Summer has arrived, we have all been looking forward to this time, as today is getting warmer and more comfortable outside, which means that the time has finally arrived for light and open shoes. But what to do if you are embarrassed to stand up for reasons related to one of the most common and uncomfortable illnesses -toenail fungus.
In this article, we will try to tell you as simply and as quickly as possiblehow to treatthis disease and how to get rid of it as efficiently and painlessly as possible.
Nail fungus. Treatment and causes of disease
First, let's see what nail fungus is. These are living organisms that need nourishment, namely the moisture (sweat) of your feet. One of the most common diseases associated with such problemstoenail fungusis onychomycosis, most often caused by dermatophyte fungi and more rarely by microsporia.
There are 5 types of onychomycosis lesions on the nail plate:
- Distal - coverage of the front of the nail;
- Lateral - coverage of the lateral parts of the nail;
- Proximal - coverage of the back of the nail;
- Shallow - covers the nails with yellowish spots;
- Total - overall nail plate coverage;
All types of lesions have common symptoms seen such as discoloration, deformation, fragility.
Focus on fungal infections
If you regularly visit the gym, swimming pool, spa or massage parlor, take care of personal hygiene, because in these places fungal infections get all the conditions to spread. There are high levels of humidity and moderate temperatures, which serve as the best stimulants for the development of mycosis (bacteria that cause fungal infections). You can get fungus if you go to the bathroom or massage without shoes.
It should also be kept in mind that toenail fungus can be spread through direct contact with the wearer.
How does nail fungus develop?
- Wear uncomfortable and tight shoes, as well as shoes made of synthetic materials that compress the feet and restrict air circulation. In such an environment, mycosis develops at a rapid rate;
- Gel polish (for women), which encourages the growth of fungus between the nail plate and the varnish used;
- Increased foot sweat;
- Defects or injuries to the nails;
- Flat feet;
- Slow nail growth;
- Violation of metabolic processes in the nails;
- Poor blood supply to the limbs;
- Diseases of the immune system;
- Hazardous working conditions (dust, gas pollution, high humidity);
- Taking antibiotics, hormones;
To prevent infection, timely foot hygiene is required, which is much easier to follow than treating an already neglected case. At a later stage, the fungus can spread not only to neighboring nails, but also into other human organs with the blood, which can contribute to the development of a number of other diseases associated with weakened immune systems.
There are also categories of people who are more susceptible to this disease than others, given the corresponding diseases, such as:
- With diabetes mellitus (diabetic foot);
- Overweight (obese);
- With cardiovascular disease (venous disease).
Signs of toenail fungus
So how can you still recognize the fungus at the first signs, so as not to later insert it into the nail and prevent the spread of neighboring fingers to a healthy nail plate.
There are a number of symptoms that can cause you to recognize nail fungus at an early stage:
- Yellowing of nail plates;
- Slight deformation or modification (if the nail becomes very deformed);
- Fracture and fragility of the nails, which expose the nerve endings and soft tissues on the toes (with a light touch, it will bring pain and discomfort);
- unpleasant odor (associated with increased sweating).
Photo of nail fungus
Modern methods of treating nail fungus
If there are any of the above signs of the disease, you cannot cure it yourself. There are a large number of bloggers and traditional healers on the network who will be happy to tell you what to use on the affected nail or foot area, as well as what medications to use until everything is gone in a week or two. Unfortunately, the process of treating fungal diseases is not as easy and quick as we all want. It should be understood that even with an improvement in the overall clinical picture, it is undesirable to stop treatment, as this is fraught with the fact that sooner or later there will be a relapse, and you should start treatment again. And choose your own creams, sprays, antifungal gels - you run the risk of aggravating the situation or spending money in vain without getting the desired effect. Only a specialist can choose effective medications that will relieve you from infection after a thorough examination.
Modern medicine offers many treatments for fungi:
- Local treatment - treatment is carried out using conventional antifungal drugs, which in most cases only lead to a healing effect, but not to full recovery;
- Medical treatment - complete cure is guaranteed, but side effects are not excluded, because the body suffers under the influence of antimycotics and poisoning as a result of pulse therapy;
- Surgical intervention - this method is ineffective, as it does not always lead to full recovery, as there is a high probability of regrowth of defective nails. Also, don’t forget about the long recovery period;
- Laser treatment - Laser treatment for nail fungus is less effective. Because laser treatment is based on the use of heat radiation, after such heat treatment, the nail plate slows down its growth, and therefore the fungus does not clog, but continues to spread. Laser fungal treatment is an ineffective method that is currently impractical to use;
What is the best method to treat nail fungus?
Since the main task and purpose is to relieve nail fungus patients quickly, effectively, without discomfort and unpleasant consequences, we recommend the method of Photodynamic Therapy.
This is the latest method of treating fungi, based on the use of photosensitizers, which provide the formation of oxygen in the fungal cells while destroying the focus of infection completely. After that, the cells of the immune system (phagocytes) thoroughly absorb and remove the dead fungal cells from the body.
When using light, all fungal bacteria will die within minutes. It is also important to note that this therapy is a completely painless process with no side effects.
The method of photodynamic therapy has several advantages that will be appreciated by every patient:
- Effectiveness: just a few sessions are enough to eliminate the focus of the infection. The number of procedures depends on the stage of disease progression;
- Treatment without consequences: after a session of photodynamic therapy, there are no scars, scratches, microcracks, redness or irritation on the skin;
- Lack of pain: during the session, you will not feel a tingling sensation, or constriction or other unpleasant sensations;
- Completely replace antibiotic treatment;
- Recommendations from leading international experts;
- The treatment process takes some time;
Kenail fungus treatmentsucceed, leave it to a professional. We will determine the stage of disease progression, skin condition and nail plate accurately and prescribe procedures using the latest equipment with the use of effective medications that can even out mycosis. In a few weeks, you will not only forget about the itching, and you will be able to boast of the perfect condition of your feet.
After the end of treatment, it is possible to carry out the procedure for prosthetic nail plate. Plate prosthetics are the right decision if you need to restore nail plates quickly, efficiently, accurately and restore unsuitable feet. In our clinic, the procedure is carried out on modern equipment using effective drugs with antifungal and anti-inflammatory action, using gel and acrylic materials containing silver and platinum nanoparticles. The part of the nail plate that is partially lost (but if not more than 2/3 of the nail plate is lost) after treatment of a fungal infection or injury to the nail plate is prosthetic.
We draw your attention to the fact that this procedure is performed only in the absence of contraindications, before performing a prosthetic procedure, it is mandatory to treat (if there is an infection of the fungus and / or other types of infection) or the use of prophylactic course of therapy using a complex of antifungal and anti-infectious drugs.
If you have a sensitive problem such as a fungal infection, contact a specialized medical center, where an experienced doctor will help you cure the disease.