The nail plate is unaffected by any disease and has a smooth and shiny surface.When onychomycosis appears, the initial symptoms are that the nail plate gradually becomes dull, and the skin on the fingers and toes is peeling and itchy.
initial symptoms
Changes in nail color and structure are not the only symptoms of fungus.
In the initial stages, although infection has occurred, the nail plate may remain unchanged.
The main symptoms of the disease appear on the skin near the nails.The first obvious symptoms of fungus are peeling, burning and itching.The skin in the interdigital folds is much more delicate than the skin on the feet, so these areas are more susceptible to the disease.
If you don't pay attention to the first signs of onychomycosis, the condition can begin to worsen.The infection affects adjacent areas, causing blisters and ulcers.Without treatment, the symptoms will not go away, and over time the fungus will cover a larger area if appropriate treatment is not started immediately.
Signs of fungus include:
- Changes in nail structure,
- Thickening of epidermal areas,
- burning sensation,
- Cracks appear in the skin between the fingers,
- Brittle nails.
Anyone exposed to an infection is at risk of contracting the fungus.Nail fungus spores infiltrate the skin through open wounds, but even in the absence of an obvious wound, infection can enter the body through micro-tears in the feet.On the surface, the skin may look completely healthy, but there may also be microscopic damage.This type of crack occurs due to wearing uncomfortable, overly tight shoes.Sand between your fingers can also cause microcracks.
Fungal infections commonly affect people with:
- overweight,
- Increased sweating,
- Chronic diseases that lower immunity.
Any factor that affects susceptibility to disease will affect the likelihood of infection.In order not to get infected by a fungus or to cure it faster, you should stop smoking and drinking, and have your internal organs diagnosed to eliminate the possibility of inflammatory processes.
Treatment and Diagnosis
First, nail fungus affects the skin of the fingers and feet because it is much more fragile than the nail plate.The infection spreads quickly and enters through microscopic cracks in the fingers, covering adjacent areas.The initial symptoms of onychomycosis are itching and discomfort.In the first few days after infection, there may be no external changes in the skin and nails, only if the disease is not diagnosed in time and treatment is not initiated, the pathological process becomes visible to the naked eye.
Onychomycosis is a highly contagious disease.Microorganisms live in moist environments, and infections often occur in public places.Once a carrier is present in a bathhouse or sauna, all subsequent visitors are at risk of infection.The disease is contagious even in its earliest stages, when the carrier himself or herself is not aware that he or she is sick.Not only should you be more careful when taking baths and saunas, but you should also be more careful at home if one of your family members develops suspicious symptoms.Sharing towels, slippers, manicure accessories, and even a poorly cleaned bathtub can lead to infection.
Itching, poor healing of cracks in the feet, and flaking of the skin are all signs of a fungal infection.In the initial stages, fungal diseases can be treated much more quickly than after the onset of more severe symptoms.
Self-medication should not be done under any circumstances, as choosing an incorrect treatment may cause fungal growth, which may then lead to secondary infections and possible allergies.
To get a correct diagnosis, a specialist will examine the nail and, if fungus is suspected, perform a scraping.The resulting material was sent for microscopic examination.This is usually enough to make a correct diagnosis, but culture testing may be needed in some cases.This allows you to get the most accurate picture of the disease, identify the type of bacteria, and choose the right medication.In the initial stage, mild treatments are used: special antifungal varnishes and skin ointments.