Millions of people worldwide have unwanted guests on the nails that could spread a highly contagious disease, onychomycosis. What happens is microscopic fungi that thrive in hot, humid environments feed on the keratin of the nails until their complete destruction.
About 5% of the population suffers from nail fungus, on their nails but also on their hands or feet. And according to experts, the incidence of this disease is increasing.
Contagion and symptoms of nail fungus
The big toe is often the first victim, following contamination by walking barefoot on contaminated soil such as a bathroom mat, a judo mat, or at the gym. Indeed, the frequency of 5 to 10% of the population is an average, but athletes, soldiers, or miners are much more exposed to this disease. An American study found, after studying two teams of basketball players, that nearly 70% of players tested were suffering or had suffered from nail fungus.
The nail is in this case yellow or brown, is deteriorating and thickens. Complications such as an ingrown toenail and pain can occur. These symptoms are not sufficient to diagnose onychomycosis though. Only a physician is authorized to diagnose the disease, and laboratory analysis will confirm the origin of the disorder. But as a result, it comes out that about half of the victims of the disease are unaware of their condition and only one in three visits his doctor.
Treatments of nail fungus
There are many traditional treatments that are not working well, and there are nearly one third of patients for whom treatments did not bring the desired results. But fortunately, this rate of failure is significantly lowered with the advent of new treatments.
The first possibility is taking oral anti-fungal products. They help fight against the fungus and with the arrival of new molecules the results are often spectacular. It is also possible to add local treatment creams or varnish, according to the degree of spread of the infection.
Among new treatments to help preserve the nail and not lose it, a nail cortisone or varnish is being tested in psoriasis of the nails. Until now we had cut the nail which protected the fungi and made them inaccessible. But if these studies' results are positive, this varnish could avoid unpleasant injections into the fingers that two thirds of patients have to bear. Overall, researchers are working on the development of local therapies that will prevent the nail to be removed.
However, always keep in mind that the medication does not relieve the patient to take measures in order to prevent recontamination later on.
How to prevent nail fungus
Here are some ways to prevent the disease and protect yourself from getting nail fungus. It is important to have those as daily habits that become a second nature, especially if you belong to the categories at risk.Â
- Always use your own towel
- Dry your feet well, especially between the toes
- Disinfect with alcohol all devices and instruments used for cleaning fingernails
- Avoid walking barefoot
 - Do not lend your shoes
- Wear sandals when you go to the pool;
- Choose leather shoes to limit maceration.
Another condition that affects millions of people worldwide every year is head lice. But these do affect mainly children and are not fungi but parasites, tiny insects that spread through hair to hair contact and that feed on our blood on the scalp. Just like nail fungus, they can be overlooked; however they should be treated properly because if they are not eliminated rapidly they can cause various infections of the skin, including a bacterial infection called impetigo.
About 5% of the population suffers from nail fungus, on their nails but also on their hands or feet. And according to experts, the incidence of this disease is increasing.
Contagion and symptoms of nail fungus
The big toe is often the first victim, following contamination by walking barefoot on contaminated soil such as a bathroom mat, a judo mat, or at the gym. Indeed, the frequency of 5 to 10% of the population is an average, but athletes, soldiers, or miners are much more exposed to this disease. An American study found, after studying two teams of basketball players, that nearly 70% of players tested were suffering or had suffered from nail fungus.
The nail is in this case yellow or brown, is deteriorating and thickens. Complications such as an ingrown toenail and pain can occur. These symptoms are not sufficient to diagnose onychomycosis though. Only a physician is authorized to diagnose the disease, and laboratory analysis will confirm the origin of the disorder. But as a result, it comes out that about half of the victims of the disease are unaware of their condition and only one in three visits his doctor.
Treatments of nail fungus
There are many traditional treatments that are not working well, and there are nearly one third of patients for whom treatments did not bring the desired results. But fortunately, this rate of failure is significantly lowered with the advent of new treatments.
The first possibility is taking oral anti-fungal products. They help fight against the fungus and with the arrival of new molecules the results are often spectacular. It is also possible to add local treatment creams or varnish, according to the degree of spread of the infection.
Among new treatments to help preserve the nail and not lose it, a nail cortisone or varnish is being tested in psoriasis of the nails. Until now we had cut the nail which protected the fungi and made them inaccessible. But if these studies' results are positive, this varnish could avoid unpleasant injections into the fingers that two thirds of patients have to bear. Overall, researchers are working on the development of local therapies that will prevent the nail to be removed.
However, always keep in mind that the medication does not relieve the patient to take measures in order to prevent recontamination later on.
How to prevent nail fungus
Here are some ways to prevent the disease and protect yourself from getting nail fungus. It is important to have those as daily habits that become a second nature, especially if you belong to the categories at risk.Â
- Always use your own towel
- Dry your feet well, especially between the toes
- Disinfect with alcohol all devices and instruments used for cleaning fingernails
- Avoid walking barefoot
 - Do not lend your shoes
- Wear sandals when you go to the pool;
- Choose leather shoes to limit maceration.
Another condition that affects millions of people worldwide every year is head lice. But these do affect mainly children and are not fungi but parasites, tiny insects that spread through hair to hair contact and that feed on our blood on the scalp. Just like nail fungus, they can be overlooked; however they should be treated properly because if they are not eliminated rapidly they can cause various infections of the skin, including a bacterial infection called impetigo.