A fungus on the hands is considered to be a fairly common pathology, which most often develops with a decrease in immunity. Onychomycosis can haunt a person for the rest of his life and manifest unpleasant symptoms.
Treatment of nail fungus on the hands is quite difficult, but with properly selected therapy, the problem can be solved in just a week.
Causes and symptoms of nail fungus on the hands
Onychomycosis is an infectious disease that develops under the influence of mold and yeast-like fungi. They affect the nail plate on the hands and cause their destruction.
You can get a fungus in any public place, but under the condition of high humidity. This means that the most dangerous places are saunas, baths and swimming pools. In a humid environment, the viability of bacteria increases, and they begin to actively proliferate. The source of the fungus can be the patient's shoes and clothing, as well as his set for a manicure.
Experts identify some factors that can trigger the development of onychomycosis:
frequent stressful situations;- warm climate and humid environment;
- unhealthy diet, dominated by sweet dishes;
- reduction of body defenses;
- taking antibiotics for a long time;
- diabetes;
- artificial nails, under which fungi are actively developing in wet places;
- lack of hand hygiene;
- increased sweating of the palms;
- pathologies of the blood and endocrine glands, occurring in a severe form;
- chronic diseases of the digestive tract.
frequent stressful situations;You can determine the mycosis at the initial stage of its development by carefully examining the patient's hands. Initially, the pathology affects the extreme fingers, and then spreads to other parts of the hands. When the pathology transitions to a complicated form, the moldy layer remains on the ankles and hands.
At the initial stage, when mycosis affects the nails, their color changes and they become brittle. In some cases, the development of mycosis is accompanied by symptoms such as blisters and rashes around the nail bed.
Suspected fungus on the nails can be on the following grounds:
the plate is colored yellow, green or bluish;- growths are formed on the skin;
- the appearance of nails varies greatly and they lose their attractiveness;
- there is a specific smell of mold;
- increases the sensitivity of the skin under the nails;
- itching, burning and pain in the area of the plate;
- longitudinal grooves are formed;
- the shape and thickness of the plates changes and the ingrowth of the nail is possible.
the plate is colored yellow, green or bluish;In some cases, when the fungal lesion occurs, the complete separation of the nail from the bed or peeling of the skin, located near the plate. In order to make the correct diagnosis and find an effective treatment, it is necessary to seek the advice of a dermatologist.
Treatment methods for nail fungus
Today, the treatment of nail fungus on the hands is carried out using various methods and means. Only a specialist after thorough diagnosis can determine the safest and most effective means. The choice of treatment tactics depends on the form, degree and type of fungal infection. In addition, the growth rate of the nails and the general well-being of the patient are taken into account.
If pathology is detected at the very beginning of its development, conservative therapy is most often used. It includes the use of various varnishes, gels, creams and solutions. If a person has other diseases that require continuous medication that is not compatible with antifungal agents, they resort to a hardware method of therapy.
Treatment of folk remedies at home
In the event that the patient has contraindications to oral medication, you can try to cope with the fungus on the nails with the help of folk remedies.
At home, you can use:
hydrogen peroxide;- acetic acid;
- apple cider vinegar;
- propolis;
- iodine;
- celandine
hydrogen peroxide;It is possible to cope with nail fungus on hands with the help of tea tree oil, which is recommended to lubricate the nail plate after steaming. You can prepare a mixture of acetic essence, glycerin and alcohol in a ratio of 2: 1: 2 and make a compress.
An effective remedy in the fight against fungal infection is garlic, which must be rubbed, mixed with butter and applied on the affected nail.
Preparations
It is possible to cope with the fungal lesion of the nails on the hands with the help of special drugs of local action. With their help, it is possible to achieve softening and removal of the affected nail. The composition of these medicines include substances that inhibit the growth and development of infection. In addition, with the help of drugs it is possible to accelerate the growth of a healthy plate.
The most effective means of local action are:
Amorolfin. It is recommended to apply such medical varnish several times a day on previously cleaned nail plates. It is necessary to use the drug until the patient has healthy nails.- Exoderil. The tool accelerates the growth of nails, and the course of treatment lasts about 6 months. Apply the drug on the plate must be several times a day until the complete elimination of pathology.
- Bifonazole. The drug is made on the basis of urea and contributes to the detachment of the cornified layer of the nail. Before you apply the tool on the nail, it must first be steamed.
Amorolfin. It is recommended to apply such medical varnish several times a day on previously cleaned nail plates. It is necessary to use the drug until the patient has healthy nails.To cope with the fungus on the nails is possible with the help of creams and sprays:
- Loceryl;
- Nizoral;
- Microspore;
- Dactarin;
- Lamisil.
Along with these drugs can be prescribed medication for oral administration:
- Fluconazole;
- Nystatin;
- Mikosist;
- Diflucan.
For severe recurrent infections of a fungal nature, medicines can be prescribed to soften the nails. Onihoplast (ointment) is applied to the diseased plate and dissolves it. Iodinol in a short time softens the nail and allows you to remove it painlessly. Apply this tool is necessary in the form of a compress, which is best done at night.
Laser and hardware treatment
Laser treatment of mycosis is based on the use of infrared radiation that passes through the nail plate. The laser beam penetrates the living tissue, heats the structures of fungi and thereby ensures the complete destruction of their spores. After such treatment, recovery processes are activated in the tissues, inflammation in the periungual roller is reduced, and a pronounced antibacterial effect is noted. Already after the first procedure, significant improvements are observed, and after a while a new healthy nail begins to grow.
Laser treatment is considered one of the safest and most effective methods, which destroys the fungal mycelium, but does not affect healthy tissue. The procedure is completely painless, so local anesthesia is not required. It is possible to completely get rid of the fungus on the nails in just a few procedures, and the result of treatment is always stable.
For the treatment of nail mycosis, specialists use an erbium laser. Its principle of action is to burn the layer of mycelium, which violates the further reproduction of fungi. After the procedure, the color of the nail plate is improved and normal blood circulation is restored.
Treatment of nail fungus in children
If a child has signs of fungal nail infections, it is necessary to consult a specialist and not self-medicate. The choice of treatment method is determined by the type of pathogen and the stage of its development.
Treatment of nail fungus in children can be carried out using the following means:
- creams and ointments for external use, which contain such antifungal components as clotrimazole and bifonazole.
- intramuscular injection;
- antifungal varnishes and plasters;
- tablets and suspensions for oral administration.
Griseofulvin is a gentle preparation that can be used in the early stages of a fungus. Infants can cover their nails with varnish like Amorolfin or Cyclopirox.
Prevention methods
The insidiousness of a fungal infection lies in the fact that it is easily transmitted from a sick person to a healthy one.
It is possible to protect oneself from pathology with the help of the following preventive measures:
- Do not use someone else's manicure set and give someone your own;
- It is not recommended to wear extended nails for too long;
- after returning from the street, hands must be washed;
- It is recommended to use a hand cream that has an anti-fungal effect;
- Any wound needs to be treated with an antiseptic;
- Homemade nail accessories must be disinfected.
In addition, it is imperative to increase your immunity and take vitamin complexes. It is possible to avoid the loss of the nail plate and minimize damage to the skin with the help of the therapy started on time. When the first signs of a fungal infection appear, you should consult a specialist and not self-medicate.
