Onychomycosis is an infection that primarily affects the toenails, caused by various types of fungi . The infection usually starts in one of the big toes and can later infect other nails on the same foot. It's common for people with onychomycosis to have fungal infections of the nails, as well as other areas of the foot or skin, a condition known as athlete's foot .

Onychomycosis is an infection caused by various types of fungi . It frequently occurs in people of all ages and activities, affecting a high percentage of the population. Its incidence increases with age and is more common in certain groups, such as athletes , livestock farmers , or diabetics .

People first become aware of onychomycosis when they notice changes in the color or shape of their nails. At first, the disease is mild and causes little discomfort. People who contract onychomycosis often fail to take immediate action in the initial stages, causing the infection to spread completely to the nail and becoming more difficult to treat.

Onychomycosis most commonly develops as a cosmetic change in the nail , but it sometimes causes chronic pain that is difficult to treat. Therefore, it is best to diagnose the infection early and treat it. Today, there are several treatment options, one of the best being the use of NO FUNGUS . Likewise, in very severe and treatment-resistant cases, oral antifungals should be considered. These remain a good option for treating onychomycosis , but eliminating the cause of the fungus is undoubtedly the best decision. Using appropriate footwear that is 100% breathable, avoiding a humid environment on the feet is “ THERAPEUTIC AND BIOMECHANICAL BOCCIO FOOTWEAR ”, shoes manufactured according to the individual and particular needs of each patient, made with 100% natural materials, comfortable and specially designed for this type of situations, undoubtedly helps to mitigate the onset of the disease, due to the process of selecting materials for its manufacture, creating a shoe that truly breathes and provides a fresh and dry environment for your feet.

Causes

Onychomycosis is a result of dermatophyte fungi . These fungi are capable of invading solid parts of the skin, such as hair and nails. The fungus that causes onychomycosis in most cases is Trichophyton rubrum . Other fungi that can cause this infection include Trichophyton mentagrophytes or even Candida albicans (which is not a dermatophyte fungus ).

These fungi are transmitted through direct contact and live with us to a certain extent without causing infection. However, when they encounter factors that promote their spread, such as humidity, heat, or poor hygiene, they become dramatically invasive, causing discomfort in patients and, in some cases, such as diabetes, leading to the appearance of skin ulcers . Some of the risk factors for developing onychomycosis are:

• Aging . Over the years, we accumulate more "fungi" that colonize our feet, and our body's defenses weaken.
• A moist environment on the feet , as is the case with swimmers and athletes or people who sweat excessively.
• Suffering from “ringworm” on the feet or “ athlete’s foot .”
• “Psoriasis” is another skin disease.
• “ Diabetes ” , which negatively affects our body’s immune defenses.
• Contagion. Having family members with onychomycosis , both because it may indicate a genetic predisposition and because of the possible transmission of the fungus .
• Immunosuppression , caused by HIV, chemotherapy, or biological drugs.

Treatment

If onychomycosis doesn't affect the nail root, the initial treatment is topical antifungals such as " NO FUNGUS ." It can also be treated with nail polish and lacquers, which should be applied several times a week for six months or even a year. Although this last method is convenient, the treatment time is very long and the results are often suboptimal.

If the nail root is affected, in addition to topical antifungals such as " NO FUNGUS ," oral antifungals should be used. Terbinafine is the medication that has shown the best results. If the condition is on the hands, it should be taken daily for a month and a half; if the affected nails are on the toenails, it should be taken for three months. Before and after treatment, blood tests must be performed to verify that transaminase levels are normal, which means the liver is not affected and can tolerate the treatment. All of this must be done under medical supervision.

Other treatment options for severe onychomycosis include laser or photodynamic therapy . Laser therapy uses a concentrated light capable of penetrating the nail and destroying the fungus . Although it may seem very effective, individual results vary greatly, and it is still being studied. Photodynamic therapy is a novel and complex treatment used in dermatology and aesthetics. It destroys the fungus through light radiation , although the results are also being studied.

In the case of "dystrophic nails," a valid option is nail surgery to remove the nail directly. This is clearly a radical option, but when the nail is painful and doesn't respond to any treatment, this option should be considered.

PREVENTION OF ONYCHOMYCOSIS

Measures to prevent nail fungus infection ( onychomycosis ) are as follows:

• Keep your feet in a cool, dry and ventilated environment.
• Use appropriate footwear, “ THERAPEUTIC AND BIOMECHANICAL BOCCIO FOOTWEAR ” are shoes manufactured according to the individual and particular needs of each patient, made with 100% natural materials, comfortable and specially designed for this type of situations, for each sporting or recreational activity or simply for daily use if you consider that your feet may be very vulnerable to “ fungi”
• Place drying talcum powder in the shoes.
• Practice basic hygiene measures to keep your hands and feet clean.
• Detect nail changes early.

Do not share footwear with family or friends, especially those who may have “onychomycosis” .