The initial stage of the fungus is distinguished by the absence of pronounced symptoms. This is one of the reasons why many patients learn about their disease only after some time, when onychomycosis pathogens cause significant damage to healthy tissue. If a person is very attentive to his health, then he will be able to recognize the first signs of infection. Their discovery is a serious reason to visit the office of the doctor who deals with fungal pathologies.
Reasons for the development of onychomycosis
The initial stage of fungus on the hands and feet does not bring much concern to a person. The first signs of the disease, which at this point are mild, are simply ignored by many infected. Because of this, they miss the opportunity to start timely treatment of the disease and prevent the occurrence of serious complications.
There are many reasons that can cause the development of a fungal infection on the nails and adjacent areas of the skin. They create optimal conditions for the successful development of pathogenic microflora. As a rule, onychomycosis is more susceptible to older people as well as people with a weakened immune system. Other negative factors can also provoke the development of the initial stage of the disease:
- Negligence of personal hygiene rules;
- Skin damage to the toe or foot area;
- Prolonged contact with moisture or chemicals that dry the skin;
- Regular wearing of tight clothes and shoes made of synthetic materials;
- Increased sweating during hot seasons;
- Chronic diseases affecting the state of immunity;
- Immune and endocrine diseases;
- Powerful drug abuse;
- Climatic characteristics of the area that create ideal conditions for the reproduction of the causative agent of nail fungus.
If one of these negative factors affects the human body, it should think about preventing the development of onychomycosis. Otherwise, it will be difficult for him to avoid the fungal infection.
Avoid tight and uncomfortable shoes. Since the fungus likes to "settle" in the microcracks. Even the slightest damage to the nail plate or skin "pulls". Also dangerous is the disruption of the blood supply to the fingers. The cells then receive less useful nutrients and become easy prey for pathogens. So be careful with shoes.
Comfortable orthopedic shoes are the key not only to healthy nails and feet, but also saves flat feet, hallux valgus, callus, corn, facilitates walking and corrects existing disorders in the initial stage. Wearing such shoes daily gives comfort, not hassle when walking. Moreover, modern orthopedic shoes have an excellent design and maintain a fashionable style.
What does nail fungus look like in its early stages?
Nail fungus can bother absolutely anyone. To identify it in a timely manner, it is necessary to know what conditions characterize the initial stage of disease development.
Early signs of infection are felt from the first day of infection. However, they are poorly expressed, so few people pay attention to them. A person should be careful if, after visiting a public place with a high level of humidity, the color of the nail plates changes and itching appears in the area of the fingers. These are the first symptoms of onychomycosis. If the nails are healthy, then the infection will not be able to penetrate into their deepest layers. Only damaged tiles are subject to such an attack.
In the hands
Everyone should know what nail fungus looks like at an early stage. This information will help him in a timely manner to calculate the disease in him or people from his environment.
Fungal infection of the hands in most cases is detected in women. However, representatives of the stronger sex are also susceptible to such an infection. The disease is recognized by such symptoms that appear first after infection:
- Staining of the nail plate surface;
- Formation of spots on the nails;
- Nail color change to yellow, gray or brown;
- Crushing the nail plate near the edges;
- Delamination and fragility;
- Peeling of the skin near the nail.
Some patients develop signs of swelling near the nails. Although in the initial stage of disease development, such a symptom usually does not appear.
On foot
A number of characteristic signs of this condition help to recognize a fungal infection of the toenails:
- Yellowing of the nail on the upper or side;
- Thickening of the nail plate;
- Nail discoloration;
- Slight itching in the finger area;
- nail exfoliation;
- Unpleasant foot odor.
Lack of treatment at an early stage of disease development leads to its progression. Therefore, it is very important not to miss the most optimal moment to start a therapeutic course, which will help cope with the infection and prevent its spread to healthy tissues.
Treatment
Toenail fungus is easily treatable if the patient is diagnosed at an early stage of its development. In order not to start the disease, it is necessary to abandon self-medication. The patient will not be able to choose for themselves adequate therapy, which will lead to a positive result. It is better to entrust such tasks to competent specialists who are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis.
Current preparations
Fungus on the hands as well as on the lower extremities can be eliminated with local medicines. The initial stage of the disease involves the use of such drugs that do not have a significant effect on the patient's body, but act directly on the lesions.
Comprehensive treatment of onychomycosis in the initial stage of development necessarily involves the use of a local medicine.
The external agent should be used in accordance with the instructions of the attending physician as well as his instructions for use. Compliance with this rule will increase the effectiveness of the course of treatment and avoid possible side effects.
According to the standard scheme, it is required to apply a local preparation on the nail plate, which is infected with the fungus, 1-2 times a day with a thin layer. If special varnishes are used, then they are applied no more than once a week.
Systemic therapy
At the first sign of onychomycosis, you should consult a doctor. Toenail and nail fungus is not always possible to cure with a local remedy. Therefore, in addition, dermatologists prescribe a systemic drug that acts on the causative agent of the disease from within the human body.
Oral medications that have an antifungal effect can only be taken on the recommendation of a specialist. This is due to the fact that they have a large list of contraindications and side effects. The course of therapy for each patient is chosen individually. It usually lasts about 4 months. If measures are taken in the initial stage of development of onychomycosis, then this period is reduced.
Systemic medications are advised to be used if local remedies do not stop the development of the disease.
Laser therapy and ozone therapy
It is possible to treat a fungal infection on the nail plates using hardware procedures. For these purposes, laser and ozone therapy is used. They are described in the initial and advanced stages of development of the pathological process, if traditional methods of treatment do not bring the desired result.
Laser therapy in the fight against nail fungus has many advantages:
- Obtaining a guaranteed recovery result in 99% of cases;
- There is no pain or discomfort during the procedure;
- There is no negative impact on the internal organs;
- Complete destruction of fungi;
- Improving the general condition of the infected area after the first procedure;
- Nail plate restoration 30 days after therapy.
Nail fungus on the hands or lower extremities also helps in curing ozone therapy. The initial stage of onychomycosis is suitable for such treatment.
Ozone has an antiseptic effect. It is because of this that doctors use it in the treatment of fungal infections on the nails. When ozone enters the body, it is carried to different parts of the body through the blood. After that, a fight takes place with the causative agent of the disease, in which he loses in most cases.
Ozone therapy is completely painless. Its duration is limited to 30 minutes. During treatment, only the infected area is affected. The skin around the plaque is not affected.
Ozone, like laser therapy, is prescribed by the attending physician after the patient has passed all the necessary tests and studies. Based on their results, the specialist draws conclusions about the appropriateness of using such therapeutic procedures that help speed up healing.
Popular methods
The attending physician may recommend the use of non-traditional methods of treatment along with medication. It is good that such therapy is carried out at an early stage of development of the pathological process. Then it will be more useful. Treatment of onychomycosis can be carried out with such folk remedies:
- Jodi. They should periodically treat the infected nail. It is desirable to perform the procedure 2 times a day to stop the development of pathogenic microflora on its surface. The antiseptic agent not only fights the fungus but also dries the nail plate. After a week of such treatment, it is recommended to take a break for 2-3 days;
- garlic. This is a natural disinfectant that counteracts the active reproduction of pathogens. A fresh clove of garlic should be ground, after which this grain is applied to the problem area. It is advisable to leave it overnight fixing the mass with a bandage;
- Celandine. With onychomycosis, the juice of this plant is beneficial. It is recommended to lubricate the areas affected by an infectious disease in the upper or lower extremities with a fresh product. Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to perform an allergy test to this drug to prevent the development of side effects;
- Onions. It is effective against a fungal infection that is caused by a yeast-like pathogen. Fresh vegetables should be peeled and grated on a medium grater. Once the onion mass is mixed with a handful 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 achieve an improvement in the overall condition of the patient;
- Soda. Used in the preparation of medicinal baths. It should be dissolved in hot or warm water. For 2, 5 liters of juice, you need to take 1 tbsp. l. soda. It is also advisable to add a portion of liquid soap to the solution. This bath can be done every day for 15 minutes.
Folk remedies work only in the treatment of the initial stage of onychomycosis. In more advanced cases, they do not bring much result. But even if the disease has just started, there is no guarantee that alternative medicine will help eradicate it completely. It is best to use his methods in parallel with pharmaceutical preparations to be sure of the effectiveness of the therapeutic course.
Disinfection and other rules during the treatment period
The doctor will tell the patient in detail how to act in the initial stage of disease development and will advise what the foot fungus looks like at an early stage.
In order for the treatment prescribed by the doctor to be effective, the patient must also adhere to special rules:
- It is required to disinfect everyday socks and shoes with which a person infected with the fungus has come in contact;
- It is necessary to boil the patient's towels and bed linen at high temperature;
- The patient should be thoroughly cleaned after bathing.
Decoction is strongly recommended to disinfect all objects and acceptable things with which a person with onychomycosis has interacted. You should also regularly wipe your shoes with special antiseptic and antifungal solutions.
Prevention of onychomycosis
Prevention of onychomycosis should be done by any person who is at risk of being affected by this disease. This measure will allow him to avoid unnecessary spending of money and time on medical procedures.
To avoid onychomycosis, you should:
- Refrain from wearing other people's clothes and shoes. If this is necessary, then they should first be treated carefully with an antifungal and antiseptic agent;
- In public places, for example, a sauna or a swimming pool, you should use disposable slippers;
- Use only your manicure tools.
If a person was able to cure onychomycosis and further adhere to preventative measures, then the probability that he will encounter the fungus again will be only 8%.