Darkening of the nail plate, its thickening, delamination and deformation may be a sign of the development of nail fungus (onychomycosis). Many patients confuse an infected injury or psoriasis. To prevent exacerbation of the disease, you must know how to identify fungus on the nails, its types and symptoms.
Type of fungus nails
Most often, a fungal infection spread not only to the nail and affect around the nail area. Also suffers from the skin of the feet and toes folds as the hands and feet (athlete's foot). The most common pathogenic organisms that cause negative changes can be distinguished:
- yeast – hit the nail, making it thinner, which leads to delamination of the plate from the bed;
- dermatophytes – penetrates the stratum corneum, causing the appearance of yellow bands or spots of white, which eventually grow;
- home penetrates the upper layers of the disk and changes its color to green, gray or black.
When the infection affects the nails, in the early stages already shows the changes, on the basis of which we can distinguish 3 main types of fungus.
- Distal onychomycosis. Loss begins from the edge of the stratum corneum, and then the infection moves to the base plate. The nail becomes greyish, thickens or thins, crumble and eventually almost completely destroyed.
- Proximal fungal. Extends to the middle of the plate, which causes the darkening and destruction.
- Superficial onychomycosis. Accompanied by the appearance of white spots in the middle of the nail, or its edges. At the beginning of the disease the disc is not deformation, but the touch noticeable looseness, which eventually leads to a change of the bed and loss of the nail.
The first signs and symptoms of nail fungus
The development of the fungus is not hidden power. A few days after infection the first signs and symptoms, which eventually becomes brighter.
- The nail grows dull, loses its luster, changing the pattern plates appear yellow or white spots, longitudinal stripes.
- Changing the shape of the nail, is its deformation, which is associated with thickening or thinning of the stratum corneum. This condition leads to delamination, attrition plate, and further distinguishes it from the bed.
- The pain, when it is pressed. The stratum corneum and the surrounding tissue become inflamed.
- Diaper rash between the toes, and the smell of the affected nails.
These symptoms and findings help to identify nail fungus in the early stages and distinguish it from other diseases (bruises, psoriasis, eczema, lichen).
Diagnostic methods
The procedure of detection of onychomycosis or the fungal infection usually goes through several stages, which include specific methods: the clinical picture, microscopy.
Initially, the expert drew attention to the symptoms and complaints of the patient, collecting clinical information. After inspection of the nail plate and the skin around them a doctor before identification of infection, while the absence of similar diseases (psoriasis, red shingles, problems with the normal diet of the nails).
Confirmation of the disease, the expert makes the material perform the microscopic examination. The affected area takes a scraping of tissue in laboratory conditions is treated with a special substance.
More accurately diagnose a fungal feature helps to study biological material. The analysis is carried out after the microscopy. Sowing is done scraping. A sample of the affected tissue is placed in nutrient sponge environment. After 3-5 days, you can get the results of the procedure. The type of fungus manages to learn the structure of the colonies, their special growth and special color.
Thanks to biological research to accurately determine the type of virus, and its sensitivity to specific antimicrobials. It allows not only to identify the exact pathogen, but also to choose effective treatment.
How to identify nail fungus at home?
Darkening of the nail plate, its porosity and the depletion of can always indicate onychomycosis. You can find out whether a fungal infection, you can use iodine and potassium permanganate.
Definition of onychomycosis by potassium permanganate
The procedure of identification of the fungus takes little time and is easy to implement. In a basin of warm water to dissolve manganese make a weak solution. Put liquid hand or foot, wait for 5-10 minutes. During this period, healthy nails are painted in brown color, the affected areas will remain unchanged.
Identify nail fungus iodine
Unlike manganese, iodine can indicate the presence of pathogens onychomycosis. Help exclude other fungi, especially tinea versicolor. If the skin around the nail will appear peeling, redness, should such areas should be treated with iodine. Healthy skin is almost dark under the alcoholic solution, but to deprive the affected places will be a rich, dark color.
How to distinguish a fungal infection of the nails other diseases?
In the early stages of development of fungal infection can be confused with skin diseases (psoriasis, shingles) or trauma of the nail. Not to run negative manifestations, it is important to know the main differences between the fungal growth.
- Darkening of the nail plate, the appearance of yellow spots and longitudinal stripes, which eventually become larger and penetrate deeper into the nail.
- The smooth progression of the disease without relapses and calm, such as psoriasis. The fungus gradually deforms the nail plate until its detachment from the bed.
- Olfactory and painful sensations, also distinguishes fungal injuries or psoriatic lesions, eczema, lichen.
- Causes of fungus can be common in public areas (pool, sauna), wearing tight shoes (microtrauma and fading), the increased sweating of the foot, diaper rash, and contact with an infected person.
- The fungus initially appears with one particular finger, often large, so it will affect the rest of the toes and the fingers and toes of the premises.
These differences help to identify the fungus early stages of its development. The most important thing is to understand that self diagnosis is not enough. In order for treatment to be effective, you need a specialist study.
Mycosis – a nasty and insidious disease, which can masquerade as other diseases (psoriasis, eczema). It is important to monitor closely the nails and feet, and when suspicious symptoms in time to see a doctor for timely treatment.