Onychomycosis, or more simply, fungus, is an insidious disease that progresses more often in the nails than in the toenails.First, the nail itself "gets sick", then the periungual tissues are exposed to pathogenic influences.After that (in the absence of appropriate treatment) they continue to advance, "making way" for neighboring nails.If you have onychomycosis of the nails (photos below), start treatment immediately, because the apparently harmless darkening of the nail plate can lead to disastrous consequences.
Do you think a recent bump or injury is causing the yellowing, thinning and loosening of the nail plate?Do you ignore changes in the hope that they will "go away on their own"?Don't be so careless, the initial stage of fungus can already develop on your nails!
Fungal infection, what is it?
Anyone, regardless of social status, gender and age category, can "catch" a fungus on their nails.Microorganisms of this type "live" everywhere (soil, humidity, humid environment).The easiest way to "catch" fungi is in public facilities such as bathrooms, gym showers or swimming pools.Spores multiply well in a humid environment, "seeking" the host.After a person gets on his feet, microorganisms penetrate the skin from incomplete places and begin to parasitize there.
After the pathogen falls on the feet, the incubation period is quite long and is 2-4 weeks, so it is very difficult to notice any violations immediately.After surviving the incubation period, the fungus penetrates into the deeper layers of the nail, affecting not only the growing nail plate, but also the matrix in which it grows.
It "works" as follows.Adhering to nails, skin or hair, it grows inside the cells, destroying the main substance for their reconstruction - keratin.
Recognition of nail onychomycosis: photos of the initial stage
When the fungal spores begin to parasitize the nail plate, you can notice paleness and discoloration approaching yellow or dark brown.In most cases, the first "victim" is the nail on the thumb.
Penetrating deeper into the thickness of the plate, "dirty" spots and stains appear.The plate itself thickens, begins to darken, and the subungual bed becomes keratinized.The plate loosens, splits and splits.
In addition to external excuses, itching and discomfort appear.The space between the nail and the bed increases, serving as a favorable environment for the increased spread of fungi.An unpleasant smell is produced.
How nail fungus develops: stages of development with photos
Based on the above description, if you have determined that you have a toenail fungus, the stages of development with a photo will help you "calculate" the current form of the infection.
- White or superficial form.At this time, the microspores of the fungus parasitize on the surface of the nail.At first it looks like white spots.Over time, they increase in size, the plate itself becomes rough, brittle and falls on the plates when broken.
- Distal-lateral form.The plate turns yellow, the fungus develops on one of the sides: on the side (in the picture) - a lateral lesion;from above - distally.With intensive development, general damage can be observed both from above and from the side.
- Distal-lateral with hyperkeratosis.It is characterized by the presence of a cavity in which microorganisms parasitize.This leads to hyperkeratosis - when the nail plate itself thickens and the nail bed becomes keratinized.
- Distal-lateral form, in which the entire plate is susceptible to fungal infection.In medicine, the term nail dystrophy is often used for diagnosis.
- Proximal subungual form.With such a fungal infection, the periungual tissue is the first to suffer.It turns red, changes shape, and the cuticle begins to separate.Then the process of nail dystrophy occurs, when irregularities in the plate appear in the form of grooves.If treatment is not started in time, the nail may fall off completely.
- Total dystrophic form with irreversible processes in which the nail plate is uneven, has an unpleasant smell, completely changes color, loses its integrity and breaks into pieces.
Symptoms of nail plate damage by various fungi with photos
Different types of fungi can cause onychomycosis of the nails.Let's consider in detail what nail fungus is and the symptoms that appear during its development.
- Moldy.It is considered a non-penetrating type that facilitates treatment.The main symptoms for such a lesion is a change in the shade of the nail plate.It turns green, brown or black.Perhaps the appearance of spots and dots.
- yeastThis variety belongs to the genus Candida.By parasitizing, it thins the nail plate.Under the influence of the development of spores, the nail can acquire a yellowish color and begin to remain behind the bed.If you do not carry out the necessary therapy, you can see how the plate turns brown and begins to peel off.Not only the nail itself suffers from the effects of yeast fungi, but also the adjacent skin, which thickens and swells.
- Dermatophyte.Another variety in which gray-yellow streaks or spots appear.Over time, without proper treatment, the edge of the nail begins to peel away from the bed, exposing the hyponychium.
Which doctor should I contact for help?
Without proper treatment, the fungal infection "transfers" from the nail plates to the skin of the feet.Causes the appearance of:
- itching;
- inflammation between the fingers;
- eczema;
- cracks
It hurts when walking.A dermatologist can help solve the problem, and the sooner you contact him, the sooner you will "say goodbye" to onychomycosis.Only a specialist can choose the best remedy, determine the treatment regimen and monitor the dynamics of therapy.Self-treatment of toenail fungus may not always be correct or effective.
How to treat onychomycosis
As we already understood, there are several types of fungus that affect toenails.Therefore, a drug purchased in a pharmacy may not always have the desired effect, because the therapeutic effect will be focused on localizing only one of the types of onychomycosis, and the active substance will simply be useless for other types.By consulting a doctor, you will know exactly which drugs are needed in a particular situation.
Based on the test results, the dermatologist usually prescribes the following therapy:
- drugs intended for oral administration;
- topical medications.
The latter option is more often used, since most recorded cases of fungal infection are treated at the initial stage.Oral therapy cannot be avoided in advanced cases.
"Grandma's recipes" can be used as an auxiliary tool in the treatment of onychomycosis.But the main focus should be on traditional medicine, because often patients come with an advanced stage of fungus because they prefer traditional medicine and the advice of "neighbors" at the beginning of the disease.
Modern cosmetology offers special medicated varnishes, but their effect is not scientifically substantiated.Note that you should not cover painful nails with decorative varnish, as this will worsen their condition.
Prevention of onychomycosis
By following simple preventive measures, "acquaintance" with fungal infections can be avoided.Prevention measures include:
- wear dry, comfortable shoes and socks made of natural materials;
- do not walk barefoot in public places (saunas, baths, swimming pools);
- use only your own shoes, including when visiting public places;
- do a pedicure yourself or in "trusted" salons where the tools have undergone appropriate treatment.
Seeing the initial stage of onychomycosis on the nails, do not self-medicate, but seek help from specialists.