Any change in the shape and color of the nail plates may indicate the presence of a fungal infection.In medicine, they are called onychomycosis, commonly – nail fungus.If detected at the initial stage, there is a high probability of rapid recovery;advanced forms can be treated for years and not always with positive success.It should be noted that onychomycosis is common throughout the world, and in Russia it affects 7-16% of residents.Their presence is closely related to many factors, ranging from social characteristics to individual body characteristics.
What does nail fungus look like in the initial stage?
Almost always, the initial stage of nail fungus is asymptomatic, especially on the feet.Small yellow spots may be seen on the nail plate or a slight itching may be felt in the finger area.Almost always, the lesion begins with the 1st and 5th toe and presents in the form of changes:
- Nail colors (yellow, shades of brown);
- Shape of the nail plate (either thickening, or vice versa – thinning is observed);
- Deformation (appearance of longitudinal and transverse stripes of yellow or white color).
Subjective sensations in the form of itching and pain can be added to all visible changes.
Note!Onychomycosis is more common on the legs, less often on the arms.Very often it appears as a result of an injury during a manicure or pedicure, if the patient already suffers from foot fungus.
Classification of onychomycosis
Today, it is customary to classify onychomycosis not only taking into account the clinical characteristics of lesions of the nail plate, but also depending on the variants of fungal penetration into it.The following types of onychomycosis are distinguished:
- distal;
- distal-lateral;
- superficial white;
- proximal subungual;
- total dystrophic.
The first two forms are the most common, since the pathogen enters the nail from the affected skin of the feet.They are characterized by a long course during which the lesion process slowly spreads over the entire nail in the form of an oval yellow spot or splinter.
A distinctive feature of white superficial onychomycosis is damage to the nail plates of the first fingers at the initial stage.Damage to the matrix and nail bed is extremely rare;Basically, the whole process is limited to the appearance of superficial white lesions.
The last two forms are very rare and are characterized by rapid progression, in which the matrix and the periungual ridge are affected.A distinctive feature is partial or complete destruction of the nail plate.
Nail fungus pathogens are also divided into three groups:
- dermatophytes;
- yeast fungi of the genus Candida;
- mold fungi.
The first two types are much more common and their clinical picture is clearly expressed by damage not only to the nail plate, but also to the feet.
Fundamental factors for the development of onychomycosis
Many people wonder how it is that we all visit baths, saunas, swimming pools, beaches, but only some of us are infected with nail fungus.The fact is that for the proliferation of fungi, not only a favorable environment is required, but also weakened protective functions of the body.People at risk are those who have problems with:
- vessels of the lower limbs;
- overweight;
- flat feet and foot deformities;
- increased levels of glucose in the blood, which is used by fungi for metabolic processes;
Onychomycosis is common in adults and almost never occurs in children.One in two people over the age of 70 develop nail fungus on their toes or hands.
How to treat nail fungus at the initial stage?
If you detect a suspicion of nail fungus, you should immediately consult a dermatologist.At least in order to identify the pathogen and select an effective antifungal drug.Most modern medicines are very harmful to the liver and tests are carried out before being prescribed.If problems are found, the drug is replaced with another.
Treatment of toenail fungus at home is acceptable if you know the pathogen and are at the initial stage.Then, following the rules of disinfection (treatment of underwear, socks, shoes, treatment of the nail plate, etc.), you can quickly get rid of the disease even without taking systemic medications.
With the treatment of advanced nail fungus, everything is much more complicated, because here you need not only to fight the external manifestations of the disease, but also to expel the pathogen from the body.Here, in addition to attention, the patient will need patience and time, because the therapy can last for years.
If for some reason you do not have the opportunity to seek help from a specialist, when you detect the first signs of nail fungus, you can smear the affected areas with iodine and hydrogen peroxide, which are considered effective in the fight against dermatophytes and candida.It is recommended to treat the entire nail in the morning with iodine and in the evening with peroxide for a month.Before treatment, wash your feet, dry them and trim as much of the affected nail as possible.