Summer is here, we all couldn't wait for this time to come, because it's getting warmer and more comfortable outside, which means it's finally time for light, open shoes. But what to do if you are ashamed of kicking your feet for reasons associated with one of the most common and uncomfortable diseases -toenail fungus.
In this article, we will try to tell you as quickly and easily as possible abouthow to treatthis ailment and how to get rid of it as efficiently and painlessly as possible.
Toenail fungus. Treatment and causes of the disease
First, let's take a look at what nail fungus is. This is a living organism that needs nourishment, namely the moisture (sweat) of your feet. One of the most common diseases associated with such a problemtoenail fungusit is onychomycosis, most often caused by dermatophyte fungi and much less often by microsporia.
There are 5 types of onychomycosis lesions of the nail plate:
- Distal: covering of the front of the nail;
- Lateral: coverage of the lateral parts of the nail;
- Proximal: coverage of the back of the nail;
- Superficial: covers the nail with yellowish spots;
- Total - coverage of the nail plate as a whole;
All types of injuries have common visible symptoms such as discoloration, deformation, brittleness.
Outbreaks of fungal infection
If you regularly visit the gym, swimming pool, spa or massage room, take care of your personal hygiene, because in these places the fungal infection gets all the conditions to spread. There is a high level of humidity and a moderate temperature, which acts as a best stimulant for the development of mycoses (bacteria that cause a fungal infection). You can get the mushroom if you enter the shower or massage room without shoes.
It is also worth mentioning that toenail fungus can be transmitted through direct contact with the wearer.
How does nail fungus develop?
- Wear uncomfortable, tight shoes, as well as shoes made of synthetic materials that compress the foot and block air circulation. In such an environment, mycosis develops rapidly;
- Gel polish (for women), which promotes the development of fungi between the nail plate and the applied varnish;
- Increased sweating of the feet;
- Nail defects or injuries
- Flat feet;
- Slow nail growth
- Violation of metabolic processes in the nail;
- Poor blood supply to the limbs;
- Diseases of the immune system;
- Harmful working conditions (dustiness, gas pollution, high humidity);
- Taking antibiotics, hormones;
To avoid infection, timely foot hygiene is required, which is much easier to follow than treating an already neglected case. At an advanced stage, the fungus can spread not only to nearby nails, but also enter other human organs with blood, which can contribute to the development of a number of other diseases associated with a weakened immune system.
There are also categories of people who are more susceptible than others to this ailment, due to concomitant diseases, namely:
- With diabetes mellitus (diabetic foot);
- Being overweight (obese);
- With cardiovascular diseases (venous diseases).
Signs of toenail fungus
So how can you still recognize the fungus from the first signs, so as not to run it deep into the nail and prevent the spread of the fingers close to the healthy nails.
There are a number of symptoms by which toenail fungus can be recognized early:
- Yellowing of the nail plate;
- Slight deformation or modification (if the nail has become very deformed);
- Splitting and brittleness of the nail, which reveals the nerve endings and soft tissues on the toes (with a light touch, it will bring pain and discomfort);
- unpleasant odor (associated with increased sweating).
Photo of nail fungus
Modern methods of treating toenail fungus
If you find any of the above signs of the disease, you should not self-medicate. There is a huge number of traditional bloggers and healers on the net who will happily tell you what to apply to the affected area of the nail or leg, as well as which drug to use so that everything goes away in a week or two. Unfortunately, the process of treating fungal diseases is not as quick and easy as we all would like. It should be understood that even with a visible improvement in the general clinical picture, it is undesirable to stop treatment, as this is fraught with the fact that a relapse may occur sooner or later, and you will have to restart treatment. And by choosing antifungal creams, sprays, gels on your own, you run the risk of aggravating the situation or spending money in vain without achieving the desired effect. Only a specialist will be able to select effective drugs that will relieve you of infection after a thorough examination.
Modern medicine offers many treatments for fungi:
- Local treatment - treatment is carried out using conventional antifungal drugs, which in most cases lead only to a healing effect, but not to complete recovery;
- Medical treatment - complete cure is guaranteed, but side effects are not excluded, as the body suffers under the influence of antifungals and toxicity from pulse therapy;
- Surgical intervention - this method is ineffective, because it does not always lead to a complete recovery, since there is a high probability of a regrowth of the defective nail. Also, don't forget about the long recovery period;
- Laser treatment - Laser treatment for nail fungus is less effective. Due to the fact that laser treatment is based on the use of a hot beam, after such heat treatment, the nail plates slow down their growth, and therefore the fungus is not blocked, but continues to spread. Treatment of fungi with a laser is an ineffective method that is now practically not used;
What is the best way to treat nail fungus?
Since the main task and goal is to relieve the patient of nail fungus quickly, effectively, without discomfort and unpleasant consequences, we recommend the method of photodynamic therapy.
This is the newest method of fungal treatment, based on the use of photosensitizers, which provide oxygen formation in the cells of the fungus while completely destroying the foci of infection. Subsequently, the cells of the immune system (phagocytes) absorb and completely remove the dead fungal cells from the body.
When using light, all fungal bacteria will die within minutes. It is also important to note that this therapy is an absolutely painless process with no side effects.
The method of photodynamic therapy has a number of advantages that every patient will appreciate:
- Efficacy: a few sessions are enough to remove the focus of infection. The number of procedures depends on the stage of development of the disease;
- Treatment without consequences: after photodynamic therapy sessions, there are no scars, scratches, micro-fractures, redness or irritation on the skin;
- Lack of pain: during the session you will not feel a slight tingling sensation, constriction or other unpleasant sensations;
- Completely replaces antibiotic treatment;
- Recommendations from leading international experts;
- The treatment process takes a minimum of time;
Fornail fungus treatmenthas been successful, entrust it to professionals. Accurately determine the stage of development of the disease, the condition of the skin and nail plate and prescribe procedures using the latest equipment with the use of effective drugs that level mycosis. In a couple of weeks, you will not only forget the itch and can boast of the perfect condition of your feet.
After the end of the course of treatment, it will be possible to carry out the procedure for prosthetics of the nail plate. Foil prosthesis is the right decision if you need to quickly, efficiently, accurately restore the nail plate and return an unmatched appearance to the legs. In our clinic, this procedure is performed on modern equipment using effective drugs with antifungal and anti-inflammatory action, using gels and acrylic materials that contain silver and platinum nanoparticles. The part of the nail plate that is partially lost (but if no more than 2/3 of the nail plate is lost) after treatment of a fungal infection or nail plate injury is prosthetic.
We draw your attention to the fact that the procedure is performed only in the absence of contraindications, before performing the prosthetic procedure it is mandatory to treat (in the presence of a fungal and / or other type of infection) or prophylaxis of a course of therapy that uses a complex of special antifungal and anti-infective drugs.
If you are faced with such a delicate problem as a fungal infection, contact a specialized medical center, where experienced doctors will help you treat the disease.