The initial stage of nail fungus is a pathology characterized by the loss of healthy shine, fragility, changes in the color and thickness of the nail plate.Knowing the symptoms of the pathology, the patient will be able to contact a specialist in time.Treatment will stop the disease and preventive measures will prevent the redevelopment of the pathology.
Insidious onychomycosis
One of the most common infectious diseases is onychomycosis, commonly known as nail fungus.The pathology is not only common, but very hidden, and therefore requires careful treatment.Onychomycosis belongs to the category of infectious diseases.Without medical attention it will become chronic, with serious consequences.The disease does not appear like that, everything depends on the hygienic habits of the person and the characteristics of the profession.People of different age groups are affected by the disease.The fungus most often affects the foot and the big toenail.The nail plates on the hands are less affected.It happens that the infection falls on the hands from non-compliance with hygiene standards during a manicure or from infected feet.There are frequent cases of "family" infection through the shared use of hygiene products.!Fungus on the hands is not only a medical problem, but also an aesthetic one.As the pathology develops, the patient develops complexes.
Pathogens
trihofitii, fungi of the genus Candida are the main causes of infectious pathology.In rare cases, these are mold fungi.According to statistics, about 20 types of trichophytes parasitize human skin.The peculiarity of microorganisms is the formation of spores, resistance to high and low temperatures, drying and antiseptic solutions.Once embedded in the skin or under the nail plate, trichophyte spores grow and degenerate into microorganisms.In the form of thin threads (mycelium), they penetrate into the deep layers of the skin and nails.The mycelium has a dense cell wall that protects them from the immune system and the antibodies that have begun to fight them.!Parasites penetrate the blood and spread to all internal organs and systems.As a result, nails and lymph nodes in different parts of the body suffer.
Sources of infection
The asymptomatic course of the initial stage of the disease is the cunning of parasites.The fungus on the fingers and toes is almost invisible at the beginning of the infection.For the activity and reproduction of microorganisms, a favorable microclimate is heat and humidity.Therefore, it is not surprising that infection occurs in public places (saunas, water parks, swimming pools, gyms, transport, train stations).The carrier of the infection leaves behind microscopic scales of the skin and nails on everything it touches (railings, showers, sauna benches, towels, shoes, floors, sports equipment).Abandoned spores quickly find a new victim and habitat for growth and active reproduction.The first parasites to attack are people who have: low immunity;body weakened by illness;the psycho-emotional background is disturbed;skin injuries, nail plates;problems with compliance with hygiene rules.Wooden bathroom fans are also at risk of infection.Wood has a porous structure and it is impossible to disinfect it completely.Fungal spores are considered permanent residents of bathrooms, saunas made of natural materials or places where wooden household items are present.!Sources of infection are warm places with high humidity, hygiene items, bed sheets, improperly processed manicure tools and sometimes dishes!
Clinical forms of pathology
Onychomycosis is a disease that requires immediate medical attention.First of all, the clinical group of the pathology is determined.Clinical forms: Normotrophic form.Symptoms appear slowly.Parasites attack the nail from the inside.Small yellow spots are observed, which increase and spread over time.Hypertrophic form.The infection affects the nail bed and plate.The nail is covered with cavities and tubercles.Fingers and toes suffer.The nail plate is separated from the bed.A white tint appears.Interesting!The disease tends to show symptoms in several forms.
Manifestations of fungal infection
The infection in the initial stage manifests itself with the same symptoms.The first alarming signs of the disease are the change in the shape and color of the plaque (the causes of the yellow color of the nails).What does the disease look like in the early stages?At first, the fungus is gradually affected, as it progresses and spreads throughout the area.Depending on the location, the following types of pathology are distinguished:
- Distal view.The upper part of the nail is affected.
- Side view.The infection develops on the sides, close to the skin.
- Proximal view.The plate surface is dirty.
- Proximal view.The lesion near the nail fold.
The general symptoms of the first attack of microorganisms are easily observed.The shade of the plate is striking, the pink color changes to pale yellow and later turns gray.Changes occur in the structure, irregularities and tubercles begin to appear.Later, lines in the longitudinal direction, spots and blurriness appear.There is thickening, tenderness and tenderness at the site of the lesion.The infection begins to spread to the skin, which becomes red and inflamed.Fungus on the fingers is more often a problem for women, although in some cases men suffer from this pathology.
Parasites in the hands.Primary symptoms:
- loss of luster, dullness
- white spots on the nails
- as the disease progresses, the plaque becomes gray or brown
- the skin of the skin on the palms and fingers
- there is fragility, delamination, the nail crumbles
- black lines on nails
- changes in the skin near the site of the lesion, it swells, becomes red, peels
.View of nails affected by onychomycosis in the photo.The symptoms of athlete's foot and athlete's foot are very similar.
Fungus on the toes
Microorganisms on the feet, symptoms:
- the plaque is partially covered with yellow, fuzzy spots
- the color is dull, the brightness disappears
- thickening and shedding are noted
- the skin peels off between the toes;slight itching between the toes
- feet emit an unpleasant odor
Treatment at the first stage of the development of the pathology is an important decision, since the peculiarity of onychomycosis is its rapid progress.Premature treatment will lead to deformation of the nail plate and the accumulation of toxic toxins secreted by parasites.Once in the blood, toxins poison the body, disrupt the functioning of vital organs and damage the metabolic process.
Infection control methods
How to treat onychomycosis?Treatment begins with a trip to the doctor, who prescribes an LBC culture procedure (scraping from the lesions) and other studies.A diagnostic examination will help determine the type of fungal infection and the patient's sensitivity to medication.Treatment in the initial phase requires full commitment from the patient.Since the road to full recovery is long, you will need to be patient.To avoid a chronic form, it is important to follow all the recommendations of your doctor.
As a complex treatment is used as follows:
- preparations that hydrate, nourish tissues, restore metabolic processes - creams, ointments, gels
- means preventing the development and spread of infection - solutions, drops;Advanced infections are treated with tablets and injections
At the beginning of the disease, treatment with non-steroidal and steroid drugs (lacquers, ointments) is prescribed.They will prevent further activity, spread of parasites, strengthen the immune system and start regeneration processes.
External medicines:
- Antifungal medications – used against candida and yeast-like fungi.
- Allylamine agents are active exclusively against fungi.
- Cream (main ingredient is snake oil).
- Gel.
- Varnish.
To slow down the fermentation of the mycelium, drugs are prescribed in tablets that have a fungicidal effect.
List of tablets:
- Capsules are a fast-acting drug that does not require treatment with additional drugs.At the same time, varnishes or gels are used to restore the appearance of the nail plate.
- Anti-fungal kit with Chinese herbs - the medicine works immediately using the extract of Chinese herbs and synthetic compounds included in the medicine.
- Capsule - activates the body's defenses, normalizes the state of the microflora.
- Point - thanks to the main ingredient naphthypine hydrochloride, it acts quickly, sinking into the skin and creating lasting protection.The film created by the droplets prevents microorganisms from penetrating into the deeper layers of the dermis.
In the initial stage of the disease, treatment with folk remedies is used.Apple cider vinegar, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, strong tea infusion, celandine oil, pepper spray, salicylic acid 35% work well against parasites.Before using medicines or traditional medicine, it is important to consult your doctor.
Preventing
After treating the infection, preventive measures are needed.
Recommendations:
- do not use someone else's shoes or toiletries;
- only comfortable shoes, made of natural materials;
- clean socks, change daily;
- compliance with hygiene rules;
- nail care with absolutely clean tools;
- strengthening the immune system, taking vitamins.
CONCLUSION
Mycosis is a disease from which no one is immune.Both a person with reduced immunity and a completely healthy person can be infected.Therefore, it is very important to surround yourself with cleanliness, take care of your health and maintain hygiene.Of course, such measures cannot guarantee one hundred percent safety, but they will minimize the likelihood of infection by pathogenic microorganisms.