The proportion of diseases linked to foot fungus represents approximately 15 to 18% of the total population.Among nail pathologies, onychomycosis – fungal infections – represent 30%.The main cause of the disease is infection with various types of dermatophytes.
Depending on the type of fungal infection, onychomycosis of the legs has different symptoms and first signs.The causes of the disease are influenced by many factors.Treatment depends on the complexity of the treatment, the age of the patient, their general health and includes both medical and traditional methods.
Characteristics of the disease
Toenail fungus, or as it is also called, onychomycosis, belongs to a group of fungal diseases.The causative agents are dermatophytes (account for approximately 80-95% of all cases) and sometimes molds and yeast-like fungi.
Toenail damage can be caused by:
- Trichophyton rubrum.
- T.interdigitale.
- Anthropophilous trichophytons.
- Mold fungi.
Mold affects the nails of people between the ages of 50 and 70.Nail fungus is likely to occur as a result of a mixture of fungi.
There are several forms of onychomycosis:
- Normotrophic (with preservation of the normal configuration of the nails).
- Hypertrophic (subungual hyperkeratosis contributes to the thickening of the nail plate over the entire surface).
- Atrophic (destruction of nail plates occurs).
In case of onycholysis, the plates are separated from the nail bed.
Depending on the localization of the process, nail fungus of the lower extremities is classified into distal (free edge of the nail), lateral (lateral sides), distal-lateral, proximal (the posterior pad is affected), total (the entire nail is infected) and superficial.
Signs
Symptoms of onychomycosis depend on the type of pathogen.A healthy human nail has a smooth surface and a pink tint and appears shiny.In most cases, the fungus spreads to the nail plate from the infected skin of the corresponding finger.
The first signs of onychomycosis:
- change in color and shape of the nail plate;
- surface dulling, roughness, delamination;
- thickening or thinning of plaque.
When the disease occurs, one nail is affected or the infection spreads to neighboring nails.Possible manifestations: itching of the skin, peeling near the nail plate.
Symptoms of toenail fungus, depending on the pathogen, are presented in the table:
| Stimulus | Demonstrations | Special features |
| T. rubrum | Yellow spots, longitudinal stripes along the lateral edges of the nail plates | In children, this manifests itself as surface roughness |
| T.interdigital | Yellow spots, stripes in the thickness of the central part.Plate deformation.Free edge thickening | The shape of the lesion is normotrophic |
| Anthropophilic trichophytons | Gray stripes and spots on the lateral parts and at the distal edge.Thickening of the plate, appearance of grooves, fragility | With favus, the disease begins with the appearance of a yellow spot in the thickness of the nail plate, which gradually extends to the entire plane.Toenails are affected during a prolonged course of the disease |
| Mussels | The lesion is superficial.Possible color of the nail plate: yellow, greenish, blue, brown tones, black |
Manifestations of onychomycosis, depending on the form of damage to the nail plate:
| Name | Symptoms | Coloring |
| Normotroph | The shape and shine are preserved.Nail plates thicken in the corners | Yellow distal edge, matte surface |
| Hypertrophic | Growth of subungual hyperkeratosis.Thickening all over, loss of shine.Transverse scratches, deformed plates.At the free edge there is a loosening of the surface.Some patients experience pain when walking | The initial stage is characterized by a yellowish color changing to dirty gray |
| Atrophic | Significant deformation and destruction of plates;partial exposure of the nail bed;superposition of loose and crumbled horny masses | Dull, color - dirty gray or yellowish |
| By type of onycholysis | Thinning of the plates, separation of the bed, loss of shine | Dull, yellow, gray appearance with a dirty tint.At the base of the nail the color is preserved |
A patient may have different forms of toenail fungus.
Reasons
Dermatophytes are the main source of infection.
Onychomycosis infection of the feet is likely:
- at home using household items (bathroom rug, washcloth, towel, slippers, socks);
- during prolonged wearing of tight shoes (especially made of synthetic materials);
- in the sauna, public baths, swimming pool, shower, gym.
Scales of pathogens from patients with foot fungus fall onto the floor, grills, benches and objects.High humidity promotes the development and proliferation of fungal infections.
The causes of nail fungus depend on its type and how it penetrates the nail plate.Trichophyton rubrum infection occurs from the affected skin of the feet.The superficial white fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes appears as a result of softening of the nail plate, which has been in a humid environment for a long time.Tissue damage begins from the top, a change in the surface is characterized by the formation of white lesions.
Other causes of the disease include:
- use of non-sterile instruments during pedicure;
- tendency to excessive sweating of the feet;
- decreased immunity;
- nail injuries;
- diabetes mellitus;
- impaired blood supply to the lower extremities.
Toenail fungus may be diagnosed in people taking corticosteroids, antibiotics, or immunosuppressive therapy for a long time.
Treatment
When choosing a therapeutic method, one should 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 medications.
Local therapy
Treatment is indicated for patients with distal, lateral and distal-lateral forms of onychomycosis.Condition: no more than 50% of the surface of the plate is affected, the matrix and all toenails are unaffected.
The most effective topical medications in the form of ointments, creams and solutions.
If single nails are affected, it is recommended to soften the plates at home with any preparation with a keralytic effect, remove the infected areas, and then apply creams or solutions.Along with the treatment of nail plates, smooth skin therapy is carried out.
Systemic treatment
Used when local treatment is ineffective and in cases of multiple nail lesions.
Medications of choice include:
- Itraconazole
- Fluconazole.
- Griseofulvin.
- Terbinafine.
Treatment will be more effective if the stratum corneum and affected areas are removed first.The procedure will also reduce the overall treatment time.
Traditional methods
When the disease is mild and at the initial stage, it makes sense to use folk remedies.
To use:
- baths (with herbs, salt, soda, vinegar, potassium permanganate);
- lubricating nail plates with tincture of propolis, 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 for onychomycosis of the legs differs in adults and children.If one of the family members suffers from an illness or fungal manifestations are detected in children at school or kindergarten, a regular examination of the child's feet should be carried out.
Treatment during childhood requires the use of safe products prescribed by the doctor.An important stage of treatment is to observe hygiene and carry out antifungal treatment of shoes.
When treating adults, strict adherence to the instructions for use of drugs is required, taking into account contraindications and possible side effects.