Nowadays, not only women but also most men care about the beauty of their nails.But only healthy nails can be beautiful, so it is useful for everyone to know how to recognize toenail fungus.The sooner a person notices signs of the disease, the easier it is to undergo treatment.However, it will be difficult to cure an advanced form of onychomycosis.The disease often recurs and is difficult to treat.
Onychomycosis is a common disease.The fungus most commonly affects the toenails, but the disease can also occur on the fingers.Onychomycosis of the hands is particularly common in women.The signs of illness on the toenails and fingernails are approximately the same.Symptoms depend on the type of pathogen and where the infection was introduced.
species
How do you recognize a fungus on your toenails?This disease is quite insidious because the symptoms depend on which pathogen caused the disease.There are several dozen species of fungi that can cause onychomycosis.However, they can be divided into three groups depending on the type of pathogen.
Yeast
This type of fungus most commonly affects the fingers, but can also appear on the feet.The infected nail plate becomes detached and separates from the nail bed.In addition to the nail, the skin is also affected and the ridges surrounding the plate become inflamed.They become red, painful and in advanced stages, white content comes out from underneath when the roller is pressed.
Dermatophytes
This type of filamentous fungus most commonly affects the toenails.The disease manifests itself gradually.In the first stage, spots or stripes appear with a yellowish tint.At first these spots are small, but gradually they grow and occupy the entire surface of the nail.
Mold
Molds are extremely common, but relatively rarely cause onychomycosis.When infected with this type of pathogen, the nails change color.The spots have an unusual color – black, green, dirty gray.
Forms
The disease can occur in different forms.Symptoms of the disease depending on the form of onychomycosis:
- Lateral-distal.This is the most common case;The first changes in the nail are noticeable in the growing part of the nail in one of the corners (sometimes in both corners at the same time).
- Proximal.In this case, the first changes appear on the inner edge of the nail.
- Superficial.In contrast to previous forms, in the superficial form of onychomycosis the pathogen does not penetrate deeply into the plate.The symptoms are unusual, spots appear in the center of the plate, the nail itself becomes looser, the entire surface begins to peel off and scales come off of it.
Clinical manifestations
Fungal nail infections do not cause any symptoms in the first stage.The patient does not feel any pain or other unpleasant sensations.However, an attentive person may notice that the appearance of the nails has changed.Main symptoms of the disease:
- Loss of natural shine, tarnishing;
- the appearance of spots or streaks that differ in color from the color of a healthy plate;
- grooves may appear on the surface;
- the plate can change shape;
- the nail may thicken or, on the contrary, become thin and atrophic;
- the plate delaminates, begins to crumble and subsequently lags behind the skin;
- In advanced stages, physical discomfort also occurs, pain occurs when pressure is applied;
- If a secondary infection occurs, inflammation and suppuration may develop.
Advice!Onychomycosis can occur in isolation, but this disease is often accompanied by mycosis of the skin of the feet.Redness, diaper rash and cracks appear between the fingers.The feet begin to give off an unpleasant odor.
Mushroom or not?
Unfortunately, fungal nail infections do not have any specific symptoms.A similar clinical picture can occur with other dermatological problems.For example with psoriasis.In order to say exactly whether there is a fungal infection of the fingernails or toenails, laboratory tests are necessary.
For analysis, take a piece of the nail (in the distal form) or scrape the surface of the plate.The procedure for collecting the material is safe and painless.The biological material is then delivered to the laboratory.
Microscopic examination shows the presence of a fungal infection, but cannot determine the type of pathogen.To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to place the collected material (nail particles) in a nutrient medium and under favorable conditions.
Advice!The most favorable conditions for mushroom growth are warmth and moisture.
The results of the analysis will only be available after 5 days.During this time, the fungal colony becomes so large that the type of pathogen can be determined based on its appearance.In addition, the study allows us to determine which antifungal drugs are most effective in destroying this fungus.
To do this, filter paper is moistened with solutions of antifungal agents and then applied to the fungal colonies.After some time, the paper is removed and the areas in which the growth of microorganisms is stopped most effectively are examined.
Home methods
It happens that for some reason you cannot get to the laboratory.Is it possible to determine the presence of a fungal infection at home?Of course, home diagnostic methods are far from perfect;They are not comparable to laboratory research methods.
However, even these simple methods can detect the presence of a fungal infection in most cases.Many people have a bottle of maroon potassium permanganate crystals at home.A solution of this product has antiseptic properties and is used in medicine and horticulture.
This solution also helps diagnose onychomycosis at home.To carry out diagnostics, you must:
- Prepare a strong, dark purple solution in a small container.
- Pour warm water into a basin or other container in such an amount that you can completely submerge your nails in it.
- Add the previously prepared strong solution to the water drop by drop, creating a solution with a soft purple color.
- Dip the limbs into the solution so that the nails are completely covered in the solution.
- hold for about ten minutes;
- Then remove the limb from the solution and examine the nails.Healthy nail plates turn brown and patients remain unchanged.
Advice!Never add dry crystals to your bath water.If the crystals do not dissolve, contact with the skin can cause burns.
Advice!Before diagnosing with potassium permanganate, make sure that the potassium permanganate solution does not cause allergies in you.
How do I avoid infection?
Everyone is at risk of developing onychomycosis, but there are people who are at risk.These are:
- older people;
- People who frequently come into contact with water (dishwashers, laundresses, etc.);
- patients with diabetes mellitus;
- Patients with severely weakened immunity.
In addition, non-compliance with hygiene rules contributes to infection.In particular, sharing things with the patient.Therefore, never wear other people's shoes, use your own towel, never go barefoot in public baths, wear rubber flip flops.
The risk of developing onychomycosis is highest in the following places:
- public places where people use water treatments - showers, baths, water parks, swimming pools;
- shoe stores;
- Nail salons.
In addition, you can easily become infected at home if one of your family members suffers from onychomycosis.The use of active preventive and protective measures will help avoid infections and prevent the development of the disease.
Every person should know the answer to the question of how to recognize nail fungus.If you know what a diseased nail looks like, you can detect negative changes in a timely manner.If onychomycosis is detected in the early stages, curing the disease is much easier.However, in advanced stages, treatment will be difficult and lengthy;The course of treatment can last a year or longer.