Rain-soaked boots, tight and warm shoes, reduced immunity - all this increases the risk of onychomycosis.
Fungi attack in the fall
Uncomfortable crack in the foot between the toes and the nail turned yellow? You may have contracted a fungus. About 10% of the world's population suffers from this microscopic enemy, and over the past 10 years, the number of victims of onychomycosis (or nail fungus) has doubled.
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, every second person suffers from onychomycosis.
Fortunately, children are much less likely to become infected, as baby nails grow much faster than those of an adult, and the fungus, on the contrary, develops quite slowly.
Where can you get mushrooms? Yes, most likely from their relatives.
Recent studies have found that nail fungus is most commonly infected in the family, even if it consists of two people. The risk group includes people who have excessive sweating, weakened immunity, flat feet. Too tight shoes can provoke the disease: in the skin of the foot and nails are more susceptible to injury. Socks and stockings made of synthetic fiber, poor ventilation in autumn and winter shoes creates a wet microclimate for the feet. Frequent contact of the hands with washing and cleaning household products damages the nails on the hands, and the fungus simply prefers weakened and damaged nail plates, a healthy nail is practically invulnerable to a fungal infection. Here are the main causes of onychomycosis:
Cracks and scratches on the skin, nail injury, constantly wet feet.
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 appears on the skin of the feet, often on interdigital folds. A parasitic fungus that has settled on the skin can poison anyone’s life.
Over time, the affected area catches the nails not only on the feet but also on the hands. Sooner or later, another person will step on the scales that have fallen off the skin and become infected.
From the outside, the appearance of nail fungus can look like this: the color and thickness of the nails change, the nails start to crumble or crumble.
Where is the infection
You can catch a fungus both in common areas (flooring in gym locker rooms, in a bathroom, swimming pool, a manicure / pedicure salon, in a hotel, on the beach), and in your own home.
Shared shoes at home in the family, in the village or at a party, barefoot walking, household items and furniture (towels, carpets, blankets) - these are the factors that determine the transmission of fungus between members of the same family, relatives and friends.
The most effective tool to fight nail fungus is primary prevention. It is better to avoid the infection than to treat it later. To avoid infection with nail fungus, you should follow these simple rules:
- Never use someone else's shoes and do not give shoes to others, even close people.
- Do not use the same manicure accessories to treat unhealthy and healthy nails.
- If possible, disinfect all objects with which the patient's feet and hands have come into contact.
- Do not walk barefoot in public places and it is better not to do this even at home. When visiting a spa, sauna or pool use closed rubber slippers that protect against splashes. Even on the beach go only with slippers.
- After the pool you need to take a shower.
- Never visit baths and pools if cracks appear on your feet.
- After visiting public places, treat the skin of the feet with boric alcohol or some kind of antifungal ointment, cream, gel or spray. For prevention, almost any antifungal agent or alcoholic solution of antiseptics are suitable.
- Do not wear rubber boots for a long time, uncomfortable shoes that rub your feet.
- Do not abuse synthetic socks or tights, change them every day.
Immediately to the doctor!
At the first suspicion that you have caught a fungal infection, you should consult a mycologist or dermatologist. The doctor will not only perform an examination, assess the thickness, the structure of the nail, but will also make tissue scratches for analysis. Only in this way he will be able to determine the presence of the fungus, its type and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
If onychomycosis is not treated, it can lead to nail loss. The infection damages the whole body. The fungus releases toxic substances, provoking allergic reactions and decreased immunity.
It is necessary to know clearly that in the early stages it is quite easy to get rid of the infection. If the disease is not advanced, local treatment can be performed: the affected areas of the nail are cut, the remaining nail is covered with antifungal varnish, lubricated with antifungal ointments, which are numerous today.
Remember that the longer the fungus lives on your nails, the harder it is 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 you need to know
- It is necessary to sound the alarm already at the first signs of the skin of a fungus. A fungal infection on the skin is treated easier and faster than on the nails. Just one week is enough to paint the affected areas with one of the antifungal agents, which are found in abundance in every pharmacy.
- Fungi can also infect the hair, although the most common are fungus on the nails.
- Sometimes a change in the appearance of nails is not associated with fungus, but is caused by the condition of internal organs: cardiovascular and pulmonary insufficiency, kidney or liver dysfunction. Nails can turn yellow after taking powerful medications. Nail damage is also caused by lichen planus, eczema, psoriasis and finally nail injuries occur. But more often, the appearance of the nails ultimately changes from a fungal infection.
Popular recipes
Treating nail fungus with folk remedies is rarely effective. However, here are two recipes.
- Apply a piece of kombucha on the sore nail and bandage the finger. This will soften the nail and make it easier to cut. Repeat the procedure until the nail becomes completely soft. Then steam the feet well and lubricate with this mixture: take one part vinegar essence, two parts glycerin, two parts 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 inject for a few days in a tightly closed container. Soak a cotton ball in this oil, apply to the sore nail and bandage. Put a plastic bag on top - this way you will not stain the sheets, as such a treatment should be done before bedtime. The course of treatment is 10-15 days.
- Wash your feet thoroughly before going to bed. Soak a cotton ball in 9% vinegar and place on the nail. Wrap your finger up with a film and fix with a bandage. Repeat the procedure in the morning. Wash your feet one day after such a treatment. Put your nails in order - where to wait, where to clean. Repeat the procedure several times on the toe.