Among the most common dermatological diseases, doctors isolate fungal infections. Because the clinical picture of the disease is poorly expressed, many do not take it seriously. In fact, onychomycosis can lead to loss of nail plates and even sepsis.
This is the main reason nail fungus treatment should be started at an early stage. It is very important to use special antifungal agents prescribed by specialists.
The main symptoms of the fungus
The clinical picture of the disease has been very well studied. This makes it possible to identify the symptoms of nail fungus on the hands and feet easily, regardless of its degree.
The main ones are as follows:
- Nails change color, turning yellow or green. In some cases, it can acquire white and brown colors. There are even cases when nail plates become of various colors;
- Severe itching is felt on the skin near the nail plate;
- The skin becomes inflamed, redness is observed on them;
- The nail changes its structure, becoming thicker or becoming thinner;
- Exfoliate the skin;
- Change the shape of the nail;
- The nail plate becomes brittle;
- Nail removal.
What is toenail fungus like and the first symptoms
Initially, the disease has no significant symptoms, nail deformation during this period is not observed at all.
In the early stages, nail fungus is indicated by the following symptoms:
- Dry skin;
- Itching;
- The soft tissue around the nail turns slightly red;
- Slight discoloration on the nail plate;
- Nails do not shine, less elastic;
- The emergence of corn.
At this stage of the disease, patients often do not notice changes in the nail plate, because they do not seek timely medical help. That is why it is very important to know exactly what nail fungus is to start therapy as soon as possible. However, during this period the pathology is the easiest to treat.
Important!
If we discuss what kind of fungus on the nails of the hands in the early stages, then the symptoms are similar to those that appear when the nails on the feet are affected.
Methods for diagnosing nail fungus
It is quite difficult to diagnose the early stages of toenail fungus. This requires a number of additional studies. This is mainly due to the fact that the symptoms cannot be well expressed.
Among the required analyzes, the following are distinguished:
- Clinical blood tests. With its help, experts obtain information on whether the body's reaction to inflammatory processes caused by microorganisms is observed;
- General urine analysis. Although this study will only provide information on the general health condition of the patient, this study can also be used to identify the pathology of the corresponding urinary system;
- Examination of nail plate tissues under a microscope. This method successfully determines not only the presence of the fungus, but also its type;
- Blood chemistry.
Dermatologists must describe the results of research correctly. If, at the first signs of the disease, a person turns to a therapist, then he in the near future will still give a referral to a narrow specialist. However, he is the one who knows what nail fungus is on the hands and feet, and, thus, can diagnose it accurately.
How to treat nail fungus
Fungal diseases are treated exclusively under the supervision of a physician. Before prescribing a course of therapy, specialists take into account several factors:
- The degree of damage to the nail plate;
- This form of the disease;
- Level of skin redness;
- The degree of deformation of the nail.
At the stage when new onychomycosis begins to develop, it is enough to use only local remedies. Special antimycotic varnishes, solutions and gels are applied to the affected area immediately after treatment of the affected nail with surgical or keratolytic methods. After this simple procedure, the drugs are better absorbed, and, thus, treatment is carried out faster.
Keratolytic contributes not only to the softening of the nail, but also the removal of the affected area without pain. This procedure is performed using a conventional patch containing urea or salicylic acid.
This patch application should be run according to the following scheme:
- The surface of the nail plate is carefully cut.
- A special composition is applied to the affected nails.
- The mass is covered with adhesive plaster.
- Bandages are changed once a day, a maximum of two.
- Plates damaged by fungi are cut.
- Antifungal agents are applied immediately.
Patches should be changed daily before bedtime.
There are a number of other external remedies that are effective in combating nail fungus.
If the level of the disease has increased significantly, then the specialist may prescribe antimycotic drugs, which must be taken orally. The same funds are needed at the previous stage, but only if local therapy does not provide results.
Important!
You should not give antifungal medication to yourself. Only a specialist can choose the most effective and safe medication, preventing the development of the disease and the occurrence of relapses.
Preventive measures
Fungal nail infection is an infectious disease. Therefore, to prevent it, certain precautions should be taken:
- Maintain personal hygiene;
- Use personal items exclusively when visiting the pool or bath;
- Don’t try on other people’s shoes with unprotected feet, make sure you wear socks;
- Caution is possible when in contact with people who are already infected with the fungus;
- Avoid contact with animals infected with mycosis.
It is important to remember that nail fungus is by no means a harmless disease. Its early stages are not a cause for concern for the most part. That is why the disease is becoming more common. It is necessary to monitor the condition of the plate and the nail tissue adjacent to it, at the first manifestation of the disease, seek expert help.
Because in the early stages of the disease is very easy to cure. If you run it, then very unpleasant consequences will not be excluded.