Onychomycosis (nail and foot fungus) is a skin disease that is not life-threatening but can cause a lot of inconvenience.Even perfectly healthy people can get infected by fungi, but people with weak immune systems and poor hygiene are at higher risk.
If left untreated, the fungus attaches to the skin of healthy people and can completely destroy the nail plate and spread more and more.That's why it's so important to promptly start taking medications prescribed by your dermatologist.
What is the cause of mycosis
You can get a fungal infection when pathogens reach the surface of the skin or deep into the dermis due to micro-tears.Furthermore, this occurs most often during daily contact with patients.
Infections can occur in swimming pools, saunas, and other places with high humidity.Cold temperatures won't kill the bacteria, but temperatures above 60 degrees can be destructive to them.
Onychomycosis infections can occur if you don't follow the rules for sterilizing your equipment when visiting a pedicure salon.You can also become infected by using a hotel shower or bathtub.Wearing/trying on shoes that come into contact with the feet of someone who has the fungus can also cause lesions.
The causes of fungi vary, but there are undoubtedly factors that can trigger an infection:
- Increased sweating of the feet;
- Decreased immune system function;
- Insufficient foot hygiene;
- Administer antimicrobial treatment;
- Foot injuries (cuts, cracks, minor abrasions, or calluses).
What symptoms should I be wary of?
Since onychomycosis is quite difficult to remove (especially in its later stages), it is better to know the symptoms of this pathology in advance.The main symptoms of onychomycosis infection:
- Redness of the skin around the nails, accompanied by itching;
- Skin peeling or small cracks;
- Cloudy nail plate;
- Bad odor when feet sweat;
- Fine spots on the nails that appear gray, dark green, yellow or even black (sometimes white if the pathogen is the yeast that causes thrush);
- The deck gradually separates;
- Nails chipped.
If onychomycosis is not treated, the symptoms will become more pronounced and the condition of the nail plate will worsen.Therefore, as soon as pathological manifestations appear, please contact a dermatologist.
Treatment characteristics
In order to solve the problem as quickly as possible, you need to know at which stage the disease is.Only after a thorough examination can a dermatologist formulate an effective treatment plan.Isis Private Clinic is ready to provide qualified dermatologists, so seek help at the first symptom you notice - do not self-medicate.
In advanced cases, the nail plate may need to be removed; this procedure must be performed under hygienic conditions.
In the initial stages, a dermatologist will perform external treatments using antibacterial creams and ointments.In the later stages (if the pathology appeared more than a year ago), systemic treatment is required, including the use of special ointments, the administration of antifungal drugs, immune boosters and vitamin supplements.
disease prevention
Since onychomycosis cannot be cured quickly, be prepared for long-term treatment and possibly even a second course of treatment over time.
To avoid this, you should always remember disease prevention, especially if your immune system is weak:
- Wear shoes on the beach;
- Wear closed-toe rubber slippers in swimming pools and saunas;
- Be sure to buy cotton socks (wash them every day);
- Don’t try on other people’s shoes;
- Keep your feet dry at all times;
- Disinfect shoes regularly.