Why do elderly people and diabetics have more mycoses and are they more difficult to treat?

Why do elderly people and diabetics have more mycoses and are they more difficult to treat?

Did you know that ringworm in the elderly and diabetics is more common?

 

Nail ringworm in the elderly and diabetics is frequent. Understand better in this article.

Nail ringworm is considered an extremely common infection. That's because the elderly and diabetics have reduced immunity - which makes it easy to pick up and hard to get rid of.

In that other article, we had already mentioned that people who have diabetic feet are in a risk group. But why does this happen? Read more about diabetic feet in the matter: Diabetic foot- What is it, symptoms and prevention.

Below you will find all the answers you need about nail ringworm! check out:

 

What is ringworm of the nail?

 

It is a nail infection caused by a fungus that lodges between the nails and the skin. The fungus feeds on dead cells. Nails affected by the fungus have:

 

  • Thickening;
  • Fragility;
  • Format distortions;
  • Loss of shine;
  • Darkening;
  • Detachment.

 

What makes nail fungus in the elderly and diabetics more frequent?

 

It's true, this is a pretty common problem for everyone. However, ringworm of the nail in the elderly and diabetics is usually much more frequent.

This doesn't happen by chance. There are many factors that contribute to this statistic.

The first, and perhaps most significant, is that elderly people and people with diabetes typically have reduced immunity compared to other population groups. And that's a big risk factor for nail ringworm.

When the immune system is working well, the body can fight the fungus that lodges below the nail more easily.

In addition to the issue of weakening immunity over the years or as a result of diabetes, we must consider another factor: the treatment of toenail fungus requires a lot of attention to habits and thorough foot hygiene.

It is common for mobility problems to prevent the elderly from taking all the necessary care to their feet and shoes.

 

Why is ringworm in the elderly and diabetics so difficult to cure?

 

A large number of people affected by ringworm of the nail, unfortunately, do not seek treatment or medical advice. Whether out of shame, lack of information about the problem and possible treatments, or because the discomfort is aesthetic, they usually do not feel any pain.

Often, this means that proper care is not done, as the patient does not know what to avoid and what to do.

Even those seeking medical help can deal with difficulties in treating nail fungus. This is because, in some people, fungi develop drug resistance from too many drug treatments.

To cure nail ringworm for good, it's no use just taking medicine! It is necessary to change some inappropriate habits and develop a healthy routine of care and treatment maintenance.

See some examples of what can be done to help treat nail fungus in the elderly and diabetics:

 

  • Nail clippers, pliers, files and enamels used by the infected person must be sterilized in an autoclave or discarded. This prevents the fungi that are on these items (and survive for a long time!) from contaminating the person again. And be careful: just rubbing alcohol is not enough to kill the fungus.
  • The shoes used must be sanitized after each use. It is recommended to use Lysoform spray and then leave them in the sun.
  • Wearing the same shoe for more than one day in a row should always be avoided. It's the same problem that exists with manicure tools: the fungus continues to contaminate the patient.
  • The nail polishes do not let the nail breathe, which can harm the treatment. As such, they should be avoided.
  • After many drug treatments, it is possible that the fungus becomes resistant to the substances used.
  • It is recommended to remove the affected nail, that is, discard the entire nail that is detached. Many people hesitate to adopt this option for aesthetic reasons. However, the best way to cure the fungus is to remove it as much as possible.

 

Guidelines for preventing toenail fungus in the elderly and diabetics

 

Avoiding getting the fungus in the first place can be much easier than getting rid of it after it's spread. These tips also help in the effectiveness of the treatment recommended by your podiatrist. Therefore, always follow the following guidelines:

 

  • Dry your feet with a paper towel or a cool hair dryer to ensure all moisture is removed;
  • Wear cotton socks - avoid dress socks if possible;
  • Give preference to open sandals whenever possible;
  • Sanitize your shoes with Lysoform spray and leave them in the sun after each use;
  • Avoid wearing the same shoe every day;
  • Avoid walking barefoot in locker rooms and showers.

 

See a doctor and follow directions carefully.

 

One of the most important things to ensure the proper treatment of ringworm of the nail in the elderly and diabetics is the identification of the fungus, because there are different types of fungi that can cause ringworm of the nail, and their identification is essential for an efficient treatment.

The podiatrist can collect for the mycological examination. After correct diagnosis of ringworm of the nail, you will prepare a treatment plan. They usually involve monthly monitoring to trim the nail properly and remove the accumulation of dead cells that feed the fungus. In addition to topical treatments using Ozone Therapy and Laser Therapy.

Do you need to schedule an appointment or have any questions? Please contact us and we will be happy to help!

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