The proportion of foot mycosis diseases is about 15–18% of the total population.Among nail pathologies, onychomycosis – a fungal infection – 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 patient's age, general health and includes medical and traditional methods.
Features of the disease
Nail fungus, or as it is also called, onychomycosis, belongs to a group of fungal diseases.The causative agents are dermatophytes (accounting for about 80-95% of all cases) and, occasionally, molds and yeast-like fungi.
Damage to toenails can be caused by:
- Trichophyton rubrum.
- T.interdigitale.
- Anthropophilic trichophytes.
- Mold fungi.
Mold affects the toenails 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 the nail plates occurs).
When affected by onycholysis, the plates are separated from the nail bed.
According to the location of the process, nail fungus on the lower extremities is classified into distal (free edge of the nail), lateral (lateral sides), distal-lateral form, 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 hue 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 the color and shape of the nail plate;
- surface staining, roughness, delamination;
- thickening or thinning of the plaque.
When the disease occurs, one nail is affected or the infection spreads to nearby nails.Possible manifestations: itchy skin, peeling near the nail plate.
Symptoms of nail fungus, depending on the pathogen, are presented in the table:
| Stimulus | Manifestations | Peculiarities |
| T. rubrum | Yellow spots, longitudinal stripes along the lateral edges of the nail plates | In children, it manifests itself as surface roughness |
| T.interdigitale | Spots, yellow stripes in the thickness of the central part.Plate deformation.Free edge thickening | The shape of the lesion is normotrophic |
| Anthropophilic trichophytes | Gray stripes and spots on the lateral parts and distal edge.Plaque thickening, appearance of grooves, fragility | In the favus, the disease begins with the appearance of a yellow spot in the thickness of the nail plate, which gradually spreads across the entire plane.Toenails are affected during the prolonged course of the disease |
| Molds | The injury is superficial.Possible color of the nail plate: yellow, greenish, blue, brown, black tones |
Manifestations of onychomycosis, depending on the form of damage to the nail plate:
| Name | Symptoms | Coloring |
| Normotrophic | The shape and shine are preserved.Nail plates thicken at the corners | Distal edge yellow, surface opaque |
| Hypertrophic | Growth of subungual hyperkeratosis.Thickening throughout the plane, loss of brightness.Transverse stripes, deformed plates.At the free edge there is surface loosening.Some patients experience pain when walking | The initial phase is characterized by a yellowish color transitioning to dirty gray |
| Atrophic | Significant deformation and destruction of plates;partial exposure of the nail bed;layers of loose and crumbling horny masses | Opaque, color - dirty gray or yellowish |
| By type of onycholysis | Plate thinning, bed separation, loss of gloss | Opaque, yellow, gray appearance with a dirty tone.At the base of the nail the color is preserved |
A patient may present with different forms of nail fungus.
Reasons
The main source of infection is dermatophytes.
Onychomycosis infection in the feet is likely:
- at home through household items (bathroom rug, towel, towel, slippers, socks);
- when wearing tight shoes for a long time (especially made of synthetic materials);
- in the sauna, changing room, swimming pool, shower, gym.
Scales of pathogens from patients with mycosis on their feet fall to the floor, railings, benches and objects.High humidity promotes the development and proliferation of fungal infections.
The causes of nail fungus depend on the type and how it penetrates the nail plate.Trichophyton rubrum infection occurs on 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 above, 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.
Nail fungus can be diagnosed in people who have been taking corticosteroids, antibiotics, or immunosuppressive therapy for a long time.
Treatment
When choosing a therapeutic method, the type of injury, the degree of spread of the disease, the safety of the method, the general condition of the patient and the cost must be taken into account.
Treatment of nail 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 plate area is affected, the matrix and not all toenails are affected.
The most effective topical medications in the form of ointments, creams and solutions.
If the nails are affected, it is recommended to soften the plates 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 carried out.
Systemic treatment
Used when local therapy is ineffective, multiple nail injuries.
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 overall treatment time.
Traditional methods
When the disease is mild and at an initial stage, it makes sense to use medicinal folk remedies.
To use:
- baths (herbs, salt, soda, vinegar, potassium permanganate);
- lubrication of nail plates with propolis tincture, 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 legs differs in adults and children.If one of the family members has any illness or manifestations of fungus are detected in school or kindergarten children, regular examinations of the child's feet should be carried out.
Treatment in childhood requires the use of safe products prescribed by a doctor.An important stage of therapy is to adhere to hygiene and carry out antifungal treatment of shoes.
When treating adults, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions for using medications, taking into account contraindications and possible side effects.