The first signs of a fungal nail infection

Today, contracting 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 meet mushrooms everywhere: in your favorite pool, at a party and even in your home.The success of treatment directly depends on how quickly you recognize the infection and start treatment, so it is very important to know the first signs of nail fungus.

Where can the fungus hide?

Many people think that fungal infection affects many people who are sick and do not follow hygiene rules, so they do not pay attention to small changes on the feet and heels.

The nail hurts - you need to change shoes to wider ones, the heels come off - apply a thicker cream, stains have appeared on the nails - buy vitamins and choose brighter nail polish.

But modern research assures that the opposite is true: supporters of a healthy lifestyle and athletes often become victims of the fungus.In order for the mushroom not only to stand up, but to begin to actively multiply, many conditions are necessary.But if you belong to 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 contracting a fungus increase if:

• wearing tight and 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;
• 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 deleted form of fungal infection.In this case, obvious signs of infection do not appear for a long time, and people only notice them when the fungus reaches an advanced stage.

Doctors do not hide: many skin diseases begin in the same way as fungi (psoriasis, lichens, allergic dermatitis).But it is better to be on the safe side and consult a doctor as soon as possible so as not to miss the disease.The following symptoms should alert you:

• dry and cracked skin 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 streaks 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 get worse.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 in 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 toes;
• the feet dry out and crack, the cracks are deep, sometimes bleeding;
• exuding 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;become cloudy and loose;
• the nail plate thickens so much that it is not amenable to pedicure tools;
• the periungual fold becomes very inflamed;
• deformed nails cause severe pain when walking.

Types of mushrooms

If you are 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 nails simply thicken without causing any discomfort.And someone suffers so much pain and itching that he simply cannot walk normally.

There are 3 types of fungal nail infections, each of which has its own characteristics.

1. Normotrophic.In this case only the color of the nail changes.In the first stage, whitish longitudinal stripes or spots appear, then the nail plate abruptly changes color to yellow or black-green.The thickness and structure of the plate are generally preserved.
2. Hypertrophic.Here the nail is completely affected by the fungal attack.The color of the plaque changes, the nails are deformed, become thick, loose and lumpy.Often the nail plate peels off and collapses, usually in some parts.
3. Atrophic.In this case, the fungus does everything not only to disfigure the nails, but to destroy them.The nail plate changes color, becomes thinner and is gradually torn off from the bed.

The signs of a fungal infection largely depend on the type of fungus you have.Experts identify 3 main groups of parasites that are dangerous for our nails.These are dermatophytes, yeasts and molds.

Yeast infection is quite rare and occurs in only 4-5% of cases.Molds attack even less often, in 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 similar symptoms described above.

Mushroom 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 out our feet.

Suspicious symptoms may not be a fungus if:

• you recently suffered a foot injury (you crushed your toe under a door, you walked for a long time in tight, awkwardly shaped shoes);
• you have symptoms of psoriasis or another skin disease;
• when the changes affected all fingernails and toenails at the same time.

If you are unsure of your diagnosis, you can do a small test at home.Dilute some potassium permanganate in a bowl of warm water and soak your feet in there for a while.Healthy nails will take on a brownish tint.If no changes are visible, this is a clear sign of 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 indulge in self-diagnosis or self-medication: at the slightest suspicion, you need to go to a dermatologist and do all the tests.This will allow you to confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, start treatment as quickly as possible.