The initial stage of the fungus is characterized by the absence of pronounced symptoms. This is one of the reasons why many patients learn about their disease only after some time, when the pathogens of onychomycosis cause significant damage to healthy tissues. If a person is very careful about his own health, then he will be able to recognize the first signs of infection. Their discovery is a good reason to visit a doctor's office that deals with fungal pathologies.
Causes 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 are mild at the moment, are simply ignored by many infected people. Therefore, they miss the chance to start timely treatment of the disease and prevent serious complications.
There are many causes that can cause the development of a fungal infection 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 in the elderly, as well as people with weakened immune systems. Other adverse factors can also provoke the development of the initial stage of the disease:
- Ignoring the rules of personal hygiene;
- Damage to the skin in the area of the fingers or toes;
- Prolonged contact with moisture or chemicals that dry the skin;
- Regular wearing of tight clothing and footwear made of synthetic materials;
- Increased sweating during the hot seasons;
- Chronic diseases that affect the state of immunity;
- Immune and endocrine diseases;
- Abuse of powerful drugs;
- Climatic features of the area that create ideal conditions for reproduction of the cause of nail fungus.
If one of these negative factors affects the human body, he should consider preventing the development of onychomycosis. Otherwise, it will be difficult for him to avoid becoming infected with the fungus.
Avoid tight and uncomfortable shoes. Because fungi like to "settle" in microcracks. Even the slightest damage to the nail plate or skin "attracts". It is also dangerous to disrupt the blood supply to 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, calluses, make walking easier and correct existing disorders in the initial stage. Wearing such shoes on a daily basis provides comfort, not torment when walking. In addition, modern orthopedic shoes have an excellent design and maintain a modern style.
What do nail fungus look like in its early stages?
Nail fungus can bother absolutely anyone. In order to identify in a timely manner, it is necessary to know what conditions characterize the initial stage of disease development.
Early signs of infection are felt from the first day of infection. However, they are weak, so few people pay attention to them. One should be careful 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 slabs are subject to such an attack.
On hands
Everyone should know what nail fungus looks like at an early stage. This information will help him to calculate the disease in himself or the people around him in a timely manner.
Fungal infection of the hands in most cases is found in women. However, the stronger sex are also susceptible to such an infection. The disease is recognized by the following symptoms, which appear first after infection:
- Darkening of the nail plate surface;
- Formation of spots on the nails;
- Change the color of the nail to yellow, gray or brown;
- Disintegration of the nail plate near the edges;
- Stratification and brittleness;
- Peeling of the skin near the nail.
Some patients develop signs of swelling near the nails. Although in the initial stage of the disease such a symptom usually does not appear.
On foot
A number of signs characteristic of this condition help to recognize a fungal infection of the toenails:
- Yellowing of the nail on the top or side;
- Thickening of the nail plate;
- Nail discoloration;
- Slight itching in the toes;
- nail exfoliation;
- Unpleasant foot odor.
Lack of treatment at an early stage of the disease leads to its progression. That is why it is very important not to miss the best time to start a therapeutic course that will help you deal with the infection and prevent it from spreading to healthy tissues.
Treatment
Toenail fungus is easily treated if the patient is diagnosed with the initial stage of his development. In order not to start the disease, it is necessary to give up self-medication. The patient will not be able to choose for himself adequate therapy that will lead to a positive result. It is best to entrust such tasks to competent specialists involved in the diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis.
Preparations for topical application
Fungus on the hands, as well as on the lower extremities, can be removed with topical medications. The initial stage of the disease involves the use of just such drugs that do not have a significant effect on the patient's body, but act directly on the lesions.
Comprehensive treatment of onychomycosis in the initial stage of development necessarily involves the use of topical medication.
The external agent should be used in accordance with the instructions of the attending physician, as well as his instructions for use. Adherence to this rule will increase the effectiveness of the course of treatment and will avoid possible side effects.
According to the standard scheme, a topical preparation is required to be applied on the nail plate, which has been infected with the fungus, 1-2 times a day with a thin layer. If special varnishes are used, they are applied no more than once a week.
Systemic therapy
At the first signs of onychomycosis you should consult a doctor. Fungus on the feet and nails can not always be cured with topical medication. Therefore, in addition, dermatologists prescribe a systemic drug that acts on the cause of the disease from within the human body.
Oral drugs that have an antifungal effect can be taken only on the prescription of 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 chosen individually. It usually lasts about 4 months. If measures are taken in the initial stage of development of onychomycosis, then this period is reduced.
It is recommended to use systemic drugs if local drugs do not stop the development of the disease.
Laser therapy and ozone therapy
It is possible to treat a fungal infection of the nail plates with the help of hardware procedures. Laser and ozone therapy are used for these purposes. They are prescribed in the initial and advanced stages of the development of the pathological process, if traditional methods of treatment do not lead to the desired result.
Laser therapy in the fight against nail fungus has many advantages:
- Obtaining a guaranteed result of recovery in 99% of cases;
- There is no pain or discomfort during the procedure;
- No negative impact on internal organs;
- Complete destruction of the fungus;
- Improving 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 is suitable for such treatment.
Ozone has an antiseptic effect. That is why doctors use it in the treatment of fungal infections of the nails. When ozone enters the body, it is transported to different parts of the body through the blood. Then the cause of the disease is fought, in which he loses in most cases.
Ozone therapy is completely painless. Its duration is limited to 30 minutes. Only the infected area is affected during treatment. The skin around the plate is not affected.
Ozone, like laser therapy, is prescribed by the doctor after the patient has passed all the necessary tests and examinations. Based on their results, the specialist draws conclusions about the appropriateness of the use of such therapeutic procedures that help accelerate recovery.
Folk methods
Your doctor may recommend the use of non-traditional methods of treatment with medication. It is good to conduct such therapy at an early stage of the development of the pathological process. Then it will be most useful. The treatment of onychomycosis can be carried out with such folk remedies:
- iodine. They should periodically treat the infected nail. It is desirable to perform the procedure twice a day to stop the development of pathogenic microflora on its surface. The antiseptic agent not only fights 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. It is a natural disinfectant that copes with the active reproduction of pathogens. A fresh clove of garlic should be grated, after which this mash is applied to the problem area. It is advisable to leave it overnight, fixing the table with a bandage;
- Celandine. In onychomycosis, the juice of this plant is useful. It is recommended to lubricate the affected areas of the upper or lower extremities with a fresh product. Before starting the procedure, it is necessary to conduct an allergy test for this drug to prevent the development of side effects;
- Onions. It is effective against fungal infections caused by a yeast-like pathogen. Fresh vegetables should be peeled and grated on a medium grater. Once the onion mass is mixed with a small portion of natural honey. The finished product should be applied to inflamed nails for 2-3 hours. If you perform this procedure several times a day, you can quickly achieve improvement in the general condition of the patient;
- Carbonated drinks. It is used in the preparation of healing baths. It should be dissolved in hot or warm water. For 2, 5 liters of liquid you need to take 1 tbsp. l. Carbonated drinks. It is also advisable to add some 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 started, there is no guarantee that alternative medicine will help get rid of it completely. It is best to use its methods in parallel with pharmaceuticals 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 in the early stages of the disease and will advise what the foot fungus looks like at an early stage.
In order for the treatment prescribed by the doctor to be effective, the patient will have to follow special rules:
- Daily disinfection of socks and shoes with which a person infected with the fungus has come into contact is required;
- It is necessary to boil at high temperature the patient's towels and bed linen;
- It is necessary to thoroughly clean the bath after bathing the patient.
Boiling is highly recommended for disinfection of all permissible objects and things with which a person with onychomycosis has interacted. You should also regularly wipe your shoes with special antiseptic and antifungal solutions.
Prevention of onychomycosis
Prevention of onychomycosis should be performed by anyone who is at risk of contracting the disease. This measure will allow him to avoid spending money and time on medical procedures.
To avoid onychomycosis, you should:
- Refrain from wearing other people's clothes and shoes. If necessary, then they should initially be carefully treated with antifungal and antiseptic;
- In public places, such as a sauna or swimming pool, you should use disposable slippers;
- Use only your own manicure tools.
If a person has managed to cure onychomycosis and continues to adhere to preventive measures, then the probability of re-encountering the fungus will be only 8%.