteolytic enzymes they possess.Dermatomycetes first infect the skin of the feet, then spread to the nail plates.

There are three ways for them to penetrate deep into the nail:

  1. From under the far (free, lateral) edge of the nail.In this case, the pathological process will be located under the plate - on the bed, and not in the nail.As the fungus proliferates, subungual hyperkeratosis develops.This leads to deterioration of the connections between the pedestal and the plate, followed by their separation.From the bed, the fungus penetrates the nail and slowly destroys it.
  2. Through the back of the nail, the fungus penetrates into its depth much less often.This method of delivery is only for dermatomycetes species with marked keratolytic ability.In this case, the process of destroying the foundation will proceed much faster.
  3. The rarest route of spread is through the near ridge.From the last part of the matrix, the fungus penetrates under the nail plate and into the nail bed, or is deposited in the matrix, thereby destroying the collagen structure of the nail phalanx.If nail damage is caused by fungi of the genus Candida, then the nail tip with swelling and thickening will first participate in the pathological process.However, such inflammatory processes often affect the nails.

For a fungus to enter the nail area, it must first be damaged and destroyed.

This happens under the influence of the following provoking factors:

  • Mechanical trauma.
  • Exposure to chemical factors such as: frequent contact with detergents containing synthetic ingredients, frequent contact with water, use of degreasers, etc.
  • Wear clothes made of synthetic materials and tight, uncomfortable shoes.The result is a favorable moist and warm environment in which fungi multiply rapidly.
  • A type of sympathetic autonomic regulation, in which a person experiences increased sweating.This factor is related to the individual characteristics of the body.
  • Flat feet or gaps between the toes are an anatomical feature of foot development.Such deformities lead to a significant decrease in the ventilation capacity of the foot.
  • Nail growth speed.
  • Failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.
  • Disorders in the functioning of the immune system.Furthermore, nail fungus is not the only disease with reduced protection.Other organs are also susceptible to fungal damage.
  • Varicose veins.
  • Climatic characteristics of the area where a person lives.Typically, fungal infections affect people living in temperate or cold climates.In fact, there you often have to wear warm clothes and thick and tight shoes, thereby creating favorable conditions for the fungus to work.Residents of subtropical countries are also at risk because the development of fungi is facilitated by high humidity and general ambient temperature.
  • Age-related changes in the human body.Most often, toenail fungus is diagnosed in older and older people.However, dermatologists and mycologists note a trend of increasing incidence in adolescents and children.Thus, statistics show that for every 10 years of life, the risk of infection increases 2.5 times.While in childhood the likelihood of fungal infection is 3%, in the elderly this number increases to 50%.Experts believe that such indicators are due to the fact that as we age, the growth rate of the disc slows down, the nutrition of the bed deteriorates, and vascular pathology develops.
  • Sex.It was found that men suffer from the disease almost three times more often than women.However, men are less likely to seek professional help.
  • The cost of the profession.Fungus on the feet is often found in miners serving nuclear power plant workers and workers of metallurgical enterprises.The higher the dust content, air temperature, humidity, ionizing radiation and gas pollution, the higher the risk of infection.In this regard, it is becoming more and more frequent for workers working in saunas, bathhouses and laundries to visit specialists regarding fungal infections.Frequent guests of mycologists are massage therapists, chiropractors, motel employees and other representatives of the service staff.
  • Related diseases.The greatest danger in this regard is diabetes mellitus, foot deformities, excess body weight, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, metabolic disorders, thyroid pathology, any peripheral vascular pathology, such as lymphatic disease or venous insufficiency.HIV infection increases the risk of developing nail fungus by five times.(read more: HIV causes, symptoms, diagnosis and prevention)
  • Use antibacterial drugs, corticosteroids and cytostatic drugs.

As for direct routes of infection, this most often occurs in the following cases:

  1. Visit saunas and baths, swimming pools and public baths - any public place where people walk barefoot for a while;
  2. The use of common (even household) items such as towels, slippers, pumice stones, carpets;
  3. Performing cosmetic procedures, especially pedicures, in beauty salons that do not comply with hygiene standards.

It is worth knowing that the greatest danger in this matter is wooden floors, benches and other items made from this natural material.The fact is that wood has a porous structure and it is almost impossible to wash mycelium from it.

Why is foot fungus dangerous?

It would be a mistake to consider toenail fungus as a purely cosmetic problem.This is a serious illness that requires qualified treatment.After all, onychomycosis is one of the most common chronic diseases.Untreated foot fungus is very dangerous due to the following complications:

  • The spread of tinea capitis and its appendages when immunodeficiency occurs.
  • Development of diabetic foot on the background of diabetes mellitus.
  • The development of halos in the lower limbs.
  • The development of elephantism.
  • Development of lymphoma.
  • Development of invasive fungal disease in patients receiving immunosuppressive or cytostatic therapy.
  • Impaired nail growth and its migration into surrounding tissues, accompanied by severe pain and inflammatory reactions.
  • Development of eczema.
  • The addition of bacterial infection and the development of inflammation.
  • Loss of nail plate, exposing nail bed.
  • The development of aspergillosis (that is, mold infection), which is difficult to treat with treatment.Most often, aspergillosis develops against the background of untreated dermatological onychomycosis.

Stages of toenail fungus

Foot fungus never affects the nails at the same time.

The disease often progresses slowly, going through many stages of development:

  1. The first or initial stage is a marginal lesion.In this case, any pathological changes are practically invisible.The manifestation of this process is expressed in the appearance of narrow gray stripes located in the area of the free edge of the nail.
  2. Normal stages of damage to the nail plate.When thickening has not occurred and there is no hyperkeratosis under the nail, traces created by the fungus can be seen.They look like stripes and parts of the plate are broken.The fragility of the phalanx increases and its color changes.Sometimes serum may ooze from under the nail.
  3. Hypertrophic lesion stage.First, onychomycosis is formed - lesions under the nail, nail thickening and hypertrophy increase.This sheet changes color and, depending on the type of pathogen, it crumbles, peels off, becomes thinner, stops growing or becomes deformed.As a result, the nail is completely lost.

Early stages of toenail fungus

Usually, infection occurs before damage to the skin of the feet.An itchy feeling occurs in the interdigital folds, cracks, blisters and ulcers may appear.As it penetrates deeper into the nail, the fungus begins to affect one or another of its edges.This largely depends on the type of pathogen and the route of infection described above.

As a rule, the early stages are not available for self-diagnosis because there are no obvious clinical signs.Stripes and spots on the nails are practically indistinguishable with the naked eye.Disease can be detected under laboratory conditions.

High quality toenail fungus

Progressive athlete's foot is characterized by generalized involvement of the nail phalanx.With prolonged absence of treatment, the likelihood of not only complete destruction of the nail, but also damage to the skin as well as the spread of the disease to the nail increases.

The main signs of the advanced stage of the disease are broken, peeling and deformed nails.Thinning of the nail body and color change occur gradually over many years.Rapid transition to the general stage of the disease is possible only against the background of existing systemic diseases, which most often occur in old age.The final stage is the destruction of the nail plate or its severe deformation, as well as the development of serious complications that fungus on the feet can cause.

How to get rid of toenail fungus

The modern pharmaceutical industry offers people diagnosed with toenail fungus many effective drug options to cope with this problem.There are many means for local action and collective action.

The abundance of available antifungal drugs makes choosing one difficult.After all, fungi can affect not only toenails, but also mucous membranes, any organs and tissues.Therefore, it is important to undergo a comprehensive diagnosis and receive medical recommendations regarding the treatment of nail fungus.

The therapeutic strategy is based on four points:

  • Calculate the affected area;
  • Time has passed since the onset of illness;
  • The nature of the pathological changes caused by the disease;
  • Presence of concomitant pathology.

Modern drugs not only destroy fungi and stop their development, but also tend to accumulate in the thickness of the nail plate, remaining there for a long time.This allows you to significantly reduce the treatment time, up to 8 - 16 weeks.This time will be enough to completely get rid of the problem.What is important is an integrated therapeutic approach, combining topical treatment with oral medications.This raises the question, how to choose a medication and get rid of toenail fungus?Below we will consider all modern medicines.

Antifungal nail polish

When toenail fungus has not yet reached a severe stage, only topical treatment can be applied.For this purpose, specialized varnishes or solutions containing antifungal ingredients can be used.

In addition, to achieve a treatment effect, you can use a patch with a peeling effect.To make your nails look more attractive, you can apply nail polish on top of the nail polish.

To achieve maximum effectiveness when treating nail fungus with varnish, you must adhere to certain rules:

  • You should not complete the treatment yourself until you have received laboratory data showing the absence of fungus in the nail;
  • The application of varnish must be regular and without omission;
  • Treatment can last up to a year and is necessary to eliminate the fungal organism.

Toenails are capable of accumulating drugs to a greater extent than fingernails.You should not combine varnishes because their healing effect will be lower.

There are also certain contraindications to treatment with antifungal varnishes:

  1. Breastfeeding period;
  2. Pregnant;
  3. Individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
  4. Childhood.

Sometimes redness may occur in the skin around the nail.

Rules for using antifungal varnish:

  • When using a nail file, you need to remove as much of the affected nail as possible;
  • Degrease the nail surface with a water-based solution and alcohol, or use soap and soda water to steam the nails;
  • Apply corrective measures;
  • Once a week it must be removed with a regular solvent.

Measures to remove nails affected by fungus

Before applying the nail remover, you need to steam your feet in water, in which there is a teaspoon of liquid soap and soda per 1000 ml.After that, the foot is wiped dry, the skin around the affected nail must be fixed with adhesive plaster.The product is applied to the affected area in a thick layer, but without rubbing.The top of the nail is also fixed with glue.

After 4 days, the patch is removed, the foot is steamed, and the fungal nail is simply scraped off with a manicure tool.

Antifungal tablets

It is necessary to use systemic antibacterial agents in cases where toenail fungus has reached a severe stage.Only a doctor can choose the optimal treatment regimen.There are many drugs that can eliminate thrush, but some are incompatible with hormonal contraceptives, some cannot be taken during childhood, and some are prohibited for use if you have liver problems.

Topical treatment with creams, sprays, ointments

If the treatment is chosen correctly and the symptoms of fungal infection are completely eliminated, and the plan is completed, the affected nail tissue will eventually be replaced by healthy nail tissue.

However, complete recovery can only be confirmed by performing tests that the patient must undergo 14 and 30 days after completing treatment.If during treatment the skin on the legs begins to peel and turn red, this is a manifestation of an allergy that occurs as a reaction to the use of the drug.Therefore, it is important to stop treatment promptly.

Other means

Oils: tea tree and lavender.As for lavender oil, it can eliminate irritation, while tea tree oil helps fight bacteria.However, it is important that the oil is of natural origin;Only in this case can they have the desired effect.

Apple cider vinegar, mouthwash, lemon juice.After mixing these three products, you need to soak your feet in the resulting solution for about a quarter of an hour.This is a great addition to primary antifungal treatment.

Laser treatment

Laser treatment is a physical therapy treatment method.It can only be used in combination with antifungal medications to achieve effectiveness.Laser treatment alone will not completely eliminate nail fungus.This procedure is aimed at improving nail nutrition and enhancing blood circulation.As a result, the antifungal drug penetrates better into the damaged sheet.However, the laser itself cannot kill the fungus.

This method has no contraindications and reduces the risk of disease recurrence.Laser therapy is a safe and painless method of fighting fungal nail infections.

Prevent toenail fungus

If a person's immune system is functioning normally, toenail fungus will not harm the person even after infection, because the immune system will neutralize the toenail fungus on its own.If the fungal infection spreads along the nail plate, it is necessary to choose the best method to fight it.

This is a laborious process, so the following precautions can help prevent infection:

  • You should avoid walking barefoot on the beach;
  • Closed rubber slippers are optimal shoes for saunas and baths;
  • Socks for everyday wear should be made of cotton;
  • It is forbidden to wear other people's shoes;
  • You should keep your feet dry.