segunda-feira, 17 de junho de 2013

Fungal disease of toenails (onychomycosis)

The nail fungal disease of the feet is a situation which disfigures and sometimes destroys the nail is known as onychomycosis also.
The fungal disease toenails can be caused by several different kinds of fungi. Fungi are microscopic organisms related to mold and mildew or mold.
These fungi grow well in the environment dark, damp and poorly ventilated environment inside the shoes. As they grow, fungi feed on keratin, the protein that forms the hard surface of the toenails.
Factors that increase the risk of developing fungal toenails include:
• Use of tight shoes or tight socks
• Poor hygiene of the feet
• Use of varnish on her toenails, which does not allow the nail aired
• Being military, athlete or mining, once the toenail fungus can spread from foot to foot on the floors of showers and locker rooms.
• Having a chronic illness, such as a diabetes or HIV-AIDS.
• Having a circulatory problem that decreases blood flow to the toes However, many people with fungal infections of the toenails have no obvious risk factors.
The nails of the big toe and pinky toes (first and fifth finger, respectively) are those with a greater likelihood of developing fungi. This may partly be due to the fact that the nails of the first and fifth toe of the foot are constantly exposed to the friction of the sides of the shoes.

Prevention
To help prevent fungal infections of toenails:
• Wear comfortable shoes and socks that allow your feet to air space.
• Wear shoes, sandals or flip flops in the showers in the locker rooms or community.
• Wash your feet daily, dry them thoroughly and use a powder to the feet of good quality.
• Put on clean socks every day.
• Keep toenails trimmed.
• Disinfect pedicure tools before using them.

Treatment
This can be done as follows:
• Cut the nail with pliers nail
• Limhah it
• Dissolving the nail with a topical containing urea and an antifungal such as amorolfine or a derivative of imidazole.
If the infection is mild and limited to a small area of ​​the nail, the doctor may prescribe an anti-fungal cream or medicinal nail lacquer.
If the infection reaches a wider area of ​​the nail or several nails, your doctor may prescribe an anti-fungal medication orally. Examples include itraconazole and terbinafine. Both drugs occasionally cause unpleasant side effects. Itraconazole can produce drug interactions.

In very severe cases, when the fungus toenails are resistant to treatment, it may be necessary to surgically remove the entire nail.

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