Onychomycosis is a fungal infection . that affects the nails , primarily those of the toes. The infection usually begins in one of the big toes, but it can infect other nails on the same foot over time. It's common for people with onychomycosis to also suffer from athlete's foot , which is also caused by fungi, but in this case only affects the skin .
It is a common infection that can affect between 4% and 18% of the population. Its prevalence increases with age, and there are also more cases in some specific groups, such as athletes , the ranchers or the diabetics .
People first become aware of the infection when they notice changes in the color or shape of their nail. Because it doesn't cause significant initial discomfort, people who suffer from it don't see a doctor early, which causes the infection to spread completely and make it more difficult to treat.
Most commonly, onychomycosis remains as a It causes a cosmetic change in the nail, but sometimes causes chronic pain that is difficult to treat. Therefore, it is best to diagnose the infection as soon as possible and treat it. Currently, there are several treatment options, although oral antifungal drugs remain the main option for treating onychomycosis.
Causes of Onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is caused by dermatophyte fungi. These fungi are capable of invading keratinized skin structures such as hair and nails. The fungus that causes onychomycosis in most cases is Trichophyton rubrum . Other fungi that can cause this infection include Trichophyton mentagrophytes or even Candida albicans (which is not a dermatophyte).
These fungi are transmitted by direct contact and live with us without causing infection until certain factors promote it. Some of the risk factors for developing onychomycosis are:
- He Aging . Over the years, we accumulate more fungi that colonize the foot, and our body's defenses become weaker.
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Keep your foot moist , as is the case with swimmers and athletes.
- Suffering from ringworm on the foot or athlete's foot .
- Suffer others skin diseases , such as psoriasis.
- The diabetes , which negatively affects our body's immune defenses.
- Have relatives with onychomycosis , both because it may indicate a certain genetic predisposition, and because of the possible transmission of the fungus.
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Immunosuppression , caused by chemotherapy, HIV, or biological drugs.
Symptoms of Onychomycosis
The onychomycosis It rarely causes discomfort to those who suffer from it. Sometimes it can cause some Mild pain, which can become chronic if the condition is extensive. It is also a gateway for various germs that can cause other infections such as cellulitis.
The main problem, however, is aesthetic. symptoms of onychomycosis These are precisely the changes that affect the affected nails, which change color and shape, taking on an unpleasant appearance. Depending on the type of changes, they can be divided into several groups:
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Distal subungual : This is the most common type of nail damage on the big toe. The free edge of the nail begins to turn yellow and thicken. The surface becomes rougher and may become fragmented.
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Proximal subungual : The nail root, where it grows, is damaged first. Yellowish or whitish areas are seen, shifting toward the free end.
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Superficial white : In this case, the infection begins with a whitening of the nail surface. They first appear as small dots that later join together to form larger areas.
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Melanonychia : This term means 'pigmented nail' or 'brown nail'. It is a very rare form of melanonychia caused by fungi other than the genus Trichophyton. Sometimes the nail becomes so dark that a differential diagnosis must be made with the melanoma and subungual hemorrhage.
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Onychodystrophy : This is, in most cases, the final stage of all nail infections. It refers to the complete deformation of the nail, which becomes very thickened, curved, and easily breaks into fragments.
Prevention of onychomycosis
The Measures to prevent fungal nail infections are the following:
- Keep your feet dry and ventilated.
- Use drying powder inside your shoes when playing sports.
- Maintain basic hygiene measures to keep your hands and feet clean.
- Detect nail changes early.
- Do not share shoes with family or friends, especially those who may have onychomycosis.
Remember that prevention is better than cure
