Not everyone knows what toenail fungus looks like and can initially identify this disease and begin treatment. Itching, redness of the skin, peeling and cracking are all signs of this condition. However, there are other diseases with similar symptoms, such as eczema or psoriasis. And even the toenails can change their appearance not due to a fungal infection, but due to psychological stress or a number of diseases of the internal organs. So the final diagnosis can only be made by a doctor after receiving the test results. And the patient's task is to consult a doctor in time if any warning signs appear.
The main symptoms of mycosis
Symptoms characteristic of mycosis of the feet are peeling and most often of a certain shape in the form of rings or plates. Sometimes it is so insignificant that such a situation can last for many months, if not years, and at the same time not cause much discomfort either. At the same time, some people try to fight such manifestations of mycosis on their own. They use folk remedies such as iodine, vinegar and bright green, and for a while the disease really disappears. More precisely, it seems so, but in reality this treatment leads to the fact that the fungus on the legs simply freezes and then continues to multiply when a more favorable situation arises.
In addition, if at an early stage such a disease is not completely cured, but only the symptoms are removed, then very soon it will spread to the nail and smooth skin. Not to mention, other family members can get the fungal disease.
The degree of injury in mycosis of the feet depends on many factors. If there are such prerequisites as microtrauma, various pathologies of the endocrine system, diabetes mellitus, if a person undergoes a certain treatment with glucocorticoids or cytostatics, all this contributes to the further development of the disease.
One day the period of relative stability ends, and the patient does not see the most attractive image: it is not just about peeling on the skin, but also about bubbles, weeping cracks on the foot, suppuration. All these are classic symptoms that are present in the later stages of the development of the pathology. At the same time, the initial stage of the toenail fungus is visible. Although the type of microorganisms can be examined in more detail only under a microscope, their activity is much more noticeable - this is a change in the shape and color of the nails, hence their thickening and destruction.
Fungus on the nails and its manifestations
Flexibility of toenails manifests itself in different ways. It all depends on the stage of the disease and the type of fungus that causes it. Normally, the nail should be smooth, pink and even shiny. If the condition of the nails is far from the described ideal, then something is happening to the body.
The nails grow at a certain speed. When a person is under stress, this rate decreases and the nail becomes thinner and weaker. Then the body returns to normal, and the nails return to their original state from the point of growth indicators, but this faint strip on the nail plate still remains. And if a person's life is quite nervous, there may be several similar streaks. In addition, nail fungus (and this is the scientific name for nail fungus) is not the only disease that leads to a change in the color of the nail plate or its shape. Pathologies such as immune failures, hormonal imbalances and other endocrine system disorders lead to exactly the same results. That is why it is necessary to conduct a case-by-case analysis.
The appearance of the fungus largely depends on which microorganisms caused onychomycosis. And it can be provoked by several types. For example, if we are talking about dermatophytes, the fungus looks just like a clouding of the nail. This is a manifestation of the early stage of toenail fungus. After that, yellow spots may appear along the edge of the plate and also in the center. Then longitudinal stripes appear, and the nail begins to collapse.
Otherwise, problems caused by yeast appear. In such cases, the nail plate becomes noticeably thinner, acquires a grayish tint and after some time already moves away from its normal position. This is largely due to the fact that metabolism deteriorates in damaged cells. At the same time, the furrows that appeared on the nail fold finally confirm the diagnosis - yeast fungus.
Mold should be mentioned separately. It usually affects only the nail plate, causing it to become cloudy and discolored; it can be light yellow, greenish, brown and even black.
The peculiarity of these mushrooms is that they cause only superficial damage and do not penetrate deep inside.
It is clear that the diagnosis can only be made by the attending physician, who will take into account all the symptoms and carry out tests. Self-treatment without going to a doctor is fraught with very unpleasant consequences.
Stages and types of onychomycosis
Considering the stages of onychomycosis, many confuse them with the varieties of this disease, of which there are three. This is normotrophic, hypertrophic and atrophic onychomycosis.
For example, with normotrophic onychomycosis, the color of the nail changes, streaks and spots may appear, but its thickness and shine remain normal. Many people think that this is a nail fungus, the initial stage of which is about to develop into a more serious pathology, but in reality the fungus in such situations responds well to treatment.
With hypotrophic onychomycosis, the color of the nail changes, its luster is lost, the nail itself thickens and its deformation occurs, in some cases even destruction along the edges. The onycholitic species is often called atrophic. This is not the same toenail fungus, the initial stage of which is expressed in cracks and discoloration, here the treatment will be different, as the affected part of the plaque atrophies.
Treatment of mycosis of the feet and nails
The first thing to do with this disease is to see a doctor who will help you choose a drug that meets the following requirements:
- high antifungal activity, which allows you to fight different types of infectious agents;
- a sufficiently high concentration of the active substance both in the preparation itself and in the surface layers of the skin after its application;
- complex antifungal and antibacterial therapy;
- no contraindications and side effects, including allergic reactions;
- ease of use.
In light of these demands, it is not surprising that the drug selection phase is so important. As a rule, in the absence of complications, drugs based on substances such as ciclopirox and naftifine are used. They are produced in the form of ointments, less often in the form of tablets. In a more severe stage of mycosis, it is recommended to treat it with drugs based on terbinafine and fluconazole.
Tablets should be taken if ointments and creams for external use have not given effect. The dosage of the tablets should be checked with the attending physician. As a rule, all these are quite strong remedies, so the course of treatment is about 7-10 days, although there are drugs that can be taken even for 3-4 weeks.
The attending physician prescribes such therapy, taking into account what other drugs the patient will take. These drugs can have the side effect of vomiting or dizziness. This is considered valid. Generic drugs are milder than the original ones, but the effect of them is minimal.
Operational interventions
Previously, in advanced cases, surgical removal of the affected tissue was practiced. This was especially true of the nails. Now they use a drill like the one used in dental offices. Even in the most advanced cases, cutting almost all nails will take about half an hour. And if the problem is only in an affected nail, it will only take about 5 minutes.
There is no need to take additional precautions after the procedure. This procedure does not cause painful sensations, you can lead a normal lifestyle, go for a morning jog. It is only important to make sure that the affected areas of the skin are not injured.
A nail treatment with such a preparation is not enough, however it will have to be repeated at least one more time, 3-4 weeks after the first treatment, when the nails grow a little. In general, it is necessary to tune in that this process is long, it can take a month, and if things have gone far enough, then several months. For example, there are cases when for the first 3-4 months a patient performs a nail treatment with such a tool every 2-3 weeks, then takes medication for several months.
Are folk remedies effective?
Any doctor will say that the recipes of traditional medicine for such a disease are not effective and even harmful. Firstly, neither vinegar, nor herbs, nor honey, despite its antiseptic agents, practically do not affect the fungus. Yes, you can hear from friends that some of these recipes helped get rid of itchiness or cracks. Well then these signs simply weren't attributed to the fungus. Psoriasis or eczema itself have similar symptoms and are perfectly treated with the above folk methods.
Secondly, these medicines help to eliminate the signs of the fungus, that is, they mask it for a while, and this is enough for all family members to get infected.
However, the above vinegar will be effective for other purposes - it can be used to wash bedding and shoes to prevent reinfestation of the fungus. The only shoes that are not washed but thrown away are home slippers, because they cannot be disinfected. Vinegar can also be used to disinfect the tub.