Fungus of the nail plates on the legs in the initial stage.

Fungal spores enter the body through various microcracks; after a few weeks, they begin to actively grow and multiply. If you miss the early stage of the disease, the infection will affect the nail plate, bed, and matrix. To get rid of the pathology, you need to know the symptoms and methods of treatment, the causes of the disease.

Causes of appearance and main symptoms.

The causative agent is a dermatophyte, consisting of thin threads. The fungus feeds on keratin, which is found in hair, plates, and skin. The spores can penetrate deep into the toenail, which can lead to its rapid complete destruction. You can get infected in the pool, bathhouse, on the beach, in beauty salons, where disinfection rules are not followed. Pathogenic microorganisms can penetrate even with a minor scratch. The main reason is weak immunity, non-compliance with hygiene rules.

In the early stages, people often do not pay attention to signs of infection, so they turn to doctors with an already advanced ailment. Anemia, liver pathologies, chronic inflammatory processes, calcium deficiency and some other microelements - all these diseases change the color and structure of the plaques on the legs and arms. Therefore, if the color and thickness change sharply, you should consult a specialist.

What does the disease look like in the initial stage?

• white or yellowish spots, longitudinal stripes appear;
• the color changes slightly: it acquires a yellow tint, the healthy natural glow disappears;
• most often in the initial stage, the infection affects the big toe;
• changes in the structure occur: the plate becomes thicker, uneven, begins to crumble, exfoliate, looks sloppy;
• itching appears, cracks form between the fingers, rounded plates;
• inflamed areas hurt, causing discomfort when walking.

If you miss the initial signs, the nail begins to move away from the bed, pathogenic microorganisms rapidly multiply in space. It turns brown, black, gray, the legs constantly smell unpleasant. At an early stage, it affects the plaque on one side, full damage is observed with the intensive development of pathology, the presence of concomitant diseases.

Traditional treatments

If you notice the first signs in a timely manner, it will be enough to undergo treatment with the help of external means, which only a doctor can choose correctly. In an advanced stage, the disease will have to be treated with the use of expensive and not always safe drugs. You should immediately contact a mycologist or dermatologist for any changes in the structure.

How to get rid of toenail fungus early:

1. In the podiatry office, a medical pedicure is performed: with the help of tweezers, a file or a grinder, the damaged part of the nail is removed. If the plate is very stiff, a keratolytic patch is used to soften it. The procedure cannot be performed in ordinary salons.
2. If the disease is in the initial stage, no more than two nails are affected by the fungus, then antifungal drugs should be tried. Ointments are inexpensive, but they cannot penetrate inside, they are applied twice a day. Healing varnishes create a protective film on the surface and should be used once a week. You can use the funds at home, they have practically no contraindications.
3. If the infection spreads quickly, your doctor may prescribe systemic medications in pill form.

A popular, effective and inexpensive remedy for getting rid of foot fungus is a special serum. It is spread over the entire plate twice a day, the top layer is previously removed with a special nail file, which is included in the kit. Spray - quickly eliminates the symptoms of the initial stage. You should apply on a steamed nail 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment is 7-14 days.

Modern podiatry tries not to remove the entire nail, especially if the disease is in its early stages. During such operations, the matrix is removed, which leads to subsequent growth and deformation. A safer treatment method is laser therapy, under the influence of the beam, pathogenic microorganisms are killed instantly, nearby tissues are not injured.

Home remedies

You can check for fungus at home in a simple way: dilute potassium permanganate in warm water, the liquid should have a pale pink color. Keep the feet in the solution for 3-5 minutes: the affected plates do not stain, they remain clear, and the healthy areas turn brown.

You can eliminate the causes and symptoms at home using traditional methods. They are safe, they have practically no contraindications, many of them are suitable for the treatment of children and pregnant women. The basis of home therapy consists of medicinal baths, oils, ointments.

• Apple vinagereffective in treating foot fungus. It is necessary to dilute it in equal proportion with warm water, immerse your feet in the solution for a quarter of an hour. After the procedure, let the skin dry naturally. All symptoms will disappear in 15 to 20 days.
• Tea tree oil- a powerful natural antiseptic that can be treated in all stages. The tool should be rubbed three times a day on the affected plates, and the feet should be treated. One procedure requires 4 to 10 drops of oil extract. Duration: 2-4 weeks. This therapy is not suitable for pregnant women and children.
• Celandineused to eliminate various dermatological diseases at home. Grind the fresh herb, squeeze the juice, mix with an equal amount of medical alcohol. Remove the tincture for a day in a dark room, use the drug to lubricate the affected plaques 3-4 times a day. Before applying, the feet should be steamed in a soda or saline solution. The duration of treatment is 1, 5 to 2 weeks.
• Peroxide- an affordable and safe antiseptic that eliminates the signs of fungal diseases. Steam your feet in water with a small amount of baking soda. Moisten the cotton pads with peroxide, secure with a film or fingertip on the infected nail. Repeat the procedure 3-5 times a day, keep the compress for at least 45 minutes.

Infection prevention

You cannot put on someone else's shoes, socks and tights should be worn only with absolutely dry feet.

How to prevent fungal toenail diseases:

• try on shoes in the store with only your clean socks on;
• always use only your own towels, manicure and pedicure tools;
• in public places with high humidity, you should not walk barefoot;
• in the classrooms, you should not hesitate to ask the teacher to disinfect the instruments again;
• shoes and stockings should be made of natural materials, allow the skin to breathe;
• regularly examine the feet, toes and do a pedicure;
• strengthen the protective functions of the body.

If you managed to notice the symptoms in time and heal, then for 2-3 months it is necessary to apply antifungal compounds to the nails, all shoes should be disinfected or discarded. After getting rid of the infection, you need to carry out a general cleaning of the house: thoroughly wash the floors, bathroom and personal belongings with special products.

The fungus is a common disease, spores remain active for a long time in the environment, penetrate the body through damaged skin. Not everyone can completely get rid of the infection, the probability of recurrence is 7-8%. Preventive measures and strong immunity will help prevent infection.