To determine that you have a fungus on your toenails and quickly deal with this disease, you need to know the signs of its appearance.It has been determined that about 20% of the world's population is infected with onychomycosis.People who play sports and go to the pool are included in the risk category.
Reasons for the development of onychomycosis
Faced with this problem, the question arises why nail fungus appears on the hands or feet.Pathogens thrive in soil or air.The best conditions for their reproduction are excessive humidity and a significant increase in temperature (public bath).
Nail fungus on the fingers or toes is an infectious disease, so it develops quickly.The human nail plate is porous, it contains water, keratin fibers, and fat.Therefore, having created conditions suitable for the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms, one will soon expect the appearance of unpleasant lesions.
The main causes of nail fungus are:
- Use tight shoes.Especially dangerous are non-breathable products made of low-quality materials.
- If a person experiences excessive sweating.
- There is a significant disturbance in the functioning of the patient's immune system.Onychomycosis may appear due to changes in hormone levels or due to dysfunction of metabolic processes.
- Often the disease appears after the use of non-sterile manicure tools.
- After a long course of therapy with antibacterial drugs.
- As a concomitant disease of diabetes mellitus or varicose veins.
- Because of bad habits, as well as work characteristics.
Symptoms of fungal disease on the feet
To recognize toenail fungus, you need to know its symptoms.The main symptoms of this disease are excessive dryness, peeling and frequent itching of the skin.Unfortunately, this symptomatology is almost always ignored.After some time, the changes on the nail surface become noticeable.Instead of a shining and healthy color, cracks form, and sometimes there may be recesses.But such obvious signs are often overlooked.
As a rule, patients whose fungal infection has developed into an advanced form are seen by the doctor.In this case, the nail plate changes color completely, the nail becomes brittle, and subsequently may peel off.
If the disease is not treated immediately, the risk of the fungal infection spreading to the skin increases.And because of the bad habit of biting nails, this disease manages to penetrate the human body and affect internal organs (when the patient has nail fungus).
To prevent serious complications from occurring, it is important to diagnose the disease in time.It is better to start fighting the fungus at an early stage.You can diagnose a yeast infection yourself.To do this, you need to prepare a solution of potassium permanganate at home, and then dip your feet in it.A healthy plate is characterized by a uniform, closer to brown color.And nails affected by onychomycosis will be white.
There are several ways to identify nail fungus yourself:
- There is a significant deformation of the nail plate.You should not ignore signs where the nail color changes or a slight thickening of the nail appears.The presence of infection is also indicated by unusual spots with different colors.
- Changes have occurred in the structure of the nail.It is possible to diagnose onychomycosis not only by unusual spots.Sometimes veins and stripes appear on the nail plate.Without timely treatment, they spread and then affect the skin of the feet.
- If the nail becomes loose.Due to the fungal infection, the plate begins to crumble, and sometimes it peels off.
- Instead of a healthy color, the nails become dull yellow.At the same time, the edges of the rollers become inflamed, becoming too sensitive.
- Due to tissue death, an unpleasant odor occurs.
- If the fungus on the foot has progressed to an advanced stage, pain appears when walking or when pressing.
Features of some fungal infections
Before carrying out the therapeutic treatment of onychomycosis, it is necessary to accurately determine the type of pathogen that affects the nails.This requires careful diagnosis.Although the symptoms of fungal infections are similar, there are some peculiarities in the course of this disease.
When the causative agent is yeast, the patient's nails turn a dull yellow color, become very dense.In addition, it peels off the bed.
But if it is determined that the fungus is caused by a mold fungus, the symptoms are shown by a change in color (sometimes green, brown, and sometimes black).In addition, the plate began to peel off strongly, and there were various inclusions on it.
Sometimes fungal infections occur due to the activity of dermatophyte pathogens.This disease manifests itself as a longitudinal strip, which is located in the middle or along the edge of the nail.
You cannot self-medicate.Instead, it is recommended to consult an expert.Only the attending physician will determine how to recognize the causative agent of onychomycosis and prescribe the optimal method of therapy.
The process of getting rid of the disease is always long.However, with the help of a special ointment, the unpleasant symptoms disappear from the skin after 3 weeks.In certain cases, the treatment of nail fungus infection will require several months.In addition to following the expert's instructions, you need to take care of cleanliness.A foot bath with the addition of apple cider vinegar brings excellent results.
It is recommended to regularly treat the affected area with tea tree oil or use a special propolis tincture.
It is possible to prevent re-infection with onychomycosis.You need to understand that for this, everyone in the family must have their own hygiene items.Also, do not forget about regularly treating the inside of your shoes with special alcohol.