Nail fungus: what it looks like, how it is transmitted, how to treat it

Fungus affects the appearance of nails and makes us embarrassed if someone notices it. However, it can be difficult to get rid of. After taking medications and ointments, the disease may recur and be accompanied by discomfort, itching and burning. It is important to choose a remedy that will completely eliminate the disease.

In this article, you'll learn how to treat nail fungus so it doesn't come back.

Signs of nail fungus

The medical name for nail fungus is onychomycosis. Like many diseases, it does not manifest itself sharply and clearly immediately after infection. The first signs appear 2-3 weeks after exposure to the pathogen. First, the nail plate loses its shine, then other symptoms appear:

  • whitish or yellowish stripes, spots on the nail plate;
  • Change in nail color to yellow, brown or gray;
  • Thickening, detachment, tuberosity of the nail plate;
  • unpleasant smell;
  • peeling and redness of the skin around the nail and between the fingers;
  • Burning and itching.

Without treatment, a fungal infection completely destroys the nail plate: it peels off, exposing the nail bed.

Where can you get this disease?

Public places with high humidity pose a danger: swimming pools, baths, hammams, saunas, fitness studios. The fungus is easily transmitted through direct contact with an infected person: the pathogen penetrates healthy areas and causes infection. You can become infected by using the patient's personal items, such as his shoes or towel.

The fungus also spreads where there are shoe rental shops. For example, bowling or renting ice skates, ski boots, snowboards. It is particularly dangerous if hygiene standards are not adhered to there. You can become infected with onychomycosis through slippers if they are frequently worn by different guests.

Beauty salons and manicurists and pedicurists who provide their services at home also pose a danger. But only if they don't use disposable materials for every new customer or don't sterilize work equipment.

What does fungus on nails look like?

An example of nail fungus can be clearly seen in the photo. The main signs of onychomycosis are immediately visible: changes in the color of the nail, its thickening and the formation of lumps. On the left a nail before the treatment, on the right after the laser treatment.

Nail fungus before and after treatment

Stages of disease development

The disease develops gradually. Immediately after the infection you will not feel any discomfort, the appearance of the nail will hardly change. But over time the number of unpleasant symptoms increases. Nail fungus progresses in 3 stages:

  • normotropic - stripes of yellowish and whitish color appear in the thickness of the nail, but its shape and thickness do not change, there is no subungual hyperkeratosis, that is, thickening and detachment;
  • hypertrophic - the nail plate acquires a yellow, gray or brown hue, the nail thickens due to hyperkeratosis, brittleness appears, the edges become jagged;
  • dystrophic - the nail becomes thinner and separates from the nail bed, cavities form.

Why is fungus dangerous?

As soon as you notice any changes to your nail, you should see a doctor. The disease does not go away on its own; Without treatment, it spreads to other parts of the body and progresses.

If you start the disease, there is a risk of complications:

  • the addition of another infection, for example erysipelas – this is an infectious allergic disease that appears on the skin as red spots;
  • diabetic foot with trophic ulcers on the legs, in severe cases leading to gangrene;
  • allergic rashes and peeling;
  • in rare cases, damage to internal organs and systems.

Nail fungus is not just an external defect, so self-medication can cause serious damage. You should not take any medications without a doctor's prescription, as they may cause side effects or have unpredictable effects on the body.

There are many types of fungi that cause the disease. In order to find the tablets and ointments suitable for your case, you must undergo a laboratory examination. Otherwise the medicine may be useless.

Which doctor treats fungi?

Diseases of the skin and nails are treated by a dermatologist or dermatovenereologist, who carries out diagnostics and prepares treatment. But there is a highly specialized dermatologist who deals exclusively with fungal infections - a mycologist.

The professional clinic employs experienced dermatologists who take a comprehensive approach to treating onychomycosis. In the first step, specialists examine the affected nails. Laboratory diagnostics are then carried out, which allows you to confirm the diagnosis and determine the type of fungus. The doctor then draws up a treatment plan taking into account the patient's contraindications and wishes.

The modern clinic also employs podiatrists - masters who prepare nails for further treatment and perform medical pedicures. This is not the same procedure that is done in beauty salons. To understand the difference, you need to consider the types of pedicure:

  • Medical pedicure is the treatment of problem nails for more effective treatment. The specialist removes the damaged nail layer, allowing antifungal agents to have a deeper effect.
  • A therapeutic pedicure is a procedure that helps solve problems with skin and nails; during the process, the master can use ointments, preparations, lotions, etc. for healing and treating problem areas;
  • Aesthetic pedicure – performed in beauty salons and makes feet and nails more aesthetically attractive.

A dermatologist and a podiatrist are specialists who work together to help the patient get rid of the fungal disease as quickly as possible.

Ways to eliminate athlete's foot

Methods for eliminating fungus

Modern medicine offers several treatment options for onychomycosis. Let's consider each method individually.

Medication

Pharmacies sell many tablets, ointments and varnishes for onychomycosis; they are called antifungals. But you cannot buy a drug and get rid of the disease, because different drugs are directed against different types of fungi. In addition, antifungals are toxic, so care must be taken to ensure the correct dosage.

Another important nuance: the fungus is immune to the drug. If you do not take medication for the first time, the causative agent of the disease may develop immunity, making treatment useless.

Special plaster

They are glued to the damaged nail and the active ingredients in the composition fight the problem. However, the product only has a superficial effect; the patch does not help get rid of the fungus in the nail and on the skin.

In addition, walking with it is not always comfortable: it can fall off while walking or come off due to moisture. And if more than one nail is affected, putting a patch on each finger is not very practical.

Laser therapy

This is the most effective modern treatment method. The laser shows visible results in 90% of cases from the first use. There is no pain, burning or discomfort during the process and one treatment only takes about 10 minutes.

The treatment takes place in 2 stages:

  1. The laser acts deeply on the mycelium of the mushroom and destroys it. At the same time, healthy skin and nail tissue is not damaged.
  2. The laser restores the nail plate and allows it to grow back faster.

Ointments, tablets and plasters do not work as deeply or quickly.

The laser allows you to avoid removing the nail and keep the plate healthy.

Prevention measures

To avoid nail fungus treatment, you should take preventive measures. Simple rules will help protect yourself from the disease:

  • Pay attention to personal hygiene – shower regularly, wear clean socks, cut your nails once a week;
  • When visiting a public bath, sauna or swimming pool, use only single slippers and a towel.
  • Do not go barefoot in public places;
  • Do not wear other people's shoes, including slippers, when you visit.
  • Don't walk in wet shoes;
  • Strengthen your immune system and maintain your health.

During a manicure and pedicure, do not hesitate to ask the master how he processes and sterilizes work accessories.

Why is it better not to self-medicate but to turn to professionals?

In the best case, the fungus will reappear on the nails after self-medication, and in the worst case, taking medications without medical supervision will harm your health. Only a doctor can select a comprehensive treatment and completely eliminate the problem.

In the clinic, a dermatologist carries out the diagnostics and necessary examinations. The podiatrist then processes and prepares the nail plate. The main part of the treatment is carried out using a laser - specialists use modern innovative devices. You will notice improvements after the first procedure.

To make treatment easy and procedures pleasant, specialists treat each patient with care and warmth, and doctors choose an individual approach.