Most people do not even know that the most common sweating of the feet and the accompanying unpleasant odor is one of the main signs of the development of fungal disease. Toenail fungus, the symptoms of which are not immediately apparent, can appear in all people who do not take care of themselves at least a little bit. This disease is expected almost everywhere and most often in public places. The unfortunate thing is that fungal disease is quite insidious: it is treated for a long period of time and is 100% ineffective since it is characterized by relapses. To timely identify the fungus and begin treatment, you need to have an idea of how toenail fungus is manifested.
The spread of fungal disease
The disease is caused by the development of parasitic fungi in the body. The best conditions for their emergence and further spread are a warm environment and at the same time high humidity. Many people think that it is very easy to get such an infection in water parks, baths, beauty salons.
But the statistics are completely different: you can get a fungal infection even with common items (bath, clothes, shoes, towels) without leaving home. However, this is true if at least one member of the family is a mushroom trainer. And yet, what influences the spread of the fungus in principle? There are some key aspects that can lead to fungal infection:
- Heavy sweating;
- Diabetes mellitus;
- The problem of excess weight;
- If the nail is damaged;
- Weak immunity.
In order to somehow protect yourself from fungal infection, you should use only personal hygiene products, carry out a comprehensive shower and bath treatment, wear only shoes, wash your carpets as often as possible, and so on. Sh. And if you have already noticed the first signs of toenail fungus, you should immediately consult a dermatologist!
Signs of fungus according to the causative agent of the disease
You should notice fungus marks on your toenails in a timely manner. The effectiveness of complex treatment of fungal infections is determined by how well the disease-causing agent has been identified. This can be explained by the fact that there are many species of fungi and each species responds to a specific group of medications.
In most cases, the causative agents of the disease are:
- Forged;
- Dermatophytes;
- Yeast.
If the fungus started to develop due to yeast, then it is almost impossible to detect the disease at night. Signs of fungus on the feet in such conditions are as follows:
- Itching of the foot and skin around the nail plate;
- The nail peels off.
Yeast infection occurs in only 4-5% of cases. Very often, these are dermatophytes that affect the nail plate (94, 5%). This pathogen is of 3 types and the manifestations of each are very different:
- 1 type. There is a simultaneous defeat of the nail plate, the entire foot and the skin of the feet. Such fungi are easily transmitted to the nails and skin of the hands.
- 2 types. The disease affects only the thumb and little toenails on the feet. It can also go in the folds between the fingers.
- 3 types. Characterized by damage to the nail plate of the little finger and thumb, but the disease does not spread to the skin.
As for molds, the causative agent in this case is mold fungi. It is observed extremely rarely. It is mainly found in people with AIDS.
Other symptoms
Often, when the disease is just beginning, there are no symptoms of fungus on the toenails. But with extreme attention to the feet, the person will notice that round spots have started on the nail plate and the nail itself loses its shine and becomes rough. The developing fungal disease is more pronounced on the nail plate: initially it changes its color, after which the nail peels off, it breaks down easily. The shade of the nail plate is determined by the type of fungus in the pathogen.
Toenail Fungus: Symptoms (Optional)
- The nail plate turns black;
- The nail takes on an unusual shape and its structure changes completely;
- The nails become very brittle;
- Nail plastic wounds under the skin;
- Will be followed by constant fatigue.
The abnormal appearance of the nail plate is a "call" for a visit to a dermatologist and there nail fungus whose symptoms you have noticed will be confirmed or denied. If you constantly delay seeing a doctor, the disease will quickly spread to other areas. If you do not think about it, then there is nothing life-threatening in this disease. But, apart from being an exclusively aesthetic problem and discomfort, fungal infection is sometimes the cause of great complications. For this reason, symptoms should not be ignored and treatment of the disease should be started in a timely manner, as soon as it is detected.
A doctor who treats fungal diseases
It is realistic to detect the infection independently, but only a doctor can confirm your assumption. To make an accurate diagnosis, a dermatologist will schedule certain tests. To perform them, they take a piece of crushed nail plate or a scrub of perianal tissues.
Timely detection of infection facilitates further treatment and eliminates the possibility of complications. If treatment is not started in time, it will spread the disease to other organs and all the nails of the hands / feet.
Toenail fungus: a treatment procedure
Therapy aimed at treating the fungus will be prescribed by a dermatologist - it will all depend on how the disease progresses, the type of fungus that is in the body and other factors. Usually, if the fungus is just beginning to develop, medications are prescribed for external use. In more difficult situations, seek intensive treatment.
By the way, it takes a long time. Therefore, in case of slight suspicion of fungal infection, it is in your interest to visit a doctor! Symptoms of nail fungus should be recognized in advance. And the sooner the disease is detected, the faster the treatment will be carried out!