Nail fungus is a disease that causes a lot of problems for people. Severe itching, burning, aesthetic problems associated with the unsightly appearance of the claws are not the complete list of problems caused by this disease. The longer you ignore the problem, the more advanced the disease will become and the appearance of your nails will become uglier. Moreover, gradually the whole body will be poisoned by the waste of fungal microflora. But how not to neglect the initial stage of nail fungus, which is much easier and cheaper to treat than advanced stages? It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of not only the nails, but also the skin of the hands and feet. In this article we will tell you how not to start the disease and what to do at first so that your beautiful pink nails do not turn into crooked claws of Baba Yaga over time.
Why does the initial stage of nail fungus occur?
Older adults and people with weakened immune systems are most often affected by infection. At the same time, no one is immune from fungal diseases: even a child can "catch" an unpleasant disease.
Fungal spores are ubiquitous in the modern world, they are extremely tenacious and survive on the soil surface even at low temperatures. But above all, they "love" heat and humidity, where they reproduce extremely quickly. Warm public places, where there is a lot of foot traffic, are the fungus' favorite habitats. Baths, saunas, swimming pools, fitness clubs: as soon as a person with a fungus visits these places, tiny skin scales infected with the infection appear on almost every surface. Imagine how often you visit these institutions and consider yourself very lucky if you are reading this article for general development, and not because of the need to treat mycoses at the initial stage.
Sometimes it is enough to walk barefoot in the bathhouse or put on someone else's flip-flops, and you can make an appointment with a dermatologist or mycologist. Of course, you should not worry in advance: the infection takes root in the body if a person has a weakened immune system or there are cracks, calluses or sores on the skin. Moreover, public transport, which we use several times a day for a long time, also constitutes a dangerous habitat for fungal spores.
The disease can be "caught" in a nail salon, and both customers and employees are exposed to this danger. Using poorly sterilized instruments often causes fungal infections.
Many chronic illnesses can also cause unpleasant conditions.
Wearing uncomfortable, tight, tight shoes made from unnatural materials also often causes an unpleasant infection. In such shoes, the foot sweats and a very favorable environment appears for fungal spores.
Signs of nail plate fungus
The initial stage of onychomycosis fungus is most often not obvious, so people who are inattentive to themselves may notice problems with their nails when they are already seriously destroyed, and treatment will cost a small fee.
So, what symptoms of nail fungus on hands and feet can be detected almost immediately? At the initial stage of a fungal disease, the nail retains its usual pink color, the nail plate is smooth and shiny. Gradually, the structure of the nail partially thickens, laminations and small destructions appear. There are several types of fungus, each of which can have specific symptoms, but there are common signs of a fungal disease.
How does nail fungus appear on toenails and toenails? The symptoms are approximately the same: when the nail plate is still smooth and pink, the initial stage of infection with the fungus can be recognized by severe itching. The affected areas are itchy, making it very difficult to carry out normal daily activities. Itching and burning can be felt both directly on the nails and on the skin. A pungent, unpleasant odor often appears.
The skin between the fingers becomes red and irritated. Gradually, the natural shine disappears from the nail plate, it becomes cloudy and the nail bed is difficult to see through. The nail becomes uneven, bumpy or wavy, which is clearly visible to the touch and visually. A space appears between the nail and the bed, easy to notice. Certain areas of the nail become yellowish or even brown.
The initial stage of nail plate fungus can sometimes be detected by brittle and peeling nails. Of course, peeling nails don't always mean that the nails are "diseased, " but it is often a warning sign of a fungal infection. We have also already said that the spores of the infection penetrate through damaged skin.
What does toenail fungus look like - the initial stage? The photos will be no less instructive:
Nail fungus - the initial stage looks like this: the nail also becomes uneven and dull, and whitish spots also appear. Most often, this type of disease is found in women of the "active" arm. The right hands of right-handers are especially susceptible to this unpleasant disease, because they spend the most time in an aggressive environment, as a result of which the nails quickly become thinner and destroyed.
A change in plaque thickness at the initial stage of a fungal infection is typical for nails, hands and feet. Depending on the type of fungus and the causes of the disease, the plaques may thicken or, conversely, thin.
Photos of fungus on nails at the initial stage look no less impressive:
Treatment of nail fungus at the initial stage
Like other diseases, toenail fungus responds best to treatment in the initial stage. In this case, you can be content with products for external use, which, by the way, are not cheap. There are many local remedies to solve the problem. The earlier the procedures are started, the less likely the infection will develop further.
The medications are applied either directly to the nail or to the skin nearby. Nail fungus varnishes are effective remedies, which act quickly and are very simple to use. Such preparations penetrate deep into the nail and, due to their texture, remain there for a long time. Medicines are selected depending on the type of fungus.
Antifungal drops also penetrate deep into the nail tissue and also have a wide selection of products. They disinfect nail plates, kill bacteria and prevent the multiplication of fungal spores. The drops will help cure the initial stage of nail fungus.
Lotions are less common but can also be effective early on. They act on the surface of the nail plate.
Creams against nail fungus have become widespread. Mainly intended for the treatment of skin around damaged plaques. With their help, infections cannot spread to undamaged areas, including new nails.
A special spray is used to prevent the disease and as part of the treatment. Or feet and shoes are treated.
The initial stage of mycosis is treated mainly with local drugs; If the disease progresses, doctors prescribe medications to take orally. These drugs are effective if a small part of the nail plate is affected by the infection.
Modern medicine offers a wide range of means to eliminate the disease. Laser therapy is an expensive but effective method at the initial stage. Laser radiation devices are aimed at damaged areas.
The initial stage of nail fungus may require only 4 such procedures. But this method should be used in combination with the drugs described above.
Ozone therapy involves saturating tissues with ozone. Special injections are given into the skin near the affected nail. This procedure helps delay the development of the fungus and prevents the multiplication of its spores.
Of course, one should not forget about folk remedies for treating nail fungus at the initial stage. There are many. Traditional methods are good because they are easy to use and economical. For example, treatment of fungi with salt and soda is very effective at the initial stage of the disease.
Preventative measures
Fungi are very difficult to cure: it takes a lot of time, effort and money, and treatment sometimes drags on for many years. It is therefore necessary to take precautions so as not to "catch" an unpleasant disease.
It is extremely important to maintain personal hygiene: never wear someone else's shoes. When going to a shoe store, try on only your own socks, do not use those offered by sellers. Of course, you can't try on shoes barefoot.
It is necessary to wash your hands thoroughly with soap after traveling on public transport. It is best to wash your nails with tar soap. Use preventative measures, there are many. Treat your shoes regularly with antifungal sprays.
When going to a nail salon, it is best to always have your own set of tools with you, which also need to be disinfected regularly.
It is important to wash your socks and tights daily, remembering to iron them carefully afterwards. Bedding should be washed frequently at high temperatures.
If the fungus affects the nails, it is necessary to protect loved ones from the same fate. The fungus is not spread through close contact between a sick person and a healthy person, but it can easily spread through shared objects and surfaces. Regularly treat the bathroom with disinfectants: the bathtub itself, carpets and floors.