Most people don't even know that the most common and accompanied by an unpleasant odor is one of the main signs of the development of a fungal disease. Toenail fungus, symptoms that don't appear immediately, can appear in every person who doesn't take care of themselves at least a little. The disease waits almost everywhere, and most often in public places. The sad thing is that mycosis is quite insidious: it is treated for a long time and is not effective in 100% of cases, since it is characterized by frequent relapses. To promptly identify the fungus and start treatment, you need to know the symptoms of toenail fungus.
The spread of fungal diseases
The disease is caused by the growth of parasitic fungi in the body. The best conditions for them to appear and then spread are warm environments with high humidity. Many people think that it is very easy to get such an infection in water parks, bath houses, beauty salons.
But the statistics are quite different: you can get a fungal infection even if you don't leave the house through shared items (bathroom, clothes, shoes, towels). However, this is true if at least one of the family members is a carrier of the fungus. And yet, what in principle affects the spread of fungi? There are such main aspects that cause infection with mycosis:
- Strong sweating;
- Diabetes;
- The problem of excess weight;
- If the nail is injured;
- Weak immunity.
To protect yourself from fungal infections, simply use personal hygiene products, shower thoroughly, wear only shoes, wash carpets regularly, and more. v. And if you've noticed the first signs of toenail fungus, you should contact a dermatologist right away!
Signs of a fungus, based on the causative agent
Signs of toenail fungus need prompt attention. The effectiveness of the complex treatment of fungal infections is determined by the extent to which the causative agent has been correctly identified. This can be explained by the fact that there are many types of fungi, and each species responds to a specific class of drugs.
In most cases, the causative agents are:
- Mold;
- Dermatophytes;
- Yeast.
If the fungus begins to grow due to yeast, it is almost impossible to detect the disease overnight. Signs of fungus on the feet in these cases are as follows:
- Itchy feet and skin around the nails;
- Nails are broken.
Yeast infections occur only in 4-5% of cases. Very often, it is dermatophytosis that affects the nails (94. 5%). There are 3 types of this pathogen, and the manifestations of each are very different:
- 1 Category. There is a simultaneous defeat of the nail plate, the skin of the feet and legs in general. Such fungi easily migrate to the nails and skin of the hands.
- 2 types. The disease only affects the fingernails of the thumb and little toe of the foot. It is also possible to go to the folds between the fingers.
- 3 types. 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 causative agent in this case is mold. It is observed very rarely. Mainly seen in AIDS patients.
Other symptoms
Often when the disease first begins, there are no symptoms of toenail fungus. But in the case of extreme attention to one's feet, a person will notice that round spots begin to appear on the nails, and the nails themselves lose their shine and become rough. As it develops, the fungal disease affects the nails to a greater extent: the color will change initially, then the nail becomes scaly, which can break easily. The gloss of the nail plate is determined by the type of fungal disease.
Toenail fungus: symptoms (additional)
- The nail plate turns black;
- The nail has an unusual shape, and its structure changes radically;
- Nails become very brittle;
- Plastic nail clipping under the skin;
- Followed by constant fatigue.
The unusual appearance of your nails is a "kickback" for you to see a dermatologist, and there nail fungus, the symptoms you've noticed, will be confirmed or refuted. If you constantly delay going to the doctor, the disease will quickly spread to other areas. If you don't think about it, there is nothing life-threatening in this illness. However, beyond the cosmetic issue and exclusive discomfort, fungal infections are sometimes the cause of major complications. For this reason, symptoms should not be ignored and treatment should be initiated promptly, as soon as it has been identified.
Doctor treating fungal diseases
The self-diagnosis of the infection is real, but only your doctor can confirm your speculations. For an accurate diagnosis, your dermatologist will recommend certain tests. To perform them, part of the damaged nail plate is removed or the surrounding tissue is scraped.
A detected infection in time makes subsequent treatment easier and eliminates the possibility of complications. If treatment is not started at the right time, this will ensure the spread of the disease to other organs and all the nails/toes.
Toenail fungus: treatment process
Therapy aimed at the treatment of fungus is prescribed by a dermatologist - everything will depend on the degree of progression of the disease, the type of fungus present in the body and other factors. Usually, if the fungus has just begun to grow, drugs are prescribed for external use. In more difficult situations, intensive treatment is required.
By the way, it takes a lot of time. Therefore, you should see a doctor when you suspect even the slightest fungal infection! Symptoms of nail fungus must be recognized in advance. And the earlier the disease is detected, the quicker it can be treated!