This article is about such an unpleasant, but unfortunately quite common phenomenon as toenail fungus. The symptoms and causes of this disease are known to medical science and can be easily diagnosed at all stages. However, it can only be recognized if you pay close attention to your own health. How do you recognize toenail fungus? How do you treat it? Are the advertised ointments effective?
What causes nail fungus to develop?
Nail fungus is a fairly common disease. The disease spreads particularly successfully in places with a temperate and tropical climate, i. e. where it is humid and warm. Paradoxically, however, residents of cold countries most often suffer from nail fungus. This is because in harsh climates one must constantly wear warm shoes and socks. The foot sweats, the sock gets wet and the person is forced to remain in this state for a long time without having the opportunity to change shoes. This is the best way to promote the development of nail fungus. Before we talk about how to recognize toenail fungus, let's find out who is more susceptible to this disease.
Nail fungus as an occupational disease
People whose foot skin cannot breathe during the day due to shoes that are too tight are at risk. These are miners, power plant workers, gardeners and representatives of other professional groups. You can "pick up" the fungus while working in a laundry room, swimming pool, hotel or restaurant.
What diseases can serve as a prerequisite
Often not only representatives of the above-mentioned professional groups suffer from this disease, but also people with diabetes mellitus of group 1 or 2. In addition, deformities of the feet and varicose veins can be a prerequisite for the development of nail fungus. The causes of this infection include inadequate nutrition of the nail due to blockage or blockage of the blood vessels. For this reason, the creams advertised today, as well as nail polishes that are supposed to protect you from fungus, are completely useless in the fight against the disease. Because there are often internal complaints that cannot be eliminated by external influences.
Who is at risk?
A few decades ago, nail fungus was mostly diagnosed in older people. However, the number of patients suffering from nail fungus is increasing every year and the disease itself is becoming increasingly younger.
Official data suggests that nail fungus is two to three times more common in men. However, women are significantly more likely to consult a dermatologist with this problem. The fair sex is more worried about their health and does not consider it shameful to see a doctor.
Next, let's look at why it's so important to get fungus treatment recommendations from a dermatologist. We also discuss how to recognize nail fungus and what symptoms they have in the individual phases of their development.
What does nail fungus look like?
This disease is not fatal, but of course it is necessary to get rid of it. Fortunately, it is not difficult for anyone to detect the onset of the disease. How do you recognize a fungus on your feet? Below are tips. First, take a closer look at your nails.
The first thing you should pay attention to is this nail color. The nail affected by the fungus becomes dull yellow and opaque. Depending on the stage of the disease, the edge of the nail plate, the base or the entire nail may be affected.
Pay attention to the thickness of the nail
When answering the question of how to recognize nail fungus, changes in the nail plate should also be mentioned. Despite the fact that the nail becomes thinner due to the disease, visually and emotionally it appears to become thicker and swell.
How do you recognize nail fungus? To determine the presence of an infection, a visual examination of the nail plate is not enough. Mix potassium permanganate and water in a 1 to 5 ratio and dip your nails in the resulting solution for half a minute. A healthy nail discolors and turns brown. Part of the affected plate remains white.
Stages of the disease
The disease progresses in four stages. The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances of getting rid of nail fungus forever.
The first stage is characterized by damage to the edge of the nail. As mentioned above, the color of the plate changes and bulges appear. The nail grows of poor quality, hollow and therefore breaks and crumbles.
A sign of the second stage will be an increase in the size of the affected area. In addition, it should be noted that the second stage can sometimes begin as if bypassing the first. Damage to the nail plate begins not at the edge, but at the base of the nail. Curing nail fungus in the second stage will be more problematic than in the first.
How to recognize stage three toenail fungus? In medicine it is called a white superficial fungus and looks as if the entire plate is affected. It has a dense white color and crumbles heavily at the edges.
The fourth stage is called total dystrophic fungus. The nail is yellowish-gray in color, exudes a peculiar unpleasant odor and is very friable. In the fourth stage, you can often see a bare part of the skin under the broken nail, as this has grown together due to the fungus and in most cases breaks off.
The reason for visiting a dermatologist is often to independently determine the fourth stage of nail fungus. Do not look for advice on how to effectively treat nail fungus in forums or on the Internet. At the first symptoms of the disease, it is better to consult a specialist.
What can you expect when you go to the doctor?
Probably every one of us is afraid of doctors. However, don't be afraid to see a dermatologist if you suspect you have nail fungus. The specialist conducts an external examination and also removes the upper keratinized layer of the nail to send it to the laboratory for diagnosis. A detailed analysis shows what caused the disease, determines the type of fungus, and also tells the doctor what treatment should be prescribed.
Treatment of nail fungus takes a long time. It can take between one and three months. After treatment, you must be tested again even if the above symptoms are not observed.
A few words about effective treatment
So now we know how to identify fungus on toenails. The methods are given above. Now it is worth saying a few words about the treatment that you can do yourself. The drug based on naftifine has proven itself quite well. However, you do not need to use an ointment, but a solution. This medication can also be used for athlete's foot.
How do I use the solution? If you have a fungus in the first stage of the disease, lubricate the affected nail surface twice a day. Nails should be dry and well washed. In the next stage of the disease, you cannot do without taking pills. However, even in this case, the use of the solution with Naftifine should not be stopped, as this increases the effect of the medication.
Before applying the product, you should thoroughly clean the affected nail surface with a manicure tool. However, you must be extremely careful. After completing the manipulations, it is necessary to apply a solution containing the active ingredient naftifine to the cleaned area. Repeat 2 times daily.
People familiar with this infectious disease also speak positively about kits for removing fungal nail infections. Which of these products you use, a solution or a nail removal kit, is up to you. But without the help of a dermatologist, it will not be possible to permanently and completely get rid of nail fungus.
In summary
The article answers the question of how to recognize toenail fungus. However, it is worth remembering that self-medication does not always lead to complete recovery. If you experience changes in the thickness or color of your nails, you should consult a doctor.
Depending on the degree of damage to the nail plate, the fungus can be divided into four stages. If the disease does not cause alarm in the first stage, since it does not strongly deform the nail plate, then in the fourth stage you can easily lose your nails. Do not hesitate to contact a dermatologist.
It is strongly discouraged to self-medicate by giving in to advertising admonitions about the effectiveness of a particular drug. A cream or other product applied externally to the nail plate does not eliminate the causative agent of the disease and therefore is ineffective. By doing this, you only delay the treatment process by masking the manifestation of the disease. It is also worth remembering that nail fungus not only looks unaesthetic, but is also a kind of signal indicating the presence of disorders in the body.