The share of diseases with foot mycoses is about 15-18% of the total 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 legs 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 age of the patient, the general state of health and includes medical and traditional methods.
Characteristics of the disease
Toenail fungus, or as it is also called onychomycosis, belongs to the group of fungal diseases.The causative agents are dermatophytes (which account 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.
Mold affects the toenails of people between the ages of 50 and 70.Mycosis of the nails probably occurs as a result of a mixture of fungi.
There are several forms of onychomycosis:
- Normotrophic (with the 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 appears).
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 divided into distal (free edges of the nail), lateral (sides), distal-lateral, proximal (the back 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 looks shiny.In most cases, the fungus spreads to the nail plate from the infected skin on the corresponding finger.
First signs of onychomycosis:
- change in color and shape of the nail plate;
- surface darkening, roughness, delamination;
- thickening or thinning of the plate.
When the disease appears, one nail is affected or the infection spreads to nearby ones.Possible manifestations: skin itching, peeling near the nail plate.
Symptoms of toenail fungus, depending on the causative agent, are given in the table:
| Stimulus | Manifestations | Peculiarities |
| T. rubrum | Yellow spots, longitudinal stripes along the lateral edges of the nail plates | Surface roughness is manifested in children |
| T.interdigitale | Spots, yellow stripes in the thickness of the central part.Plate deformation.Thickening of the free edge | The shape of the lesion is normotrophic |
| Anthropophilic trichophytons | Stripes and spots of gray color on the lateral parts and on the distal margin.Plate thickening, appearance of grooves, fragility | In 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.The toenails are affected during the long course of the disease |
| Molds | The lesion is superficial.Possible color of the nail plate: yellow, greenish, blue, brown shades, black |
Manifestations of onychomycosis, depending on the form of damage to the nail plate:
| Name | Symptoms | Coloring |
| Normotrophic | Shape and shine are preserved.The nail plates thicken at the corners | Yellow distal margin, cloudy surface |
| Hypertrophic | Growth of subungual hyperkeratosis.Thickening over the whole plane, loss of luster.Transverse stripes, deformed plates.At the free edge, the surface loosens.Some patients feel pain when walking | The initial stage is characterized by a yellowish color that turns into dirty gray |
| Atrophic | Significant deformations and destruction of plates;partial exposure of the nail bed;stratification of loose, friable corneous masses | Dull, color - dirty gray or yellowish |
| By type of onycholysis | Thinning of plates, separation from the bed, loss of luster | Dull appearance, yellow, gray with a dirty shade.At the base of the nail, the color is preserved |
One patient can have different forms of toenail fungus.
Reasons
The main source of infection is dermatophytes.
Onychomycosis infection of the feet is likely:
- at home through household items (bath mat, washcloth, towel, slippers, socks);
- when you wear tight shoes (especially made of synthetic materials) for a long time;
- in the sauna, bathroom, swimming pool, shower, gym.
The scales of pathogens of patients with mycosis of the feet fall on the floor, bars, benches and objects.High humidity encourages the development and proliferation of fungal infections.
The causes of nail fungus depend on the type and the way 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 the softening of the nail plate, which has been in a humid environment for a long time.Tissue damage starts from the top, the surface change is characterized by the formation of white lesions.
Other causes of the disease include:
- use of non-sterile instruments when performing a pedicure;
- tendency to excessive sweating of the feet;
- reduced 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 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 price.
Treatment of toenail fungus is carried out with 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.
The most effective local medicines in the form of ointments, creams and solutions.
If individual nails are affected, it is recommended to soften the plates at home with any preparation with a kerolytic effect, remove the infected areas, and then apply creams or solutions.Along with the treatment of the nail plates, smooth skin therapy is also carried out.
Systemic treatment
It is used when local therapy is ineffective, multiple nail lesions.
Medications 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 the overall treatment time.
Traditional methods
When the disease is mild and in the initial stage, it makes sense to use medical folk remedies.
Use:
- baths (herbal, salt, soda, vinegar, potassium permanganate);
- lubrication of nail plates with tincture of propolis, birch tar, iodine;
- compresses and pastes made from a mixture of onions, baking soda and garlic.
Home remedies are available and treatment is cheap.
Characteristics of therapy depending on age
Treatment for onychomycosis on the legs is different for adults and children.If one of the family members has a disease, or the manifestations of fungi are detected in children from school or kindergarten, it is necessary to regularly examine the child's feet.
Treatment in childhood requires the use of safe products prescribed by a doctor.An important phase of therapy is maintaining hygiene and performing antifungal treatment of footwear.
When treating adults, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions for the use of drugs, taking into account contraindications and possible side effects.