Nail fungus: 10 tips to never have a problem

Fungus on the feet is a very common and annoying disease that afflicts a large number of people, as it often recurs with great frequency despite treatment.

They are mainly due to anthropophilic dermatophytes, i.e. fungi that are transmitted from person to person by direct contact or through objects (shoes, socks, floors, etc.). The most common dermatophytes that cause fungal infections of the feet are trichophyton rubrum and trichophyton interdigitale. For their development, conditions of humidity and increased temperature are required, an environment that is ideally suited to long hours of feet in closed, non-ventilated shoes. Also, in people with very narrow interphalangeal spaces, or in athletes whose feet sweat a lot, the condition is very common.

Onychomycosis is not a simple cosmetic problem. One or more of the fingernails or toenails can be affected, and more often this happens on the feet. This infection (mycosis) causes thickening of the nails (due to accumulation of loose material under the nails), discoloration (the nail changes color, becoming yellow, brown, black), and onycholysis (detachment of the nail from the healthy skin).

The better one takes care of proper nail hygiene and the sooner one starts the treatment, not trying to deal with it alone, the faster one will get rid of this torturous problem.

Why do we get onychomycosis?

Anyone can be affected, but more often it happens to people who have diabetes or circulatory disorders (vasculopathy). In children, onychomycosis is rare.

Simple daily habits can be the cause of the appearance of a fungus such as exposure with bare feet in public areas (gyms, swimming pools, hotel rooms, etc.). But there are other causes responsible for foot fungus, such as the animals as some fungi can be transmitted by contact with an animal (cat or dog). Those who often go barefoot in hotel pools, beaches, swimming pools and saunas of gyms or weight loss centers are included in the "high risk" groups for fungal infections.

For those who are vulnerable to the development of mycosis on the feet, it is necessary to wear shoes that ensure good foot ventilation for many hours a day. Good foot hygiene is also essential: wash your feet daily with soap and water, dry them carefully, especially between the toes, and change shoes (and socks in winter) often to reduce moisture and prevent fungi infecting your feet.

Fungi are transmitted either by direct contact, from person to person, from animal to person, or by indirect contact. It is possible, that is, to be transmitted from the ground, sand and towels to humans. That is why it is preferable to avoid lying directly on the sand or on the ground during the summer months, without the use of a mat or towel, which is either used exclusively by the same people each time or by people who we know for sure do not show any form mycosis. Also, if we ourselves have developed a fungal infection, it is better to use a mat instead of a towel on the beach, which, in fact, we wash with water before each use.

People who frequently get their hands wet (eg, housewives, restaurant dishwashers, cleaners) have an increased chance of getting ringworm.

Symptoms

– hardening and thickening of the nail
– nails that break, crumble or have a rough surface
– alteration of the shape of the nail
– dark color on the nail
– the nails lose their shine on the surface

– stench

– itching (itching) between the fingers

Treatment

Today, there are two different types of medication to treat onychomycosis, topical treatments and oral treatments. Treatment depends on the severity of the infection and may be topical only if the nail matrix is not affected, or a combination of topical and oral treatment if the nail matrix is affected.

Both treatments kill the fungus and prevent any remaining fungus from growing and multiplying under the nails if the treatment is followed properly. In order to cure onychomycosis, the infection must be completely eradicated from the nail, which means that the treatment must be followed faithfully for as long as it takes for the nail to grow and grow a new one.

This can take up to 6 months for fingernails and 9-12 months for toenails, depending on the severity of the onychomycosis.

You should cut the nail little by little so that the medicine can penetrate deeper and treat the infection more effectively. Several patients have also seen positive results from using tea tree extract.

If left untreated, onychomycosis can have harmful consequences. Infected nails can become more deformed and painful, and patients may even find it difficult to walk if the toenails are affected.

Also, the infection can be spread to other nails or from person to person between members of a family, e.g. using shared towels in shared bathrooms, shared manicure or pedicure tools. It is therefore important to treat a fungal nail infection as soon as possible.

What you should always watch out for

1. To protect your hands from moisture, when doing "wet" work (eg washing dishes) wear 100% cotton gloves and waterproof gloves on top.
2. Thoroughly wipe your hands and once a day take care of them with a nourishing and moisturizing cream. The stronger your nails are, the more difficult it is to develop onychomycosis.
3. Keep your nails trimmed short and clean the areas that have thickened.
4. Do not use the same tools (eg nail clippers) on affected and healthy nails. If you are getting your nails done by a professional, let them use your own personal tools, especially during your treatment period. Nails that are injured, either from a blow or because we cut them too short, can be more easily infected by fungi.
5. Wear shoes with anatomical support and with a wide sole (not narrow). Do not wear pointed shoes, which press on your toes.
6. Prefer cotton socks. Change your socks immediately when you sweat or when your feet get wet. Wear clean socks every day. You can use anti-fungal powder (talcum powder) inside the shoes to absorb moisture and keep your feet dry.
7. After after use, wash and iron the foot towels at a high temperature.
8. Diabetics or those suffering from psoriasis belong to the high risk groups of the disease. All those involved in sports activities are also prone to the disease. A moist environment (e.g. sports shoes) is the most favorable for the creation of fungi.
9. Don't walk barefoot in public places such as: swimming pools, showers, changing rooms, saunas, etc. In these areas, don't forget to wear slippers or flip-flops! Avoid walking with bare feet in public areas, such as the changing rooms in the gyms.
10. Avoid the use of common objects such as: mats, sponges, bath towels, etc.

Onychomycosis is not treated at home. The opinion of the specialist and the appropriate treatment with antifungal pills, or the local application of a suitable ointment will immediately bring the solution.

Sophia Triantafyllidou

Specialist in aesthetics and limb care

e-mail: sofiatriantafil@gmail.com