Nail fungus or nail fungus is one of the most common and insidious disease, which is treated not provoke complications. This disease affects the nail plate on the hands or feet, and then near the area of the skin. The affected area is attractive and is perceived as a serious aesthetic problem that can cause many complexes. In addition, the disease progresses, your body will suffer from the toxins that the fungal microflora secrete during their life. It is therefore necessary to learn how to recognize nail fungus at an early stage.
Nail fungus at an early stage — sources of infection
Nail fungus early stages has practically asymptomatic, this is his greatest danger. Fungal spores are always present in the environment, they are able to cope with the earth's surface even in freezing temperatures. But especially favorable warm and humid micro-climate, where they multiply at an incredible rate.
Tract infection, fungal infection, much. Danger lurks everywhere, because all that is necessary for the spread of the fungus is microscopic flakes of skin and nail, which is a division person who has onychomycosis. It is not enough just to walk barefoot, wear other people's Slippers, to use a common towel or just hold onto a handrail on public transport.
The infection is just taking root in the body when its defence is weakened, and skin injuries (abrasions, cracks, blisters). Lovers of bath procedures, you should know that the most dangerous are the wooden benches, floors and other household items made of this natural material. The fact that wood has a porous structure, and even thorough disinfection cannot completely remove the mycelium of the fungus.
The causes that lead to infection
That the fungus can penetrate the body and start destructive activities, but needs some circumstances. It is known that the fungal infection affects the more elderly and patients with reduced immunity. In addition, to promote the infection of the following predisposing factors:
- Violation of the rules of personal hygiene.
- Skin lesions (abrasions, scratches, scrapes), through which the spores can easily penetrate into the body.
- Continuous contact with water or chemicals and detergents, leaving the skin of the fingers becomes dry and easily damaged.
- Wearing synthetic and tight, uncomfortable shoes made of synthetic materials. For example, clothes and shoes are not allow the skin to breathe, causing excessive sweating and creating a warm and moist environment favorable to propagation of fungi.
- Disorders of the endocrine system and the immune system;
- Chronic diseases (diabetes, obesity, metabolic disorders, pathology of the gastrointestinal tract, venous insufficiency).
- Taking certain medications (antibiotics, hormonal agents and cytotoxic drugs).
- Professional factor. Fungal infections often affect the representatives of the professions related to customer service (hairdressers, massage, cashiers, the employees of the baths and saunas).
- The climate features of the region. Risk groups living in areas with a hot climate and high humidity, because it is perfect conditions for reproduction of pathogens.
- The age factor. Most cases of fungal nail is diagnosed in people of advanced age, and this is due to the fact that with age, slow the growth of the nail plate and weakening its nutrients.
Numerous studies and inexorable statistics show that every lived 10 years of life increases the risk of Developing a fungal infection 2 times.
The mechanism of infection
When the fungal spores penetrate the skin through the affected area begins the development of infection. Splashes spores of the fungus into the skin passes a certain incubation period, which lasts for a very long time. This time is necessary for the fungus to start multiplying. The fungus requires root, which is a nutrient medium under the plate, the nail and the skin of the feet. Today there are about 50 varieties of fungus, can lead to loss of the nail plate, but the main accounted for the proportion is still the group dermatomitsety.
The pathological process of onychomycosis localized're the nail, and her plate to the nail bed. When the penetration of the fungus into tissues develops subungual hyperkeratosis, which promotes separation of the nail plate and its slow destruction.
To determine the onset of the disease, you need to know how the initial stage of nail fungus. Because without correct and effective in the treatment of onychomycosis, the disease is always progress and can accompany a person throughout life.
Symptoms in the early stages of onychomycosis
Nail fungus is caused by fungi parasites, which begins to destroy healthy tissue after only a few days after infection. To fix this unpleasant situation, if only to take timely measures. Otherwise, it is a gradual destruction and separation of the nail plate, which can lead to a complete loss of the nail and other unpleasant complications.
As a result of disease affected nail is going to look quite carefully, what you see in the picture the early stages of nail fungus. It thickens, changes color and shape over time, it is impossible to cut with conventional nail scissors.
Depending on the fungus symptoms may be different, but there are some signs that are common to all varieties:
- itching of the lesions – especially in such feelings interfere with the performance of the usual daily chores;
- between the fingers of the hands and feet redness and irritation of the skin;
- clouding of the nail plate, disappearance of the healthy glow;
- between the nail bed and a gap;
- change the color of the nail, which is a pale pink, yellowish-gray, brown and even black shade;
- the appearance of cracks on the skin of the fingers or toes;
- peeling, nail plate;
- increased fragility of the nail, which then began to crumble and collapse;
- the unpleasant smell.
Especially rapid during the initial stage, in that case, if a person wants to wear tight and uncomfortable shoes made of thick synthetic material, impervious to air and prevents air exchange. This contributes to excessive sweating and to create a warm and moist environment favorable for the development of the fungus.
Most often, nail fungus affects the feet, although sometimes it can be seen in the hands. First, the structure of the nail is formed of several yellowish cavities, which look like spots and stains. Then the nail plate on the hands becomes thicker and lighter. Sick people notice that it is difficult to cut the nails regularly with nail scissors, and deal with them using a nail file or a special tweezers.
The treatment of nail fungus early stages of the feet and hands
No need to try to improve nail fungus. Because there are several different types of fungus and all of the medications are equally effective, can independently purchase pharmacy drug in this case is useless. Therefore, it is necessary to remember that at any stage of the disease without medical intervention professionals can do.
When it is defined as the initial stage of nail fungus on the feet or hands, you need to immediately start treatment. The optimal system of care and the necessary drugs must choose a dermatologist based on the results of the tests.
There are 2 ways to deal with nail fungus:
- antifungal for topical use;
- oral medications.
Modern topical antifungal medications - help treatment of the disease, they are used for the external treatment of the affected nails.
Means removal of the affected nail
The doctor may prescribe medications. They should take care of your nails once a day. Before applying a new layer of therapeutic agent, foot steam out in hot water, and the surface layer of nail brushes nail file. These medicines are an excellent alternative to surgical intervention, as they allow short to remove the affected nail.
Falling for nail fungus. They contain substances with antiseptic and antifungal action (essential oils, waxes, acid), and urea to help dissolve the infected nail plate.
Then close the nail bandage and leave it for some time (1-4 days). Then repeated in the same order so long as the affected nail is completely clear.
External funds for the fungus early stages
Integrated treatment of onychomycosis of the expert to include external resources to the fungus.
External funds are used according to the instructions. The standard scheme of treatment involves the application of the drug affects the nail 1-2 times a day. Some antifungal luck to apply just 1 time per week. They reliably prevent the spread of infection and contribute to the destruction of the fungus.
The treatment of nail fungus in the initial stage folk ways
For the best effect, in addition to the main course of treatment prescribed by the attending physician, you can use folk remedies.
- Well proven cleaning the nail plate with iodine. It is necessary 2 times a day, apply iodine to the nail and the skin around it, in order to kill the active spores of the fungus and disinfect the affected area. Since iodine is drying the nails after a week, of course, need to take a break for a few days.
- Garlic has powerful disinfectant properties and quickly destroys pathogens, so it is often used in the treatment of onychomycosis. You need to take a clove of garlic, peel it and grate. The resulting slurry should be applied to the affected area and wrap with a bandage. Leave the mixture overnight and in the morning remove. Perform the procedure until her condition improved.
- The juice of celandine also helps to remove the fungus on the nails. You need to take the stem of the plant, and break it. To replace the scrapped produce dense yellowish milky juice. Fresh juice is smeared on the affected areas of the nails. But before using this method, you need to test yourself for allergies, to avoid the negative consequences.
- The onion will help to cope with the fungus like yeast. It is necessary to peel the onion peel, RUB it on the grate and the resulting mass mixed with a spoon of honey. Enough to hold this mixture on the nail plate in just a few hours a day and a few days after a noticeable improvement.
- Alleviate the condition of the nails fungus will help bath with the addition of soda. Solution preparation it is necessary to take 1 tbsp. spoon soda in 2.5 l of water and add liquid soap. Take a bath is necessary every day for 15 minutes.
Folk remedies treatment of nail fungus is effective enough, but it is better to combine the medication prescribed by the doctor. This combination treatment allows to cope with the infection in a short time, you can restore your nails a healthy appearance and restores their structure.
Treatment of onychomycosis is considered complete when affected by fungal infection, the nail plate is completely replaced with a healthy. It is a long process, however, care has to be worn-out, you can't interrupt it. To confirm the absence of fungal microflora in the laboratory experiments, that make two times two weeks after the end of treatment and after a month.
Only in the case when the results both times negative, we can assume that there was a complete recovery. But in this case, can be satisfied with, to prevent possible recurrence of the disease and to exclude re-infection, it is necessary to strictly observe the rules of hygiene and the use of antifungal agents (varnish, creams, lotions), as a preventive measure.
When traditional remedies do not help in the treatment of the fungus in the early stages, you can use the drugs on a natural basis.
Prevention
The most important prevention of nail fungus hands are:
- personal hygiene. Hands should be washed thoroughly, after a trip to public transport, shops, etc.
- used format the hands – to improve the local immunity;
- drawing on the skin prevention cream antifungal effect;
- run the nail is not more than 1 time in 6 months;
- use only personal manicure set.
In order to avoid the appearance of fungus on the nails, you need to follow the following instructions:
- use only dry shoes;
- wear socks made of natural materials, which provide good air and heat;
- in the common areas – pool, sauna, SPA, etc. use only it shoes;
- do not use other people to set the pedicure.
It is not necessary to paint the affected nails with the colored Polish, because this increases the damage and slowing recovery.
Effective and correctly chosen treatment, that is not all. Thoroughly disinfect all surfaces with contact to the sick – bed linen, clothes, shoes, floor, etc. A person who suffer from onychomycosis, it is more susceptible to this disease.