Nail fungus infections can be caused by various fungi. The most well-known is a type of fungus called dermatophyte. Yeast and mold fungi also cause nail infections.
The ideal breeding environment for fungi is warm and humid areas.
For this reason, it is often seen between the toes, inside the mouth, toenails, fingernails, scalp, groin and female genitalia.
Toenail fungus is more common than hand nail fungus. Nail fungi are highly contagious microbial organisms.
How Nail Fungus Occur and What Should We Do to Prevent it?
The most important reason for a healthy individual to catch fungal infections is fungi in wet and humid environments. Places such as gyms, showers, baths, swimming pools, locker cabins are contagion points. Fungi are likely to be transmitted through a small cut or crack in the nail. Fungi entering from here cause serious infections and spread quickly, and their contagiousness is high.
To prevent nail fungus:
• We should wash and dry our hands and feet regularly.
• After touching an infected nail, we should wash, dry and moisturize our hands very well.
• We should cut our nails straight. We should prevent it from thickening with a rasp.
• We should disinfect our nail clippers.
• We should wear sweat absorbent socks and change them daily.
• We should wear shoes made of breathable materials.
• We should wear shoes in pools and changing areas.
• We should pay attention to the use of sterilized manicure tools.
• We should give up nail polish and artificial nails.
What are the Symptoms of Nail Function?
Nail fungus starts as a yellow or white spot under the tip of your finger or toenail, then spreads to affect other nails; Nail deformity, thickening, breakage, slight foul odor due to residues accumulated under the nail, and dull nail color are the main symptoms.
When we notice the signs of fungus on our nails and the nail starts to thicken and change color, if you also have diabetes, you should see a dermatologist without wasting time.
In advanced nail fungus, there may be pain and permanent damage to the nails may occur. Your immune system, which is suppressed by diabetes and medications, can lead to serious infections that spread beyond the feet.
Treatment of Nail Fungus
First of all, we need to make an appointment with a dermatologist who specializes in skin diseases. Your dermatologist (dermatologist) will start the treatment process after the diagnosis of nail fungus. The treatment will be shaped according to the type of fungus according to the situation.
Laser application together with drug treatment will be a solution to your nail fungus disease.
Laser application is applied without damaging the nail and soft tissue. The treatment is applied to all nails at the same time due to the possibility of hidden fungus in the other nails of the patient.
During laser treatment, the patient may feel a slight warming sensation. The procedure is performed without the need for local anesthesia. Patients can return to their daily lives after the application.
One session of laser nail fungus treatment takes about 30-45 minutes. Sessions can be applied between 2-4 sessions with one week intervals for one nail.