Nail fungus is a disease that causes many problems for people. Intense itching, burning and aesthetic problems associated with the unpleasant appearance of claws are not the entire list of problems that this disease causes. The more you ignore the problem, the more advanced the disease will become and the appearance of your nails will become uglier. In addition, gradually the entire body will be poisoned by residues of fungal microflora. But how not to ignore the initial stage of nail fungus, which is much easier and cheaper to treat than the advanced stages? It is necessary to carefully monitor the condition of not only the nails, but also the skin of the hands and feet. In this article we will talk about how not to start the disease and what to do at the beginning so that your beautiful pink nails do not turn into Baba Yaga's crooked claws over time.
Why does the initial stage of nail fungus occur?
Elderly people and people with weakened immune systems are more often affected by the infection. At the same time, no one is immune from fungal diseases: even a child can "catch" an unpleasant disease.
Fungal spores are ubiquitous in the modern world, are extremely tenacious and survive on the soil surface even at low temperatures. But most of all they "love" heat and humidity, where they reproduce extremely quickly. Warm public places where there is a lot of foot traffic are the fungus' preferred habitats. Baths, saunas, swimming pools, gyms: as soon as a person with fungus visits these places, small scales of skin infected with the infection appear on almost every surface. Imagine how many times you visit these institutions and consider yourself very lucky if you are reading this article for the general development, and not for the need to treat ringworm at the initial stage.
Sometimes it is enough to walk barefoot in the bathhouse or put on someone else's slippers and make an appointment with a dermatologist or mycologist. Of course, you should not worry in advance: the infection takes root in the body if the person has a weakened immune system or there are cracks, calluses or wounds on the skin. By the way, public transport, which we use several times a day for a long time, is also a dangerous habitat for fungal spores.
The disease can be "caught" in a nail salon, and both customers and employees are exposed to this danger. Using poorly sterilized instruments often causes fungal infections.
Many chronic illnesses can also cause unpleasant illnesses.
Wearing uncomfortable, tight, airtight shoes made from unnatural materials also often leads to a nasty infection. In these shoes, the foot sweats and a very favorable environment for fungal spores appears.
Signs of fungus on the nail plate
The initial stage of onychomycosis fungus is usually not obvious, so people who are inattentive to themselves may notice problems with their nails when they are already seriously destroyed and the treatment will cost a pretty penny.
So, what symptoms of fingernail and toenail fungus can be detected almost immediately? At the initial stage of a fungal disease, the nail retains its usual pink color, the nail plate is smooth and shiny. Gradually, the nail structure partially thickens, laminations and small destructions appear. There are several types of fungi, each of which may have specific symptoms, but there are common signs of a fungal disease.
How does nail fungus start in toenails and toenails? The symptoms are approximately the same: when the nail plate is still smooth and pink, the initial stage of fungal infection can be recognized by severe itching. The affected areas itch, which makes it very difficult to carry out normal daily activities. The itching and burning can be felt directly on the nails and skin. A strong, unpleasant odor often appears.
The skin between the toes becomes red and irritated. Gradually, the natural shine of the nail plate disappears, it becomes cloudy and it is difficult to see the nail bed through it. The nail becomes irregular, bumpy or wavy, which can be clearly seen both to the touch and visually. A gap appears between the nail and the bed, which is easy to notice. Some areas of the nail become yellowish or even brown.
The early stage of nail plate mycosis can sometimes be detected by brittle, peeling nails. Of course, peeling your nails doesn't always mean they're "sick, " but it's often a harbinger of a fungal infection. In addition, we have already said that the spores of the infection penetrate damaged skin.
What does nail fungus look like - the initial stage? Photos will be no less informative:
Nail fungus - the initial stage, it looks like this: the nail also becomes uneven and dull, and whitish spots also appear. Most often, this type of disease is found in women on the "active" arm. Right-handed people's right hands are especially susceptible to this unpleasant disease, as they spend more time in an aggressive environment, causing their nails to quickly become thinner and destroyed.
A change in plaque thickness in the early stage of a fungal infection is typical for nails, hands and feet. Depending on the type of fungus and the causes of the disease, the plaques may thicken or, on the contrary, thin.
Photos of nail fungus at the initial stage are no less impressive:
Treatment of nail fungus in the initial stage
Like other diseases, nail fungus responds best to treatment in the early stages. In this case, you can do with products for external use, which, by the way, are not cheap. There are many local remedies available to correct the problem. The sooner procedures are started, the less likely an infection will develop.
Medicines are applied directly to the nail or the skin near it. Nail fungus varnishes are effective, fast-acting and very easy to use remedies. Such preparations penetrate deeply into the nail and, due to their texture, remain on it for a long time. Medicines are selected based on the type of fungus.
Antifungal drops also penetrate deep into the nail tissue and also come in a wide variety of products. They disinfect nail plates, kill bacteria and prevent fungal spores from multiplying. The drops help cure the initial stage of nail fungus.
Lotions are less common but can also be effective from the start. They act on the surface of the nail plate.
Nail fungus creams have become widespread. It is mainly intended for treating the skin around damaged plaques. With their help, infections are prevented from spreading to undamaged areas, including new nails.
A special spray is used to prevent the disease and as part of therapy. Or feet and shoes are treated.
The initial stage of ringworm is mainly treated with local medications; If the disease progresses, doctors prescribe medications for oral administration. These medications are effective if a small part of the nail plate is affected by the infection.
Modern medicine offers a wide range of means to eliminate the disease. An expensive but effective method at the initial stage is laser therapy. Devices with laser radiation are directed to the damaged areas.
The initial stage of nail fungus may require as few as 4 of these procedures. But this method must be used in combination with the medications described above.
Ozone therapy involves saturating tissues with ozone. Special injections are given into the skin near the affected nail. This procedure helps to slow down the development of the fungus and prevents its spores from multiplying.
Of course, you should not forget about folk remedies for treating nail fungus at the initial stage. There are many of them. Traditional methods are good because they are easy to use and economical. For example, treating fungus with salt and soda is quite effective at the initial stage of the disease.
Prevention measures
The fungus is very difficult to cure: it takes a lot of time, effort and money, and treatment sometimes takes many years. Therefore, it is necessary to take precautions so as not to "catch" an unpleasant disease.
It is extremely important to maintain personal hygiene: never wear someone else's shoes. When you go to a shoe store, only try on your own socks, do not use those offered by the sellers. Of course, you can't try on shoes barefoot.
It is necessary to wash your hands thoroughly with soap after traveling on public transport. It is best to wash your nails with tar soap. Use preventive measures, there are many. Treat your shoes regularly with antifungal sprays.
When going to a nail salon, it is better to always have your own set of tools with you, which also need to be disinfected regularly.
It is important to wash socks and tights daily, remembering to iron them well afterwards. Bedding should be washed frequently at high temperatures.
If the fungus still affects the nails, it is necessary to protect loved ones from the same fate. The fungus is not transmitted through close contact between a sick person and a healthy person, but it can spread easily through shared objects and surfaces. Regularly treat the bathroom with disinfectants: the bathtub itself, carpets and floors.