Not everyone knows what toenail fungus looks like and can initially identify this disease and start treatment. Itching, redness of the skin, peeling and cracking are all signs of this condition. However, there are other diseases with similar symptoms, such as eczema or psoriasis. And even the toenails can change in appearance not due to a fungal infection, but due to psychological stress or a number of diseases of internal organs. Thus, the final diagnosis can only be made by a doctor after receiving the test results. And the patient's task is to see a doctor in time if any warning signs appear.
The main symptoms of yeast infection
The characteristic symptoms of yeast infection of the feet are peeling and most often some form in the form of rings or plaques. Sometimes it is so insignificant that such a situation can last for several months, even years, and at the same time not cause much discomfort. At the same time, some people try to cope with these manifestations of yeast infection on their own. They use folk remedies like iodine, vinegar and bright green, and for a while the disease really goes away. More precisely, it seems so, but in fact this treatment leads to the fact that the fungus on the legs simply freezes, and then continues to multiply when a more favorable situation occurs.
In addition, if at an early stage such a disease is not completely cured, but only the symptoms are eliminated, very soon it will spread to the nail and smooth skin. Not to mention that other family members can contract the fungal disease.
The degree of lesion in yeast infection of the feet depends on many factors. If there are such prerequisites as microtrauma, various pathologies of the endocrine system, diabetes mellitus, if a person undergoes a certain treatment with glucocorticoids or cytostatics, all this contributes to the further development of the disease.
One day the period of relative stability ends, and the patient does not see the most attractive image - it is not only peeling of the skin, but also bubbles, weeping cracks on the foot, suppuration. These are all classic symptoms that are present in the later stages of the development of the pathology. At the same time, the initial stage of the nail fungus is visible. Although the type of microorganisms can be examined in more detail only under a microscope, their activity is much more noticeable - this is a change in the shape and color of the nails, and then their thickening and thinning. destruction.
Fungus on the nails and its manifestations
The flexibility of the toenails manifests itself in different ways. It all depends on the stage of the disease and the type of fungus causing it. Normally the nail should be smooth, pink and even shiny. If the condition of the nails is far from the ideal described, then something is happening in the body.
The nails grow at a certain rate. When a person is stressed, this rate decreases and the nail becomes thinner and weaker. Then the body returns to normal, and the nails return to their original state from the point of growth indicators, but this weak band on the nail plate still remains. And if a person's life is rather nervous, there can be more than one of these stripes. Additionally, onychomycosis (and this is the scientific name for nail fungus) is not the only disease that causes the nail plate to change color or shape. Pathologies such as immune failures, hormonal imbalances and other disorders of the endocrine system lead to exactly the same results. This is why it is necessary to carry out an analysis on a case-by-case basis.
The appearance of the fungus largely depends on the microorganisms that cause onychomycosis. And it can be caused by several types. For example, if we are talking about dermatophytes, the fungus looks like clouding of the nail. This is a manifestation of the initial stage of the toenail fungus. After that, yellow spots may appear along the edge of the plate and even in its middle. Then longitudinal scratches appear, and the nail begins to collapse.
Otherwise, problems caused by the yeast appear. In such cases, the nail plate becomes noticeably thinner, acquires a grayish tint, and after some time already deviates from its normal position. This is largely due to the fact that the metabolism deteriorates in the damaged cells. At the same time, the grooves that appeared on the nail fold finally confirm the diagnosis - yeast fungus.
Mold must be mentioned separately. Usually it only affects the nail plate, making it cloudy and discolored; it can be light yellow, greenish, brown and even black.
The peculiarity of these fungi is that they only cause superficial damage and do not penetrate deep inside.
It is clear that the diagnosis can only be made by the attending physician, who will examine all symptoms and perform tests. Self-treatment without consulting a doctor has very unpleasant consequences.
Stages and types of onychomycosis
Considering the stages of onychomycosis, many confuse them with varieties of this disease, of which there are three. It is a normotrophic, hypertrophic and atrophic onychomycosis.
For example, with normotrophic onychomycosis, the color of the nail changes, scratches and spots may appear on it, but its thickness and shine remains normal. Many people believe that this is a nail fungus, the initial stage of which is about to turn into a more serious pathology, but in fact the fungus in such situations responds well to treatment.
With hypotrophic onychomycosis, the color of the nail changes, its shine is lost, the nail itself thickens, and its deformation occurs, in some cases even destruction along the edges. The onycholytic species is often referred to as atrophic. This is not the same nail fungus, the initial stage of which results in cracks and discoloration, here the treatment will be different, because the affected part of the plaque atrophies.
Treatment of fungus of the feet and nails
The first thing to do with this disease is to consult a doctor who will help you choose a drug that meets the following requirements:
- high antifungal activity, which allows you to fight different types of infectious agents;
- a sufficiently high concentration of the active substance both in the preparation itself and in the surface layers of the skin after its application;
- complex antifungal and antibacterial therapy;
- no contraindications and side effects, including allergic reactions;
- ease of use.
Given these requirements, it is no surprise that the drug selection step is so important. As a rule, in the absence of complications, drugs based on substances such as ciclopirox and naftifine are used. They are produced in the form of ointments, less often in the form of tablets. At a more severe stage of the yeast infection, it is recommended to treat it with medicines based on terbinafine and fluconazole.
Tablets should be taken if ointments and creams for external use have not worked. The dosage of the tablets should be checked with the attending physician. As a rule, all of these remedies are quite powerful, so the treatment lasts about 7-10 days, although some drugs can be taken even for 3-4 weeks.
The attending physician prescribes such therapy, taking into account what other drugs the patient will take. These drugs can cause vomiting or dizziness as a side effect. This is considered valid. Generic drugs are milder than brand name drugs, but their effect is weak.
Operational interventions
Previously, in advanced cases, surgical removal of the affected tissue was performed. This was especially true for the nails. They now use a drill like the one used in dental offices. Even in the most advanced cases, cutting almost all nails will take about half an hour. And if the problem is only one affected nail, it will only take about 5 minutes.
It is not necessary to take any additional precautions after the procedure. This procedure does not cause any painful sensations, you can lead a usual lifestyle, jogging in the morning. It is only important to make sure that the affected areas of the skin are not injured.
Treatment of the nails with such a preparation is not enough, it will still have to be repeated at least once more, 3-4 weeks after the first treatment, when the nails grow a little. In general, you should be aware that this process is long, that it can take a month, and if things have gone far enough, several months. For example, there are cases when for the first 3-4 months a patient performs nail treatment with such a tool every 2-3 weeks, and then takes medication for several months.
Are folk remedies effective?
Any doctor will say that the recipes of traditional medicine for such a disease are not effective and even harmful. First, neither vinegar, herbs, nor even honey, despite its antiseptic agents, practically do not affect the fungus. Yes, you can hear from friends that some of these recipes have helped get rid of the itchiness or cracks. Well, then these signs just weren't attributed to the fungus. The same psoriasis or eczema has similar symptoms and is perfectly treated with the above traditional methods.
Secondly, these drugs help to get rid of the signs of the fungus, that is, they mask it for a while, and this is enough for everyone in the family to get infected.
However, the vinegar mentioned above will be effective for other purposes - it can be used to wash bedding and shoes to prevent re-infestation of the fungus. The only shoes that are not washed but thrown away are household slippers, as they cannot be disinfected. Vinegar can also be used to disinfect the tub.