Doctors isolate exactly one fungal infection among the most common dermatological diseases. Due to the fact that the clinical picture of this disease is poorly expressed, many do not take it seriously. In fact, onychomycosis can lead to the loss of nail plates and even sepsis.
This is the main reason why nail fungus treatment should be started at the early stages. It is extremely important to use special antifungal drugs that are prescribed by a specialist.
The main symptoms of the fungus
The clinical picture of this disease has been very well studied. This makes it easy to identify the symptoms of nail fungus on the hands and feet regardless of its stage.
The main ones are the following:
- The nail changes color, turns yellow or green. In certain cases it can turn white and brown in color. There are even cases when the nail plate becomes multicolored;
- Severe itching is felt on the skin near the nail plates;
- The skin becomes inflamed, redness is noted;
- The nail changes its structure, becomes thicker or thinner;
- Peeling the skin;
- Deformation of nails;
- The nail plates become brittle;
- Detachment of nails.
What does toenail fungus look like and its first symptoms
At the beginning, the disease does not have pronounced symptoms, deformation of the nails is not observed at all during this period.
In the initial stage, nail fungus manifests itself by the following symptoms:
- Dry skin;
- Itching;
- Soft tissues around the nails turn slightly red;
- Slight discoloration of the nail plates;
- Nails do not shine, less elastic;
- The appearance of corns.
At this stage of the disease, patients often do not notice any changes in the nail plates, which is why they do not seek medical help in time. That is why it is extremely important to know exactly what nail fungus looks like in order to start therapy as soon as possible. After all, it is during this period that the pathology is easiest to treat.
Important!
If we talk about what the fungus looks like on the fingernails in the early stages, then the symptoms are as similar as possible to those of the nail plates on the legs.
Methods of diagnosing nail fungus
It is quite difficult to diagnose the initial stages of toenail fungus. This requires a number of additional studies. This is mainly because the symptoms are poorly expressed.
A distinction is made among the necessary analyzes:
- Clinical blood test. With its help, the specialist receives information on whether to observe the reaction of the body to the inflammatory process caused by microorganisms;
- General urinalysis. Although this study only provides information about the general health of the patient, it can also be used to identify comorbidities of the urinary system;
- Examination of the tissue of the nail plates under the microscope. This method can be used to determine not only the presence of the fungus, but also its diversity;
- Blood chemistry.
A dermatologist needs to properly decipher the results of the research. If a person has turned to a therapist at the first signs of the disease, then in the near future he will certainly still give a referral to a close specialist. After all, he knows what the nail fungus looks like on the hands and feet and can make a correct diagnosis accordingly.
How to treat budding toenail fungus
Fungal diseases are treated exclusively under medical supervision. Before prescribing a course of therapy, a specialist takes into account a number of factors:
- The degree of damage to the nail plates;
- The form of the disease;
- The stage of reddening of the skin;
- The degree of nail deformation.
At the stages when onychomycosis is just beginning to develop, it is enough to use only local drugs. Immediately after the surgical or keratolytic treatment of the affected nails, special antifungal varnishes, solutions and gels are applied to the affected areas. After this simple procedure, the medication is better absorbed and, accordingly, the treatment is carried out much faster.
Keratolytics not only contribute to softening the nail plates, but also to painless removal of the affected areas. This procedure is performed with conventional patches that contain 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 off.
- A special composition is applied to the affected nails.
- The mass is sealed with an adhesive plaster.
- The bandage is changed once a day, a maximum of two.
- The plates damaged by the fungus are cut off.
- The antifungal agent is applied immediately.
The patch should be changed every day before going to bed.
There are a number of other effective external drugs in the fight against nail fungus.
If the disease stage is already well advanced, the specialist can prescribe antimycotics that must be taken orally. The same funds are needed in the earlier stages, but only if local therapy has not brought any results.
Important!
You cannot prescribe antifungal drugs. Only a specialist can choose the most effective and safe means to prevent the further development of the disease and the occurrence of relapses.
Preventive measures
A fungal nail infection is a contagious disease. Therefore, to prevent this, certain precautionary measures should be taken:
- Maintain personal hygiene;
- Use only personal items when visiting the swimming pool or the bath;
- If you don't try someone else's shoes on an unprotected leg, be sure to wear a sock.
- Be as careful as possible when coming into contact with someone 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. Its early stages do not cause fear in most of the people. That is why the disease is becoming more and more common. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the nail plates and adjacent tissues. At the first manifestations of the disease, seek help from a specialist.
Because this disease is very easy to cure in the early stages. If you do it, very unpleasant consequences are not excluded.