The initial stage of the fungus is distinguished by the absence of pronounced symptoms. This is one of the reasons why many patients become aware of their disease only after some time, when the pathogens of onychomycosis cause significant damage to healthy tissues. If a person is very careful about their health, he will be able to recognize the first signs of infection. Their discovery is a serious reason to visit a doctor's office that deals with fungal diseases.
Reasons for the development of onychomycosis
The initial stage of the fungus on the hands and feet does not bring a person much discomfort. The first signs of the disease, which at this point are mild, are simply ignored by many infected. Because of this, they miss the opportunity to start timely treatment of the disease and prevent the occurrence of serious complications.
There are many reasons that can cause a fungal infection to develop on the nails and adjacent areas of the skin. They create optimal conditions for the successful development of pathogenic microflora. As a rule, nail fungus is more susceptible to older people and people with weakened immune systems. Other adverse factors can also provoke the development of the initial stage of the disease:
- Neglect of the rules of personal hygiene;
- Damage to the skin in the area of the fingers or toes
- Prolonged contact with moisture or chemicals that dry the skin
- Regularly wear tight-fitting clothes and shoes made of synthetic materials;
- Increased sweating during hot seasons;
- Chronic diseases affecting the state of immunity;
- Immune and endocrine diseases;
- Abuse of powerful drugs;
- Climatic features of the area that create ideal conditions for the reproduction of the causative agent of nail mycosis.
If one of these negative factors affects the human body, then it should think about the prevention of the development of onychomycosis. Otherwise, it will be difficult for him to avoid infection with the fungus.
Avoid tight and uncomfortable shoes. Since the fungus likes to "settle" in the microcracks. Even the slightest damage to the nail plate or skin "attracts". Also dangerous is the violation of the blood supply in the fingers. Then the cells receive less useful nutrients and become easy prey for pathogens. So be careful with your shoes.
Comfortable orthopedic shoes are the key not only to healthy nails and feet, but also save flat feet, hallux valgus, corns, calluses, facilitate walking and correct existing ailments in the initial stage. Daily use of such shoes provides comfort, not torment when walking. In addition, modern orthopedic shoes have an excellent design and maintain a fashionable style.
What does nail fungus look like in its early stages?
Nail fungus can bother absolutely anyone. To identify it in a timely manner, it is necessary to know what conditions characterize the initial stage of the development of the disease.
The first signs of infection are felt from the first day of infection. However, they are weakly expressed, so few people pay attention to them. A person should be careful if, after visiting a public place with a high level of humidity, the color of the nails changes and itching in the toe area occurs. These are the first symptoms of onychomycosis. If the nails are healthy, the infection will not be able to penetrate their deeper layers. Only damaged dishes are subject to such an attack.
On the hands
Everyone needs to know what nail fungus looks like at an early stage. This information will help him in a timely manner to calculate the disease in himself or in the people of his environment.
Fungal infection on the hands in most cases is detected in women. However, even the representatives of the stronger sex are susceptible to such infection. The disease is recognized by such symptoms that appear earlier after infection:
- Clouding of the surface of the nail plate;
- The formation of spots on the nails;
- Change the nail color to yellow, gray or brown;
- Crumbling of the nail plate near the edges;
- Delamination and fragility;
- Peeling of the skin near the nail.
Some patients develop signs of swelling near the nails. Although at the initial stage of the development of the disease, such a symptom usually does not occur.
Standing
Recognizing a fungal toenail infection helps a number of signs characteristic of this condition:
- Yellowing of the nail on the top or side;
- Thickening of the nail plate;
- Nail discoloration;
- Slight itching in the toe area
- nail exfoliation;
- Unpleasant foot odor.
Lack of treatment at an early stage of the development of the disease leads to its progression. Therefore, it is very important not to miss the most optimal time to start a therapeutic path, which will help cope with the infection and prevent it from spreading to healthy tissues.
Treatment
Toenail fungus is easily treatable if the patient is diagnosed with the early stage of its development. In order not to start the disease, it is necessary to abandon self-medication. The patient will not be able to choose an adequate therapy for himself, which will lead to a positive outcome. It is best to entrust such tasks to competent specialists involved in the diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis.
Topical preparations
The fungus on the hands, as well as on the lower limbs, can be eliminated with topical drugs. The initial stage of the disease involves the use of such drugs that do not have a significant effect on the patient's body, but act directly in the lesions.
Comprehensive treatment of onychomycosis at the initial stage of development necessarily involves the use of a local drug.
The external agent should be used according to the instructions of the attending physician and his instructions for use. Compliance with this rule will increase the effectiveness of the course of treatment and avoid possible side effects.
According to the standard scheme, it is necessary to apply a local preparation on the nail plate, which has become infected with a fungus, 1-2 times a day with a thin layer. If special paints are used, they are applied no more than 1 time per week.
Systemic therapy
At the first sign of onychomycosis, you should see a doctor. Foot and nail fungus is not always possible to cure with a local drug. Therefore, in addition, dermatologists prescribe a systemic remedy that acts on the causative agent of the disease from inside the human body.
Oral medications that have an antifungal effect can only be taken as prescribed by a specialist. This is due to the fact that they have a large list of contraindications and side effects. The course of therapy for each patient is selected individually. It usually lasts about 4 months. If measures were taken at the initial stage of the development of onychomycosis, this period is shortened.
It is recommended to use systemic drugs if local remedies do not stop the development of the disease.
Laser therapy and ozone therapy
It is possible to treat a fungal infection on the nails using hardware procedures. For these purposes, laser and ozone therapy is used. They are prescribed in the early and late stages of the development of the pathological process, if traditional methods of treatment do not bring the desired result.
Laser therapy in the fight against nail fungus has many advantages:
- Obtain a guaranteed healing result in 99% of cases;
- No pain or discomfort during the procedure;
- No negative impact on internal organs;
- Complete destruction of the fungus;
- Improvement of the general condition of the infected area after the first procedure;
- Restoration of the nail plate 30 days after therapy.
Nail fungus on the hands or lower limbs also helps treat ozone therapy. The initial stage of onychomycosis lends itself well to such treatment.
Ozone has an antiseptic effect. This is why doctors use it in the treatment of fungal infections on the nails. When ozone enters the body, it is transported to different parts of the body through the blood. Subsequently, a fight is fought with the causative agent of the disease, in which he loses in most cases.
Ozone therapy is completely painless. Its duration is limited to 30 minutes. During treatment, only the infected area is affected. The skin around the plate is not affected.
Ozone, like laser therapy, is prescribed by the attending physician after the patient has passed all necessary tests and studies. Based on their results, the specialist draws conclusions about the advisability of using such therapeutic procedures that help accelerate recovery.
Folk methods
The attending physician may recommend the use of non-traditional methods of treatment along with medications. It is good to carry out such therapy at an early stage of the development of the pathological process. Then it will be very useful. Treatment of onychomycosis can be carried out with such folk remedies:
- Iodine. They need to periodically treat the infected nail. It is desirable to carry out the procedure 2 times a day to stop the development of pathogenic microflora on its surface. The antiseptic agent not only fights the fungus, but also dries the nail plate. After a week of such treatment, it is recommended to take a break for 2-3 days;
- Garlic. This is a natural disinfectant that copes with the active reproduction of pathogens. A fresh garlic clove must be grated, after which this gruel is applied to the problem area. It is recommended to leave it overnight, fixing the mass with a bandage;
- celandine. With onychomycosis, the juice of this plant is useful. It is advisable to lubricate the areas affected by an infectious disease of the upper or lower limbs with a fresh product. Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to conduct an allergy test to this remedy to prevent the development of side effects;
- Onion. It is effective against a fungal infection caused by a yeast-like pathogen. Fresh vegetables need to be peeled and grated on a medium grater. After the onion mass is mixed with a small portion of natural honey. The finished product should be applied to sore nails for 2-3 hours. If you carry out this procedure several times a day, you can quickly achieve an improvement in the general condition of the patient;
- Drink. It is used in the preparation of medicinal baths. It must be dissolved in warm or warm water. For 2. 5 liters of liquid, you need to take 1 tbsp. L. drink. It is also advisable to add a portion of liquid soap to the solution. This bath can be taken every day for 15 minutes.
Folk remedies work only in the treatment of the initial stage of onychomycosis. In more advanced cases, they don't bring much result. But even if the disease has only just begun, there is no guarantee that alternative medicine will help to get rid of it completely. It is better to use its methods in parallel with pharmaceutical preparations to be sure of the effectiveness of the therapeutic course.
Disinfection and other rules during the treatment period
The doctor will tell the patient in detail how to act at the initial stage of the development of the disease and will advise how the fungus on the feet looks at an early stage.
In order for the treatment prescribed by the doctor to be effective, the patient will additionally have to adhere to special rules:
- It is necessary to disinfect socks and shoes with which a person infected with the fungus came into contact daily;
- It is necessary to boil the patient's towels and bedding at a high temperature;
- It is necessary to clean the toilet well after bathing the patient.
It is highly recommended to boil to disinfect all acceptable objects and things that a person with onychomycosis has interacted with. You should also regularly clean your shoes with special antiseptic and antifungal solutions.
Prevention of onychomycosis
Prevention of onychomycosis should be done by every person at risk of contracting this disease. This measure will allow him to avoid unnecessary spending of money and time for medical procedures.
To avoid nail fungus, it is necessary:
- Refrain from wearing other people's clothes and shoes. If this is necessary, they must initially be carefully treated with an antifungal and antiseptic agent;
- In public places, such as a sauna or swimming pool, it is necessary to use disposable slippers;
- Use only your manicure tools.
If a person was able to cure onychomycosis and further adheres to preventive measures, the probability that he will encounter the fungus again will be only 8%.