Causes of toenail and toenail fungus, infection sites
Content
- List of factors
- Psychological reasons
- Changes in the acidic environment of the body as a cause of the development of onychomycosis
- Where can you get nail fungus?
Onychomycosis is common among the population. The reasons for the appearance of fungus on the nails are varied. Weak immunity, taking antibiotics, wearing uncomfortable shoes, and much more can affect the development of infection. If you find out the origin of onychomycosis, then you can choose the optimal treatment and prevent its occurrence in the future.
List of factors
Fungus of nails manifests itself only in favorable conditions for pathogens, namely against a background of high humidity and in a neutral or slightly acidic environment. In a healthy person, the pH of the skin of the legs has an acidic reaction, however, with certain diseases and insufficient hygiene, it can change, which becomes the cause of the appearance of pathology.
In order for the spores of a fungal infection to begin to multiply uncontrollably and penetrate into the structure of the nail plate, the following provoking factors are necessary:
- deterioration of immune defense;
- excessive sweating;
- treatment with antibiotics and glucocorticosteroids;
- vascular problems of the lower extremities;
- eczema of the skin of the legs;
- uncomfortable and low-quality shoes;
- physical and chemical injuries to the nails.
We must not forget that the entrance gate of the infection is required for the penetration of the fungus. These can be microscopic cracks, lesions or calluses that are the result of an illiterate pedicure and many other related factors.
Common causes of onychomycosis infection include visiting public baths, saunas and swimming pools, where in wet and warm conditions, the causative agents of the disease feel quite at ease and can remain viable for up to several years. Most fungal spores are highly resistant to disinfectants.
The risk of infection with onychomycosis increases the injured nail, the use of common towels and manicure items, the wearing of someone else's shoes.
In childhood, nail fungus is associated with a weak immune defense and the lack of individual hygiene items in a child. Onychomycosis in babies is a rather rare phenomenon, and if it occurs, then, most likely, we are talking about long-term chronic diseases.
With age, the incidence of fungal nail infections increases. According to statistics, every second person on the planet has encountered or currently suffers from this pathology. In adults, the main reason is professional activity, for example, most often onychomycosis is diagnosed in builders, police officers and drivers, that is, persons who are forced to be in the same shoes for a long time, where high humidity and warmly.
In the spring season, more and more people turn to a dermatologist for a fungal infection of the feet. The reason for this fact is the wearing of winter shoes, in which the feet are often sweaty, as a result of which all conditions are formed for the growth and reproduction of pathogens of onychomycosis.
Additional causes of the disease are:
- overweight;
- flat feet and other deformities of the foot;
- phlebeurysm;
- bad habits - smoking and alcoholism.
The listed factors disrupt the processes of blood circulation in the lower extremities, provoking negative changes in local immunity.
Psychological reasons
Sometimes psychological factors lead to the development of a fungal infection. In this case, the science of psychosomatics will help get rid of the disease.
Her theory regarding mycotic infections localized to the skin and nails suggests that a person suffering from this disease does not dare to let go of his own past and has difficulty accepting the present. Such persons are ruled by false statements, they live in self-deception. To get rid of nail fungus, you need to undergo treatment not only with a dermatologist, but also with a psychologist, otherwise the infection will return.
The specialist will help the patient to deal with the root cause of the disease, most often of which becomes deep stress, transferred far in the past. Official medicine can eliminate the clinical manifestations of a fungal infection, and psychosomatics is engaged in the mental study of the connection between pathology and mental factors. Thus, the patient receives a systematic approach that guarantees a full recovery.
So, in order to cure onychomycosis on the nails and fingers and toes, psychosomatics approaches the problem from a metaphysical point of view, namely, it offers the patient:
- change your own life;
- understand the reasons that caused the disease;
- forget the grievances of others;
- forgive yourself;
- cleanse the soul and body of negative emotions and toxins;
- take a sober look at reality and accept the current situation.
That is, the patient needs to understand himself with the help of a specialist, which will help him to gain faith not only in his own healing, but also in himself.
Changes in the acidic environment of the body as a cause of the development of onychomycosis
It has already been said above that human skin has a certain acidity, which normally varies within 5.5. At this pH level, the local immune defense fully functions, due to which the pathogenic microflora has practically no chance of growth and reproduction.
But the acidity can change up or down, which is dangerous for the development of dermatological problems, in particular, fungal infections. To avoid this and maintain a normal acidity state, it is important to adhere to the following rules:
- Wash your feet daily with soap and other detergents - at least once a day. After cleansing, the skin is thoroughly rinsed with running water and wiped off.
- For preventive purposes, if damage to the epidermis or toenails occurs, it is recommended to additionally treat them with a solution of apple cider vinegar or soda until healing occurs.
- To protect against fungal infection, you should systematically use agents that prevent infection - baths with medicinal herbs, masks and creams.
Where can you get nail fungus?
The causative agents of onychomycosis, as a rule, are transmitted from a person to others. Infection spores can exist for a long time on surfaces - towels, floors, etc. As soon as the fungus comes into contact with healthy human skin, in most cases, its development begins. This can only be prevented by strong immunity and the absence of an entrance gate on the skin and nails.
We learn where you can get onychomycosis from the table.
| Most likely foci of infection | What to look for |
|---|---|
| PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS: POOLS, SAUNAS AND SHOWER | The most common way of getting infected with nail fungus. To protect against infection, you must wear rubber slippers and treat your feet with prophylactic agents after water treatments. |
| OWN APARTMENT | If the symptoms of the disease are detected in one of the family members, you need to provide him with individual home shoes, follow the rules of hygiene more carefully and pay attention to the disinfection of the bathroom - this is where most often the fungus settles. |
| BEAUTY SALOON | Sometimes in such institutions, onychomycosis of the hands and feet becomes infected in the process of performing manicure and pedicure work, if the master has not disinfected the tools. |
| SHOE STORE | This is quite common. Therefore, you need to measure shoes only on a nylon or cotton sock, and in no case on a bare foot. |
Whatever the cause of the fungal infection, it is important to start treating the disease at its initial stage. For this, in official and traditional medicine, there are many effective methods of therapy that help get rid of onychomycosis in a short time.
