The first signs of a fungal nail infection

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 encounter mushrooms anywhere: in your favorite swimming 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.It is therefore very important to know the first signs of nail fungus.

Where can the fungus lurk?

Many people think that fungal infections are the lot of people who are sick and do not follow hygiene rules.So they don't pay attention to minor changes on the feet and heels.

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

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 only to get back on its feet, 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 contracting a fungus increase if you:

• wear tight, uncomfortable shoes, especially those made of synthetic materials;
• you wear other people’s slippers when visiting and at home;
• try on shoes without shoes in stores;
• walk in the pool and gym barefoot on the ground, without flip-flops;
• suffer from excessive sweating of the feet;
• have diabetes;
• suffer 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 realize it when the fungus reaches an advanced stage.

Doctors make no secret of 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 heels and under toes;
• constant itching of 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 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 fingers;
• the feet dry out and crack, the cracks are deep, sometimes bloody;
• oozing sores appear (generally 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 whitened or blackened nail moves away from the nail plate;
• the structure of the nails changes;they become troubled and cowardly;
• the nail plate thickens so much that it is not amenable to pedicure instruments;
• 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 infection is a discolored nail;for others, the nail plates simply thicken without causing discomfort.And someone suffers from so much pain and itching that he simply cannot walk normally.

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

1. 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 black-green.The thickness and structure of the plate are generally preserved.
2. Hypertrophic.Here the nail is completely affected by a fungal attack.The color of the plaque changes, the nails become deformed, become thick, loose and lumpy.Often the nail plate peels off and collapses, usually in several parts.
3. Atrophic.In this case, the fungus does everything to not only disfigure your nails, but also destroy them.The nail plate changes color, becomes thinner and gradually tears off the bed.

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

Yeast infections are quite rare and only occur in 4-5% of cases.Mold attacks even less often - in around 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 with symptoms similar to those 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.

Suspected symptoms may not be due to fungus if:

• you recently suffered a foot injury (crushed your toe under a door, walked for a long time in tight shoes with uncomfortable form);
• you 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 do a quick home test.Dilute a little potassium permanganate in a bowl of warm water and soak your feet in it for a while.Healthy nails will take on a brownish tint.If no changes are visible, it 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 engage in self-diagnosis or self-medication: at the slightest suspicion, you must go to a dermatologist and have all the tests done.This will allow you to confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, start treatment as quickly as possible.