Many are not even aware that banal of sweating of the feet, accompanied with an unpleasant odor that suffer more than half of the population of our planet is one of the main symptoms of nail fungus. This disease runs the risk of Contracting any player that does not take into account, for personal hygiene. Nail fungus lurks everywhere, especially in public areas. And the worst thing is that nail fungus — a pretty insidious disease: the treatment is long and not always with success, as in athlete's foot is prone to relapse. In order to recognize the disease and begin treatment, you should know that all signs of the fungus on the feet.
The spread of the disease?
Infection due to parasitic fungi. The ideal environment for their reproduction and development — high humidity combined with warm atmosphere. It is considered that the main places where a high risk of contracting nail fungus, it is baths, saunas, water parks, swimming pools, nail salons, etc. the statistics, However, completely refutes these allegations: nail fungus you can pick up at home with some of the amenities (towels, sheets, shoes, clothes, carpets, bath or shower), if one of the members of the family already has this problem, or at a party, for example, through the Shoes, kindly offered by the host (and you may not even suspect the existence of a disease).
But what are the factors that affect the development of fungal diseases? Celebrate these important moments, which leads to the infection onychomycosis:
- the lowered immunity;
- the damage to the nail plate;
- the poor circulation in the lower extremities that can occur when wearing tight shoes;
- the foot of pathology anatomical character;
- obesity;
- diabetes mellitus;
- excessive sweating.
For, at least partially, protect yourself, you should use only their things, carefully treated with antiseptics, bath and shower, use a personal towel, regularly clean and wash the carpets, disinfect the footwear. And in order not to lose favorable for the treatment of mycosis moment (after all, everyone knows that the therapy is more effective in the initial phase of the disease), it is necessary to know the early signs of nail fungus on the feet.
How to recognize onychomycosis?
Signs of nail fungus in the different stages can be different from each other, indicating that the progression of the infection. For example, the first (early) stages any symptoms are practically absent. To nail the plate you can see a barely visible whitish spots or streaks. These symptoms should be cause for concern, as it can speak of the presence of fungal infection. If you ignore the first symptoms, there is a risk to start a fungus that affect the health of your nails and will lead to the appearance of pus in the periungual tissues and this can result in gangrene and the amputation of the lower extremities.
The second degree of nail fungus disease is manifested by the lack of natural Shine from the nail plate. In addition, the nail changes color, appearing yellow, white and brown stripes. Can deform the top of the nail and the side portions. These symptoms are clearly visible in the photo.
Advanced stage of onychomycosis is characterized by brittleness and delamination of the nail plate, inflammation of the cuticle. There is a risk of loss of the nail. But the bad fact that the disease continues to spread to the rest of the nails of the lower extremities, and the skin of the feet. The treatment in this case should start immediately in order to avoid unpleasant consequences of the disease.
The second and third stage of onychomycosis, the patient can recognize himself: the nail takes on a yellow or dirty brown color, is made wide and of thickness behind the nail bed, it becomes very fragile and brittle. Sometimes it takes a Shoe closed becomes in pain and itching in the skin — unbearable (this symptom is especially enhanced at elevated sweating). In addition, the cause of suspected onychomycosis can following accompanying symptoms appear on the skin close to the nails:
- cream;
- itching intolerable;
- the flaking and dryness;
- the inflammation;
- weeping lesions;
- thickening and cornification.
Recognize the first signs of nail fungus, you should consult immediately to the specialist who will prescribe the best treatment regime.
What impact have different types of onychomycosis?
Define 3 types of onychomycosis, each of which manifests its own characteristics.
- Normotroficheskie nail fungus is characterized by a change in the color of the nail plate: a sick nail can take shades from white to dark green. In the first phase of the disease, the nail may appear white round spots and longitudinal. As the disease progresses in the shade of the nail can vary, and the fungus spreads to the entire surface of the nail plate. However, their thickness does not change, and the natural Shine is maintained.
- Hypertrophic nail fungus manifests itself by changing the color of the nail plate, the loss of brightness of the surface, the strong thickening and deformity. The nails of the feet, exfoliate, and begins its destruction in part.
- Atrophic fungus is characterized by a change in nail color with its subsequent thinning. The consequence of this fungal infection is a rejection of the patient nail or infected area.
To determine the presence of fungus in the nails can be, but, in order to establish a precise diagnosis can only specialist. For this reason, you have to go to the clinic, to take the analysis of the patient scraping of the nail or the skin, that are around. In addition, a dermatologist appoint microscopic examination.
Signs of the fungus pathogen of the disease
The success of the treatment of nail fungus depends on correctly diagnosed the causative agent of the disease. The reason is that the disease because of a fungal species, but several, and each one of them sensitive to certain drugs. That is to say, if a variety of fungal resistance to one drug, another pathogen that wants to say die.
Often nail fungus causes:
- unless;
- dermatophytes;
- mold.
If the cause of nail fungus yeast to begin to identify the disease at the same time is almost impossible. Signs of the fungus in the toe nails in this case are the following (which occur after a long period of time): peeling of the nail plate and light itching of the skin around the nail (the itching can be omitted). Infection nail yeast is in 4-4,5% of the cases.
Dermatophytes impress nails a lot more often that the previous pathogen is 94.5% of all cases of infection of the nails by a fungus. Dermatophytes are of three types, infecting each of them is manifested in different ways:
- For the first type is characterized by complex lesions of the feet, legs and nails. The fungus spreads easily on the skin and nails of the hands.
- The second type affects only the little finger nail or the big toe. Can spread to the interdigital folds, and all the fingers and a bit more.
- The third type is characterized by the loss of the nails of the thumb and the little finger, but the skin fungus does not affect.
This last type of fungus — mold. Its pathogen — fungi. This disease is only found in 1% of cases. Develops the fungus of this species more frequently in HIV-infected people.
Other symptoms of fungal infection of the nails
Often at an early stage of the disease, obvious signs of nail fungus do not exist. However, if you are attentive, you will notice some changes in the structure of the nail and the look in his eyes. As mentioned above, the nail plate may appear longitudinal or round white spots, the nail may become corrupt, while its softness and Brightness are lost. Progression of the disease increasingly destroys the nail plate: in the first place to change its shade, then nail the surface becomes scaly, which thickens or thins, peeling, breaking. The color of the nail depends on the type of fungus became a pathogen.
In addition to the basic features of onychomycosis, there are others
- the fragility of the edges of the nail plate or the whole of its surface;
- the distortion of the shapes of the nail, changing its structure;
- the blackening of the nails.
- cut the nails under the skin;
- dysbiosis, drowsiness, weakness,
- the detachment of the plate from the nail bed, which leads to the formation of plaque under the nail to color white or yellow with an unpleasant odor;
- itching, cracking, burning of the skin in the vicinity of the affected nail;
- dysbiosis, drowsiness, General weakness.
Any deviation in the appearance of the nails of the feet should be alert, as this may indicate that the development of nail fungus. The first action, in this case, a trip to the dermatologist, who must confirm or deny their fears. If this is not done immediately, the disease will progress. At first glance, nothing of this is not the disease. However, in addition to the purely aesthetic problems and discomfort, the fungus can cause serious complications, up to purulent infection of the affected areas and even the development of gangrene. Therefore, do not tighten with treatment, to take measures immediately, as the disease was discovered.