Fungal diseases of the nails and feet are widespread.
Cause
Doctors divide fungal diseases of the feet and nails into two groups. The first includes diseases called epidermophytosis, caused by the fungus Trichophyton interdigitale, the second - rubrophytosis, which occur when the fungus Trichophyton rubrum multiplies. These fungi can affect both nail plates and interdigital folds, soles and the back of the foot.
Factors contributing to fungal infection:
- cracks, abrasions in the interdigital folds caused by sweating or dry skin, abrasion, poor drying after water procedures, narrow interdigital spaces, flat feet, wearing tight shoes, etc. ;
- vascular diseases, frostbite of the extremities, standing work, varicose veins, decreased immunity, endocrine diseases, stress;
- professional factors - work in mining enterprises, in the metallurgical and chemical industries. Fungus of nails and feet often affects military personnel and athletes, which is also due to the peculiarities of their profession.
The disease can be transmitted through close contact with the patient or through the objects that he used. Baths, swimming pools and other public places with high humidity are "dangerous" from the point of view of contamination. There, ideal "greenhouse" conditions have been created for the fungus: heat and moisture. In addition, the nail plate, almost entirely composed of keratin, is an excellent breeding ground for fungi.
Once in the nail plate, the fungus grows and multiplies very slowly. Gradually, it dissolves the nail, taking its place, and spreads to the skin around it.
What's happening?
With a fungal infection of the skin of the feet, the process often begins with interdigital folds. Cracks and peeling form in these places. Later, the skin begins to redden and itching occurs. The process often goes to the dorsum of the foot, sole, plantar part of the toes. Other clinical forms of fungal infection are also possible.
Nail fungus manifests itself as follows:
- Nail color: white, yellow, brown, black. The nail is dull, opaque.
- Surface of the nail: uneven, rough. The nail is crumbling.
- Thickness of the nail: thickening or thinning / delamination.
- Nail shape: deformed.
- The nail fold: not altered or inflamed.
A significant deformation of the nails and their thickening creates certain difficulties when cutting them. In addition, the pressure of a thick misshapen nail on the underlying tissue (nail bed), as well as the pressure of the shoe on the nail, can cause pain in many cases.
Diagnostics and treatment
The diagnosis and treatment of fungal diseases is carried out by a dermatologist. The doctor will first send you to do a scraping - to determine the type of fungus and prescribe the necessary treatment. Moreover, certain medications are prescribed based on the general condition of the patient, the presence or absence of other diseases. Therefore, self-medication is ineffective, and sometimes it can even worsen the course of the disease.
The main danger of fungal infection of the feet is that the disease will progress all the time. If the fungus is not treated, then, starting on one nail, it will spread to others, and then to nearby areas of the skin or fingernails. In rare cases, there is even damage to internal organs.
In addition, the causative agents of this disease, being very strong allergens, can rebuild the body's sensitivity and thereby cause various kinds of allergic reactions.
Many patients prefer to use the widely advertised antifungal varnishes and ointments. It should be remembered that antifungal varnishes help only in the first stages of the disease and do not affect the entire thickness of the nail - in many cases, it is necessary to take drugs (tablets) inside. In addition, some of the creams work only on the skin, without penetrating the nail. These funds are intended mainly for prevention.
Sometimes people do not go to doctors for fear of complete removal of the nail plate. This will not happen because the delete method is no longer applied. Powerful antifungal drugs are currently used that, when used correctly, completely eliminate the fungus.
In the process of treating a fungal infection and after its completion, it is important to disinfect everything that the fungus has come into contact with. Disinfection should be applied to floors, walls, inventory of baths, showers, bathrooms, as well as personal belongings of the patient: linen, shoes, skin and nail care items.
You can reduce the risk of contracting a fungus by following these guidelines:
- use an individual towel;
- wear individual indoor shoes;
- take a shower after the pool;
- do not wear slippers when visiting;
- do not try on barefoot shoes in the store.