Nail fungus is a very disturbing disease. Severe itching, burning, aesthetic problems associated with the unsightly appearance of the paws are not a complete list of problems caused by this disease. The more you neglect the problem, the more the disease will progress and the appearance of your nails will become uglier. In addition, gradually the whole body will be poisoned by the waste products of the fungal microflora. But how to ignore the initial stage of nail fungus, which is easier and cheaper to treat than the 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 talk about how not to start the disease and what to do in the beginning so that your beautiful, pink nails do not turn into Baba Yaga's crooked claws over time.
Why does the initial stage of nail fungus occur?
Elderly people and people with weakened immune systems are most affected by the infection. At the same time, no one is immune to fungal diseases: even a child can "catch" an unpleasant disease.
Fungal spores are ubiquitous in the modern world, they are extremely hardy and live on the soil surface even at low temperatures. But most of all they "love" heat and moisture, where they multiply very quickly. Hot public places with high foot traffic are favorite habitats of fungi. Baths, saunas, swimming pools, fitness clubs: as soon as a fungal patient arrives in these places, small scales of infected skin appear on almost any surface. Imagine how often you visit these institutions and consider yourself very lucky if you read this article not for the need to treat mycosis at the initial stage, but for general development.
Sometimes it's enough to walk barefoot in the bathroom or wear someone else's flip-flops and you can make an appointment with a dermatologist or mycologist. Of course, you should not worry ahead of time: if a person's immune system is weakened or if there are cracks, calluses or wounds on the skin, the infection takes root in the body. By the way, public transport, which we use several times a day for a long time, is also a dangerous habitat for fungal spores.
The disease can be "caught" in the nail salon, and both customers and employees are exposed to this danger. The use of poorly sterilized instruments often leads to fungal infection.
Many chronic diseases can also cause unpleasant symptoms.
Wearing uncomfortable, tight, airtight shoes made of unnatural materials also often leads to unpleasant infections. In such shoes, the foot sweats and creates a very favorable environment for fungal spores.
Fungal symptoms of the nail plate
The initial stage of onychomycosis fungus is often not clear, so careless people can see problems with their nails when their nails are already seriously destroyed, and the treatment will cost a tidy sum.
So, what signs of nail fungus on the hands and feet can be detected almost immediately? In the initial stage of fungal disease, the nail retains its usual pink color, the nail plate becomes smooth and shiny. Gradually, the nail structure partially thickens, lamination and small destruction appear. There are several types of fungus, each of which may have specific symptoms, but there are common symptoms of fungal disease.
How does nail fungus start on feet and toenails? The symptoms are almost the same: when the nail plate is still smooth and pink, the initial stage of fungal infection is characterized by severe itching. The affected areas are itchy, making it very difficult to perform normal daily activities. Itching and burning can be felt both directly on the nails and on the skin. Often there is a sharp, unpleasant smell.
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 it. The nail becomes uneven, bumpy or wavy, which is evident both to the touch and visually. An easily noticeable gap appears between the nail and the bed. Some parts of the nail become yellowish or even brown.
The initial stage of mycosis of the nail plate can sometimes be detected by peeling, brittle nails. Of course, peeling nails does not always mean that the nails are "sick", but often it is a sign of a fungal infection. Also, we have already said that infection spores penetrate through damaged skin.
What does nail fungus look like - the initial stage? Photos will not be less informative:
Nail fungus - the initial stage, it looks like this: the nail becomes uneven and dull, whitish spots also appear. Most often, this type of disease occurs in women in the "active" arm. The right hands of right-handed people are especially susceptible to this unpleasant disease, because they spend the longest time in an aggressive environment, causing the nails to thin and destroy quickly.
At the initial stage of fungal infection, a change in the thickness of the plate is characteristic for nails and hands and feet. Depending on the type of fungus and the causes of the disease, the plaques may become thicker or, conversely, thinner.
Photos of nail fungus in the initial stage are no less impressive:
Treatment of nail fungus in the initial stage
Like other diseases, nail fungus responds better to treatment in the early stages. In this case, by the way, you can get it with foreign products that are not cheap. There are many local remedies available to solve the problem. The sooner the procedures are started, the less likely the infection will develop.
Medicines are applied directly to the nail or the skin near it. Nail fungus varnishes are fast acting and very easy to use effective remedies. Such preparations penetrate deeply into the nail and remain on it for a long time due to its texture. Medicines are selected according to the type of fungus.
Antifungal drops also penetrate deep into the nail tissue and also have a wide selection of products. They disinfect the nail plates, kill bacteria and prevent the reproduction of fungal spores. Drops that will help treat the initial stage of nail fungus.
Lotions are less common, but can be effective in the early stages. They move on the surface of the nail plate.
Creams for nail fungus are widely available. It is mainly intended for the treatment of the skin around damaged plaques. With their help, infections are prevented from spreading to undamaged areas, including new nails.
A special spray is used to prevent the disease and as part of therapy. Or feet and shoes are treated.
The initial stage of mycosis is mainly treated with local drugs, if the disease progresses, doctors prescribe oral drugs. Such 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. An expensive but effective method at the initial stage is laser therapy. Devices with a laser beam are directed to the damaged areas.
The initial stage of nail fungus may require only 4 such procedures. However, this method should be used in conjunction with the drugs described above.
Ozone therapy involves saturation of tissues with ozone. Special injections are made into the skin near the affected nail. This procedure helps delay the development of the fungus and prevents its spores from multiplying.
Of course, you should not forget about folk remedies for the treatment of nail fungus at the initial stage. There are many of them. Traditional methods are good because they are easy to use and economical. For example, treating mushrooms with salt and soda is very effective at the initial stage of the disease.
Preventive measures
Treating fungus is very difficult: it takes a lot of time, effort and money, and the treatment sometimes lasts for many years. Therefore, it is necessary to take precautions in order not to "catch" an unpleasant disease.
It is extremely important to observe the rules of personal hygiene: never wear someone else's shoes. When you go to the shoe store, try to wear only your own socks, do not use the socks offered by the salesperson. Of course, you can't try the shoes on bare feet.
Wash hands thoroughly with soap after traveling on public transport. It is better to wash your nails with tar soap. Use preventive measures, there are many of them. Treat your shoes regularly with antifungal sprays.
When going to the nail salon, it is better to always have your own set of tools with you, which must be regularly disinfected.
It is important to wash your socks and tights every day, and don't forget to iron them well afterwards. Bedding should be washed frequently at high temperatures.
If the fungus really affects the nails, you need to protect your loved ones from the same fate. The fungus does not spread through close contact between a sick and healthy person, but can be easily spread through shared objects and surfaces. Treat the bathroom regularly with disinfectants: the bathtub itself, rugs and floors.