Nail fungus (nail fungus) is an infectious disease that affects every 5 adults on our planet. Infection occurs very quickly and occurs through pathogenic fungi. You can "pick up" the infection if you wear someone else's shoes or neglect the rules of hygiene, as well as when you visit swimming pools, saunas, etc. Contributing to the appearance of fungus on the toenails can be diabetes, poor circulation in the legs, low immunity, damaged nails, overweight and excessive sweating. How to determine the nail fungus, what symptoms signal the manifestation of the disease? We will talk about it in this article.
Nail mycosis usually appears on the feet, less often on the hands, but it can move from foot to foot and finger to finger. This disease may seem mild, but it is very "survivable", causing physical and psychological distress. Treatment of the fungus is a very meticulous and long process, if the disease is not detected in time or the symptoms are ignored, serious violations can occur - the fungus quickly strengthens on the nails and penetrates the internal organs, where it can cause severe damage. Therefore, in order to diagnose and recognize toenail fungus in time, you need to know the first signs of toenail fungus. Which ones are they?
Signs of foot fungus
As a rule, there are no significant changes in the early stages, but if you miss the moment, diagnosis and treatment will become a problem. So how is nail fungus recognized? Signs or symptoms of nail fungus include the following:
- Change the structure of the nail. The nail changes color (turns yellow), becomes brittle, rough and cloudy.
- Painful sensations in the lesion. The site of the appearance of the fungus hurts on contact with shoes.
- Itching and burning on the skin. The skin near the infected nail becomes red and itchy.
- Fall off the nail. In the advanced stages, nails infected with a fungus can peel off.
There are 4 stages of nail fungus:
- The initial stage of nail fungus is almost never diagnosed (only from a medical point of view). Barely noticeable white streaks appear on the nail plate, indicating the presence of a fungus.
- The second is characterized by a change in the appearance of the nail plate (you can recognize this yourself). The nail turns yellow, becomes cloudy and crumbles.
- The third manifests itself in a noticeable deformation of the nail and sometimes in its partial detachment. In addition, the skin around the fingers begins to itch, burn and peel.
- The fourth is the busiest. The affected skin begins to break out, get wet, and if left untreated, wounds appear that do not heal.
Causes of fungi
So why does the mushroom appear? Microorganisms called fungi (dermatophils) are responsible for the damage to the body caused by the fungus. And a certain environment allows them to multiply, so the reasons for the appearance of the fungus include moisture and heat, which are formed due to wearing shoes that do not allow the passage of air or synthetic socks, and even if you do not dry the feet after washing, nail damage - when the nail plate is cut under the root, wearing tight shoes, which only contributes to the weakening of the nail, such as acrylic or gel paints.
So what do fungus-affected nails look like? They are yellow, have lost their luster, crumbling and partially exfoliating. If you have seen all these symptoms of nail fungus or some of them, you should immediately consult a specialist, as self-treatment is just a waste of precious time.
By itself, the nail fungus will not go away, it will hit your body step by step, weakening it. That is why one of the main and most important symptoms of toenail fungus is its systemic nature.
Treating the causes of nail fungus
So, the first symptoms were recognized and you went to the doctor. A dermatologist or mycologist must first determine the type and extent of the disease (by taking a sample of the affected tissues) and make a diagnosis, then prescribe treatment. According to the degree of nail damage, normotrophic mycosis (when the color of the nail changes), hypertrophic mycosis (opacification of the nail and its thickening is added to the change in color), atrophic mycosis (in addition to the change in color and deformation, crumbling of the nail and its detachment appear).
Treatment begins with local preparations - these are ointments, plasters and creams. Most often they are used to restore the skin affected by the fungus. To treat the nail, antifungal varnishes are used, the principle of their action is based on penetrating deep into the nail plate and eliminating fungal pathogens. On the surface of the nail, these drugs form a film that prevents the attack of a new infection.
In severe cases of the disease and the ineffectiveness of treatment with local drugs, the dermatologist prescribes antifungal tablets. It is worth noting that, in terms of the spectrum of action, they have a very serious effect on the body and have a number of side effects. When prescribing oral tablets and while taking them, tests should be carried out so that the doctor can monitor the course of treatment and their effect on the body.
There are also cases when specialists prescribe local drugs along with antifungal tablets. This occurs in the most severe forms of the disease or in mature age patients, where the healing process is slower. As a result of such therapy, the course of treatment is significantly reduced.
Folk remedies against fungi
Along with drug treatment, traditional medicine is also widely used in the fight against fungi.
Improper treatment is a step towards the aggravation of the disease! It should be remembered that folk remedies will not cure nail fungus, but can only alleviate the condition and relieve symptoms. They can be used as an additional support for medical care.
No treatment (drug or folk) will be effective if you do not follow certain hygiene rules, this is what the tips for the prevention of fungi consist of.
Prevention of nail fungus
Preventing nail fungus is a fairly simple task, given some standard hygiene requirements that everyone can and should follow:
- Wear socks or tights made from natural fabrics and change them every day, and if your feet get wet during the day (several times a day), you need to wash, dry and change your socks for dry ones.
- Change your shoes often. If you wear the same shoes day after day, always check (before going out) to see if they are dry from the previous walk. Remember that a humid environment favors the growth of fungi.
- When you visit a manicure and pedicure master, make sure the tools are in the correct shape and condition. Feel free to ask a specialist to disinfect all equipment.
- Low immunity is a prerequisite for the appearance of a fungus. Enrich your diet with healthy foods: eat more fruits and vegetables: they are rich in vitamins, do not be lazy to eat garlic and nuts.
- Apply antiseptics. The most common of these is tea tree oil (a natural antiseptic), they can be used to treat the nails and surrounding skin.
- Use only your personal hygiene products, as shared items are a safe way for mushrooms. You must have your own toiletries (towel, brush, comb, scissors); moreover, when you go to public places (bathhouse, swimming pool, sauna, gym), you must only use your own shoes (even in the shower).
Prevention is the easiest way to avoid fungus! By regularly following the simple (above) rules, you will not have to get rid of "stubborn" nail fungus for a long time and painstakingly. Personal hygiene: the key to health.
summing up
So, how to determine the fungus on the nails? You need to study the appearance of the nail and pay attention to the symptoms and signs of the fungus. If, however, a nail fungus is present, it is urgent to contact a dermatologist or mycologist, but not to self-medicate, in order not to waste precious time. To treat the fungus only with drugs (under the supervision of a doctor), folk remedies can be used as adjuvant therapy. And most importantly: you need to follow the rules of personal hygiene (no matter how much you think this is nonsense and some of it can be neglected) in order to avoid such an unpleasant ailment as nail fungus and not face it.