Nail fungus or onychomycosis is an unpleasant disease that may not be noticed immediately.The fungus destroys your nail plate, causing discomfort and pain; if treatment for onychomycosis is started, this can lead to soft tissue pathologies.The fungus can easily spread to healthy fingernails or toenails, and this poses a great danger to your health and the health of others.
If you have any doubts about the health of your nails, the best thing to do is make an appointment with a dermatologist.Only with complex treatment, consisting of a course of medication, regular foot hygiene and special treatment of the nail plates, will the treatment bring a positive result.
Main symptoms of fungal infections:
- Brittle, rough nails
- Deformation of the nail plate
- Presence of inflamed tissue around the nail
- Delamination, thickening or thinning of the nail plate
- Presence of brown, black or yellow areas on the nails.
How do you get nail fungus?
Ways of infection with onychomycosis.If you follow the rules of hygiene, have good immunity, and have healthy and well-groomed skin, the risk of contracting a fungal infection is low.The fungus often enters the body through abrasions, cuts, cracks, and altered injured areas of the nails and skin.Excessive sweating or dry skin, or wearing tight shoes can contribute to the growth of the fungus.
You are more vulnerable to nail fungus if:
- Do you have varicose veins?
- Reduced immunity
- You wear rubber shoes that don't breathe
- There are endocrine and vascular diseases
- Have been in contact with a person infected with the fungus
- There is flat feet.
What danger does toenail fungus pose to humans?
At an advanced stage of onychomycosis, nail fungus causes an allergic reaction, has an intoxicating effect on the body, and can affect internal organs.
How to cure nail fungus?
When treating nail fungus, local medications can be used - creams, ointments, patches, which can also be used at home.Various spray options are available that have strong antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
At the early stage of the disease, the use of sprays or creams is recommended. Do not forget that treating nail fungus is not only about getting rid of external manifestations. During treatment, the dermatologist prescribes systemic medications.The drug can be prescribed in the form of tablets, which will be taken for a course of three to six months.
The most common mistakes when treating toenail fungus
The moisture of your feet. Fungus in the form of spores is everywhere around us.When the skin humidity is more than 80%, fungal spores begin to multiply and infect the nail plate and surrounding skin.
The presence of fungal spores on things.When ironing socks with steam, you kill the active fungal spores remaining there.If this is not done, then from the spores, in the presence of damp skin of the feet (favorable environment), high humidity of the shoes, the fungus actively begins to multiply.
Shoe hygiene.When starting treatment for nail fungus, be sure to treat all the shoes you wear.Use a personal towel intended only for feet.
Remains of fungal spores on instruments. All tools for cutting nails must be treated with disinfecting solutions; it is recommended to use disposable files to care for affected nails.If fungal spores remain on the tools, then you can manually remove for years, cut out traces of the fungus along with your nail, but this will not bring any results.
What should you follow when treating toenail fungus?
If you do not follow the recommendations during treatment of nail fungus, a relapse may occur.Try to always keep your feet clean and change your socks daily.It is important for your feet to wear the right shoes to prevent your feet from getting sweaty.After taking any water procedures, wipe your feet dry, paying special attention to the area between the toes.
Use an individual foot towel, which must be dried after use.If your shoes become wet, dry them immediately.It is recommended to change indoor shoes at least twice a year during treatment.Foot baths with soda and salt will also be useful.Feet should be washed daily using laundry or tar soap.
Always follow the rules of hygiene when visiting public places: saunas, baths, hammam, swimming pools.Do not self-medicate; it would be best to contact a dermatologist who will prescribe a course of treatment for you so that you can quickly get rid of toenail fungus and save your time and nerves.