The early stages of the fungus are distinguished by the absence of obvious symptoms. This is one of the reasons why many patients find out about their disease only after some time, when the onychomycosis pathogen causes significant damage to healthy tissue. If a person is very concerned about his own health, then he will be able to recognize the first signs of infection. Their findings are a serious reason to visit the office of a doctor who deals with fungal pathology.
Causes of the development of onychomycosis
The early stages of the fungus on the hands and feet do not bring much discomfort to a person. The first signs of the disease, which at this point are mild, are simply ignored by many who are 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 lead to the development of fungal infections on the nails and adjacent areas of the skin. They create optimal conditions for the successful development of pathogenic microflora. As a rule, onychomycosis is most susceptible to the elderly, as well as people with weakened immune systems. Other adverse factors can also trigger the development of the early stages of the disease:
- Neglect of personal hygiene rules;
- Damage to the skin in the area of the fingers or toes;
- Prolonged contact with moisture or chemicals that dry out the skin;
- Regular wearing of tights and shoes made of synthetic materials;
- Increased sweating during the summer;
- Chronic diseases that affect the state of immunity;
- Immune and endocrine diseases;
- Strong drug abuse;
- The climatic characteristics of the area create ideal conditions for the reproduction of agents that cause nail mycosis.
If one of these negative factors affects the human body, he should think about the prevention of the development of onychomycosis. Otherwise, it is difficult for him to avoid a fungal infection.
Avoid tight and uncomfortable shoes. Because fungi like to "settle" in microcracks. Even a slight damage to the nail plate or skin "pulls". Also dangerous is the violation of 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, calluses, corns, facilitate walking and correct existing disorders in the early stages. Everyday wearing of such shoes provides comfort, not torture when walking. In addition, modern orthopedic shoes have an excellent design and maintain a stylish style.
What does nail fungus look like in its early stages?
Nail fungus can bother anyone. To identify it in a timely manner, it is necessary to know what conditions characterize the early stages of disease development.
Early signs of infection are felt from the first day of infection. However, they are weakly expressed, so few people pay attention to it. One should be careful if, after visiting a public place with a high level of humidity, the color of the nail plate changes and itching occurs in the toe area. This is the first symptom of onychomycosis. If the nail is healthy, then the infection will not be able to penetrate the deeper layers. Only damaged plates are subject to such attacks.
In hand
Everyone needs to know what nail fungus looks like in the early stages. This information will help him in a timely manner to calculate the disease in himself or people from his environment.
Fungal infections on the hands in most cases are detected in women. However, representatives of the stronger sex are also prone to such infections. The disease is recognized by symptoms as they first appear after infection:
- Contaminate the surface of the nail plate;
- Formation of spots on the nails;
- Change nail color to yellow, gray or brown;
- Collapse of nail plate near edges;
- Delamination and brittleness;
- Exfoliate the skin near the nails.
Some patients experience signs of swelling near the nails. Even in the early stages of disease development, such symptoms usually do not occur.
By walking
To recognize a fungal infection on toenails helps some characteristic signs of this condition:
- Yellowing of nails on top or sides;
- Thickening of nail plate;
- Nail discoloration;
- Slight itching in the toe area;
- nail exfoliation;
- Unpleasant foot odor.
Lack of treatment in the early stages of disease development leads to its development. Therefore, it is very important not to miss the most optimal time to start a therapeutic course, which will help overcome the infection and prevent it from spreading to healthy tissues.
Treatment
Toenail fungus is easily treated if the patient is diagnosed with an early stage of its development. In order not to start the disease, it is necessary to leave the medication alone. Patients will not be able to choose for themselves adequate therapy, which will lead to positive results. It is better to entrust such a task to a competent specialist involved in the diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis.
Topical preparations
Fungus on the hands, as well as on the bottom of the feet, can be eliminated with topical medications. The early stages of the disease involve the use of only such drugs that have no significant effect on the patient's body, but act directly in the lesion.
Comprehensive treatment of onychomycosis in the early stages of development necessarily involves the use of local remedies.
External agents should be used according to the instructions of the attending physician, as well as the instructions for their use. Adherence to these rules will increase the effectiveness of the course of treatment and avoid the possibility of side effects.
According to the standard scheme, a local preparation is required to apply on the nail plate, which has been infected with the fungus, 1-2 times a day with a thin layer. If a special varnish is used, then it is applied no more than 1 time a week.
Systemic therapy
At the first sign of onychomycosis, you need to see a doctor. Foot and nail fungus cannot always be cured with local remedies. Therefore, in addition, dermatologists prescribe systemic drugs that act on disease -causing agents from within the human body.
Oral medications that have antifungal effects 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 are taken at an early stage of the development of onychomycosis, then this period is reduced.
Systemic medications are advised to be used if local medications do not stop the progression of the disease.
Laser therapy and ozone therapy
It is possible to treat fungal infections on nail plates using hardware procedures. For this purpose, laser and ozone therapy are used. They are prescribed at an early and advanced stage of development of pathological processes, if traditional methods of treatment do not bring the desired result.
Laser therapy in the fight against nail fungus has many advantages:
- Get a guaranteed outcome of recovery in 99% of cases;
- No pain or discomfort during the procedure;
- No negative effects on internal organs;
- Complete destruction of fungi;
- Improvement of the general condition of the infected area after the first procedure;
- Recovery of nail plate 30 days after therapy.
Nail fungus on the hands or lower legs also helps cure ozone therapy. The early stages of onychomycosis are appropriate for such treatment.
Ozone has an antiseptic effect. Because this is what 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, the fight is fought with the causative agent of the disease, which he loses in most cases.
Ozone therapy is not painful at all. The 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 the necessary tests and studies. Based on their results, experts conclude about the appropriateness of using such therapeutic procedures that help speed recovery.
People's method
The treating physician may recommend the use of non-traditional treatment methods along with medications. It is good to carry out such therapy at an early stage of development of pathological processes. Then it will be the most useful. Treatment of onychomycosis can be done with folk remedies such as:
- Iodine. They need to treat infected nails on a regular basis. It is desirable to carry out the procedure 2 times a day to stop the development of pathogenic microflora on its surface. Antiseptic agents not only fight fungus, but also dry out nail plates. After a week of such treatment, it is recommended to rest for 2-3 days;
- Garlic. This is a natural disinfectant that overcomes the active reproduction of pathogens. A slice of fresh garlic should be grated, after which this gruel is applied on the problem area. It is advisable to leave it all night, fixing the mass with a bandage;
- Celandine. With onychomycosis, the juice of this plant is useful. It is recommended to lubricate the area affected by infectious diseases on the top or bottom with fresh products. Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to conduct an allergy test to this drug to prevent the development of side effects;
- Onion. It is effective against fungal infections caused by pathogens such as yeast. 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 on sore nails for 2-3 hours. If you perform 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 medical baths. It must be dissolved in hot or lukewarm 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 into the solution. This bath can be taken daily for 15 minutes.
Folk remedies work only in the treatment of the early stages of onychomycosis. In more advanced cases, they do not bring much result. But even if the disease has only just begun, there is no guarantee that alternative medicine will help get rid of it completely. It is better to use its method in parallel with the pharmaceutical preparation to ensure 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 in the early stages of disease development, and will advise how the fungus looks like on the feet in the early stages.
In order for the treatment prescribed by the doctor to be effective, the patient also needs to adhere to special rules:
- It is required to disinfect daily socks and shoes that have come in contact with a person infected with the fungus;
- It is necessary to boil on high temperature towels and bed linen of the patient;
- It is necessary to clean the bath well after bathing the patient.
Boiling is highly recommended to disinfect all objects and things that are acceptable to a person who has onychomycosis has interacted with it. You should also regularly wipe your shoes with a special antiseptic and antifungal solution.
Prevention of onychomycosis
Prevention of onychomycosis should be done by everyone who is at risk of contracting this disease. This step will allow him to avoid spending unnecessary money and time on medical procedures.
To prevent onychomycosis, you must:
- Refrain from wearing other people's clothes and shoes. If this is necessary, then they should first be carefully treated with antifungal and antiseptic agents;
- In public places, for example, saunas or swimming pools, you must use disposable slippers;
- Use only your own manicure tools.
If a person is able to cure onychomycosis and further adhere to preventive measures, then the probability that he will encounter the fungus again is only 8%.