Onychomycosis or nail fungus is one of the most widespread and insidious disease, that needs to be treated, in order not to cause the development of complications. This disease affects the nail plate in your hands or feet, and then and the nearby area of the skin. The affected area has an unattractive appearance and perceived as a serious aesthetic problem, which can be the cause of many complexes. In addition, during the progression of the disease, the body is suffering from toxins, microflora and fungal highlights, in the course of their life. For this you need to learn how to identify nail fungus in the initial phase.
The nail fungus in the initial phase, sources of infection
The nail fungus in the initial phase, flowing almost asymptomatic, this is his main danger. The spores of the fungus are always present in the environment, they are able to survive on the surface of the soil even with temperatures below zero. But it is particularly favorable for their hot and humid climate, in which they reproduce at an incredible rate.
Routes of infection fungal infection lot. The danger is lurking everywhere, because all that is necessary to the fungus to the breeding site is located in the microscopic scales of skin and nails, that spreads around him a man sick of onychomycosis. To do this, it is enough to walk barefoot, to wear others ' slippers, use a towel or simply tighten the handrail in public transport.
When this infection the faster it is rooted in the body, in the case, when its defenses are weakened, and the skin there is no damage (scratches, cracks, corn). Lovers of the procedures the bathroom, you should know that the greatest danger are the wooden benches, floors, and other objects of daily use of this natural material. The fact is that wood has a porous structure and an accurate disinfection is not able to completely remove him the mycelium of the fungus.
The reasons that lead to infection
The fungus may easily penetrate inside the body and start its destructive activities, are necessary for some conditions. It is known that fungal infection most often are the elderly and patients with low immunity. In addition, to promote the infection can the following factors:
- The violation of the rules of personal hygiene.
- Damage to the skin (abrasions, scratches, scrapes), through which the spores of the fungus to easily penetrate in the body.
- The constant contact with water or chemicals and detergents, causing the skin on the fingers becomes dry and easily damaged.
- Wear synthetic clothes and tight shoes that are uncomfortable from synthetic materials. The clothing and shoes do not give the skin to breathe, causing an increase in perspiration and create a warm and moist environment favorable for the proliferation of fungi.
- Irregularities of the functioning of the endocrine system and the immune system;
- The chronic diseases (diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders, DIGESTIVE disorders, venous insufficiency).
- The intake of some drugs (antibiotics, hormones, contraceptives and cytotoxic drugs).
- Professional factor. Fungal infections often affect the representatives of the professions connected with the customer service (hair stylists, massage therapists, cashiers, personnel of the baths and saunas).
- The climatic characteristics of the terrain. Most at risk are the inhabitants of areas with hot and humid climate, as well as the ideal conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.
- The age factor. Often fungal nail is diagnosed in people of advanced age, and this is due to the fact that with age is slowing down the growth of the nail plate and worsens its supply of nutrients.
Numerous studies and inexorable statistics indicate that every lived 10 years of life increase the risk of getting a fungal infection in 2 times.
The mechanism of infection
After that the spores of the fungus penetrates through the affected skin starts developing infections. After the shot of the spores of the fungus in the skin passes a certain incubation period, which lasts a very long time. This time, it is necessary that the fungus, to start the playback. The fungus takes root, where for him a fertile ground: under the nails and on the skin stop. Today there are up to 50 varieties of mushrooms can cause shock to the nail plate, but the main share still represents a group of the dermatomitsety.
The pathological process in systemic administration for onychomycosis is localized to the nail, and under his plate, the nail bed. As the penetration of the fungus in the tissue depths develops subungual hyperkeratosis, which favors the detachment of the nail plate and its slow destruction.
For the time to determine the onset of the disease, it is necessary to know how the initial stage of nail fungus. In fact, without adequate and effective treatment of onychomycosis disease will always progress, and can accompany the person for life.
The symptoms of the initial phase of the onychomycosis
Nail fungus called fungus – parasites, that it begins to destroy healthy tissue after just a couple of days after the infection. To solve this bad situation is only possible if you take timely measures. Otherwise there will be a gradual destruction, and the layering of the nail plate, which can lead to the complete loss of the nail, and other things in unpleasant complications.
As a consequence of the disease, the nails will look very specific, which you can see in the photos the initial stage of nail fungus. Thickens, changes color and shape, with the passing of time cannot be cut with normal manicure scissors.
Depending on the type of fungus the symptoms of the disease may be different, but there are some symptoms that are characteristic of all types:
- itching in the affected area – these feelings especially prevent you from perform usual activities of daily living.
- between the fingers of the hands and feet, redness, and irritation of the skin;
- clouding of the nail plate, disappearance of a healthy sheen;
- between the nail and the bed to form a gap;
- the color change of the nails, that pale pink that takes on a grey, yellowish, brown, brown and black, also shades;
- the appearance of cracks on the skin of the fingers of the hands or feet;
- the exfoliation of the nail;
- increased fragility of the nails, which then begins to crumble and collapse;
- the bad odor.
Particularly fast, the initial phase is take place in the case that a person prefers to wear tight shoes and uncomfortable by a lot of synthetic material, does not allow the air and prevent ventilation. This enhances the breathability and creates a warm and moist environment favorable for the development of the fungus.
Often the nail fungus affects the legs, although it can sometimes be noticed and on the hands. First of all, in the structure of the nail they form more yellowish cavities, which appear as spots and stains. Then the plate of the nail into the hand becomes thicker and darker. The person who is sick and realizes that for him it becomes difficult to cut the nails of normal pincers, as well as their processing with the help of lime or of special pliers.
The treatment of nail fungus in the initial phase on the feet and hands
It is not necessary to attempt to treat the nail fungus. Just as there are different types of mushrooms and not all medications are equal to their effective, can be only purchased in a pharmacy of a medicine in this case will prove to be useless. Therefore it is worth to remember that at any stage of the disease, without the intervention of medical experts cannot do.
After having defined the initial phase of the fungus of the nails on the hands or feet, it is necessary to start the treatment. The optimal scheme of treatment and the drugs necessary to select a dermatologist on the basis of the results of the analysis.
There are 2 ways to treat nail fungus:
- antifungal agents for local use;
- drugs for oral administration.
Modern anti-fungal drugs help in the treatment of the disease, are used for the external machining-affected nails.
The removal tool hit the nail
The doctor may prescribe medicines. They have to manage the nails once a day. Before applying a new layer of healing tool, the legs of steam in the hot water, and the top layer of the nail clean with a nail file. These medicines are a great alternative to surgery, because they allow in short time to remove the nails.
Drops from nail fungus. Contain substances with antiseptic and antifungal (essential oils, waxes, acids), as well as urea, to promote the dissolution of the infected nail plate.
Then the nail close in a plaster and leave for a certain period of time (from 1 to 4 days). The procedure is repeated in the same order until the nails is completely erased.
External means from the mushrooms in the initial phase
In the composition for integrated treatment of onychomycosis specialist necessarily will include external means by fungus.
Means external use according to the instructions. The standard scheme of treatment involves the application of drugs to the nails 1-2 times daily. Some anti-fungal lucky, it's enough to apply only 1 time per week. Are safe to prevent the spread of infection and promote the destruction of the fungus.
The treatment of nail fungus in the initial phase of the popular ways
For the best effect, except for the main course of therapy, as designated by the attending physician, it is possible to use folk remedies.
- Well established itself in the cleaning of the nail plate of iodine. Need 2 times per day, apply iodine to the nail and the skin around it, that allow you to kill the active spores of the fungus and disinfect the affected area. As well as the iodine dries the nails, after weeks of course need to take a break for a couple of days.
- Garlic has powerful disinfectant properties and rapidly destroys the microflora pathogenic, so it is often used for the treatment of onychomycosis. Need to take one clove of garlic, clean it and grate it. The dough it was necessary to apply it on the affected area and wrap with a bandage. Leave the mixture for one night, and in the morning remove. Perform the procedure to improve the condition.
- The juice of the celandine will also help to eliminate the fungus with the nails. It is necessary to take the stem of the plant and upset. On-site demolition stands out dense yellowish milky juice. Fresh juice smeared over the affected nails. But before applying this method, it is necessary to check if the same allergies, in order not to have negative consequences.
- Onions help you cope with the fungus, yeast type. You need to clean the onions from the peel, rub on a grater and the mass mix with a tablespoon of honey. It is enough to hold this mixture on the nail plate only a few hours per day and after a couple of days will already be obvious improvements.
- Alleviate the condition of the nail when fungus help bath with baking soda. For the preparation of the solution, it is necessary to take 1 tablespoon of baking soda to 2.5 gallons of water and add liquid soap. Take the bowl you need each day for 15 minutes.
Folk remedies for the treatment of nail fungus quite effective, but the best combination therapy treatment, designated by the doctor. The complex therapy will allow you to deal with the infection in a short time, to give nails a healthy appearance and restore their structure.
Treatment of onychomycosis is complete when the impressive athlete the nail plate is completely replaced healthy. This is a long process, however, the therapy must be exceeded up to the end, stop. To confirm the absence of the microflora fungal need of laboratory analysis, which are two times: two weeks after the end of treatment and after a month.
Only in that case when the result of the analysis both of the times it is negative, you can assume that it has arrived full recovery. But in this case can not be complacent, to avoid possible recurrences of the disease and avoid infection, it is necessary to adhere strictly to the rules of hygiene and the use of antifungal agents (lacquers, cream, ointment) for the purposes of prevention.
When funds are not able to help in the treatment of the fungus in the initial phase, it is possible to use medications to base natural.
Prevention
The main methods of prevention of the fungus of the nails of hands and they are:
- the personal hygiene. Hands should be washed thoroughly after the trip with public transport, excursion, shop, etc;
- the application of baths to the hands – will improve the immunity of the local;
- apply on the skin of the hands prior cream with antifungal effect;
- perform nail extensions not more than 1 time in 6 months;
- only use personal nail set.
To avoid the appearance of fungus of the toenails, it is necessary to respect the following measures:
- wear only shoes dry;
- use socks made of natural materials, which provide a good air and transfer of heat;
- in public areas, swimming pool, Turkish bath, SPA wellness, etc enjoy only their shoes;
- do not use extraneous pedicure sets.
Not worth to paint the affected nails lacquer colored, as well as is even more damaging to them, and slows down the recovery.
Effective and correctly selected treatment plan is not all. It is necessary to disinfect thoroughly all the surfaces that come into contact with the patient – bed linen, clothes, shoes, sex, etc. the Man, who had onychomycosis, will be largely affected by this disease.