The problem of fungal nail infection is quite common nowadays. 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. Therefore, 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 nail bruises, from the manifestation of systemic diseases of the body.
Causes of toenail fungus
Compliance with the usual hygiene rules and caution against infection is the basis of prevention of fungal infection. Failure to observe these vital aspects leads to disease. Most often, fungi get on the skin and the nail plates themselves when you wear other people's shoes, bathe in public places such as bathrooms, swimming pools, saunas, wash your feet rarely or not at all, do not fight with ingrown nails and cracks on the rough skin of the soles.
If the condition and disinfection of pedicure tools is bad, it is also possible to get infected with fungus, although it is full of infections 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 inhabit previously healthy tissues, for which the most favorable conditions are created, which you only worsen.
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 area of the periungual soft tissue structures, skin cracks of different sizes and depths can be observed in the interdigital zones. Join this feeling of itching, burning in the affected areas. The skin may begin to peel, 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, color combinations. 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 board may occur.
If you look carefully at your friends, especially those who are already mature and old, you will probably be able to easily recognize the symptoms of nail fungus.
How can you tell a bruised nail from a fungus?
First of all, bruises on the nail are directly related to the fact that you recently injured your toe. External manifestations of bruising do not appear immediately, but after 2-3 hours. Before that, the finger swells, may turn red. Furthermore, the blood that has accumulated under the nail plate (which is due to its outflow from the damaged nail vessels) becomes visible to the naked eye. Its cluster initially takes on a pinkish-crimson color, changing over time 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 point. The soft tissues of the finger retain the swelling, and a bruise can form on them. The severity of the symptoms depends on the force that caused the injury to the finger and nail plate.
Therefore, the symptomatology and actions of the patient that precede its appearance, characteristic of the image of nail bruises, are significantly different from the clinic of fungal nail infection. The difference is also evident in the mechanism of development of these diseases: they are infected by a fungus, further damage to the nail is related to the action of microorganisms, a bruise is the result of an injury, and a hematoma is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the finger, microorganisms are not involved in the pathogenesis. Also, nail fungus is treated by a dermatovenerologist or dermatologist, while bruises are closer to the activities of traumatologists and surgeons.
A method for checking fungal infection with potassium permanganate
Such a quick and simple recipe for diagnosing fungi can be used at home. The main substance for determination is potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), which should be diluted in clean water to achieve a faint purple color. Then you have to put your feet in colored water and soak them for a few minutes. If your nails do have 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 completing this experiment, do not forget to treat your nails with hydrogen peroxide for disinfection. And be sure to consult a specialist if you find a positive diagnostic result. Now you know how to identify nail fungus at home without much effort.
The diagnosis of nail fungus in the hospital certainly includes other more precise laboratory methods in order to get to the bottom of the problem.
We treat nail fungus with medicines
As you know, many people prefer attempts at folk remedies for 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 for this. That is why the main recommendation if you have a fungal infection of the nails is to follow the doctor's instructions, follow the treatment with pharmacological preparations.
Depending on how far the disease has gone, the forms of medicine are selected. They are basically 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 a fungal infection, it is preferable to use local medicines (ointments, creams, gels). If the fungus has already managed to enter the general circulation, which is the most difficult outcome, or the nail plate is significantly affected, 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 means can be part of various medicines. That is, the last drugs are only the trade names of those substances that were listed first. In order not to make a mistake with the drug, its form of use and dosage, be sure to consult with experts and follow their recommendations for treatment.
The most common treatment methods include:
- soda baths
- iodine treatment
- vinegar or vinegar essence therapy
- treating fungus with laundry soap
Folk methods are effective only in the early stages, together with medicines.
Prevention of nail fungus infection
To protect yourself from fungal microorganisms, you don't have to follow special rules, they are all simple if you introduce them into your everyday life. To begin with, refuse to wear other people's shoes, even in the most innocuous cases in your opinion. Also be sure to use individual slippers and slates in bathrooms, saunas, swimming pools.
Constantly take care of your feet, remove germs well with soap, dry the skin. Try to avoid shoes that make your feet sweat. Watch for cracks in the skin of the feet, especially near the nail plates and in the interdigital spaces. Change socks daily and when they are soiled. And if sweating feet is your not-so-pleasant routine, then we advise you to take an interest in special baths, they can really help you.
Fungal infection is a common disease among the country's population today. Many are not even aware of its presence, thinking, perhaps, of the symptoms of a bruised nail or banal everyday pollution. But, as you have already seen, the fungus causes quite characteristic clinical manifestations. It is enough to take a closer look at their feet and seek medical help for treatment in time, but it is better to tackle the prevention of infection.