Darkening of the nail, its thickening, bassoon, and deformation – all of this can be a symptom of the growth of the fungus of the nails (onychomycosis). Many patients confuse the infection with the lesions or psoriasis. To avoid the worsening of the disease, you must know how to identify the fungus on the nails of the feet, its types and symptoms.
The types of fungus nails
Often fungal infection spreads not only on the fingernail, but affects approximately-nail area. It also suffers from the skin of the foot and the tip of the folds of the hands and of the feet (athlete's foot). Among the most encountered disease-causing organisms that cause negative changes can be highlighted:
- yeast – has hit the nail, that makes it more thin, which leads to the dissection plate bed;
- dermatophytes – penetrating the stratum corneum, cause the appearance on it the yellow streaks or spots of white color, that with the time increase;
- the molds, penetrates the upper layers of the plate and changes its color to green, grey or black.
When the infection affects the nails, in the early stages we are already seeing the first changes on the basis of which it is possible to highlight the 3 main types of fungi.
- The distal onychomycosis. Defeat begins with the edge of the stratum corneum, and then the infection moves to the base plate. The nail becomes grey, thickens, or diluted, crumble and, with time, is almost completely destroyed.
- The proximal fungus. It extends from the center of the plate, causing the darkening and destruction.
- Surface onychomycosis. Accompanied by the appearance of white spots in the center of the nail or on the edges. At the beginning of the disease the plate has no deformations, but to the touch, is evident in his ease, which over time leads to a change in the church and loss of the nail.
The first signs and symptoms of nail fungus
The development of the fungus is not flowing hidden. Already a few days after the coup of infection appear the first signs and symptoms with the passage of time it becomes more and more bright.
- The nail weakens, loses its luster, change the design of the plate, appear yellow or white spots, longitudinal stripes.
- Changes the shape of the nail, occurs a deformation, which is accompanied by a thickening or thinning of the stratum corneum. This condition leads to the delamination, low the plate, and following the separation from his house.
- Occur pain sensitive to pressure. The stratum corneum and the tissue is inflamed.
- The appearance of diaper rash between the fingers and the unpleasant odor from the direction of the nails.
Specified symptoms and signs help you to recognize nail fungus in the early stages and distinguish it from other diseases (lesions, psoriasis, eczema, depriving).
Methods of diagnosis
The identification procedure of onychomycosis, or fungal infection usually passes through several stages, that include specific techniques: clinical picture, microscopy.
Originally a specialist draws attention to the symptoms and complaints of the patient, through the collection of clinical data. After the inspection the nail plate and the skin around them to the doctor pre-detect the infection, excluding in this similar diseases (psoriasis, red ringworm, problems with the normal power nails).
For a precise confirmation of the disease, the specialist makes the material of the fence, to go microscopic examination. From the affected area is taken to scrape of the fabric and in laboratory conditions it is treated with a substance.
More accurately diagnose the type of fungus helps the study of biological material. The analysis is carried out after the microscopy. Made for the planting of a scrub. A sample of the affected tissue placed in nutrition for the fungus environment. After 3-5 days, you can get the results of the procedure. Type of fungus it is possible to learn how to build colonies, their growth, and a specific color.
Thanks to the biological research unmistakable type of virus and its sensitivity to certain antibacterial drugs. This not only allows to identify a precise infectious agent, but also to find an effective treatment.
How to identify nail fungus in the house?
Darkening of the nail plate, the looseness and the exhaustion is not always can testify to systemic administration for onychomycosis is. To know if there is a fungal infection, you can use the iodine and potassium permanganate.
We define onychomycosis with the help of potassium permanganate
The procedure of identifying a mushroom requires little time and is easy to implement. In a basin with hot water serves to dilute a little bit of manganese, to obtain a weak solution. Put the liquid of the hand or foot, wait for 5-10 minutes. During this time, the healthy nails turn brown, hit will remain unchanged.
Identify the nail fungus with the help of iodine
Unlike manganese, iodine can indicate the presence of pathogens onychomycosis. The tool allows you to exclude other fungi, in particular, the pityriasis versicolor. If the skin around the nail appeared to flaking, redness, it is worth of these areas to treat with iodine. Healthy skin is practically darkens under the alcohol solution, but affected we deprive places will be saturated, dark color.
How to distinguish the athlete's foot the nails from other diseases?
On the early development stages of the fungus can be confused with skin diseases (psoriasis, shingles), or lesions of the fingernails. In order not to run the events is negative, it is important to know the main differences mycosis.
- Darkening of the nail plate, the appearance of yellow spots and longitudinal stripes, which, with time, become larger and penetrate deeper into the nail.
- Regulate the development of the disease without exacerbations and calm, as is the case for psoriasis. The fungus gradually deforms the nail plate, up to its detachment from the bed.
- The appearance of unpleasant odors and painful sensations also features a mushroom from the lesions or psoriatic defeat, eczema, herpes zoster.
- Causes fungi can be visited in the public places (swimming pool, sauna), wear uncomfortable shoes (small wounds and abrasions), increased sweating of the feet, diaper rash, as well as contact with an infected person.
- The fungus initially appears on a finger, often large, then it affects the rest of the phalanx and the tip of the area.
List differences help to identify the fungus in the early stages of its development. Important is to understand that the self-diagnosis is not sufficient. For an effective treatment is necessary for an examination by a specialist.
Athlete's foot – discomfort and insidious disease, which can masquerade as other pathologies (psoriasis, eczema). It is important to carefully monitor the nails of the hands and feet, and with suspicious symptoms then consult a doctor for a timely treatment.