Nail fungus or onychomycosis is an unpleasant disease that may not be noticed immediately.The fungus destroys the nail plate, causing discomfort and pain;If treatment for onychomycosis is started, it 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 to make an appointment with a dermatologist.Only with complex treatment, consisting of a series of medications, regular foot hygiene and special treatment of the nail plates, will the treatment bring a positive result.
Main symptoms of fungal infections:
- Brittle and 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?
Forms of infection with onychomycosis.If you follow hygiene rules, have good immunity and have healthy, well-groomed skin, the risk of getting a fungal infection is low.The fungus usually enters the body through abrasions, cuts, cracks, and altered areas and wounds on the nails and skin.Excessive sweating, 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 contact with a person infected with the fungus
- There are flat feet.
What danger does nail fungus pose to humans?
In 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.Several spray options are available with strong antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
In the initial phase of the disease, it is recommended to use sprays or creams. Do not forget that treating nail fungus is not just about getting rid of external manifestations. During treatment, the dermatologist prescribes systemic medications.The medicine can be prescribed in the form of tablets, which will be taken for a period of three to six months.
The most common mistakes when treating nail fungus
The moisture from your feet. Fungi in the form of spores are everywhere around us.When skin moisture is greater than 80%, fungal spores begin to multiply and infect the nail plate and surrounding skin.
The presence of fungal spores on things.By steaming socks, you kill the active fungal spores that remain there.If this is not done, from spores, in the presence of moist skin of the feet (favorable environment), high humidity in shoes, the fungus begins to multiply actively.
Shoe hygiene.When starting treatment for toenail fungus, be sure to treat all the shoes you wear.Use a personal towel intended for feet only.
Remains of fungal spores on instruments. All nail cutting tools must be treated with disinfectant solutions;It is recommended to use disposable files to care for affected nails.If fungal spores remain on the tools, you can remove them manually for years, cut off traces of the fungus along with the nail, but this will not bring any results.
What should you follow when treating nail fungus?
If you do not follow the recommendations during nail fungus treatment, a relapse may occur.Always try to keep your feet clean and change your socks daily.It is important that your feet wear suitable shoes to prevent them from sweating.After carrying out any procedure with water, dry your feet, paying special attention to the area between the toes.
Use an individual towel for your feet, which must be dried after use.If your shoes get 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 with laundry or tar soap.
Always follow hygiene rules when visiting public places: saunas, baths, hammams, swimming pools.Don't self-medicate;It would be better to contact a dermatologist who will prescribe a treatment for you so that you can quickly get rid of nail fungus and save yourself time and nerves.