There is a separate, but very common representative of mycosis, toenail fungus, it is this area of the human body that is often susceptible to fungal infection. Very often, a child is diagnosed with a fungal infection on the foot, adults also often suffer from this disease. About 27% of the European population has problems due to onychomycosis.
Professional diagnosis and treatment of nail fungus is carried out in clinics such as Prima Derm, where a doctor, podiatrist and laboratory tests will help determine the stage of the disease, its type and the type of local lesion. Onychomycosis is a serious disease with serious consequences, and there is no doubt that treatment is needed.
Types of onychomycosis (nail fungus)
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to determine what kind of fungus affects the nails, and then prescribe therapy and take measures. To get more familiar with this very unpleasant disease, you should consider all types of nail fungus, for this we will divide them into types depending on the place and place, as well as more familiar ones according to medical classification.
- Distal, damage to the free edge of the nail. Onycholysis can be the result or cause;
- Lateral, when the lateral part of the nail is affected by subsequent discomfort. May be accompanied by an overgrown nail;
- Proximal. The back of the nail is affected. And the deeper the lesion is from the outside, the more difficult it is to treat and restore the nail;
- General. Here the word speaks for itself. The entire nail with the adjacent cuticle tissues is affected.
There are several types of onychomycosis on the legs, the disease is divided according to symptoms and how the fungus looks.
Normotrophic onychomycosis
One of the initial stages of mild nail damage, but with clear signs of fungal infection.
- The presence of itching of the nail area of the fingers;
- Nail color change;
- Spots and streaks can be one of the symptoms.
The treatment method is local and medicinal, with possible preservation of the integrity of the nail plate and nail form. Prevention also includes stimulation of the immune system, fresh air, good nutrition and elimination of bad habits.
Hypertrophic
Here, the damage to the nail is more extensive. And the existing nail can be restored, but for a longer period of time. It is at this stage that the disease really starts to worry and the patient wonders what is onychomycosis.
- Not only does the color of the nail change, but it also becomes matte;
- Luster is lost;
- There is a possibility of thickening and deformation, such changes are more common in adults;
- The process of destroying the nail plate begins.
Mechanical removal of some affected areas is more likely. Drug intervention is already mandatory, and the use of both local and course treatment will be prescribed by the doctor.
Onycholytic
Or as it is called atrophic. According to the name, it is clear from the fingers that partial or complete atrophy of the nail occurs. Onychomycosis of the nails manifests itself in the last stage of development, when the treatment takes longer and the result is not visible soon.
Unfortunately, after losing a nail, recovery takes a long time and the procedure is extremely painful. At this stage, the disease should be thoroughly treated with the use of immunomodulatory therapy.
To determine the type of onychomycosis and its stage of development, it is recommended to undergo tests and consult a podiatrist. A professional approach to diagnosis will help to choose the right treatment algorithm and necessary therapeutic and aesthetic measures.
Causes of toenail fungus
It is difficult to list all the causes of nail fungus, but we can list the most common conditions that cause this disease. And the main causes of onychomycosis are direct infection from the carrier and low immunity.
- Wearing tight shoes and insufficient ventilation lead to the development of the pathogen. Treating toenail fungus begins with changing shoes to more suitable ones;
- Manicure. Decorative varnishes and gels are applied to the layer of your nail, improper application leads to peeling of the coating and the development of fungus and other bacteria under the gel;
- Unfavorable working conditions, living conditions and constant exposure to greenhouse atmosphere, with minimal hygiene;
- Hormonal imbalance and disorders of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands;
- Taking antibiotics. The attending physician should take this point into account and immediately prescribe antifungal drugs along with antibacterial drug treatment;
- Low immunity and immune diseases, one of the first signs of a decrease in immunity are fungi;
- Past serious illnesses. Low immunity and a weakened body is not at all resistant to fungi;
- Stress and psychological problems and disorders, which significantly reduce immunity;
- Mechanical damage or trauma to the nail that breaks the integrity of the nail plate.
These are the main causes of toenail fungus. If you follow proper personal hygiene and be careful, you can avoid this unpleasant infection. Also, avoid going to public places without special shoes, including: spas, swimming pools, saunas, gyms, public locker rooms, and public showers.