The nail plate, which is not affected by any disease, has a smooth shiny surface.When nail fungus appears, the initial stage is characterized by gradual dulling of the plate, peeling and itching of the skin of the fingers and toes.
First symptoms
Changes in the color and structure of the nail are not the only signs of fungus.
At the initial stage, when the infection has already occurred, the nail plate may remain the same.
The main symptoms of the disease appear on the skin near the nails.The obvious symptoms of the initial stage of the fungus are peeling, burning sensation and itching.The skin on the interdigital folds is more delicate than on the feet, so these areas are more susceptible to disease.
If you do not pay attention to the first signs of nail fungus, the disease will begin to progress.The infection will affect the adjacent areas, blisters and sores will appear.Without treatment, the symptoms will not disappear, and if appropriate therapy is not started immediately, after a while the fungus will cover larger areas.
Symptoms of the fungus are as follows:
- change in nail structure,
- thickening of areas of the epidermis,
- burning sensation
- cracks in the skin between the fingers,
- fragility of nails.
Anyone who comes into contact with an infection is at risk of contracting the fungus.Toenail fungus spores penetrate the skin through open wounds, but even if there are no visible injuries, the infection can enter the body through microcracks on the feet.Externally, the skin may look completely healthy, but at the same time it has microscopic damage.Such cracks occur due to wearing uncomfortable shoes that are tighter than necessary.Micro cracks can also be caused by sand getting between your fingers.
Fungal infections often affect people with the following problems:
- overweight,
- increased sweating,
- chronic diseases that reduce immunity.
Any factor that affects susceptibility to disease affects the likelihood of infection.In order not to get infected with the fungus or to treat it faster, you should give up smoking and alcohol, and also diagnose your internal organs, eliminating the possibility of inflammatory processes.
Treatment and diagnosis
First of all, the nail fungus affects the skin of the fingers and feet, because it is more delicate than the nail plate.The infection spreads quickly and covers neighboring areas, entering through microcracks on the fingers.The initial stage of nail fungus is characterized by itching and discomfort.In the first days after infection, there may be no external changes in the skin and nails, and the pathological process will be noticeable to the naked eye only if the disease is not detected in time and treatment is not started.
Nail fungus is a highly contagious disease.Microorganisms live in moist environments, and infection often occurs in public places.As soon as a carrier appears in the bath or sauna, all subsequent visitors are at risk of infection.The disease is contagious even at the initial stage, when the carrier himself does not realize that he is sick.Increased caution should be exercised not only in baths and saunas, but also at home if one of the family members has suspicious symptoms.Shared towels, slippers, manicure accessories, and even poorly cleaned bathtubs can cause infection.
Itching, poorly healed cracks and peeling skin on the feet are signs of a fungal infection.In the initial stage, mycosis is treated faster after more serious symptoms appear.
In no case should you self-medicate, because wrongly selected therapy can lead to the development of fungal growth, and then secondary infection can occur and allergies can develop.
To get the correct diagnosis, a specialist examines the nail and, if a fungus is suspected, scrapes it.The resulting material is sent for microscopic examination.This is usually sufficient to make a correct diagnosis, but in some cases a culture test may be required.This allows you to get the most accurate picture of the disease, determine the type of bacteria and choose the right medicine.At the initial stage, gentle treatment methods are used: special antimycotic varnishes and ointments for the skin.