The problem of fungal nail infection is quite common nowadays. Too advanced reproduction of fungi in the thickness of the nail plates and in the soft tissues around the nail plate is fraught with complete loss of the nail plate, without the possibility of partial recovery. That is why if you suddenly find changes in their structure or color that are not characteristic of the usual type of nails, be sure to contact specialists for treatment. They will help to determine the presence of a fungal infection and, if necessary, to distinguish it from bruises on the nail, from the manifestation of systemic diseases of the body.
Causes of nail fungus
Compliance with the usual hygiene and infection warning rules is the basis for preventing fungal infection. Failure to fulfill these vital aspects leads to illness. Most often, the fungus gets on the skin and nail plates themselves when you put on someone else's shoes, do bath procedures in public places, such as bathtubs, pools, saunas, rarely or do not wash your feet, do not fight overgrown nails and cracks in the rough skin of the soles.
If the condition and disinfection of the pedicure tools is poor, it is also possible to become infected with the fungus, although it is fraught with more dangerous infections and infections, such as hepatitis B and C.
All these reasons lead to the fact that it is easier for fungal microorganisms to populate previously healthy tissues, for this the most favorable conditions are created, which you only aggravate.
What is nail fungus like?
Signs of toenail fungus do not appear at the same time. Before a clear change in the nail plates of the affected fingers in the region of the periungual soft tissue structures, skin cracks of various sizes and depths in the interdigital zones can be observed. Add to this itchy, tingling sensation in the affected areas. The skin may begin to peel, redden in varying degrees of severity from these symptoms. The main signs of a fungal infection are changes in the nail plate. It can thicken or thin, and a change in the usual nail color is also characteristic: white, light yellow, dark yellow, brown, light green, color combinations. The edge of the nail ceases to be even, in advanced cases the nail gradually loses its structure, breaks, crumbles. In the end, delamination of the entire plaque may occur.
By looking carefully at your friends, especially those who are already mature and elderly, chances are you can easily identify the symptoms of nail fungus.
How can you distinguish an injured nail from a fungus?
Firstly, the bruise on the nail is directly related to the fact that you have recently received a toe injury. External manifestations of a bruise do not occur immediately, but after 2-3 hours. Before that, the finger swells, it may turn red. In addition, the blood accumulated under the nail plate (and this is due to its outflow from the damaged vessels of the nail bed) becomes visible to the naked eye. Its cluster initially acquires a scarlet-pink color, over time it changes to dark red, dark purple and even black. In parallel, the hematoma decreases in size, and at the end of healing it may look like a stitch. The soft tissues of the finger retain swelling, and a hematoma can also form on them. The severity of symptoms depends on the force that caused the injury to the finger and nail plate.
Thus, the symptomatology and the patient's actions that precede its appearance, characteristic of the condition of a bruised nail, are fundamentally different from the clinical picture of a fungal nail infection. The difference is also obvious in the mechanism of development of these diseases: they are infected by a fungus, further damage to the nail is associated precisely with the activity of microorganisms, a bruise is the result of an injury, and a hematoma is formed due to damage to the vessels of the finger, no microorganism is involved in the pathogenesis. Also, nail fungus is treated by a dermatovenereologist or dermatologist, while a hematoma is closer to the activities of traumatologists and surgeons.
Method for checking fungal infection with potassium permanganate
Such a quick and easy recipe for diagnosing a fungus can be used at home. The main substance for the determination is potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), which must be diluted with plain water to obtain its faint purple color. Then you have to put your feet in the colored water and let them soak for a few minutes. If your nails really do have a fungus, potassium permanganate will not stain the affected areas (they will turn white). The healthy part of the nail plates will turn brown. Then you can easily diagnose the disease.
After finishing this experience, do not forget to treat your nails with hydrogen peroxide for disinfection. And be sure to contact a specialist if you find a positive diagnostic result. Now you know how to recognize nail fungus at home without much effort.
Diagnosing nail fungus in the hospital certainly includes other more accurate laboratory methods to get to the bottom of the problem.
We treat nail fungus with medication
As you know, many people prefer attempts at folk treatment of any disease to modern drug treatment by doctors. It is possible that nail fungus can be treated with folk methods in some cases, but there is no evidence base for this. That is why the main recommendation if you have a fungal nail infection is to follow doctor's prescriptions, adhere to treatment with pharmacological preparations.
Depending on how far the disease has gone, drug forms are selected. Fundamentally, they are divided into local (local) and general means of action. These drugs contain antifungal agents - a special group of pharmacological substances.
In the early stages of fungal infection, it is preferable to use local remedies (ointments, creams, gels). If the fungus has already managed to enter the general circulation, which is the most serious result, or the nail plate is significantly affected, the treatment is supplemented with general preparations (pills or infusions of solutions).
The list of antifungal drugs intended for the treatment of fungal infections of the toenails includes: levorin, nystatin, fluconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, amphotericin B, griseofulvin, itraconazole, terbinafine. These are the names of the active substances that form the basis of the treatment. These funds can be part of various drugs. That is, the last drugs are just the trade names of the substances listed first. In order not to get confused with the remedy, form of use and dosages, consult with specialists and follow their treatment recommendations.
The most common treatment methods include:
- soda baths
- iodine treatment
- Vinegar or Vinegar Essence Therapy
- fungus treatment with washing powder
Folk methods are effective only in the initial stages, along with medications.
Preventing nail fungus infection
To protect yourself from fungal microorganisms, you do not need to adhere to any special rules, they are all simple if you introduce them into your daily routine. To begin with, refuse to wear someone else's shoes, even in the most harmless in your opinion cases. Also be sure to wear slippers and individual slates in baths, saunas, pools.
Constantly take care of your feet, remove germs well with soap, dry your skin. Try to avoid shoes that make your feet sweat. Be aware of the appearance of cracks in the skin of the feet, especially near the nail plates and in the interdigital spaces. Change socks daily and when soiled. And if foot sweating is not your not very pleasant routine, then we advise you to take an interest in special baths, they can help you a lot.
Yeast infection is a common disease among the country's population today. Many are not even aware of its presence, referring, perhaps, to the symptoms of a broken nail or banal everyday pollution. But, as you have already seen, the fungus causes quite characteristic clinical manifestations. It is enough to take a closer look at the feet and seek medical help for treatment in time, but it is better to tackle the prevention of infections.