Onychomycosis or, more simply put, fungus is an insidious disease that progresses on the fingernails, more often than the toenails.Initially, the nail itself “sicks”, then the periungual tissues are exposed to pathogenic effects.Afterwards (in the absence of appropriate treatment) they “make their way” to neighboring nails, continuing to progress.If you have onychomycosis of the nails (photos below), then begin treatment immediately, since a seemingly harmless darkening of the nail plate can lead to disastrous complications.
Do you think that the cause of the yellowness, thinness and looseness of the toenail plate was a recent blow or injury?Do you not pay attention to changes in the hope that “they will go away on their own”?Don't be so careless, the initial stage of fungus may already be developing on your nails!
Fungal infection, what is it?
Anyone can “catch” fungus on their nails, regardless of social status, gender or age category.This type of microorganism “lives” everywhere (soil, dampness, humid environment).The easiest way to “catch” the fungus is in public institutions, such as a bathhouse, a fitness room shower, or a swimming pool.Spores reproduce well in a humid environment, “searching” for their host.Once on human feet, microorganisms penetrate the skin through imperfect areas, where they begin to parasitize.
The incubation period after the pathogen gets on the legs is quite long and amounts to 2–4 weeks, so it is quite difficult to immediately notice any violations.After surviving the incubation period, the fungus penetrates into the deeper layers of the nail, affecting not only the regrown nail plate, but also the matrix from which it grows.
“It works” as follows.Attaching to nails, skin or hair, it grows inside the cells, destroying the main substance for their reconstruction - keratin.
Recognizing onychomycosis of nails: photos of the initial stage
When fungal spores just begin to parasitize the nail plate, you may notice dulling and a color change closer to yellow or dull brown.In most cases, the first “victim” is the nail on the big toe.
With deeper penetration into the thickness of the plate, “dirty” spots and stains appear.The plate itself thickens, begins to darken, and the subungual bed becomes keratinized.The plate becomes loose, crumbles and delaminates.
In addition to external apologies, itching and discomfort appear.The cavity between the nail and the bed increases, serving as a favorable environment for the increased proliferation of fungus.An unpleasant odor occurs.
How does toenail fungus develop: stages of development with photos
If, based on the description given above, you have determined that you have toenail fungus, the stages of development with a photo will help you “calculate” the present form of infection.
- White or superficial form.In this case, microspores of the fungus parasitize on the surface of the nail.Initially it looks like white spots.Over time, they increase in size, the plate itself becomes rough, friable and, when scraped, falls off in plates.
- Distal-lateral form.The plate becomes yellow in color, the fungus develops on one of the sides: on the side (in the photo) - a lateral lesion;from above – distal.With intensive development, total damage can be observed both from above and from the side.
- Distal-lateral with hyperkeratosis.It is characterized by the presence of a cavity in which microorganisms parasitize.This leads to hyperkeratosis - when the nail plate itself thickens and the nail bed becomes keratinized.
- Distal-lateral form, in which the entire plate is susceptible to fungal infection.In medicine, the term nail dystrophy is often used for diagnosis.
- Proximal subungual form.With such a fungal infection, the periungual tissue is the first to suffer.It turns red, changes its shape, and the cuticle begins to separate.Afterwards there is a process of nail dystrophy, in which irregularities in the plate appear in the form of grooves.If treatment is not started on time, the nail may fall off completely.
- A total dystrophic form with irreversible processes, in which the nail plate is uneven, has an unpleasant odor, completely changes color, loses its integrity and falls off in pieces.
Symptoms of damage to the nail plates by various fungi with photos
Onychomycosis of nails can be caused by different types of fungus.Let us consider in detail what toenail fungus is like and the symptoms that appear during its development.
- Moldy.It is considered a non-penetrating species, making it easy to treat.The main symptoms for such a lesion are a change in the shade of the nail plate.It takes on a greenish, brown or black tint.Perhaps the appearance of spots and dots.
- Yeast.This variety belongs to the genus Candida.By parasitizing, it thins the nail plate.Under the influence of the development of spores, the nail may acquire a yellowish tint and begin to lag behind the bed.If you do not carry out the necessary therapy, you may notice how the plate turns brown and begins to peel off.Not only the nail itself suffers from the effects of yeast fungus, but also the adjacent skin, which thickens and swells.
- Dermatophyte.Another variety in which stripes or spots of a gray-yellow hue appear.Over time, without proper treatment, the edge of the nail begins to peel off from the bed, exposing the hyponychium.
Which doctor should I go to for help?
Without proper treatment, the fungal infection “migrates” from the nail plates to the skin of the feet.It provokes the appearance of:
- itching;
- inflammation between the fingers;
- eczema;
- cracks
It hurts when walking.A dermatologist can help you solve the problem, and the sooner you contact him, the sooner you will “say goodbye” to onychomycosis.Only a specialist can best select the means, outline a treatment regimen, and will monitor the dynamics of therapy.Self-treatment of toenail fungus may not always be correct or effective.
How to treat onychomycosis
As we have already figured out, there are quite a few types of fungus that affect toenails.Therefore, a drug purchased at a pharmacy may not always have the desired effect, since the therapeutic effect will be aimed at localizing only one of the types of onychomycosis, and for other types the active substance will simply remain useless.By visiting a doctor, you will know for sure what medications are needed in a particular case.
Based on the test results, the dermatologist usually prescribes the following therapy:
- drugs intended for oral administration;
- topical medications.
The latter option is resorted to more often, since most registered cases of fungal infection are treated in the initial stages.In advanced situations, oral therapy cannot be avoided.
“Grandma’s recipes” can be used as an aid in the treatment of onychomycosis.But the main emphasis should be on traditional medicine, since quite often patients come with an advanced stage of the fungus due to the fact that at the beginning of the disease they preferred traditional medicine and the advice of “neighbors”.
Modern cosmetology offers special medicinal varnishes, but their effect is scientifically unsubstantiated.Please note that you should not cover sore nails with decorative varnish, as this will only worsen their condition.
Prevention of onychomycosis
By following simple preventive measures, you can avoid “acquaintance” with fungal infections.Prevention measures include:
- wear dry, comfortable shoes and socks made from natural materials;
- do not walk barefoot in public places (saunas, baths, swimming pools);
- use only your own shoes, including when visiting public places;
- do a pedicure yourself or in “trusted” salons, where the tools undergo appropriate treatment.
Having noticed the initial stage of onychomycosis on the nails, do not self-medicate, but seek help from specialists.