The initial stage of nail fungus: symptoms, early diagnosis, treatment methods, prevention

Onychomycosis or nail fungus is one of the most famous and insidious diseases, which certainly must be treated so as not to cause the development of complications. With this disease, the nail plate on the arms or legs is affected, and then the closely located part of the skin. The affected area has an unattractive appearance and is perceived as a significant aesthetic problem, which can be a factor in numerous complexes. In addition, as the disease progresses, the body will suffer from toxins that the fungal microflora releases during its own life. Directly for this reason, one should learn to determine the fungus of nails at the initial stage.

The first signs of the presence of nail fungus appear already at the very early stages of the development of this disease, first of all, you can see changes in the nail plate, which becomes yellowish, becomes very dull and dull. Most often, a fungal infection occurs on the nails of the big toes, but in the absence of treatment, the spread of pathogenic bacteria continues. After a relatively short period of time, this disease spreads to other toenails, which also turn yellow, become dull, and after a while they generally stratify, thicken and become very stiff, difficult to cut with scissors. Many are interested in what the initial stage of nail fungus looks like, a photo of which is attached. Let's try to figure this out.

Causes

Patients with the problem of the appearance of nail fungus often come to a dermatologist, and infection occurs in a variety of ways.

The disease can actively develop with complete non-compliance with hygiene, as well as with the use of any personal items belonging to a sick person. So, for example, there is a high probability of catching pathogenic fungi when using a towel belonging to a sick person, or his shoes.

Often people who visit the dermatologist come to the pool, public showers, gyms or other places with high temperature and high humidity. Such conditions are considered the most ideal for the spread of pathogenic fungi.

You can easily catch a fungal disease of the nails at a party, for this you only need to wear slippers, in which the owner often walks, if he has this problem.

In the summer, more than 50% of people come to see a dermatologist after visiting the beach, as the wet sand, which is generously strewn with the banks of a river, sea or some other reservoir, is also an excellent place for pathogenic fungi.

Symptoms

At the initial stage of the nail fungus on the arm, the photo of which is higher, it is almost impossible to consider the disease, it develops so asymptomatically. And even noticing changes in the nail, many perceive this as a lack of the proper amount of vitamins, and are not worried.

However, the disease over time can lead to the rapid spread of dangerous lesions. But still, the nail plate with a changed structure and color will tell about the disease at an early stage:

• whitish spots appear longitudinal, in the form of stripes, rounded;
• natural healthy shine and smoothness disappear;
• the surface becomes wavy, begins to thicken.

Over time, the infection can destroy the nail plate, switch to healthy nails, which often leads to inflammation and suppuration of the periungual tissue.

Therefore, it is so necessary to know the primary symptoms of an initial stage nail fungus:

• they gradually deform, become too fragile, exfoliate;
• color changes, depending on the degree of shades, you can determine the degree of the disease;
• the plate grows into the skin, causing pain;
• the skin becomes darker under the nails;
• itching and burning occur at the fingertips.

If nail damage is due to dermatophytes, early manifestations occur depending on the type of disease:

• with I, the nails of the feet and feet are affected at the same time, then the infection affects the nails of the hands;
• Type II is characterized by lesions of the big toe or little finger, then captures the interdigital folds with the formation of cracks;
• with type III, the thumb and little finger are affected, but the skin does not suffer.

If the cause on the legs of the fungus of the nail of the initial stage, the photo of which is attached, is yeast, it is difficult to determine at an early stage that the pathological process has begun in the body. Only after a while, the nail plate begins to peel off, and skin itching occurs around the nail.

Diagnostics

The diagnosis of nail fungus of the initial stage is carried out by different methods:

1. Visual inspection, in which it can be revealed that the spots have a characteristic appearance for a fungal disease. There may be yellow, gray or brown shades, lack of shine or, conversely, its excessiveness, redness of the skin around the nail. The ring structure is also a characteristic symptom of a hand fungus. Pimples, bubbles with liquid, rough, dry skin and cracks, sores are possible. In children, nail fungus develops differently: damage to the upper layer of the nail, white spots. However, even the initial stage, the fungal carrier can diagnose itself if it recognizes the symptoms of the disease.
2. Sowing method in which part of the nail with a likely fungus is taken from the patient for analysis. It is placed in a nutrient medium and is monitored for ongoing processes for a month. The increased reproduction of fungi indicates mycosis. If the material remains clean, it means that there is no nail disease.
3. Examination under the microscope. Skin flakes or nail particles are placed under a microscope and observed. With mycosis, spore chains will be noticeable, as well as single spores or filaments of mycelium.

How to treat an initial stage nail fungus

Fungal damage to the skin and nail integument is a rather unpleasant disease, which is characterized by damage to the nail plate, cuticle, and epidermis. At the same time, a person experiences constant discomfort associated with the occurrence of itching, burning, shoe pressure on the affected area due to compaction of the nail plate. Today, there are a huge number of pharmacy drugs to get rid of fungal structures. However, they are all characterized by a long course of treatment. Folk drugs and recipes will help to quickly and painlessly cope with fungal nail damage at the initial stage. The main of the most reliable and effective include:

1. Use a soapy solution. Soap solution perfectly kills fungus and other microbes that could get on dry skin of hands or feet, in microscopic wounds. For the preparation of baths use the usual 72% laundry soap. It can be grated or simply dissolved in a bowl of hot water. Steaming hands and feet is necessary for 15-25 minutes. After the procedure, the affected areas of the skin and part of the nail plate are ground with a special file. Then, washed with clean warm water using an antiseptic. Wipe dry with a clean bath towel.
2. Soaking feet and hands in a solution of lactic acid. Lactic acid penetrates well through the skin and kills fungus, bacteria, viruses. You can buy it at drugstores, order online. To prepare the solution, use 3 teaspoons of 40% lactic acid, 1 liter of warm, almost hot water. Before steaming, the nails should be washed well and treated with a small amount of soap. If there are microtraumas on the skin, other damage from the use of lactic acid should be discarded.
3. Antiseptic treatment with ammonia solution. Ammonia solution is a popular pharmacy product that is bought for the treatment of nail fungus in the initial stages. It is applied with a cotton swab to the damaged area steamed and cleaned of the stratum corneum.
4. Treatment with a weak solution of manganese. "Manganese" is widely used in everyday life for treating wounds, small and large cuts, cauterization of corns, for rapid overgrowth of the suture. In the practice of treating a fungal infection, a solution of potassium permanganate shows its effectiveness only in the early stages of the pathological process, in advanced cases it is a good antiseptic.
5. Fungal zone treatment with bleach. Chlorine is a powerful tool that kills 99.9% of bacteria. It is used for sanitation, washing clothes (if seriously ill people live in the house) and for getting rid of various skin infections. The fungus is well destroyed by a solution of bleach, which is prepared at the rate of 50 grams of substance per 1 liter of hot water. Legs or hands are dipped in a chilled solution for 2-3 minutes. After that, the treated area is washed with warm boiled water and wiped dry with a specially prepared towel.
6. Formaldehyde treatment. To process the nail plate, a ready-made solution is used. Apply to the damaged area no more than 1 drop of the substance. After absorption, rinse hands or feet in cool running water. The use of formaldehyde as an antifungal agent is permissible no more than 1 time per week.
7. Rubbing in essential oils. Essential oil of tea tree, licorice, peppermint, orange well helps to cope with inflammatory diseases of the skin. Their use is advisable in the treatment of fungal infections, to restore the integrity and beauty of the nail plate after overgrowing.

Drug treatment of the disease

Nail fungus at the initial stage usually proceeds without any particular symptoms. The appearance of the nails may slightly change, slight discomfort is possible, therefore, it is quite difficult to diagnose the fungus. However, this must be done as quickly as possible, since it will depend on how quickly a person can get rid of it. Typically, drugs that have a local effect on the affected areas of the nails are usually used to treat mycosis of the nails of the initial stage. With a more advanced course of the fungus, the use of injections and tablets is usually indicated. Conventionally, mycosis treatment methods are divided into the following:

1. Creams, gels and ointments are designed to restore the metabolic process of the skin, nutrition and hydration of tissues.
2. Solutions and drops after application penetrate into the deep layers of the nails, preventing the appearance of a fungal infection.
3. Injections and tablets are used as the main therapy when the fungus goes into a more advanced stage. They can be supplemented with drugs from the previous categories.
   

Varnishes and ointments

According to mycologists, in the treatment of fungal infections that occur on the nails, its reproduction should be prevented. This is carried out in a complex - first it is necessary to provide the pathogenic microorganisms with an aggressive environment and conditions unacceptable for its development, then it is necessary to strengthen the immune system, and also start the process of regeneration of nail tissues. Usually, doctors prescribe non-steroidal and steroidal drugs:

• Azoles are used in the rooted development of mycosis for the treatment of many yeast-like fungi.
• Allylamine is similar to antibiotics, however, and the action is aimed exclusively at the destruction of the fungus. These antimycotics help to slow down the reproduction of spores and reduce the colony of candida, thereby exerting a fungicidal cumulative effect on the skin and nails.

Popular drugs

To cure a fungus caused by saprophytes, Clotrimazole is often used. This is a universal remedy that is prescribed for the treatment of candidiasis of nails, thrush, as well as various types of lichen.

"Mykozolon" is prescribed to combat pathogens of the fungus. This drug has an antifungal, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory property. In particular, it is effective in the more complex form of nail fungus.

Gel "Econazole" treats mycosis and slows down the growth of the number of spores, neutralizing the possibility of their reproduction. If this tool is used immediately after the development of the first symptoms of the fungus, it can be completely cured in about a week.

Gel "Lamisil" is also effective in the treatment of lichen, various onychomycosis and yeast infection. The active ingredient terbinafine hydrochloride has a fungistatic and fungicidal effect on nails. In order to cure this disease, the drug must be used for 3-5 days, be sure to together with immunostimulating drugs.

Lacquer Lacquer is the most commonly used. Its active substance - amorolfin - has a powerful antifungal effect. The drug contributes to the normalization of the state of the nail plate, as well as the neutralization of the fungus to varying degrees. But this tool is used exclusively as an adjunct in the treatment of mycosis.

Preventive cream from TianDe, containing snake oil, as well as some other hypoallergenic and natural ingredients. This cream eliminates swelling and removes itching, and also has a fungicidal and anti-inflammatory effect.

Pills and injections

In addition to the external treatment of nail mycosis, the fermentation of pathogenic mycelium should be slowed down. For this purpose, doctors prescribe tablets with fungicidal properties. There are cases when it is impossible to achieve full recovery without these drugs, especially if the patient has developed an advanced form of sporotrichosis. Commonly used drugs are:

• Itraconazole capsules are used for systemic treatment of nail fungus caused by sporophytes - yeast pathogens. This is a fairly powerful tool that does not require the prescription of additional medications.
• "Fluconazole" removes a fungus that is caused by a variety of pathogenic microorganisms. This drug activates protective functions, and also normalizes the microflora. To enhance the effect, you can apply a solution of "Fluconazole" on the affected areas of the nails.
• Drops "Exoderil" belong to the allylamine group and make it possible to fight strains of fungi. The active substance - naphthyne hydrochloride - is well absorbed, creating a protective film that prevents fungal infections from penetrating into the deeper layers of the skin.
• "Xin Jia Liang" is a Chinese drug that is inexpensive, but provides almost instant results. It consists of synthetic compounds, as well as herbal extracts from China. It is noteworthy that this tool affects not only the fungal infection of the nails, but also other pathogenic microorganisms.
• If the patient has itching and pain, it is recommended to apply analgesics to the affected area (Analgin, Lidocaine and Novocaine), and only after that use healing creams, gels and ointments. In addition, soda and alcohol can eliminate these discomforts.

Nowadays, a fungal infection of the nails, which will be detected at the initial stage, is quite successfully treated through the use of modern drugs. Launched nail fungus can be treated for a long time.

Prevention

Nail fungus is a rather delicate problem, which also causes a lot of inconvenience. And if the defeat of the nail plate on the toes can still be hidden, then the bundle on the hands is not. Surrounding people, seeing changes taking place with a person, try to avoid him, avoid direct contact, glance at each other with squeamish. And at such a moment, the main problem for them is compliance with the basic rules of protection against the appearance of a fungal infection.

The list of protective techniques

What is included in the list of protective techniques:

1. When visiting public baths, saunas, pools, special shoes with rubber soles should be used. Do not get up barefoot anywhere and do not sit on benches, benches, boards without a substrate.
2. It is not recommended to use shared showers in case of microtrauma on the skin of the hands, you should also refrain from visiting gyms and sections.
3. When processing nails (manicure and pedicure), you should use only your own tools, well-crafted and cleaned.
4. Shoes are better to buy only from natural materials. When trying on, be sure to use bamboo or cotton socks.
5. It is strictly forbidden to use general hygiene items (towels). If fungal and other infections occur, they will quickly spread among all family members.
6. Hands should be washed as often as possible, be sure to wipe them dry with disposable paper towels.
7. It is forbidden to borrow someone else's shoes: slippers, slippers, shoes and especially sneakers. This leads to a rapid increase in the number of pathogenic bacteria and mass infection. Processing shoes after a few people is already useless.