The percentage of diseases with foot mycoses is about 15-18% of the general population.Among nail pathologies, onychomycosis - fungal infections - accounts for 30%.The main cause of the disease is infection with various types of dermatophytes.
Depending on the type of fungal infection, onychomycosis on the feet has different symptoms and first signs.The causes of the disease are influenced by many factors.Treatment depends on the complexity of the course, the patient's age, general health and includes medical and traditional methods.
Characteristics of the disease
Toenail fungus, or as it is called, onychomycosis, belongs to a group of fungal diseases.Causative agents are dermatophytes (accounting for about 80-95% of all cases), and occasionally molds and yeast-like fungi.
Toenail damage can be caused by:
- Trichophyton rubrum.
- T.interdigitale.
- Anthropophilic trichophytons.
- Mold fungi.
Fungus affects the toenails of people aged 50-70.Mycosis of the nails is likely to occur as a result of a mixture of fungi.
There are several forms of onychomycosis:
- Normotrophic (maintaining the normal configuration of the nails).
- Hypertrophic (subungual hyperkeratosis contributes to the thickening of the nail plate over the entire surface).
- Atrophic (the destruction of the nail plates occurs).
When affected by onycholysis, the plates separate from the nail bed.
According to the localization of the process, nail fungus on the lower extremities is classified into distal (the free edge of the nail), lateral (lateral sides), distal-lateral form, proximal (the back pad is affected), total (the entire nail is infected) and superficial.
The signs
Symptoms of onychomycosis depend on the type of pathogen.A healthy human nail has a smooth surface and a pink tint and looks shiny.In most cases, the fungus spreads to the nail plate from the infected skin on the corresponding finger.
The first signs of onychomycosis:
- change in color and shape of the nail plate;
- surface staining, roughness, distortion;
- plaque thickening or thinning.
When the disease appears, a nail is affected, or the infection spreads to nearby ones.Possible manifestations: itching of the skin, skin near the nail plate.
Symptoms of toenail fungus, depending on the pathogen, are given in the table:
| Stimulus | EVENTS | Features |
| T. rubrum | Yellow spots, longitudinal lines along the lateral edges of the nail plates | In children, it is manifested by roughness of the surface |
| T.interdigitale | Spots, yellow lines in the thickness of the central part.Plate deformation.Thickening of the free edge | The shape of the lesion is normotrophic |
| Anthropophilic trichophytons | Gray streaks and spots on lateral parts and distal margin.Plate thickening, appearance of grooves, brittleness | With favus, the disease begins with the appearance of a yellow spot in the thickness of the nail plate, which gradually spreads over the entire plane.Toenails are affected during the prolonged course of the disease |
| Moldings | The lesion is superficial.Possible color of the nail plate: shades of yellow, green, blue, brown, black |
Manifestations of onychomycosis, depending on the form of damage to the nail plate:
| Name | Symptoms | ADVENTURES |
| Normotrophic | Shape and shine are preserved.The nail plates thicken at the corners | Distal lip yellow, dull surface |
| Hypertrophic | Increased subungual hyperkeratosis.Thickening throughout the plane, loss of luster.Cross lines, deformed plates.At the free end there is surface loosening.Some patients experience pain when walking | The initial stage is characterized by a yellow color that turns into dirty gray |
| Atrophic | Significant deformation and destruction of plates;partial exposure of the nail bed;layering of masses with loose, crumbled hornblende | Dull, color - dirty gray or yellow |
| According to the type of onycholysis | Thinning of the plates, separation from the bed, loss of luster | Dull appearance, yellow, gray with a dirty tint.At the base of the nail, the color is preserved |
A patient can experience different forms of toenail fungus.
reason
The main source of infection is dermatophytes.
Infection with onychomycosis on the foot is likely:
- at home through household items (bath mat, washcloth, towel, slippers, socks);
- when wearing tight shoes for a long time (especially made of synthetic materials);
- in the sauna, bath, swimming pool, shower, gym.
Pathogen scales from patients with athlete's foot fall on floors, grates, benches and objects.High humidity promotes the development and spread of fungal infections.
The causes of nail fungus depend on its type and how it penetrates the nail plate.Infection with Trichophyton rubrum occurs from the affected skin of the feet.The superficial white fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes appears as a result of the softening of the nail plate, which has been in a humid environment for a long time.Tissue damage starts from above, a change in the surface is characterized by the formation of white lesions.
Other causes of the disease include:
- the use of non-sterile instruments when performing a pedicure;
- tendency to excessive sweating of the feet;
- decreased immunity;
- nail injuries;
- diabetes mellitus;
- impaired blood supply to the lower extremities.
Toenail fungus can be diagnosed in people who take corticosteroids, antibiotics or immunosuppressive therapy for a long time.
Treatment
When choosing a therapy method, one must take into account the type of lesion, the degree of spread of the disease, the safety of the method, the general condition of the patient and the cost.
Treatment of toenail fungus is carried out using local therapy, folk remedies and systemic drugs.
Local therapy
Treatment is indicated for patients with distal, lateral and distal-lateral forms of onychomycosis.Condition: no more than 50% of the plate surface is affected, matrix and not all toenails are affected.
The most effective topical medications in the form of ointments, creams and solutions.
If single nails are affected, it is recommended to soften the plaques at home with any preparation with a keralitic effect, remove the infected areas and then apply creams or solutions.Along with the treatment of nail plates, smooth skin therapy is performed.
Systemic treatment
It is used when local therapy is ineffective, multiple nail lesions.
Drugs of choice include:
- Itraconazole
- Fluconazole.
- Griseofulvin.
- Terbinafine.
The course of treatment will be more effective if the stratum corneum and affected areas are removed first.The procedure will also reduce overall treatment time.
Traditional methods
When the disease is mild and in the initial stage, it makes sense to use folk remedies.
Usage:
- baths (herbal, salt, soda, vinegar, potassium permanganate);
- lubrication of nail plates with propolis solution, birch tar, iodine;
- compresses and pastes made from a mixture of onion, soda and garlic.
Home remedies are available and treatment is inexpensive.
Features of therapy depending on age
Treatment of onychomycosis on the feet differs in adults and children.If one of the family members has a disease, or fungal manifestations are detected in children from school or kindergarten, a regular examination of the child's feet should be done.
Treatment in childhood requires the use of safe products prescribed by a doctor.An important stage of therapy is to observe hygiene and perform antifungal treatment of shoes.
During the treatment of adults, strict adherence to the instructions for the use of drugs is required, taking into account possible contraindications and side effects.