Causes of Toenail Fungus: Symptoms and Treatment

Nail mycosis is a disease caused by various groups of pathogens.To destroy it, you will have to undergo diagnostics to identify all the features of the disease.What are its causes?There are many reasons for the appearance 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.In order for nail fungus to appear, the presence of predisposing factors is necessary.The infection must have the conditions to develop.Scientists have conducted numerous studies on the mechanism of onset of the disease.

It turned out that one of the factors in the appearance of fungal infection is genetic predisposition.According to these studies, mycosis occurs more often in people whose relatives have a similar disease.The progression of the disease affects the genetic level.

Interesting cases of infection in cohabitation.In close contact, it is easier to contract mycosis.However, it often develops in one family member but does not affect another.And the disease usually appears in the person who has the most similar genes to the person who initially developed the mycosis.According to all these data, during infection the proximity of contact is less important than the proximity of genetic links.

Symptoms of mycosis

Nail fungus manifests itself differently at different stages.Usually, the yeast infection starts in the spaces between the toes.At this moment we observe:

• The appearance of bubbles;
• Skin redness;
• Itching.

If treatment is not carried out at this stage, the disease begins to affect the nails.In this case, the following signs are detected:

1. Opacity of the nail plate, loss of transparency;
2. The appearance of white stripes and spots;
3. Uncomfortable sensations.

It is better to carry out treatment at this stage, as this will reduce the cost of therapy.To destroy microorganisms, external preparations will be sufficient: ointments, paints.If no action is taken, nail fungus will progress.This is expressed through the following symptoms:

• Thinning or thickening of the nail;
• Delamination of the nail plate;
• Its departure from the nail bed;
• The plaque acquires an abnormal color: it becomes white, yellow or black;
• In the final stages, the nail literally crumbles, collapses, and an unpleasant odor may occur.

Mycosis exerts its pathological activity not only on toenails.Inflammatory processes affect the entire foot.

It starts to turn red and peel off.The patient feels itching, which intensifies during periods of exacerbation.The presence of characteristic signs allows you to identify the disease during the initial examination.

Types of fungal infections

Nail fungi are divided into types depending on the group of microorganisms they are caused by.There are three main groups:

1. Dermatophytes.The most common case.This group causes mycosis in 95% of cases;
2. Candida.These yeast-like microorganisms contribute to the thinning of the nail plate.He begins to turn yellow and lags behind his bed.The lesion starts from the nail fold.As the disease develops, swelling occurs.In some cases, pus may leak.The skin of the plate stops growing and then turns brown.The nail is crumbling.These groups of microorganisms usually develop in women.There are risk groups: housewives who constantly deal with household chemicals.It has an aggressive effect on the skin, which opens the "doors" to infections;
3. Mold species.These groups of microorganisms cannot penetrate deep into the nail plate.This prevents it from being completely destroyed, but the disease is fraught with other effects.The nail noticeably changes color.It can take on a black, blue, green tint.

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

Mushroom shapes

There are several stages of the disease, which differ in the type of lesions:

1. Normotrophic.There is a change in the color of the nail plate.It may turn yellow and lose transparency.White and yellow streaks or spots appear.The difference between the disease is that the nail is not subject to significant deformations.Sometimes it can even retain its former splendor;
2. Atrophic.The nail becomes thinner and completely loses its shine.Pronounced white and yellow stripes and dots appear, representing specific foci of infection;
3. Hypertrophic.The dish changes considerably.Thickening and signs of crumbling are observed.It becomes porous.Severe pain syndrome, which worsens during movements and wearing tight shoes, is also possible.The disease can limit a person's activity.

The treatment regimen prescribed depends on the stage and type of microorganisms.In the early stages, external remedies proved effective.In the later stages, the treatment regimen is usually a combination of external drugs and agents for internal use.

Where can you get infected with fungi?

Nail fungus usually spreads from person to person.Microbial spores can remain on surfaces.When you touch them, the fungus will remain on the feet and begin to develop.You can contract mycosis in the following places:

• Public bodies: saunas, swimming pools, showers of sports clubs.This is the most likely way to get the fungus, as it multiplies most actively in warm, humid conditions.To protect yourself, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment of the feet with medications before going to the institution.You must bring your own slippers;
• If mycosis occurs in one family member, it is likely that the disease will manifest itself in other family members by taking a bath.Fungal spores remain on its walls that cause mycosis.For protection, it is necessary to treat surfaces with disinfectant compounds after each visit to the bathroom;
• Sometimes the reason is a manicure or pedicure performed with tools that have not been disinfected after previous use.Refers to procedures carried out in beauty salons;
• Disputes can be hidden in shoes in stores because they are often tried on by different people.For protection, you can try the shoes on only 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 about the importance of personal slippers and use preventive measures.

Possible complications with prolonged treatment

Mycosis is characterized by the speed of development and spread.If treatment is delayed, the symptoms of the disease will become increasingly noticeable.Initially, a person is concerned about the aesthetic factor, since thickening and white dots appear on the toenails.But if you do not deal with the problem, more serious consequences will occur: pain during movement, itching and burning.Let's consider the most likely consequences of prolonged treatment:

• Other infections are likely to occur as the body weakens;
• Exacerbation of diabetes mellitus.The occurrence, against the background of an infectious process, of gangrene or infection of bone tissue.All this can lead to the need for limb amputation;
• If nail fungus is left untreated for a long time, the body may react with hypersensitivity and allergic reactions.Against the 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 will have to spend money on local procedures and pills.Truly effective drugs are more expensive.In some cases, surgery may also be prescribed.

Preventive measures

It is possible to prevent nail fungus, and that is what preventive measures are aimed at.They help prevent the entry and spread of pathogenic microorganisms.Prevention is quite simple and consists of following the following tips:

• Exception of narrow shoes, incorrectly selected last.All this leads to the appearance of calluses and other deformations through which the infection penetrates;
• You should not wear synthetic socks and tights, because your feet sweat.Sweat and a humid environment are the best conditions for fungal growth;
• You should maintain personal hygiene, wear slippers when entering public places and pre-treat your feet with preventive agents;
• After each foot washing, the interdigital areas are carefully dried;
• Socks and stockings should be replaced daily;
• You can't wear someone else's shoes;
• The house must be kept clean, for which periodic disinfection is carried out.

Prevention has two objectives: to prevent infection and to stop its development in case of ingestion of spores.To achieve the second goal, you will have to take care of your immune system: exercise, eat well.

Treatment methods

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

For treatment in the initial stages, external drugs are used.These include:

1. Special paints;
2. Creams and gels;
3. Solutions and tinctures.

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

• Tablets;
• Antibiotics.

Paints are particularly popular.They give two effects at once: they destroy existing microorganisms and create a film that prevents the entry of new infections.The product is able to penetrate deep into the nail.It is colorless and odorless and therefore can be used by men.Before use, it is recommended to remove the nail plate to ensure deeper penetration.

Ointments and gels are delicate.They are easy to use.Quickly relieves symptoms.With the help of drugs, you can treat not only nails, but also the surrounding skin.The disadvantage is that the product can quickly wash off the skin.To avoid this, compresses can be applied: a cotton ball is placed on top of the ointment layer, fixed with a bandage.

Tablets are prescribed in more severe cases.This product has a strong effect, is toxic and has contraindications.For this reason the therapy is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

If the case is completely advanced, surgery comes to the rescue.During the operation, the affected nail is removed.Its removal can be done without surgery.For this, special means are used.The last option is painless.

Nail fungus is an extremely common problem.Its cunning lies in the fact that, in the early stages, the signs of the disease are insignificant.The patient can constantly postpone treatment because he does not feel discomfort.All this leads to neglecting the problem.To solve it, you will need a lot of funds and drugs.Mycosis spreads rapidly, causing pain, plaque detachment, unpleasant odors and changes in the nail.