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The first signs of a fungal nail infection

These days, a yeast infection is almost as easy as catching a cold.The slightest stress, weakened immunity - and now an insidious parasite is about to attack your feet.And you can meet mushrooms anywhere: in your favorite pool, at a party and even in your own home.The success of the treatment depends directly on how quickly you recognize the infection and start the treatment, so it is very important to know the first signs of nail fungus.

Where can the mushroom be?

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

Many people think that a fungal infection is a mass of patients who do not follow the rules of hygiene, so they do not pay attention to minor changes on the feet and heels.

My nails hurt - I need to change my shoes to looser ones, the heels are peeling - apply a thicker cream, spots have appeared on my nails - buy vitamins and choose brighter nail polish.

But modern research ensures that the opposite is true: supporters of a healthy lifestyle and athletes often become victims of the fungus.In order for the fungus not only to get on your feet, but to start actively multiplying, many conditions are necessary.But if you belong to the "fungus" risk group, it is important to regularly examine your feet and nails so that you do not miss the first symptoms.

The chance of fungal infection increases if:

  • wear tight and uncomfortable shoes, especially shoes made of synthetic materials;
  • wears 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 floor without slippers;
  • your feet suffer from excessive sweating;
  • you have diabetes;
  • suffers from varicose veins and other circulatory disorders.

First signs

Recognizing the first signs of a fungal infection can be difficult.Today, many doctors are talking about the growth 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 notice it only when the fungus reaches an advanced stage.

Doctors do not hide it: many skin diseases begin in the same way as fungus (psoriasis, lichen, allergic dermatitis).But it's better to play it safe and see a doctor as soon as possible so you don't miss the disease.The following symptoms should alert you:

  • dry skin and cracks on the heel and under the toes;
  • constant itching on the feet and between the toes;
  • thickening of the ridges of the skin 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 the body, its symptoms worsen.The itching becomes unbearable, the skin constantly peels, despite the best foot scrubs and expensive nourishing cream.And your nails change their appearance so much that you have to wear 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 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 appears from the decaying tissues under the nail;
  • the nail plate detaches, becomes brittle and fragile;
  • the color of the nails changes to white, yellow, black or green;
  • the bleached or blackened nail moves away from the nail plate;
  • the structure of the nails changes;they become confused and loose;
  • the nail plate thickens so much that it is not suitable for 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 these symptoms await you.For some, the main manifestation of the infection is a discolored nail;for others, the nail plates simply thicken without causing discomfort.And someone suffers from pain and itching so much 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 color of the nail plate suddenly changes to yellow or black-green.The thickness and structure of the disc 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, thick, loose, lumpy.The nail plate often separates and collapses, usually in parts.
  3. Atrophic.In this case, the fungus will do everything to not only disfigure your nails, but also destroy them.The color of the nail plate changes, becomes thinner and gradually separates from the bed.

The signs of a yeast infection depend largely 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.

Fungal infection is quite rare, occurring 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.This group includes several parasites whose infection is similar to the symptoms described above.

Mushroom or not?

girl is thinking about the treatment of athlete's foot

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 hot summer sun mercilessly drying out our feet.

Suspicious symptoms are not necessarily fungi if:

  • You recently had a foot injury (squeezed your toe under a door, walked for a long time in tight shoes with uncomfortable zippers);
  • have symptoms of psoriasis or other 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 short test at home.Dilute some potassium permanganate in a bowl of warm water and soak your feet in it for a while.Healthy nails have a brownish tint.If no changes are visible, this is a clear sign of a fungal infection.

Fungal nail infections are always individual, so each person always has their own symptoms, unlike the fungus of a colleague, neighbor or relative.Do not engage in self-diagnosis or self-medication: at the slightest suspicion, you should go to a dermatologist and have all the tests done.This makes it possible to confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, begin treatment as soon as possible.