The initial stage of the fungus is characterized by the absence of obvious symptoms. This is one of the reasons why many patients learn about the disease only after a while, when the pathogens of onychomycosis cause significant damage to healthy tissues. If a person pays close attention to his health, then he will be able to recognize the first signs of infection. Their discovery is a good reason to visit the office of a doctor who specializes in fungal pathologies.
Causes of onychomycosis
The initial stage of the fungus on the hands and feet does not cause much discomfort to a person. The first signs of the disease, which are currently mild, are simply ignored by many infected people. For this reason, they miss the chance to start treatment in time and prevent serious complications.
There are many reasons that can lead to the development of fungal infections on the nails and adjacent areas of the skin. They create optimal conditions for the successful development of pathogenic microflora. As a rule, onychomycosis is most susceptible to the elderly, as well as people with weakened immune systems. Other negative factors can also lead to the development of the early stages of the disease:
- indifference to the rules of personal hygiene;
- skin damage in the area of the fingers or toes;
- Prolonged contact with moisture or chemicals that dry the skin;
- Regular wearing of tight clothes and shoes made of synthetic materials;
- increased sweating in hot seasons;
- Chronic diseases affecting the immune system;
- Immune and endocrine diseases;
- Abuse of strong drugs;
- Climatic features of the area, which create ideal conditions for the reproduction of the causative agent of mycosis of the nails.
If one of these negative factors affects the human body, it is necessary to think about preventing the development of onychomycosis. Otherwise, it will be difficult for him not to be infected with the fungus.
Avoid tight and uncomfortable shoes. The fungus likes to "settle" in micro cracks. Even the slightest damage to the nail plate or skin "attracts". Disruption of the blood supply to the fingers is also dangerous. The cells then receive less nutrients and become easy prey for pathogens. So be careful with your shoes.
Comfortable orthopedic shoes are the key not only to healthy nails and feet, but also save straight feet, hallux valgus, calluses, corns, make walking easier and correct existing disorders at an early stage. Wearing such shoes daily gives comfort, not pain while walking. In addition, modern orthopedic shoes have an excellent design and maintain a fashionable style.
What does nail fungus look like in the early stages?
Nail fungus can bother absolutely anyone. To identify it in time, it is necessary to know the conditions that characterize the initial stage of disease development.
The first signs of infection are felt from the first day of infection. However, they are poorly expressed, so few people pay attention to them. If the color of the nail plates changes and itching occurs on the toes after going to a public place with high humidity, a person should be careful. These are the first signs of onychomycosis. If the nails are healthy, the infection will not be able to penetrate into their deeper layers. Only damaged tiles are subject to such an attack.
In the hands
Everyone should know what nail fungus looks like at an early stage. This information will help him or her people around him to calculate the disease in time.
Fungal infections of the hands are most often found in women. However, members of the stronger sex are also susceptible to such infections. The disease is characterized by the first symptoms after infection:
- darkening of the surface of the nail plate;
- The formation of spots on the nails;
- Changing the nail color to yellow, gray or brown;
- Nail plate collapse near edges;
- Delamination and fragility;
- Peeling of the skin near the nail.
Some patients show signs of swelling near the nails. Such symptoms do not occur at all in the early stages of the disease.
On foot
Recognition of fungal infections of the toenails helps with a number of symptoms characteristic of this condition:
- Yellowing of the top or side of the nail;
- Thickening of the nail plate;
- Nail discoloration;
- Slight itching in the area of the toes;
- nail abrasion;
- Unpleasant foot odor.
Lack of treatment in the early stages of the disease causes its progression. Therefore, it is very important not to miss the most optimal moment to start a therapeutic course that will help fight the infection and prevent it from spreading to healthy tissues.
Treatment
If the patient is diagnosed at an early stage of development, nail fungus is easily treated. It is necessary to refuse self-medication to prevent the onset of the disease. The patient will not be able to choose adequate therapy for himself, which will lead to a positive result. It is better to entrust such tasks to authorized specialists dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis.
Local preparations
Fungus on the hands, as well as on the lower extremities, can be removed with topical medications. The initial stage of the disease involves the use of drugs that do not significantly affect the patient's body, but act directly on the lesions.
Comprehensive treatment of onychomycosis in the early stages of development necessarily involves the use of a local drug.
The external agent should be used in accordance with the instructions of the attending physician, as well as its instructions for use. Adherence to this rule will increase the effectiveness of the course of treatment and avoid possible side effects.
According to the standard scheme, a local preparation is required to apply a thin layer to the nail plate infected with the fungus 1-2 times a day. If special varnishes are used, apply no more than once a week.
Systemic therapy
At the first signs of onychomycosis you should consult a doctor. It is not always possible to treat toenail fungus with topical medications. Therefore, in addition, dermatologists prescribe a systemic agent that acts on the causative agent from the human body.
Oral medications with antifungal effects can only be taken as prescribed by a specialist. This is due to the fact that they have a large list of contraindications and side effects. The course of therapy is selected individually for each patient. It usually lasts about 4 months. If measures are taken in the early stages of the development of onychomycosis, this period is reduced.
If local remedies do not stop the disease, it is advisable to use systemic medications.
Laser therapy and ozone therapy
Fungal infections on the nail plates can be treated using hardware procedures. Laser and ozone therapy are used for this purpose. If traditional treatments do not bring the desired result, they are prescribed in the early and advanced stages of the pathological process.
Laser therapy has many advantages in the fight against nail fungus:
- Achieving a guaranteed outcome in 99% of cases;
- There is no pain or discomfort during the procedure;
- Does not adversely affect internal organs;
- Complete destruction of the fungus;
- Improving the general condition of the infected area after the first procedure;
- Restoration of the nail plate 30 days after therapy.
Nail fungus on the hands or lower extremities can also be treated with ozone therapy. The initial stage of onychomycosis is well suited for such treatment.
Ozone has an antiseptic effect. That is why doctors use it to treat fungal infections of the nails. When ozone enters the body, it is carried through the blood to various parts of the body. After that, in most cases, the culprit is defeated.
Ozone therapy is completely painless. Its duration is limited to 30 minutes. Only the affected area is affected during treatment. The skin around the plate is not affected.
Ozone, like laser therapy, is prescribed by the attending physician after the patient has passed all the necessary tests and examinations. Based on their results, the specialist concludes that it is advisable to use such therapeutic procedures that help speed up the recovery process.
Folk methods
The attending physician may recommend the use of non-traditional therapies in combination with medications. It is good to carry out such therapy at an early stage of the pathological process. Then it will be the most useful. Treatment of onychomycosis can be carried out with the following folk remedies:
- Iodine. They should periodically treat the infected nail. It is desirable to perform the procedure twice a day to stop the growth of pathogenic microflora on the surface. The antiseptic agent not only fights fungus, but also dries the nail plate. It is recommended to take a break for 2-3 days a week after such treatment;
- garlic. It is a natural disinfectant that fights the active reproduction of pathogens. A fresh clove of garlic should be scrubbed, after which this gruel is applied to the problem area. It is advisable to straighten the mass with a bandage, leaving it overnight;
- Celandine. The juice of this plant is useful with onychomycosis. It is recommended to lubricate the affected areas of the upper or lower extremities with a fresh product. An allergy test should be performed before the procedure to prevent the development of side effects;
- onion. It is effective against fungal infections caused by a pathogen such as yeast. Fresh vegetables should be peeled and grated on a medium grater. After mixing the onion mass with a small amount of natural honey. The finished product should be applied to painful nails for 2-3 hours. If you perform this procedure several times a day, you can quickly improve the patient's general condition;
- soda. Used in the preparation of medicinal baths. It should be dissolved in warm or hot water. For 2, 5 liters of liquid you need to take 1 tbsp. l. soda. It is also recommended to add some liquid soap to the solution. This bath can be taken for 15 minutes every day.
Folk remedies work only in the treatment of the initial stage of onychomycosis. In more advanced cases, they do not give much result. However, even if the disease is just beginning, there is no guarantee that alternative medicine will help you to get rid of it completely. To be sure of the effectiveness of the therapeutic course, it is better to use its methods in parallel with pharmaceutical drugs.
Disinfection and other rules during treatment
The doctor will explain to the patient in detail how to act in the early stages of the disease and advise on how the fungus appears on the feet at an early stage.
In order for the treatment prescribed by the doctor to be effective, the patient must follow additional special rules:
- Daily socks and shoes that come in contact with a person infected with the fungus are required to be disinfected;
- The patient's towels and bedding should be boiled at a high temperature;
- After pinching the patient, the bath should be thoroughly cleaned.
Boiling is strongly recommended to disinfect all acceptable objects and objects with which a person with onychomycosis interacts. You should also wipe your shoes regularly with special antiseptic and antifungal solutions.
Prevention of onychomycosis
Prevention of onychomycosis should be carried out by anyone at risk of infection. This measure will allow him not to spend unnecessary money and time on medical procedures.
To prevent onychomycosis, you should do the following:
- Avoid wearing other people's clothes and shoes. If necessary, it should first be carefully treated with an antifungal and antiseptic agent;
- You should use disposable slippers in public places, such as saunas or swimming pools;
- Use only your own manicure tools.
If a person can treat onychomycosis and take more preventive measures, the chances of re-encountering the fungus will be only 8%.