Onychomycosis or, more simply, fungus is a dangerous disease that develops on nails, more often than toenails.At first, the nail itself "sick", then the periungual tissue is exposed to the effects of pathogens.After that (if there is no suitable treatment) they "make their way" to the neighbor's nails, moving forward.If you have onychomycosis on the nails (pictured below), start treatment immediately, because the seemingly harmless darkening of the nail plate can lead to dangerous complications.
Do you think the cause of the yellowing, thinning and loosening of the toenail plate is the result of a recent blow or injury?Do you not pay attention to changes in the hope that "it will go away by itself"?Don't be too careless, the early stages of fungus may already be growing on your nails!
Fungal infection, what is it?
Anyone can "catch" fungus on their nails, regardless of social status, gender or age category.Microorganisms of this type "live" everywhere (soil, moisture, moist environment).The easiest way to "catch" fungus is in public institutions, such as bathhouses, fitness room showers or swimming pools.Spores reproduce well in moist environments, "seeking" their host.Once on the human foot, microorganisms penetrate the skin through imperfect areas, where they begin to become parasites.
The incubation period after the pathogen gets on the leg is quite long and amounts to 2-4 weeks, so it is quite difficult to immediately notice any violation.After surviving the incubation period, the fungus penetrates into the deeper layers of the nail, affecting not only the regrown nail plate, but also the matrix from which it grows.
"It works" as follows.Attached to the nails, skin or hair, it grows in the cells, destroying the main material for their reconstruction - keratin.
Recognizing nail onychomycosis: early stage photos
When new fungal spores begin to parasitize the nail plate, you may notice dullness and a change in color closer to dull yellow or brown.In most cases, the first "victim" is the nail on the big toe.
With deeper penetration into the thickness of the plate, "dirty" spots and stains appear.The plate itself thickens, begins to darken, and the subungual bed becomes keratinized.The plate becomes loose, crumbles and delaminates.
In addition to external apologies, itching and discomfort appear.The space between the nail and the bed increases, serving as a good environment for increased fungal proliferation.An unpleasant smell occurs.
How toenail fungus develops: stages of development with photos
If, based on the description given above, you have determined that you have toenail fungus, the stages of development with photos will help you "calculate" the current form of the infection.
- White or shallow form.In this case, fungal microspores are parasitic on the nail surface.At first it looks like white spots.Over time, the size increases, the plate itself becomes rough, brittle and, when scraped, falls into the plate.
- Distal-lateral form.The plate becomes yellow, the fungus develops on one of the sides: on the side (in the photo) - side lesions;from above - distally.With intensive development, the amount of damage can be observed from above and from the side.
- Distal-side with hyperkeratosis.It is characterized by the presence of cavities in which parasitic microorganisms.This leads to hyperkeratosis - when the nail plate itself thickens and the base of the nail becomes keratinized.
- Distal-lateral form, where the entire plate is exposed to fungal infection.In medicine, the term nail dystrophy is often used for diagnosis.
- Proximal subungual shape.With such a fungal infection, the periungual tissue is the first to suffer.It turns red, changes its shape, and the cuticle begins to separate.After that there is a process of nail dystrophy, where irregularities in the plate appear in the form of grooves.If treatment is not started on time, the nail may fall out completely.
- Total dystrophic form with an irreversible process, in which the nail plate is uneven, has an unpleasant odor, changes color completely, loses its integrity and falls into pieces.
Symptoms of damage to the nail plate by various fungi with photos
Nail onychomycosis can be caused by a variety of fungi.Let's consider in detail how toenail fungus and the symptoms that appear during its development.
- moldyIt is considered a non-penetrating species, making it easy to treat.The main symptom for such lesions is a change in the shade of the nail plate.It takes a greenish, brown or black color.Maybe the appearance of spots and dots.
- Yeast.This variety belongs to the genus Candida.With parasitization, it thins the nail plate.Under the influence of the development of spores, nails may acquire a yellowish color and begin to lag behind the bed.If you do not carry out the necessary therapy, you may notice how the plate turns brown and begins to peel.Not only the nail itself is affected by yeast fungus, but also the adjacent skin, which thickens and swells.
- Dermatophytes.Another variety in which stripes or spots of gray-yellow color appear.Over time, without proper treatment, the edge of the nail begins to peel away from the bed, revealing the hyponychium.
Which doctor should I go to for help?
Without proper treatment, the fungal infection "migrates" from the nail plate to the skin of the feet.It gives rise to:
- itching;
- inflammation between the fingers;
- eczema;
- crack
Pain when walking.A dermatologist can help you solve the problem, and the sooner you contact him, the sooner you will "say goodbye" to onychomycosis.Only a specialist can choose the best way, outline the treatment regimen, and will monitor the dynamics of therapy.Self-treatment of toenail fungus may not always be correct or effective.
How to treat onychomycosis
As we already know, there are several types of fungus that affect toenails.Therefore, the drug purchased at the pharmacy may not always have the desired effect, because the therapeutic effect will be aimed at localizing only one of the types of onychomycosis, and for other types the active ingredient will simply remain useless.By visiting the doctor, you will know for sure what medicine is needed in a particular case.
Based on the test results, dermatologists usually prescribe the following therapy:
- drugs intended for oral administration;
- topical medication.
The latter option is used more often, since most registered cases of fungal infections are treated at an early stage.In advanced cases, oral therapy cannot be avoided.
"Grandmother's recipe" can be used as an aid in the treatment of onychomycosis.But the main emphasis should be on traditional medicine, because often patients come with advanced stages of fungus due to the fact that at the beginning of the disease they prefer traditional medicine and the advice of "neighbors".
Modern cosmetology offers special medicinal varnishes, but their effect is not scientifically based.Please note that you should not cover sick nails with decorative varnish, as this will only worsen their condition.
Prevention of onychomycosis
By following simple preventive measures, you can avoid "getting acquainted" with a fungal infection.Preventive measures include:
- wear dry and comfortable shoes and socks made of natural materials;
- do not walk barefoot in public places (sauna, bath, swimming pool);
- use only your own shoes, including when visiting public places;
- do a pedicure yourself or at a "trusted" salon, where the tool undergoes the appropriate treatment.
Having seen the initial stages of onychomycosis on the nails, do not self-medicate, but seek help from a specialist.