Nail fungus
Beautiful and healthy nails always attract the attention of others, and in some cases are considered a guarantee of good health. Deficiency of vitamins and minerals can worsen the condition of the nail plates, but sometimes the problem is deeper, associated with a fungal infection. Nail fungus or the medical term "onychomycosis" refers to common and insidious diseases that can completely destroy the nail plate. Why does the disease develop, what are the signs and how to get rid of nail fungus.
How is it developing
Nail fungus (onychomycosis) is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic fungi - parasites. According to medical observations, the disease is diagnosed in 7% of the adult population. During the development of onychomycosis, pathogenic fungal pathogens affect the tissues of the nail plates, which leads to a violation of their structure.
The source of fungal infection is more often parasitic fungi. Infection more often occurs in public places (changing rooms, baths, saunas). The scales of fungal parasites, after attaching to the skin of a healthy person, penetrate into the upper layers of the epidermis, begin their active reproduction, secrete waste products that poison the human body, reduce immune defenses, and make the body defenseless against various secondary infections. Spores of pathogenic fungi are introduced into the layers of the nail plate, which begins to lose its natural color, white spots and yellowness appear. If treatment is not carried out at this stage, the plate will deform, followed by its destruction and damage to the healthy toes.
Clinical signs
Normally, the nail plate is smooth and even, but as the fungal infection develops, its structure is disturbed, and its appearance deteriorates. Onychomycosis is a slowly progressive disease. The first signs of the disease are noted not immediately after contact with the pathogen, but after a time, when the spores of the fungi penetrate into deep tissues.
Onychomycosis can be recognized by the following signs:
itching and burning in the interdigital areas;
small cracks in the skin on the fingers;
severe sweating of the legs;
peeling of periungual platinum;
unpleasant odor;
redness of the skin;
thickening of the nail;
dullness, yellowness and roughness.
Pathological changes are present not only on the nails, but also on the skin of the legs, especially between the toes and feet.