The problem of fungal infection of the nails is quite common today. Far advanced reproduction of fungi in the thickness of the nail plates and in the soft tissues surrounding the nail is fraught with complete loss of the nail without the possibility of even partial recovery. That is why if you suddenly find changes in their structure or color that are uncharacteristic of the usual type of nails, be sure to contact specialists for treatment. They will help determine the presence of a fungal infection and, if necessary, distinguish it from bruises of the nail, from the manifestation of systemic diseases of the body.
Causes of toenail fungus
Compliance with the usual rules of hygiene and alertness to infection is the basis for the prevention of fungal infection. Failure to comply with these vital aspects leads to disease. Most often, the fungus gets on the skin and the nail plates themselves when you wear someone else's shoes, take bath procedures in public places such as baths, pools, saunas, rarely or do not wash your feet at all, do not fight overgrown nails and cracks on the rough skin of the soles.
If the condition and disinfection of pedicure tools is poor, it is also possible to become infected with the fungus, although this is fraught with infection and more dangerous infections, such as hepatitis B and C.
All these reasons lead to the fact that it is easiest for fungal microorganisms to populate previously healthy tissues, for this the most favorable conditions are created, which you only exacerbate.
What does nail fungus look like?
Signs of toenail fungus do not appear at the same time. Before a clear change in the nail plates on the affected toes in the region of the periungual soft tissue structures, skin cracks of various sizes and depths can be observed in the interdigital zones. Join this feeling of itching, tingling in the affected areas. The skin may begin to peel off, redden in varying degrees of severity of these symptoms. The key signs of a fungal infection are changes in the nail plate. It can thicken or thin, and a change in the usual color of the nail is also characteristic: white, light yellow, dark yellow, brown, light green, combinations of colors. The edge of the nail ceases to be even, in advanced cases the nail gradually loses its structure, breaks, crumbles. In the end, delamination of the entire plate may occur.
Looking closely at your friends, especially those who are already of mature and old age, you are likely to be able to easily identify the symptoms of nail fungus.
How can you tell a bruised nail from a fungus?
First of all, bruising of the nail is directly related to the fact of having a recent injury to the toe. External manifestations of a bruise do not occur immediately, but after 2-3 hours. Prior to this, the finger swells, may turn red. Further, the blood that has accumulated under the nail plate (and this is due to its outflow from the damaged vessels of the nail bed) becomes visible to the naked eye. Its cluster initially acquires a pink-scarlet color, over time it changes to dark red, dark purple and even black. In parallel, the hematoma decreases in size, and at the very end of the healing process it may look like a dot. The soft tissues of the finger retain swelling, and a bruise may also form on them. The severity of symptoms depends on the force that caused the injury to the finger and nail plate.
Thus, the symptomatology and the actions of the patient preceding its appearance, characteristic of the picture of a bruised nail, are fundamentally different from the clinic of a fungal nail infection. The difference is also obvious in the mechanism of development of these diseases: they become infected with a fungus, further damage to the nail is associated precisely with the activity of microorganisms, a bruise is the result of an injury, and a hematoma is formed due to damage to the vessels of the finger, no microorganisms are involved in pathogenesis. Also, nail fungus is treated by a dermatovenereologist or dermatologist, while a bruise is closer to the activities of traumatologists and surgeons.
Method for checking fungal infection with potassium permanganate
Such a quick and easy recipe for diagnosing a fungus can be used at home. The main substance for the determination is potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), which should be diluted in pure water in order to achieve its faint purple color. Next, you must place your feet in the colored water and soak for a few minutes. If your nails really have a fungus, then potassium permanganate will not stain the affected areas (they will be white). The healthy part of the nail plates will turn brown. So you can easily diagnose the disease.
After you finish this experiment, don't forget to treat your nails with hydrogen peroxide for disinfection. And be sure to contact a specialist if you find a positive diagnostic result. Now you know how to recognize nail fungus at home without much effort.
Diagnosis of nail fungus in the hospital certainly includes other more accurate laboratory methods to get to the bottom of the problem.
We treat fungus on the nails with medications
As you know, many people prefer attempts at folk treatment of any disease to modern drug treatment by doctors. It is possible that nail fungus can be treated with folk methods in some cases, but there is no evidence base for this. That is why the main recommendation if you have a fungal infection of the nails is to comply with medical prescriptions, adhere to treatment with pharmacological preparations.
Depending on how far the disease has gone, the forms of drugs are selected. Fundamentally, they are divided into means of local (local) and general action. These drugs contain antifungal agents - a special group of pharmacological substances.
In the first stages of fungal infection, the use of local remedies (ointments, creams, gels) is preferable. If the fungus has already been able to enter the general circulation, which is the most severe outcome, or the nail plate is affected to a significant extent, the treatment is supplemented with general preparations (tablets or infusions of solutions).
The list of antifungal drugs intended for the treatment of fungal infections of the toenails includes: levorin, nystatin, fluconazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, amphotericin B, griseofulvin, itraconazole, terbinafine. These are the names of the active substances that form the basis of the treatment. Such funds can be part of various drugs. That is, the last drugs are only the trade names of those substances that are listed first. In order not to be mistaken with the remedy, the form of its use and dosages, be sure to consult with specialists and follow their recommendations for treatment.
The most common methods of treatment include:
- soda baths
- iodine treatment
- therapy with vinegar or vinegar essence
- treatment of fungus with laundry soap
Folk methods are effective only in the early stages, together with medications.
Prevention of infection with nail fungus
To protect yourself from fungal microorganisms, you do not need to follow any special rules, they are all simple if you introduce them into your daily routine. To begin with, refuse to wear someone else's shoes, even in the most harmless cases in your opinion. Also be sure to use individual slippers and slates in baths, saunas, pools.
Constantly care for your feet, remove germs well with soap, dry your skin. Try to avoid shoes that make your feet sweat. Watch for the appearance of cracks on the skin of the feet, especially near the nail plates and in the interdigital spaces. Change socks daily and when soiled. And if sweating of your feet is your not very pleasant routine, then we advise you to become interested in special baths, they can really help you.
Fungal infection is a common disease among the population of the country today. Many are not even aware of its presence, referring, perhaps, to the symptoms of a bruised nail or banal everyday pollution. But, as you have already seen, the fungus causes quite characteristic clinical manifestations. One has only to take a closer look at their feet and seek medical help for treatment in time, but it is better to come to grips with the prevention of infection.