Nail parasite or mycosis (or onychomycosis ) is the disease of at least one nail because of the presence of specific organisms. This nail disease may first show as a little white or yellow spot (yet it can likewise be brown or green), influencing a little part of the nail. If the mycosis isn’t dealt with, the growth will, in general, spread and include a bigger piece of the nail – the impacted nail becomes thicker and can disintegrate or tumble off, causing agony and inconvenience – and can even influence different nails.
About Nail Fungus?
The toenails are more frequently impacted than the hands because the hot and moist climate present in the shoes is the best condition to permit the parasites to develop and spread. What’s more, the toenails are frequently harmed by outside injury or by wearing tight shoes or for brandishing exercises. On currently harmed nails, it is simpler for a parasite to flourish.
What Are The Causes Of Nail Fungus?
Contagious nail diseases are typically brought about by different parasites, including Candida albicans, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton. Molds and yeasts (like Aspergillus) can likewise cause or upgrade harm. One of the fundamental danger factors is the frequentization of hot-damp and normal conditions, such as the changing rooms of rec centers and pools.
What Are The Symptoms Of Nail Fungus?
Symptoms of nail fungus, in general, includes:
- an increase in the fragility and friability of the affected nail ;
- deformation of the nail ;
- the matte foil and with different colors inside
- inflammation of the tissues near the nail
Infected nails can also lift and detach from the nail bed ( onychosis ), cause pain, emit a bad odor.
How Can Nail Fungus Be Prevented?
To prevent the development of nail fungus and reduce the risk of recurrent infections, it is good to practice good hand and foot hygiene :
- keep your feet dry and clean as much as possible, avoiding very hot and humid places, especially if frequented by several people (such as gym changing rooms and swimming pools);
- keep nails short, dry, and clean ;
- wear socks that allow your feet to sweat and change them often, especially if your feet tend to sweat excessively:
- whenever possible, alternate closed shoes with open shoes ;
- wear rubber gloves to protect hands from overexposure to water ;
- do not cut the skin around the nails (so as not to facilitate the access of germs);
- do not walk barefoot in the changing rooms and showers of gyms and swimming pools ;
- at the pool, remember to wear slippers ;
- do not hide the fungal infections of the nails under a coat of nail polish: the presence of the nail polish helps to trap moisture and worsen the infection;
- wash your hands thoroughly after touching an infected nail.
Diagnosis
To diagnose nail fungus, a dermatologist will need to observe the affected nail (s). To confirm the diagnosis, a fragment of a nail is taken and placed under the microscope, where it is possible to see the typical elements of fungi: hyphae and spores.
Treatments
To treat nail fungus, there are several options to choose from, from time to time, based on the severity of the infection:
- Antifungal ointments are to be applied to the area affected by the fungus (they can also be used in combination with oral therapy).
- Cream-based on colloidal sulfur and salicylic acid.
- Antifungal enamels to be applied on the infected nail (a remedy usually taken into consideration in the case of moderate only superficial infections).
- To facilitate the penetration of the antifungal products, milling of the foil is carried out, repeated every 15 days.
ALSO READ: GET RID OF MUSCLE TENSION
