Before determining the fungal infections of the nails of the feet, an expert has to pass a visual inspection of the patient and discuss the first signs of infection observed on the toes and the foot. This unpleasant disease occurs in about 20% of the population. The nail fungus can strike anyone of the man during the visit of the baths, the pool, the beach or because of the breach of the rules of personal hygiene, resulting from the use of foreign, towels, and nail files. Mildew spores are not only on a variety of subjects, and on the surface of the shoe.
What is the fungal infections of the nails
The fungus on the nail plates is a common disease caused by a fungal infection that affects all the coats of the members. Usually, it manifests as white or yellowish spot in the keratin layer. In severe cases, the fungus can cause corruption of the plate and spread throughout the body, once in the bloodstream.
Among the pathogens at the origin, there are several types of pathogens. The layer of keratin can hit fungi, dermatophytes, but sometimes, after taking scans diagnose yeasts or moulds and fungal infections. The first symptoms of the disease are not expressed, therefore, at the time of determining the causative agent is not always possible. After the infection of the body can take a few months before the appearance of the first signs.
Looks like fungi on the feet
How to start the nail fungus of the feet in persons infected? Yeast infections have several stages of distribution. During the evolution of the disease on the plates appear to be yellow and white. We must not confuse these changes with traces of injuries of the nail (bruising), following which, under the keratin layer formed of a hemorrhage. Gradually the thickness of plates changes, and the shape of the deformed shape. They become curves, and acquire a wavy surface.
Signs of a nail fungus of the feet
On the presence of the disease say the characteristics with which you can make the right diagnosis. Infected by a fungus the plate has multiple labels features in the stages of the disease:
- the nail crumbles, exfoliate, becomes brittle;
- keratin layer thickens or becomes very difficult;
- there is a deformation of the nail, it bends, covering their wavy grooves;
- the plate tarnishes, loses shine, there are spots;
- feel the pain;
- in severe cases, the plaque breaks away from the lodge.
The first signs of
Hit the skin and the toes, a fungal infection does not immediately cause marked signs of pathology. In the early stages of the infection the patient may notice the symptoms of nail fungus of the feet:
- itching, amplified due to the increase of the transpiration;
- we observe the appearance of unpleasant smells;
- the skin of the feet and the fingers may appear thickened and scaly;
- on the edges of the nail are small spots of white to brown;
- the plate does not seem aesthetic.
The symptoms
The defeat of the nail, caused by a variety of fungus, is different in each case, and is manifested by several characteristic symptoms. The doctors share onychomycosis of the nails of the feet into three groups:
- Normotroficheskie – in the initial phases of the reproduction of the infection manifest themselves, the spots and scratches, changing the color of keratin, the structure of the nail (the thickness, the shape) stays the same.
- Hypertrophic the plate is destroyed, and the edges become rough. The sick person feels the pain, itching. Keratin layer thickens, becoming darker. In addition, the fungus causes scaling of the skin of the feet.
- Onipholitichesky – the spread of the infection causes the detachment of the plate of the lodge, until the removal of the nail. The color of the keratin is a brown or grey, it loses the glow. The disease develops, resulting in an unpleasant smell and peeling stop.
The methods of diagnosis
Many patients are interested in how to determine a fungus on the surface of the nails of the feet to the clinic. Staging an accurate diagnosis of the patient takes place on the basis of the data obtained as a result of several methods of inquiry:
- the analysis of the clinical picture;
- the microscopic analysis;
- the culture of the study;
- The DNA of a diagnosis.
The clinical picture of the disease is the total of the analysis of the complaints of the patient, and the appearance of the keratin layer. Onychomycosis generates a number of changes in the pidermes and the nail plate. According to the results of the inspection, the dermatologist must rule out other diseases: psoriasis, eczema, and so on. For an effective treatment to identify the pathogen, therefore, pass the examination and cultural research. First in the laboratories analyse scraping under the microscope for the presence of fungi, and then to produce the seeding of micro-organisms.
The procedure of DNA-diagnosis is performed to detect the fungal infection in the body. To conduct an analysis in a patient and take a sample of tissue from the nail, which struck the microbe, and scratching. Advantage of this method is a high probability of an accurate diagnosis, and that the result will be ready in a short period of time (a day or two).
How to identify fungal infections of the feet
To cure the infection is first necessary to determine the presence of a fungus. The doctors say that the patients should not engage in the therapy yourself, because it can cause a dependency of the pathogenic agent of the disease to drugs. For the treatment of onychomycosis apply antimycotic ointments, lacquers, solutions, and tablets. In addition, it should be the prevention of the infection – observe the rules of personal hygiene. To get rid of the mold and to avoid the complications of dangerous (risk of contamination of the blood), treat the fungus at the onset of the first unpleasant feelings.
With the help of potassium permanganate
How to determine the nail fungus of the feet by using the potassium permanganate? At home, you can easily discover the fungus using potassium permanganate solution. This method is very accurate, but it should not fully rely on it. Studies in the laboratory to the clinic more revealing. To complete this self-diagnostic test, prepare a hot solution of potassium permanganate to pink color. Then, place the foot in a few minutes. The affected areas do not change color, and the nails colorful.
With the help of iodine
How to recognize nail fungus of the feet and to determine the damaged part of the skin using iodine? The procedure, you can do it yourself at home, causing the solution on the fingers. Iodine easily penetrates into the layers of the skin and, thanks to this property, lets you know if mycotic disease. This substance is not able to determine the presence of a nail fungus of the feet, but it is easy to identify another infection – tinea versicolor on your hands and feet.
How to differentiate nail fungus from other diseases
To establish a precise diagnosis and to distinguish the fungus plates of other dermatological, the sick person should consult a doctor and required to pass an exam. The doctors say that illiterate self-medication can lead to serious complications. The symptoms that accompany onychomycosis, are observed during several diseases:
- psoriasis;
- eczema;
- the gale;
- lichen;
- Reiter's syndrome;
- pachyonychia;
- Darier's disease.