Signs of the disease:
Nail loses its natural shine, turns yellow, and becomes thick, brittle and layered. One or several nails may be affected. Both hand nail and toenail fungal infections are possible. Diagnosis is confirmed by performing microscopic analysis of the affected nail as well as obtaining microbiologic sample from the lesion and cultivating it in special medium. These tests are essential for determining the exact pathogen that caused the disease. In addition, based on the results, specific treatment targeted into the causative agent is prescribed.
Treatment
Treatment of fungal nail infection is a difficult and long process. Conventional antifungal treatment includes oral antifungal medications, antifungal creams, and surgical removal of nail’s plate or the combination of these methods. The main concern of oral antifungal therapy is its toxicity. These medications may damage kidneys and liver. Antifungal creams are ineffective. Surgical removal of nail’s plate is a rarely applied method as the procedure is painful and patients become unable to work for quite a long time. Moreover, effectiveness of this method is only about 20%.
Nowadays more and more laser procedures are being applied for treating fungal nail infection. The main advantage of this method is that laser procedures do not pose any harm to kidneys and liver. Another very important aspect of treating nail fungus is disinfection, since other methods might be ineffective if the source of infection is still nearby.
Nail fungus is not only an aesthetic problem. The affected toenail might become painful; the infection might spread and affect surrounding tissues. It also has a negative impact on daily routine since the patient can hardly walk, faces obstacles in choosing footwear.
