Among the most common dermatological diseases, doctors just single out a fungal infection. Due to the fact that the clinical picture of this disease is weak, many do not take it seriously. In fact, onychomycosis can lead to nail plate loss and even sepsis.
This is the main reason why nail fungus treatment should be started at an early stage. It is extremely important to use special antifungal agents prescribed by an expert.
The main symptoms of the fungus
The clinical picture of this disease has been very well studied. This makes it easy to recognize the symptoms of nail fungus on the hands and feet, regardless of their stage.
The main ones are the following:
- The nail changes color, becomes yellow or green. In certain cases, it may turn white and brown. There are even cases where the nail plate becomes multicolored;
- There is severe itching on the skin near the nail plates;
- The skin becomes inflamed, redness is noticed on them;
- The nail changes its structure, becomes thicker or becomes thinner;
- Skin peeling;
- Nail deformity;
- Nail plates become brittle;
- Separation of nails.
What does toenail fungus look like and its first symptoms
At the very beginning, the disease has no pronounced symptoms, the deformation of the nails in this period is not noticed at all.
In the initial stage, the fungus on the nails is manifested by the following symptoms:
- Dry skin;
- Itching;
- The soft tissues around the nails become slightly red;
- Slight discoloration of nail plates;
- The nails do not shine, they are less elastic;
- The look of corns.
At this stage of the disease, patients often do not notice changes in the nail plates, which is why they do not seek medical help in a timely manner. That is why it is extremely important to know exactly what the fungus on the nails looks like in order to start the therapy as soon as possible. Finally, it is during this period that the pathology is easiest to treat.
Bitan!
If we talk about what the fungus looks like on the nails of the hands in the initial stage, then the symptoms are as similar as possible to those manifested when the nail plates on the feet are affected.
Methods of diagnosing nail fungus
It is quite difficult to diagnose the initial stage of toenail fungus. This will require a number of additional studies. This is primarily due to the fact that the symptoms are mild.
Among the necessary analyzes are:
- Clinical blood test. With its help, the expert receives information on whether the observed reaction of the body to the inflammatory process is caused by microorganisms;
- General urine analysis. Despite the fact that this study will provide information only on the general health of the patient, it can also be used to identify concomitant pathologies of the urinary system;
- Examination of nail plate tissue under a microscope. This method manages to determine not only the presence of the fungus, but also its diversity;
- Blood chemistry.
The dermatologist must correctly decipher the research results. If a person consults a therapist at the first signs of illness, then they will certainly give a referral to a narrow specialist in the near future. After all, he is the one who knows what nail fungus on the hands and feet looks like and, accordingly, will be able to diagnose it properly.
How to treat a bud of fungus on toenails
Fungal diseases are treated exclusively under the supervision of a physician. Before prescribing a course of therapy, the specialist takes into account a number of factors:
- Degree of nail plate damage;
- Form of the disease;
- Skin redness stage;
- Degree of nail deformation.
In the stages when onychomycosis is just beginning to develop, it will be sufficient to use only topical medications. Special antifungal varnishes, solutions and gels are applied to the affected areas immediately after the treatment of the affected nails by surgical or keratolytic method. After this simple procedure, the drugs are better absorbed and, accordingly, the treatment is carried out much faster.
Keratolytics contribute not only to the softening of the nail plates, but also to the painless removal of the affected areas. This procedure is performed using conventional patches containing urea or salicylic acid.
The application of this patch should be carried out according to the following scheme:
- The surface of the nail plates is carefully scraped.
- A special composition is applied to the affected nails.
- The mass is closed with adhesive plaster.
- The bandage is changed once a day, a maximum of two.
- Plates damaged by the fungus were cut off.
- The antifungal agent is applied immediately.
The patch should be changed daily before bed.
There are a number of other effective external remedies in the fight against nail fungus.
If the stage of the disease is already significantly advanced, then the specialist can prescribe antifungal drugs, which must be taken orally. The same funds are needed in the earlier stages, but only if the local therapy did not give any results.
Bitan!
You cannot prescribe any antifungal medication to yourself. Only a specialist can choose the most effective and safest drug, prevent further development of the disease and the occurrence of relapse.
Prevention measures
Fungal nail infection is a contagious disease. Accordingly, in order to prevent this, certain precautions should be taken:
- Maintain personal hygiene;
- Use only personal items when visiting the pool or bathroom;
- Do not try on other people's shoes on an unprotected foot, be sure to wear a sock;
- Be as careful as possible in contact with a person who is already infected with the fungus;
- Avoid contact with animals infected with mycosis.
It is important to remember that nail fungus is not a harmless disease at all. Its initial phase does not cause anxiety in most people. As a result, the disease is becoming more common. It is necessary to monitor the condition of nail plates and tissues in the vicinity of them, at the first manifestations of the disease, seek help from experts.
Because in the early stages this disease is very easy to cure. If you run it, very unpleasant consequences are not excluded.