Boots soaked in rain, tight and warm shoes, reduced immunity - all this increases the risk of onychomycosis.
Mushrooms attack in the fall
Unpleasant cracks on the leg between the toes and yellowed nail? You may have contracted a fungus. About 10% of the world's population suffers from this microscopic enemy, and the number of victims of onychomycosis (or nail fungus) has more than doubled in the past 10 years.
Both men and women fall victim to it with equal success. But the risk of getting sick increases with age. For example, after 70 years, one in two people suffer from onychomycosis.
Fortunately, children are much less likely to get infected, as children's nails grow much faster than an adult's, and the fungus, on the other hand, develops rather slowly.
Where can you find mushrooms? Yes, most likely from one's relatives.
Recent studies have found that nail fungus is most often infected in the family, even if it is made up of two people. The risk group includes people who have excessive sweating, weakened immunity, flat feet. Too tight shoes can provoke the disease: in it the skin of the foot and nails are more prone to injury. Synthetic fiber socks and socks, poor ventilation in autumn and winter shoes creates a humid microclimate for the feet. Frequent contact of hands with washing and cleaning household products damages the nails on the hands, and the fungus simply prefers weakened and damaged nails, a healthy nail is practically invulnerable to a fungal infection. Here are the main causes of onychomycosis:
Cracks and scratches on the skin, injuries to the nails, constantly wet feet.
The presence of diseases: diabetes, AIDS, obesity, reduced immunity. The risk of getting sick increases if the vascular tone of the legs is disturbed, for example, with heart failure or varicose veins.
Taking antibiotics, oral contraceptives.
The disease first occurs on the skin of the feet, often in the interdigital folds. A parasitic fungus that has lodged on the skin can poison anyone's life.
Over time, the affected area catches the nails not only on the legs, but also on the hands. Sooner or later, another person will step on the fallen skin scales and become infected.
Outwardly, the appearance of the nail fungus can look like this: the color and thickness of the nails change, the nails begin to crumble or crumble.
Where is the infection
You can pick up a mushroom both in common areas (the floor in gym locker rooms, beach clubs, swimming pools, manicure / pedicure parlors, hotels, on the beach) and in your home.
Shoes shared at home in the family, in the countryside or at a party, walking barefoot, objects and furnishings for the house (towels, rugs, blankets) - these are the factors that determine the transmission of the fungus among members of the same family, their relatives and friends.
The most effective means of fighting nail fungus is primary prevention. It is better to avoid infection than to treat it later. To avoid nail fungus infection, you need to follow these simple rules:
- Never use someone else's shoes and never give your shoes to others, not even close people.
- Do not use the same manicure accessories for treating sick and healthy nails.
- If possible, disinfect all objects that the patient's legs and hands have come into contact with.
- Do not walk barefoot in public places and it is better not to walk at home when you visit a bathhouse, sauna or swimming pool, use closed rubber slippers that protect against splashes. Even on the beach go only in slippers.
- After the swimming pool it is necessary to take a shower.
- Never visit baths and swimming pools if cracks appear on the soles of your feet.
- After visiting public places, treat the skin on your feet with boric alcohol or some type of antifungal ointment, cream, gel or spray. For prevention, almost any antifungal agents or alcoholic solutions of antiseptics are suitable.
- Do not wear rubber boots for a long time, uncomfortable shoes that rub your feet.
- Do not abuse synthetic stockings or tights, change them every day.
Immediately to the doctor!
If you first suspect that you have contracted a fungal infection, you should consult a mycologist or dermatologist. The doctor will not only carry out an examination, assess the thickness, structure of the nail, but also perform tissue scrapings for analysis. Only in this way will he be able to determine the presence of the fungus, its type and prescribe the correct treatment.
If nail fungus is left untreated, it can lead to nail loss. The infection damages the entire body. The fungus releases toxic substances, causing allergic reactions and reduced immunity.
It is necessary to clearly know that in the early stages it is quite easy to get rid of the infection. If the disease has not advanced, it is possible to carry out local treatment: cut the affected areas of the nail, cover the remaining nail with antifungal varnish, lubricate with antifungal ointments, which are many today.
Remember that the longer the fungus lives on your nails, the harder it will be to get rid of it. In the later stages, when several years have passed since the infection (and the toenails are affected), fungal diseases are difficult to treat.
What do you need to know
- It is necessary to sound the alarm already at the first skin signs of a fungus. A fungal infection on the skin is treated easier and faster than on the nails. It takes only a week to lubricate the affected areas with one of the antifungal agents, which are in abundance in any pharmacy.
- The fungus can also infect the hair, although the most common are fungus on the nails.
- Sometimes a change in the appearance of the nails is not associated with a fungus, but is caused by the state of the internal organs: cardiovascular and pulmonary insufficiency, renal or hepatic dysfunction. Nails can turn yellow after taking powerful medications. Nail damage is also caused by lichen planus, eczema, psoriasis, and eventually nail injuries also occur. But most often, the appearance of the nails changes from a fungal infection after all.
Folk recipes
Treatment of nail fungus with folk remedies is rarely effective. However, here are two recipes.
- Apply a piece of kombucha to the sore nail and bandage the finger. This will soften the nail and make it easy for you to cut it. Repeat the procedure until the nail becomes completely soft. Then steam your legs well and lubricate with this mixture: take one part of vinegar essence, two parts of glycerin, two parts of 96% alcohol. Prepare the garlic oil: grate the garlic and pour the sunflower oil heated to sixty degrees (the oil should cover the garlic) - mix everything and leave to infuse for a couple of days in a tightly closed container. Dip a cotton ball in this oil, apply it to the sore nail and bandage it. Place a plastic bag on top - this way you won't stain the bedding, as this treatment must be done before bedtime. The course of treatment is 10-15 days.
- Wash your feet thoroughly before going to bed. Dip a cotton ball in 9% vinegar and place it on the nail. Wrap your finger over it with plastic wrap and secure it with a plaster. Repeat the procedure in the morning. Wash your feet one day after this treatment. Put your nails in order: where to cut, where to clean. Repeat the procedure several times on the sole.