The initial stage of the fungus is characterized by no obvious symptoms. That's one reason why many patients don't know about their condition until some time later, when the pathogen of onychomycosis can cause significant damage to healthy tissue. If a person is very concerned about his health, he will be able to recognize the first signs of infection. Their findings are a big reason to visit doctors' offices dealing with fungal pathology.
Causes of onychomycosis
The initial stages of fungus on the hands and feet are not very uncomfortable. The first signs of the disease, mild at this point, are simply ignored by many infected people. Because of this, they miss the opportunity to start treating the disease in time and prevent serious complications from occurring.
Fungal infections of the nails and adjacent areas of the skin can occur for many reasons. They create optimal conditions for the successful development of pathogenic flora. Generally, onychomycosis is most susceptible to older adults, as well as those with weakened immune systems. Other unfavorable factors may also trigger the development of the disease in its early stages:
- ignore personal hygiene rules;
- Damaged skin in the finger or toe area;
- Prolonged exposure to moisture or chemicals that can dry your skin;
- Often wear tight clothing and shoes made of synthetic materials;
- Increased sweating in hot seasons;
- Chronic diseases affecting immune status;
- immune and endocrine diseases;
- Abuse of powerful drugs;
- The climatic characteristics of the region create ideal conditions for the propagation of the pathogens of nail fungus.
If one of these negative factors affects the human body, he should consider preventing the development of onychomycosis. Otherwise, he will have a hard time avoiding fungal infections.
Avoid tight and uncomfortable shoes. Because fungi like to "settle" in microcracks. Even the slightest damage to the nail plate or skin can "attract". Equally dangerous is the violation of the blood supply to the fingers. The cells then receive less useful nutrients and become easy prey for pathogens. So be careful with your shoes.
Comfortable orthopedic shoes are not only the key to keeping nails and feet healthy, they can also save flat feet, hallux valgus, calluses, corns, facilitate walking, and correct pre-existing conditions. Wearing such shoes every day will bring comfort, not the torture of walking. Plus, modern orthopedic shoes are well-designed and stay in style.
What does nail fungus look like in its early stages?
Nail fungus can absolutely bother anyone. In order to recognize it in time, it is necessary to know what are the characteristics of the initial stages of the development of the disease.
Early signs of infection are felt from the first day of infection. However, their expressive power is weak, so few people pay attention to them. If after visiting a public place with high humidity, a person should be alert for changes in the color of the nail plate and itching in the toe area. These are the first symptoms of onychomycosis. If the nails are healthy, the infection won't penetrate deep into them. Only damaged boards are vulnerable to this attack.
on hand
Everyone needs to know what nail fungus looks like at an early stage. This information will help him to calculate his own or the person's disease from his environment in time.
In most cases, fungal infections of women's hands are detectable. However, representatives of the stronger sex are also susceptible to this infection. The disease is recognized by the following symptoms that first appear after infection:
- The surface of the nail plate loses its luster;
- the formation of spots on the nails;
- change nail color to yellow, gray or brown;
- broken nail plate near the edge;
- Delamination and brittleness;
- Skin peeling near the nails.
Some patients show signs of swelling near the nail. Although in the initial stages of disease development, this symptom usually does not appear.
on foot
Identifying a fungal infection of the toenail contributes to the many features of this condition:
- yellowing on the top or sides of the nail;
- thickening of the nail plate;
- discoloration of the nails;
- mild itching in the toe area;
- nails fall off;
- Bad foot odor.
Lack of treatment in the early stages of disease development can lead to its progression. Therefore, it is very important not to miss the best time to start the treatment process, which will help deal with the infection and prevent it from spreading to healthy tissue.
treat
Toenail fungus is easy to treat if the patient is diagnosed as in the initial stages of its development. In order not to cause disease, it is necessary to give up self-medication. Patients will not be able to choose the appropriate treatment for themselves, which will lead to positive outcomes. Such tasks are best delegated to competent specialists involved in the diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis.
External preparation
Fungus on the hands and lower extremities can be eliminated with topical medicines. The initial stages of the disease involve the use of drugs that have no significant effect on the patient's body but act directly on the lesions.
Comprehensive treatment of onychomycosis in the initial stages of development necessarily involves the use of topical drugs.
Topical preparations should be used in accordance with the instructions of the attending physician and their directions for use. Following this rule will increase the effectiveness of the treatment process and avoid possible side effects.
According to the standard protocol, a topical preparation needs to be applied to the nail plate infected with the fungus in a thin layer 1-2 times a day. If using a special varnish, use no more than 1 time per week.
systemic therapy
At the first sign of onychomycosis, you should consult a doctor. Fungus of the feet and nails is not always curable with local remedies. Therefore, in addition, a dermatologist will prescribe a systemic drug that acts on the causative agent of the disease from within the body.
Oral medicines with antifungal properties should only be taken as prescribed by a specialist. This is because they have a large number of contraindications and side effects. The course of treatment for each patient is chosen individually. It usually lasts about 4 months. If measures are taken at the initial stage of the development of onychomycosis, this period is reduced.
If topical therapy fails to stop the progression of the disease, systemic drugs are recommended.
Laser therapy and ozone therapy
Fungal infections on the nail plate can be treated using hardware procedures. For this, laser and ozone therapy are used. They are prescribed at the initial and late stages of the development of the pathological process if conventional treatments do not bring the expected results.
Laser therapy has many advantages in fighting nail fungus:
- Get guaranteed recovery results in 99% of cases;
- No pain or discomfort during the procedure;
- No negative effects on internal organs;
- complete elimination of fungi;
- The general condition of the infected area improved after the first operation;
- Repair nail plate 30 days after treatment.
Nail fungus on the hands or lower extremities can also help heal with ozone therapy. The initial stages of onychomycosis are well suited for this treatment.
Ozone has an antiseptic effect. Because of this, doctors use it to treat fungal infections on the nails. After ozone enters the human body, it is transported to different parts of the body through the blood. Afterwards, the battle against the pathogen of the disease was fought, and in most cases he lost.
Ozone therapy is completely painless. Its duration is limited to 30 minutes. During treatment, only the infected area is affected. The skin around the plate is not affected.
Ozone, like laser therapy, is prescribed by the attending physician after the patient has passed all necessary tests and studies. Based on their results, experts draw conclusions about the appropriateness of using this therapeutic procedure to help speed up recovery.
folk method
The attending physician may recommend non-traditional treatments and medications. It is good to have this treatment at an early stage in the development of the pathological process. Then it will be the most useful. Onychomycosis can be treated with the following folk remedies:
- iodine. They require regular treatment of infected nails. It is best to perform this procedure 2 times a day to prevent the development of pathogenic microbial communities on its surface. Preservatives not only fight fungus but also dry the nail plate. After a week of such treatment, it is recommended to rest for 2-3 days;
- garlic. This is a natural disinfectant that counteracts the active reproduction of pathogens. A fresh garlic clove needs to be ground up and this porridge is applied to the problem area. It is advisable to leave it in overnight and fix the lump with a bandage;
- Celandine. For onychomycosis, the sap of this plant is useful. It is recommended to lubricate the area of the upper or lower extremity affected by infectious diseases with fresh product. Allergy testing of this drug is necessary before starting surgery to prevent side effects;
- onion. It is effective against fungal infections caused by yeast-like pathogens. Fresh vegetables must be peeled and grated on a medium grater. After the onion pieces are mixed with a small amount of natural honey. The finished product should be applied to sore nails for 2-3 hours. If you perform this procedure several times a day, you can quickly improve your patient's general condition;
- soda. It is used to prepare medicinal baths. It must be dissolved in hot or lukewarm water. For 2. 5 liters of liquid, you need to take 1 tablespoon. l. Soda. It is also recommended to add a portion of liquid soap to the solution. This bath can take 15 minutes a day.
Folk remedies are only used to treat the initial stages of onychomycosis. In more advanced cases, they don't bring much results. But even if the disease is just beginning, there's no guarantee that alternative medicines will help get rid of it completely. It is best to use its methods simultaneously with pharmaceutical preparations to ensure the effectiveness of the course of treatment.
Rules for disinfection, etc. during treatment
The doctor will tell the patient in detail how to act in the early stages of the disease, and will suggest early on what the fungus should look like on the foot.
In order for the treatment prescribed by the doctor to be effective, the patient must also follow special rules:
- Disinfect everyday socks and shoes that have been touched by a person infected with the fungus;
- It is necessary to boil the patient's towels and sheets at high temperatures;
- After bathing the patient, the bathtub must be thoroughly cleaned.
Boiling and sterilizing all acceptable objects and things that have come in contact with people with onychomycosis are strongly recommended. You should also regularly wipe your shoes with a special antiseptic and antifungal solution.
Prevention of onychomycosis
Onychomycosis should be prevented by everyone at risk of contracting this disease. The measure will allow him to avoid needlessly spending money and time on medical procedures.
To avoid onychomycosis, you must:
- Avoid wearing other people's clothes and shoes. If this is necessary, then they initially need to be carefully treated with antifungal and antiseptics;
- Disposable slippers must be used in public places, such as saunas or swimming pools;
- Use only your own nail tools.
If a person can be cured of onychomycosis and further adhere to preventive measures, the chance that he will encounter the fungus again will be only 8%.