Few people know that getting rid of this unpleasant disease is quite difficult, and the whole process takes a lot of time. Almost 20% of the population is affected by this disease, which occurs on the toes and nails. At the same time, age is absolutely not important here, because the fungus is observed in adults, and even in adolescents and children.
Causes of disease
Fungi or, as it is also called, onychomycosis, occurs as a result of exposure to different types of fungi, or, simply put, pathogens. Personal hygiene is also important, if you do not respect it, you yourself create the necessary conditions for the reproduction of bacteria. In addition, you can easily become the owner of such an unpleasant disease, because the fungus can be infected from another person.
This most often happens in the following cases:
- use of common household tools and objects;
- Unsterilized manicure instruments;
- saunas and baths;
- communal showers in gyms or swimming pools.
The success of treatment efficiency is the diagnosis of the causative agent of the disease, which is carried out by laboratory tests.
At the same time, each type of fungus has a specific affected area. For example, some affect only the skin or nails of the fingers and hands, while others affect the sides of the toes and the tops of the soles.
Much less common are the effects of fungi such as epidermophyton, trichophyton, as well as yeast or mold, which most often occur in the elderly. Often this onychomycosis affects the first few fingers.
Diagnostic process and factors accompanying the disease
Before you decide on a comprehensive treatment for nail fungus, that is, on your fingers, you should undergo an examination. But it is worth remembering the following factors that only improve the process of bacterial development:
- The appearance of any damage on the plate itself, as well as on the surrounding skin.
- Various types of diseases, including varicose veins and other endocrine diseases.
- Reduced function of the immune system and hormonal imbalance (often in pregnant women).
Symptoms of a fungal disease largely depend on the type of pathogen. It often affects toenails, and there are four degrees of damage:
- normotrophic;
- hypertrophic;
- atrophic;
- onycholysis.
In addition, the disease is quite dangerous, because in the case of mold fungi there is a negative effect on the body itself, as well as its intoxication, because the bacterium releases toxins. Let's take a closer look at how to get rid of this disease and which medicines will really help you forget about this infection.
A method of treating diseases
In order to choose the correct and, most importantly, effective treatment, it is necessary to take into account the degree of damage to the nail plate and the speed of its growth. Moreover, the effect is the same in both cases: in the case of damage to the toenails, and in the case of fungus on the hands, the treatment can be complex or local.
Local exposure is most often necessary if the fungus has affected only a few nails, or if the plate is only half affected.
As for the complex technique, doctors prescribe antifungal agents, both externally and internally. You should also take vitamins to improve the immune system, that is, immunomodulators and agents that have a disinfecting effect. For example, a fairly good product is based on acids and essential oils, which is available in the form of a spray or lotion, and the reviews about it are only positive. It is important that the product is suitable for absolutely everyone from a financial point of view, because its price is quite reasonable.
Tablets can only be taken with a doctor's prescription, as they have a strong effect on the body as a whole, especially for those with liver problems. Of course, the use of such drugs is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women. Tablets are prescribed only in cases where creams have no therapeutic effect and if the affected area of the nail plate is large enough.
Preventive methods
As already mentioned, the infection process occurs due to direct contact of nails or skin with the source of infection. If your immunity is in perfect order, then you don't need to worry. Otherwise, the disease takes root very quickly and is very difficult to overcome. It is enough to observe the following rules of personal hygiene:
- do not walk barefoot on beaches or in swimming pools;
- wear socks and change them daily;
- Do not under any circumstances try on a stranger's shoes;
- dry your feet after showering.
Such simple rules will allow you to increase your chances and not to get infected from someone else with this extremely unpleasant disease, which will cause you a lot of inconvenience and inconvenience in the future.