Nail fungus is an intractable disease, so the diagnosis of symptoms at an early stage of the disease will greatly accelerate the course of its treatment. Also, when the first signs of the disease are detected, you will be able to protect your family / loved ones from infections, as in most cases (70 to 80%) nail and skin fungus is transmitted between family members.
How the symptoms appear
![itchy feet with nail fungus](/images/articles/706/itchy%20feet%20with%20nail%20fungus.jpg)
First of all, nail fungus is manifested by an unpleasant smell and itching. If you have begun to notice that your feet often emit an unpleasant odor suspiciously (with a timely change of socks and proper hygiene), then this is a good reason to see a doctor to diagnose the disease.
![yellow nails due to a fungal infection](/images/articles/706/yellow%20nails%20due%20to%20a%20fungal%20infection.png)
The next symptom of the fungus is a change in the color of the nail plate. In this case, the nail is more often damaged at the edges. Small furrows and whitish spots appear, which eventually begin to increase in size.
![damage to the nails of the plate with the fungus](/images/articles/706/damage%20to%20the%20nails%20of%20the%20plate%20with%20the%20fungus.jpg)
If the proper measures are not taken, the plaque will continue to deform and the fungus will damage new areas of the nail until it completely infects it.
Another characteristic symptom of onychomycosis is discoloration of the nail plate. As a result of exposure to fungal spores, it can acquire a wide variety of shades. In most cases it is brown and yellow, but when exposed to mold or yeast fungus it can also take on a darker color.
Also, one of the signs of the disease is a change in the structure of the nail. It can change shape very quickly and begin to crumble.
Other features of the disease
Fungus is a very insidious disease, because the spores of this infection are found on the human body for most of life and enter the active phase only in some cases:
- Decrease in the level of immunity
- Diabetes
- Skin diseases
- Mechanical damage to the skin of the legs / arms or nails.
Therefore, you should be more careful if you have any of these signs. If you have damaged your nail in a beauty salon or are wearing tight shoes, it is advisable to use one of the many antifungal prophylactic agents and apply it to the damaged areas no more than once a week.
What to do if you find the symptoms of a fungus?
- If you find symptoms of onychomycosis, be sure to go to the hospital to a dermatologist and get the appropriate tests. There are more than 50 types of pathogenic fungi for the human body, and if you start treatment alone, with a high degree of probability it will be ineffective and you will waste valuable time.
- Having passed all the necessary tests, exactly follow the prescribed prescription and carry out all procedures for treating the fungus on time. Remember that folk remedies are best takenall in allwith antifungal drugs and do not forget to consult your doctor about it.
Everything! These are all the actions that are required of you when you detect the first signs of onychomycosis. Do not try to self-diagnose and, moreover, prescribe treatment.