The initial stage of the fungus is distinguished by the absence of pronounced symptoms. This is one of the reasons why many patients learn about their illness only after some time, when the pathogens of onychomycosis cause significant damage to healthy tissues. If a person is very attentive to his own health, then 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 pathologies.
Reasons for the development of onychomycosis
The initial stage of the fungus on the hands and feet does not bring much discomfort to a person. The first signs of the disease, which at this point are mild, are simply ignored by many infected. Because of this, they miss the chance to start timely treatment of the disease and prevent the occurrence of serious complications.
There are many reasons that can cause the development of a fungal infection on the nails and neighboring skin areas. They create optimal conditions for the successful development of pathogenic microflora. As a rule, onychomycosis is most susceptible to aged people, as well as people with a weakened immune system. Other adverse factors can also provoke the development of the initial stage of the disease:
- Neglect of personal hygiene rules;
- Damage to the skin in the area of \u200b\u200bthe fingers or toes;
- Prolonged contact with moisture or chemicals that dry out the skin;
- Regular wearing of tight clothes and shoes that are made of synthetic materials;
- Increased sweating during hot seasons;
- Chronic diseases that affect the state of immunity;
- Immune and endocrine diseases;
- Abuse of potent drugs;
- Climatic features of the area that create ideal conditions for the reproduction of the causative agent of mycosis of the nails.
If one of these negative factors affects the human body, he 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 loves to "settle" in 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 saves flat feet, hallux valgus, calluses, corns, facilitates walking and corrects existing disorders in the initial stage. Daily wearing of such shoes delivers comfort, not torment when walking. Moreover, 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 disturb absolutely anyone. In order to identify it in a timely manner, it is necessary to know what conditions characterize the initial stage of the development of the disease.
Early 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 wary if, after visiting a public place with a high level of humidity, the color of the nail plates changes and itching occurs in the area of the toes. These are the first symptoms of onychomycosis. If the nails are healthy, then the infection will not be able to penetrate into their deeper layers. Only damaged plates are subject to such an attack.
On 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 people from his environment.
Fungal infection on the hands in most cases is detected in women. However, representatives of the stronger sex are also susceptible to such infection. The disease is recognized by such symptoms that appear first after infection:
- Tarnishing of the surface of the nail plate;
- The formation of spots on the nails;
- Changing the color of the nail 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.
On foot
To recognize a fungal infection of the toenails helps a number of signs characteristic of this condition:
- Yellowing of the nail at the top or side;
- Thickening of the nail plate;
- Discoloration of the nail;
- Slight itching in the area of the toes;
- exfoliation of the nail;
- 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 moment to start a therapeutic course, which will help to 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 initial 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 for himself adequate therapy, which will lead to a positive outcome. It is best to entrust such tasks to competent specialists who are involved in the diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis.
Topical preparations
The fungus on the hands, as well as on the lower extremities, can be eliminated with topical medicines. The initial stage of the disease involves the use of just such medicines 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 in accordance with the instructions of the attending physician, as well as his instructions for use. Compliance with this rule will increase the effectiveness of the treatment course and avoid possible side effects.
According to the standard scheme, a local preparation is required to be applied to the nail plate, which has been infected with a fungus, 1-2 times a day with a thin layer. If special varnishes are used, then they are applied no more than 1 time per week.
Systemic therapy
At the first signs of onychomycosis, you should consult a doctor. The fungus of the foot and nails 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 within 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 development of onychomycosis, then this period is reduced.
Systemic drugs are advisable to use 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 nail plates using hardware procedures. For these purposes, laser and ozone therapy is used. They are prescribed at the initial and advanced 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:
- Obtaining a guaranteed result of recovery 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 extremities also helps to cure ozone therapy. The initial stage of onychomycosis lends itself well to such treatment.
Ozone has an antiseptic effect. It is because of this that doctors use it in the treatment of fungal infections on the nails. When ozone enters the body, it is carried to different parts of the body through the blood. After that, a struggle 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 passes all the necessary tests and studies. Based on their results, the specialist draws conclusions about the appropriateness of using such therapeutic procedures that help speed up recovery.
Folk methods
The attending physician may recommend the use of non-traditional methods of treatment along with drugs. It is good to carry out such therapy at an early stage of the development of the pathological process. Then it will be most 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 in order 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 clove of garlic needs to be grated, after which this gruel is applied to the problem area. It is advisable to leave it for the whole night, fixing the mass with a bandage;
- Celandine. With onychomycosis, the juice of this plant is useful. It is recommended to lubricate the areas affected by an infectious disease on the upper or lower extremities with a fresh product. Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to conduct an allergy test to this remedy in order to prevent the development of side effects;
- Onion. It is effective against a fungal infection that was caused by a yeast-like pathogen. Fresh vegetables must 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;
- Soda. It is used in the preparation of medicinal baths. It must be dissolved in hot or warm water. For 2. 5 liters of liquid, you need to take 1 tbsp. l. soda. It is also advisable to add a portion of liquid soap to the solution. This bath can be taken daily for 15 minutes.
Folk remedies work only in the treatment of the initial stage of onychomycosis. In more advanced cases, they do not bring much result. But even if the disease has just begun, there is no guarantee that alternative medicine will help get rid of it completely. It is best to use its methods in parallel with pharmaceutical preparations in order 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 on how the fungus looks like on the feet 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 required to disinfect daily socks and shoes with which a person infected with the fungus has come into contact;
- It is necessary to boil at a high temperature towels and bed linen of the patient;
- It is necessary to clean the bath well after bathing the patient.
Boiling is strongly recommended to disinfect all acceptable objects and things that a person with onychomycosis has interacted with. You should also regularly wipe your shoes with special antiseptic and antifungal solutions.
Prevention of onychomycosis
Prevention of onychomycosis should be done by every person who is at risk of contracting this disease. This measure will allow him to avoid unnecessary spending of money and time for medical procedures.
To avoid onychomycosis, you must:
- Refrain from wearing other people's clothes and shoes. If this is necessary, then they initially need to be carefully treated with an antifungal and antiseptic agent;
- In public places, for example, a sauna or a swimming pool, you must use disposable slippers;
- Use only your own manicure tools.
If a person was able to cure onychomycosis and further adheres to preventive measures, then the probability that he will encounter the fungus again will be only 8%.