These days, getting a fungal infection is almost as easy as catching a cold.The slightest stress, a weakened immune system and now an insidious parasite is preparing to attack your feet.And you can find mushrooms anywhere: in your favorite pool, at a party, and even in your own home.The success of treatment depends directly on how quickly the infection is recognized and treatment is started, so it is very important to know the first signs of nail fungus.
Where can the fungus lurk?
Many people think that fungal infections are many people who are sick and do not follow hygiene rules, so they do not pay attention to minor changes in the feet and heels.
Your nail hurts: you need to change your shoes to looser ones, your heels are peeling, apply a thicker cream, spots have appeared on your nails, buy vitamins and choose a brighter polish.
But modern research assures that the opposite is true: followers of a healthy lifestyle and athletes often become victims of the fungus.In order for the fungus not only to stand up, but to begin to actively multiply, many conditions are needed.But if you are in the "fungal" risk group, it is important to examine your feet and nails periodically so as not to miss the first symptoms.
Your chances of getting a fungus increase if you:
- wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes, especially those made of synthetic materials;
- you wear other people's slippers when visiting and at home;
- trying on shoes without footwear in stores;
- walking in the pool and gym with bare feet on the ground, without flip-flops;
- suffers from excessive sweating of the feet;
- have diabetes;
- Suffers from varicose veins and other circulatory disorders.
First signs
Recognizing the first signs of a fungal infection can be difficult.Today, many doctors talk about the increase in the so-called erased form of fungal infection.In this case, obvious signs of infection do not appear for a long time and people only notice when the fungus reaches an advanced stage.
Doctors do not hide it: many skin diseases begin in the same way as fungi (psoriasis, lichen, allergic dermatitis).But it is better to play it safe and consult a doctor as soon as possible so as not to miss the disease.The following symptoms should alert you:
- dry skin and cracks on the heels and under the toes;
- constant itching on the feet and between the toes;
- thickening of the skin ridges along the edges of the nail plate;
- the appearance of white spots and stripes on the nails;
- deformation of the nail plate (bumps appear on the nail, it becomes thicker than usual).
Main symptoms
As the fungus invades more areas of your body, your symptoms will worsen.The itching becomes unbearable, the skin constantly peels, despite the best foot scrubs and expensive nourishing creams.And your nails change their appearance so much that you have to hide them with closed shoes even in the summer heat.
Typical signs of fungal nail disease are:
- thickening and keratinization of the skin (especially on the heels and toes);
- painful blisters between the fingers;
- the feet become dry and cracked, the cracks are deep, sometimes bloody;
- festering wounds appear (usually between the fingers, where the skin is less ventilated);
- an unpleasant odor appears from decaying tissues under the nails;
- the nail plate delaminates, becomes brittle and brittle;
- nails change color to white, yellow, black or green;
- a whitened or blackened nail moves away from the nail plate;
- the structure of the nails changes;they become cloudy and loose;
- the nail plate thickens so much that it cannot be used with pedicure instruments;
- the periungual fold becomes very inflamed;
- Deformed nails cause severe pain when walking.
types of mushrooms
If you become infected with a fungus, it is not at all necessary that all these symptoms await you.For some, the main manifestation of the infection is a discolored nail;For others, the nail plates simply thicken without causing any discomfort.And someone suffers so much pain and itching that they simply cannot walk normally.
There are 3 types of fungal nail infections, each of which has its own characteristics.
- Normotrophic.In this case, only the color of the nail changes.At the first stage, whitish longitudinal stripes or spots appear, then the nail plate abruptly changes color to yellow or greenish-black.The thickness and structure of the plate are generally preserved.
- Hypertrophic.Here the nail is completely affected by the fungal attack.The color of the plate changes, the nails become deformed, become thick, loose and lumpy.Often the nail plate detaches and collapses, usually in parts.
- Atrophic.In this case, the fungus does everything possible not only to disfigure the nails, but also to destroy them.The nail plate changes color, becomes thinner and gradually detaches from the bed.
The signs of a fungal infection largely depend on the type of fungus you have contracted.Experts identify 3 main groups of parasites that are dangerous to our nails.These are dermatophytes, yeasts and molds.
Candidiasis is quite rare and occurs in only 4-5% of all cases.Mold attacks even less frequently - about 1% of cases.They usually attack people with serious chronic diseases.Our main enemies are dermatophytes.There are several types of parasites in this group, the infection of which has symptoms similar to those described above.
Mushrooms or not?
Even if all the signs of a fungal infection are present, we still want to believe that it is not a fungus, but simply uncomfortable shoes or the scorching summer sun that dries our feet mercilessly.
The suspected symptoms may not be a fungus if:
- recently suffered a foot injury (crushed his toe under a door, walked for a long time in tight shoes with an uncomfortable last);
- have symptoms of psoriasis or another skin disease;
- when the changes affected all fingernails and toenails simultaneously.
If you are unsure of your diagnosis, you can perform a small home test.Dilute a little potassium permanganate in a container with warm water and soak your feet there for a while.Healthy nails will take on a brown tint.If no changes are seen, it is a clear sign of fungal infection.
Nail fungal infections always occur individually, so each person always has their own symptoms, unlike a colleague, neighbor or family member's fungus.It is not advisable to self-diagnose or self-medicate: if you have the slightest suspicion, you should go to the dermatologist and have all the tests done.This will allow you to confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, start treatment as soon as possible.