Today, getting a fungal infection is almost as easy as catching a cold.The slightest stress, weakened immunity - and now an insidious parasite is preparing to attack your feet.And you can find fungus anywhere: in your favorite pool, at a party, and even in your own home.The success of the treatment directly depends on how quickly you recognize the infection and start treatment, which is why it is very important to know the first signs of nail fungus.
Where can the fungus lurk?
Many people think that fungal infection is the fate of those who are sick and do not follow hygiene rules, which is why they do not pay attention to minor changes in the feet and heels.
The nails hurt - you need to change your shoes for wider ones, the heels are peeling - apply a thicker cream, spots have appeared on the nails - buy vitamins and choose a brighter nail polish.
But modern research assures that the opposite is true - adherents of a healthy lifestyle and athletes often become victims of the fungus.In order for the fungus not just to rise, but to begin to actively multiply, many conditions are necessary.But if you are in the “fungal” risk group, it is important to regularly examine your feet and nails so as not to miss the first symptoms.
Your chances of getting a fungus increase if you:
- wear tight and uncomfortable shoes, especially those made of synthetic material;
- you wear other people's slippers when visiting and at home;
- try on shoes without shoes in stores;
- walk in the pool and gym with bare feet on the floor, without flip-flops;
- suffer from excessive sweating of the feet;
- have diabetes;
- suffer from varicose veins and other circulatory disorders.
First signs
Recognizing the early 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 take a long time to appear and people only notice it 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 prevent and consult a doctor as early 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 in 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 (protrusions appear on the nail, it becomes thicker than normal).
Main symptoms
As the fungus invades more areas of the body, symptoms worsen.The itching becomes unbearable, the skin constantly peels off, 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 heat of summer.
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 dry out and crack, the cracks are deep, sometimes bloody;
- watering 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 fragile and brittle;
- nails change color to white, yellow, black or green;
- a whitish 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 is not suitable for pedicure instruments;
- the periungual fold becomes very inflamed;
- Deformed nails cause severe pain when walking.
Types of fungi
If you are infected with a fungus, it is not necessary for all these symptoms to await you.For some, the main manifestation of the infection is nail discoloration;for others, the nail plates simply thicken without causing any discomfort.And someone suffers from pain and itching so much that they simply cannot walk normally.
There are 3 types of fungal nail infections, each with 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 protrude.Often the nail plate detaches and collapses, usually in parts.
- Atrophic.In this case, the fungus does everything it can not only to disfigure the nails, but also to destroy them.The nail plate changes color, becomes thinner and is gradually pulled away from the bed.
The signs of a fungal infection largely depend on the type of fungus you have contracted.Experts identify three main groups of parasites that are dangerous for our nails.They are dermatophytes, yeasts and molds.
Yeast infection is quite rare, occurring in only 4-5% of all cases.Fungi attack even less frequently - in about 1% of cases.They usually attack people with serious chronic illnesses.Our main enemies are dermatophytes.There are several types of parasites in this group, the infection of which presents symptoms similar to those described above.
Fungus 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 mercilessly dries our feet.
Suspected symptoms may not be a fungus if:
- you have recently suffered a foot injury (crushed your toe under a door, walked for a long time in tight shoes with an uncomfortable shape);
- you have symptoms of psoriasis or another skin disease;
- when the changes simultaneously affected all fingernails and toenails.
If you are unsure about your diagnosis, you can do a small home test.Dilute some potassium permanganate in a bowl of warm water and soak your feet for a while.Healthy nails will have a brownish tint.If no changes are visible, this is a clear sign of a fungal infection.
Fungal nail infections always occur individually, so each person always has their own symptoms, unlike the fungus of a colleague, neighbor or relative.You should not self-diagnose or self-medicate: at the slightest suspicion, you must go to the dermatologist and undergo all tests.This will make it possible to confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, start treatment as soon as possible.