Ah, nail fungus, a routine in our chiropodists’ offices!
We see them every day during care, they are not very pretty and are an ordeal for our patients. To get rid of them, you have to follow a long and meticulous treatment that requires a lot of compliance efforts from those affected. About 10% of the adult population has onychomycosis.
In the over 70s there is a higher prevalence with a 30% rate of onychomycosis. They are three times more frequent in men than in women. They are most often encountered on the big toes of patients. Therefore, it is important to remember the role of the Chiropodist-Podiatrist in the management of this fairly common pathology.
General information on onychomycosis
Onychomycosis, in its definition, is an infection of the nail by a parasitic fungus. It is most often due to a particular type of fungus which are dermatophytes. However, they can also be caused by yeast or mold type fungi. The fungus succeeds in infecting our patient if he has a nail that peels off at the free edge. As a result, the entry point offers the fungus the possibility of proliferating under the nail plate.
What are the signs?
We can observe the beginning of a fungal infection by the appearance of a thick, yellowish, crumbly nail, with longitudinal streaks.
What are the causes?
Visiting public places such as municipal swimming pools, saunas, hammams, etc. is a significant factor in the development of mycoses. Why? Simply because fungi are found and proliferate mainly in humid, warm and enclosed places. In this case, we will find dermatophyte-type fungi.
Yeast-like fungi are usually found on the hands but can infect the feet. Often, people who have prolonged contact with water are most at risk of developing this type of fungus.
Finally, mold-type fungi, although rare, can also infect our patients if they are in contact with soil contaminated with mold too often.
How do you know if you have a yeast infection?
The Chiropodist-Podiatrist has a role to play in the diagnosis of onychomycosis and is the first to raise the alarm. He will advise the patient to take a mycological sample in the laboratory to find out first of all whether the nail condition is linked to a mycosis or not. If this is the case, this will allow us to know what type of mycosis the patient is experiencing in order to be able to put in place an appropriate and effective treatment.
Treatment of onychomycosis
The treatment of onychomycosis in our offices is essential for the patient's recovery. However, the Chiropodist-Podiatrist knows that there are two types of treatment to cure me.
First of all, local treatment, which will be indicated for an early and isolated mycosis, which consists of eliminating as much of the infected part of the nail as possible by milling in order to be able to subsequently treat the area with products such as varnishes, or film-forming solutions that we all know. The effectiveness of the treatment will be based on regular pedicure care, good compliance and good education of our patients.
Then, if the local treatment has not worked properly or if we observe a more extensive, migrated and total mycosis, we will then have to refer our patient to a doctor so that he can be treated with a treatment that can be taken orally.
Five practical tips to avoid onychomycosis!
Tip #1: Take care of your feet and opt for rigorous hygiene!
Tip #2: Air out your shoes then alternate them every other day!
Tip #3: Avoid wearing socks made from synthetic materials and opt for natural materials such as cotton!
Tip #4: Treat excessive sweating (Antiperspirant spray, antiperspirant powder, Iontophoresis)
Tip #5: Regular pedicure treatments!
Our profession is very important in the management of this pathology, we have a great impact on the healing of our patients through our actions, our advice and our treatments.
We can provide ourselves with the most effective products against mycoses but also guide our patients so that they continue to take care of their nails at home! My Podologie offers you a list of products tested in the office and recommended by the profession:
