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The first signs of a fungal nail infection

Today, getting a yeast 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 encounter mushrooms everywhere: at your favorite pool, at a party, and even in your own 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 mushroom wait?

walking in someone else's slippers to get infected with fungus

Many people think that fungal infections are common in people who are sick and do not follow the rules of hygiene, so they do not pay attention to small changes in the feet and heels.

The nail hurts - you need to change your shoes to looser ones, your heels are peeling - apply a thicker cream, spots appeared on your nails - buy vitamins and choose a brighter varnish.

But modern studies provide the opposite - supporters of a healthy lifestyle and athletes often become victims of fungi.A lot of conditions are necessary for the mushroom not only to stand up, but also to start multiplying actively.But if you are in the "fungus" risk group, it is important to regularly check your feet and nails in order not to miss the first symptoms.

You are more likely to get a fungal infection if:

  • wear tight and uncomfortable shoes, especially shoes made of synthetic materials;
  • you wear other people's slippers when visiting and at home;
  • try on shoes without shoes in stores;
  • walking barefoot in the pool and gym without flip-flops;
  • your feet suffer from excessive sweating;
  • have diabetes;
  • suffers from varicose veins and other circulatory disorders.

First signs

The first signs of a fungal infection can be difficult to recognize.Today, many doctors talk about the rise of the so-called deleted form of fungal infection.In this case, obvious signs of infection do not appear for a long time, and people understand this only when the fungus reaches an advanced stage.

Doctors do not hide: many skin diseases begin in the same way as fungus (psoriasis, lichen, allergic dermatitis).But in order not to miss the disease, it is better to play it safe and consult a doctor as soon as possible.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 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 is thicker than usual).

Main symptoms

As the fungus invades more areas of your body, your symptoms will get worse.The itching becomes unbearable, despite the best foot scrubs and expensive nourishing creams, the skin constantly peels off.And your nails change their appearance so much that even in summer heat you have to hide them in closed shoes.

Typical symptoms of fungal nail disease:

  • thickening and keratinization of the skin (especially on the heels and toes);
  • painful blisters between fingers;
  • the legs dry and crack, the cracks are deep, sometimes bloody;
  • weeping sores appear (usually between the fingers, where the skin is less ventilated);
  • an unpleasant smell from rotting tissues appears under the nails;
  • the nail plate delaminates, becomes brittle and brittle;
  • nails turn white, yellow, black or green;
  • the whitened or darkened nail moves away from the nail plate;
  • the structure of nails changes;they become cloudy and empty;
  • the nail plate becomes so thick that it is not suitable for pedicure tools;
  • the periungual layer becomes very inflamed;
  • deformed nails cause severe pain when walking.

Types of mushrooms

If you are infected with a fungus, you don't have to wait for all these symptoms.For some, the main manifestation of infection is a discolored nail;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 nail fungus, 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 color of the nail plate changes sharply to yellow or black-green.The thickness and structure of the plate is usually preserved.
  2. Hypertrophic.Here the nail is completely affected by the fungal attack.The color of the plate changes, the nails are deformed, thickened, loose and lumpy.Frequent peeling and collapse of the nail plate, usually in parts.
  3. Atrophic.In this case, the fungus does everything not only to destroy your nails, but to destroy them.The color of the nail plate changes, becomes thinner and is gradually torn from the bed.

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

Yeast infection is extremely rare, occurring in only 4-5% of all cases.Molds attack less often - about 1% of cases.They usually attack people with severe chronic diseases.Our main enemies are dermatophytes.There are several types of parasites in this group, the infection has symptoms similar to those described above.

Mushroom or not?

the girl is thinking about treating her toenail fungus

Even when all the symptoms of a fungal infection are present, we still want to believe that it is not a fungus, but just uncomfortable shoes or the hot summer sun that dries our feet mercilessly.

Suspicious symptoms may not be fungal if:

  • you recently injured your foot (crushed your toe under the door, uncomfortable in tight shoes for a long time);
  • if you have symptoms of psoriasis or another skin disease;
  • when changes affect all fingernails and toenails at the same time.

If you are not sure about your diagnosis, you can do a short test at home.Dilute some potassium permanganate in a bowl of warm water and keep your feet there for some time.Healthy nails will take on a brown color.If no changes are seen, this is a clear signal of a fungal infection.

Fungal infections of the nails always occur individually, so each person always has their own symptoms, unlike the fungus of a colleague, neighbor or relative.You should not engage in self-diagnosis or self-treatment: at the slightest suspicion, you should consult a dermatologist and conduct all the tests.This will allow you to confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, begin treatment as soon as possible.