Most people do not even know that the most frequent sweating of the feet and the accompanying unpleasant odor is one of the main signs of the development of fungal disease. Toenail fungus, whose symptoms do not appear immediately, can occur in anyone who does not care at least a little. This disease is expected almost everywhere and most often in public places. The sad thing is that the fungal disease is quite insidious: it is treated for a long time and is not effective in 100% of cases, as it is characterized by relapses. In order to identify the fungus in time and start treatment, you need to have an idea of how the fungus manifests itself on the toenails.
Spread of fungal disease
The disease is caused by the development of parasitic fungi in the body. The best conditions for their occurrence and subsequent spread are a warm environment with high humidity. Many believe that it is very easy to get such an infection in water parks, baths, beauty salons.
But the statistics are quite different: you can get a fungal infection even without leaving home through common items (bathroom, clothes, shoes, towels). However, this is true if at least one member of the household is a carrier of the fungus. Still, what affects the spread of the fungus in general? There are key aspects that cause fungal infection:
- Heavy sweating;
- Diabetes;
- The problem of being overweight;
- If the nail is injured;
- Weak immunity.
To protect yourself in some way from fungal infection, you should use only personal hygiene products, perform a complete shower and bath treatment, wear only your shoes, organize carpet washing as often as possible, etc. And if you have already noticed the first signs of toenail fungus, you should contact a dermatologist immediately!
Signs of fungus based on the cause of the disease
Signs of toenail fungus should be noticed in time. The effectiveness of complex treatment of fungal infection is determined by the extent to which the cause of the disease is correctly identified. This can be explained by the fact that there are many varieties of the fungus and each species responds to a specific group of drugs.
In most cases, the causes of the disease are:
- Mold;
- dermatophytes;
- Yeast.
If the fungus began to develop due to yeast, then it is almost impossible to detect the disease overnight. The signs of foot fungus in such circumstances are as follows:
- The foot and skin around the nail plate are itchy;
- The nail peels off.
Yeast infection occurs in only 4-5% of cases. Very often dermatophytes affect the nail plate (94, 5%). This pathogen is of 3 types, and the manifestation of each is very different:
- 1 species. There is a simultaneous defeat of the nail plate, the skin of the feet and legs in general. Such a fungus easily moves to the nails and skin of the hands.
- 2 type. The disease affects only the toenails and the little toe. It can also go to the folds between the fingers.
- 3 type. It is characterized by damage to the nail plate of the little finger and thumb, but the disease does not spread to the skin.
As for mold, the cause in this case are molds. It is observed extremely rarely. It is most common in patients with AIDS.
Other symptoms
Often, when the disease is just beginning to develop, there are no symptoms of toenail fungus. But in the case of extreme attention to your feet, one will notice that round spots begin to appear on the nail plate, and the nail itself loses its luster and becomes rough. As it develops, the fungal disease affects the nail plate to a greater extent: its color will initially change, after which the nail exfoliates, it can easily break. The shade of the nail plate is determined by the type of pathogenic fungus.
Toenail Fungus: Symptoms (Optional)
- The nail plate turns black;
- The nail acquires an unusual shape and its structure changes completely;
- The nails become very brittle;
- Plastic incisions of the nails under the skin;
- Constant fatigue follows.
The abnormal appearance of the nail plate is a "bell" to visit a dermatologist and there the nail fungus, the symptoms of which you have noticed, will be confirmed or refuted. If you constantly delay a visit to the doctor, the disease will quickly spread to other areas. Therefore, there is nothing life-threatening in this disease, but apart from an extremely aesthetic problem and discomfort, the fungal infection is sometimes the cause of major complications, so the symptoms should not be ignored and treatment should be started as soon as it is diagnosed. .
A doctor who treats fungal diseases
It is realistic to detect an infection yourself, but only a doctor can confirm your assumptions. To make an accurate diagnosis, the dermatologist will recommend certain tests. To perform them, take a piece of the destroyed nail plate or scrape the surrounding nail tissue.
Timely detection of infection facilitates further treatment and eliminates the possibility of complications. If treatment is not started in time, it will ensure the spread of the disease to other organs and all fingernails / toenails.
Toenail fungus: a treatment procedure
Therapy aimed at treating the fungus is prescribed by a dermatologist - it will all depend on how advanced the disease is, the type of fungus present in the body and other factors. Usually, if the fungus is just beginning to develop, drugs for external use are prescribed. In more difficult situations, intensive treatment is resorted to.
By the way, it takes a long time. Therefore, it is in your best interest to visit a doctor at the slightest suspicion of a fungal infection! The symptoms of nail fungus should be recognized in advance. And the earlier the disease is detected, the faster the treatment will take place!