Fungal diseases of the skin of the feet and nails in children often cause panic among young parents who are faced with a similar problem for the first time.
By missing the first symptomatic manifestations of the disease, you can allow the active development of the pathology, which is why the disease will remain with the child for the rest of his life.
To prevent complications and undesirable consequences, experts recommend preventing fungus , and in case of infection, prescribe effective treatment.
general description
Mycosis of the feet is a dermatological disease caused by dermatophytes, molds or yeasts. The pathology has a number of characteristic signs that cause significant discomfort to the small patient, and in the absence of proper treatment can be complicated by severe skin lesions or bacterial infection.
Unlike adults, children are more susceptible to mycosis, since their immunity is not sufficiently developed, and the skin on the legs is too thin and delicate, which allows fungi to easily penetrate the body and multiply.
Important!
According to many doctors, children's skin is ideal for the rapid proliferation of fungi that love a warm and humid environment. In addition, newborns can also become infected if the woman did not have time to get rid of thrush at the time of birth.
Onychomycosis, or nail fungus
Diabetes
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Fungus
23241 May 12
IMPORTANT!
The information in this section cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.
In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by the attending physician. To make a diagnosis and properly prescribe treatment, you should contact your doctor. Onychomycosis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment methods.
Definition
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail, in which there is a change in its color, thickness and separation from the nail bed. Onychomycosis is a common disease of the nail system (at least 50% of all nail diseases), which affects about 5.5% of people worldwide. Adults get sick more often than children, since the prevalence of onychomycosis increases with age (damage to the nail plates by fungus occurs in almost 50% of people over 70 years of age).
Causes of onychomycosis
Onychomycosis can be caused by dermatophyte fungi, yeasts and non-dermatophyte molds.
Dermatophytes cause the disease in 60-70% of cases, with Trichophyton rubrum
.
Non-dermatophyte molds cause about 20% of all onychomycosis, and yeast fungi, including Candida spp
., cause 10-20%.
Quite often, associated damage by fungi and bacteria is detected, as well as simultaneous infection of the nail plate by two or more fungi.
The development of onychomycosis is facilitated by injuries to the musculoskeletal system, impaired blood supply to the extremities (for example, due to heart failure, obliterating endarteritis or varicose veins), diabetes mellitus, obesity, flat feet, foot deformities, smoking, psoriasis, immunodeficiencies. Other predisposing factors include wearing tight shoes, excessive sweating, and nail injuries. Those who participate in sporting events, visit public baths and swimming pools, live with relatives who have been diagnosed with fungus, or those who have previously had onychomycosis have a high risk of acquiring the fungus.
Toenails are more commonly affected than fingernails, which is likely due to their slower growth, poorer blood supply, and the fact that wearing tight shoes creates an environment conducive to fungal growth.
Infection with pathogenic fungi can occur through direct contact with a patient with onychomycosis, as well as through shoes, clothing, and household items (bathroom rugs, washcloths, manicure accessories, etc.). In conditions of high humidity (in swimming pools, baths, showers), mushrooms persist and multiply for a long time, especially on unpainted wooden surfaces.
When infected, the pathogen penetrates the nail plate, bed, matrix and proximal nail fold. The nail does not have effective cellular immunity and is therefore very susceptible to infection. Fungi produce enzymes that destroy the nail plate, making it easier for them to penetrate deeper.
Frequent foci of onychomycosis are the soles and interdigital spaces. Typically, fungi infect the nail plate starting from the free edge, so the main pathological processes do not occur in the plate itself, but under it - in the nail bed.
Classification of onychomycosis
There are normotrophic, hypertrophic and onycholytic (atrophic) onychomycosis.
In the normotrophic form, the affected nail retains its thickness and shine, but changes color.
In the hypertrophic form, in addition to color changes, increasing subungual hyperkeratosis is observed. The nail loses its shine, becomes dull, thickens and deforms until the formation of onychogryphosis (thickening and curvature of the nail like the claw of the mythical griffin bird), partially collapses, especially from the sides, patients often experience pain when walking.
The onycholytic form is characterized by a dull brownish-gray color of the affected part of the nail, its atrophy and rejection from the bed - the exposed area is covered with loose hyperkeratotic layers; at the same time, the proximal part of the nail remains without significant changes for a long time.
In addition, a classification is used based on the location of the nail lesion: distal onychomycosis (with lesions of the nail at the free edge), lateral (with lesions of the lateral sides), proximal (with lesions of the posterior ridge) and total (with lesions of the entire nail).
Dermatophyte fungi most often cause distal and lateral lesions of the nail plate.
Symptoms of onychomycosis
The main manifestation of onychomycosis is a change in the color of the nail plate: it turns white or yellow-brown, and may become purple, greenish or black. Other clinical manifestations include thickening and itching of the skin in the area of the nail folds (subungual hyperkeratosis), separation of the nail from the nail bed (onycholysis), and thickening of the nail plate (onychauxis). A fungal infection of the nail is characterized by such a sign as dermatophytoma - a longitudinal strip of yellowish-white or brownish color, localized in the depths of the nail plate.
Toenails are affected 7-10 times more often than fingernails, with the thumbs most often affected. As a rule, the fungus is simultaneously present on several nails; often in patients with onychomycosis, mycosis of the feet is also detected.
Diagnosis of onychomycosis
Diagnosis of onychomycosis is based on clinical data and laboratory results.
- Conducting a microscopic examination of the affected nail plates.
Forms
Before you begin to treat the fungus, it is important to determine its form. There are 4 varieties - they differ from each other in the localization of the fungus and the depth of tissue damage.
Interdigital
With the interdigital or intertriginous form of mycosis, the skin between the toes begins to peel off and become covered with cracks. At the same time, the skin becomes red, dry and thickened , and the nails become brittle. The child may complain of constant itching and burning.
"Athlete's foot"
The skin becomes rough and covered with a powdery coating, the nails lose their natural color, are shaped like a bird's beak and acquire a yellowish or brown tint. Scaly circles form on the foot, which is accompanied by itching.
Vesicular
Small blisters containing pathogenic exudate form on the skin. When scratched, the bubbles burst and the liquid spreads over healthy areas. The danger of the disease lies in the possibility of a secondary infection, which is why the disease can become chronic, affecting the lower leg and knee.
Mixed
At the initial stage, the fungus is not identified, hiding between the fingers, but over time, the patient experiences deformation of the nail plate, a rash and swelling appear.
Signs of fungal disease
The following symptoms are typical for nail fungus in children:
- yellowish or grayish color of the nail plate;
- the appearance of transverse grooves and stripes on the nails;
- disappearance of the nail skin;
- redness, dryness and flaking of the skin;
- itching and burning;
- subungual pustular processes.
First, the fungus is active in the hole area and in the interdigital folds, and then spreads to the nail. If you do not take urgent measures to destroy the fungi, then soon deep cracks and calluses will appear on the child’s skin, and the nails will begin to peel and crumble, which not only causes discomfort, but also causes pain.
Causes
Dermatologists identify a number of external and internal factors that can provoke the development of a pathological process due to the penetration of a fungal infection into the child’s body. These include:
- neglect of personal hygiene rules;
- close contact with an infected patient;
- wearing shoes that are not yours or made from synthetic materials;
- long-term use of antibiotics;
- skin damage in the form of scratches, abrasions, or calluses;
- visiting public playrooms without slippers or socks;
- vascular pathologies of the lower extremities;
- long stay in a humid environment;
- presence of chronic diseases;
- hereditary predisposition;
- poor diet and lack of vitamins;
- changes in hormonal levels.
Important!
The development of the disease is also caused by frequent stress, so parents need to monitor the emotional state of the baby.
Signs and symptoms of the disease
Any form of mycosis of the feet in children is characterized by the following:
- severe itching and burning in the affected area;
- swelling and redness of the skin;
- focal increase in temperature;
- peeling and small scales;
- thickening and roughening of the skin;
- sores, cracks, or blisters between the fingers;
- unhealthy shade and roughness of the nail plate;
- unpleasant smell.
Important!
If one or more symptoms of mycosis are detected, you should immediately consult a dermatologist.
Symptoms and manifestations
Nail fungus in a child can be suspected by characteristic signs, such as yellowness or gray color of the nail plate, changes in its structure. Furrows and stripes may appear on the nails, redness and dryness of the surrounding skin. The child notes itching and burning of the skin of the feet.
The skin between the toes may also be affected. If left untreated, the nail may thicken, crumble, and the skin becomes covered with cracks, which is accompanied by pain, bleeding, and makes walking very difficult. If the integrity of the skin is compromised, the likelihood of a secondary bacterial infection increases.
Methods for diagnosing the disease
To successfully treat the fungus, the patient needs to consult a doctor - he will conduct a visual examination, carefully examining the lesions. Laboratory tests will help determine the type of pathogen.
- Bakposev - the collected biological material is placed in a nutrient medium. If the scraping contains pathogenic microorganisms and growing fungal colonies, the preliminary diagnosis is confirmed.
- Enzyme immunoassay - blood is taken from the patient’s vein to detect antibodies to a specific pathogen.
- Microscopy – the sample taken is processed with special preparations and examined under a microscope.
- Polymerase chain reaction - allows you to determine the type of fungus by identifying the DNA of the pathogen. To conduct the study, a scraping from the affected area is required.
Diagnostic methods
To effectively treat nail fungus in children, the doctor accurately determines the causative agent of the infection. For this purpose, not only a visual inspection is carried out, but also laboratory diagnostics:
- microscopic examination of scrapings from affected areas of the skin and nail plate;
- bacteriological cultures with a high probability of bacterial infection;
- PCR to determine the causative agent of the disease.
If necessary, a small patient can be referred to other specialists.
How to treat?
The treatment regimen and choice of medications depend on the form of the disease diagnosed by the doctor. To prescribe the correct treatment, the dermatologist takes into account the test results , the body weight and age of the child, as well as possible contraindications and the individual characteristics of the patient’s body.
Drug treatment
Depending on the form and stage of the disease, a small patient may be prescribed systemic medications in tablet form and the use of antifungal ointments that can eliminate the unpleasant manifestations of the pathology.
Systemic drugs
The most popular systemic drugs intended to treat fungus are:
- Terbinafine - the drug belongs to the group of allylamines that destroy fungi at the genetic level. The medication gets rid of pathogens and accelerates skin regeneration.
- Nimzoral - changes the composition of fungal cell membranes and stops their growth. The drug has a number of contraindications, so before you start taking it you need to make sure that they are absent.
For topical use
At the initial stage of the disease, you can get rid of the fungus using ointments and creams for external use. Showed themselves well in the treatment of mycosis:
- Exoderil is a cream that has a powerful bactericidal and fungicidal effect. The product quickly eliminates the symptoms of the disease and is used at any stage of mycosis.
- Miconazole is an anti-inflammatory drug that destroys fungal pathogens by suppressing the synthesis of ergosterol in the cell membrane.
- Clotrimazole is a broad-spectrum antifungal ointment. The active components of the drug disrupt the synthesis of cell membranes, as a result of which fungal cells are destroyed.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapeutic methods of treatment are sometimes used to treat children from fungal diseases:
- electrophoresis - exposure to constant electrical impulses to provide a local therapeutic effect;
- Darsonvalization is a technique of applying high-frequency pulsed currents to the affected areas of the skin;
- pulsed magnetic therapy – the use of pulsed magnetic fields of varying frequencies and intensities.
Folk remedies
Using proven folk remedies as additional therapy, you can speed up the healing process and get rid of discomfort. However, before using alternative treatments, you should consult a dermatologist.
Ointments
Homemade garlic ointment will help eliminate the fungus. To do this, mix garlic with butter in a 1:1 ratio and apply the product to the skin for 30–40 minutes. The ointment should be used with caution, as it is considered quite aggressive.
Compresses, rubbing, lotions
Compresses and lotions with herbal decoctions are ideal for treating complex forms of the disease . To prepare the medicine, you need to mix 1 tbsp. l. dried flowers of calendula, verbena and oak bark.
Pour 500 ml of water into a container with dry ingredients and cook for 20 minutes over medium heat. Cool the resulting liquid, strain and apply lotions 2-3 times a day.
Treatment with soda
Baking soda is an affordable and safe product for children that copes with fungus no worse than pharmaceutical drugs. To eliminate the symptoms of mycosis and improve the condition of the skin, it is enough to combine 1 tbsp. l. soda with a small amount of water until you get a paste. The mixture should be applied to the affected areas in a thick layer for 10 minutes, then rinsed with warm water and wipe your feet dry.
Toe baths
Dissolve 3 tbsp in 3 liters of warm water. l. baking soda and salt. Immerse your feet in the liquid and keep them in the medicinal solution for at least 15 minutes. After the specified time has passed, rinse your feet well with clean water and dry them.
Consequences of lack of treatment
Ignoring the symptoms of the disease, lack of treatment or untimely initiation of therapy threatens the young patient with such negative consequences as:
- disruption of the regeneration process of the epidermis;
- lymphostasis and suppuration in case of bacterial infection;
- formation of large calluses;
- loss of the nail plate;
- allergic reaction of the skin and mucous membranes;
- exacerbation of existing dermatological diseases.
Important!
The prolonged course of the disease leads to the spread of the fungus to the nails, hands and skin of the entire body.
Prevention
To avoid the penetration of a fungal infection into the child’s body, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:
- Strengthen the baby's immunity by hardening, choosing healthy foods and taking vitamin and mineral complexes.
- Always dress your child according to the weather, avoiding hypothermia or overheating.
- Avoid items made from synthetic fabrics and wear socks and shoes made from natural materials.
- Make sure that the child does not wear someone else’s shoes, but wears slippers in public places.
- Take care of the skin of your feet and nails using personal hygiene items.
- Periodically take baths with soda solution and after the procedure lubricate the skin with moisturizer.
- Regularly treat insoles with disinfectants and dry them well.
Fungal infection of the skin of the foot is a common disease among young children that requires timely treatment. With the right choice of medications, the pathology will have a favorable outcome, so if you notice the first symptoms of mycosis, you should consult a dermatologist.
The doctor will carry out diagnostic measures and prescribe effective therapy aimed at eliminating unpleasant manifestations and suppressing the mechanisms of disease development.
