How to identify fungus on the nails

Before you can identify the fungus on the nails, the expert must perform a visual inspection of the patient and study of the first signs of infection detected in the fingers and feet. This unpleasant disease occurs in about 20 % of people. Nail fungus can strike anyone at the spa, the pool, the beach or because of the violation of the rules of personal hygiene due to use other people's towels and nail files manicure. The spores are not only different objects, but also on the surface of the Shoes.

Mushroom

What is nail fungus

Fungal nail beds is a common disease caused by a fungal infection that affects all the covers of the limbs. As a rule, it appears white or yellowish spot a layer of keratin. In severe cases, the fungus can cause serious damage to the plates and spread throughout the body, when the bloodstream.

Among the infectious agents there are several types of pathogens. A layer of keratin can affect fungi-dermatophytes, but sometimes when some tests to diagnose yeast or mold fungal infections. The first symptoms are not expressed, so the time to determine the donor is not always possible. From the moment of infection in the body can take several months before the first signs.

It appears that the foot fungus

How to start a nail fungus on the feet of infected people? Mycoses several stages of distribution. With the development of the disease the discs are yellow and white spots. Do not confuse these changes with signs of damage to the nail (bruising), which impress the keratin layer is formed bleeding. Gradually, the thickness of the sheets varies, and the shape deforms. They are curved and acquire a wavy surface.

Symptoms of nail fungus on my feet

The presence of the disease says features that can make a correct diagnosis. Contaminated fungus plate has a number of pronounced features in the later stages of the disease:

  • the nail to crumble, delaminate, become brittle;
  • the keratin layer is thickened or very thin;
  • the deformation of the nail, it bends, covered with wavy grooves;
  • plate tarnish, lose the luster, it appears on the spots;
  • there is tenderness;
  • in severe cases, the sheet came off the bed.
Diagnostic methods

The first signs

Hitting the skin and the toes, the fungal infection does not cause immediately pronounced signs of pathology. The initial stage of infection, the patient may notice the following symptoms of nail fungus on my feet

  1. itching, worse, because of the excessive sweating;
  2. detected odor;
  3. the skin of the feet and toes can show the thickened and scaly;
  4. the edges of the nail appear as small spots of white-brown;
  5. the disc does not look aesthetically pleasing.

Symptoms

The defeat of the nail, caused by a variety of fungi, different in each case and is manifested by several characteristic symptoms. Doctors divide onychomycosis nail the legs into three groups:

  1. Normotroficheskie – early stages of progression of the infection occur in spots and streaks, changing the color of keratin, the structure of the nail (thickness, shape) remains the same.
  2. Hypertrophic – the disk is destroyed, and the edges become rough. The sick person feels pain, severe itching. The keratin layer is thickened, becomes darker. In addition, the fungus causes peeling skin of the feet.
  3. Onipholitichesky – the spread of the infection cause peeling of the plate on the bed, until complete removal of the nail. The color of keratin becomes dark brown or gray, it loses its luster. The disease develops, accompanied by an unpleasant odor and peeling feet.

Diagnostic methods

Many patients are interested in how to identify fungus on the surface of the toe nail clinic. Accurate diagnosis of the patient event based on data obtained as a result of multiple methods of research:

  • the clinical picture;
  • microscopic analysis;
  • cultural research;
  • DNA-diagnostics.

The clinical picture of the disease is the combined analysis of the patient's complaints and the appearance of the keratin layer. Onychomycosis often causes changes in the skin and the nail plate. The results of the study dermatologist has ruled out other diseases: psoriasis, eczema, and more. In order for treatment to be effective, you need to identify the pathogen, so the microscopic and cultural study. First, in the laboratory, we analyze samples under a microscope the presence of the mushrooms, and then produce a seeding of micro-organisms.

The procedure of DNA diagnostics can also be performed to detect a fungal infection in the body. Analyze the patient take a sample of tissue of the nail, which struck microbial, and scraping. The advantage of this method is the high probability of an accurate diagnosis, as well as what the result will be ready in a short time (one or two days).

How to identify fungus on my feet

Infection you first need to determine the presence of the fungus. Doctors say that patients do not engage in the treatment itself, because it can cause dependence of the pathogen drugs. For the treatment of onychomycosis of the use of antimycotic creams, varnishes, solutions, and pills. In addition, we should deal with the risk of infection is to maintain good personal hygiene. Get rid of the fungus and to avoid dangerous complications (risk of infection in the blood) to treat a fungus in the first discomfort.

Iodine

Potassium

How to recognize nail fungus and feet, using potassium permanganate? At home, you can easily find fungal infection using potassium permanganate solution. This method is very accurate, but should not fully trust him. Laboratory tests in the clinic more revealing. Do this self-test, prepare a warm solution of potassium permanganate pink. Set foot in a few minutes. The affected areas does not change its color, and healthy nails are painted.

With the help of iodine

How to identify nail fungus on the feet and determine the damaged area of the skin iodine? The procedure can be performed independently at home, making the solution with your fingers. Iodine easily penetrates the skin layers and because of this feature, you can see if fungal diseases. This substance can not determine the presence of toe nail fungus, but it is easy to identify other infection is tinea versicolor on the hands and feet.

How to distinguish a fungal infection of the nails other diseases

To create an accurate diagnosis and distinguish fungal plates of other dermatological diseases, the sick person should consult a doctor and undergo the necessary research. Doctors say that the illiterate self can cause a variety of serious complications. Symptoms that accompany onychomycosis, is observed in several diseases:

  • psoriasis;
  • eczema;
  • scabies;
  • shingles;
  • it Reiter's syndrome;
  • pachyonychia;
  • disease Daria.