The first signs of toenail fungus. First symptoms of toenail fungus

4 April 2024

According to statistics, almost half of all visits to the dermatologist are related to fungal diseases in one way or another. You can get an infection when you visit the pool, sauna, beach or walk in homemade slippers. Learn everything about how to recognize toenail fungus without scraping or other diagnostic methods - symptoms of onychomycosis in the initial and chronic stages of the disease.

What is toenail fungus?

Fermented mushrooms

They are in second place in terms of the frequency of mycosis of the feet. The disease is caused by two types of pathogens from the genus Candida:

White candida (Candida albicans) - most often occurs on the fingers, as a complication of existing onychomycosis caused by dermatophytes.
Parapsilosis (Candida parapsilosis) - affects the nail plate from the edge. The initial symptoms are characterized by the appearance of black spots on the tip of the finger, which gradually increase in size. Candida parapsilosis often completely destroys the nail plate.

Mould

This type of fungal infection is not particularly common - only three patients who sought help from a dermatologist developed it. There are several types of mold pathogens:

Scopulariopsis - often infects previously injured big toes.
Aspergillus or black mold - infection with onychomycosis is possible only in people with reduced immunity. The main symptom of the disease is the deformation of the nail plates and the appearance of normotrophic blackheads.
Fusarium - this onychomycosis is very rare, because pathogens live on agricultural crops. Infection of a person is possible only if there are open wounds, scratches or cracks on the legs.

Dermatophytes

Among the causative agents of onychomycosis, the primacy is occupied by dermatophytes, of which the feet are most often affected:

Red Trichophyton (Trichophyton rubrum) - develops on the lateral and distal surface. The main symptoms in the initial stages of development are yellow spots or white stripes. Without specific treatment, fungal spores can spread throughout the body and cause severe skin lesions.
Mentagrophytes (Trichophyton mentagrophytes) - cracks appear in the interdigital spaces, severe pain when moving. Without appropriate therapy, it spreads to the nails, and especially often the fungus can affect the thumb and little finger.
Epidermophyton floccosum - in the initial stage it affects the skin of the fingers. Toenail fungus manifests itself in the form of peeling feet, accompanied by itching and increased sweating of the toes. Without treatment, epidermophyton leads to atrophy.

What does toenail fungus look like?

Today, two classifications of onychomycosis are used in medicine: the first - according to the type of pathological changes, and the second - depending on the location. Based on the type of fungal infections, all types are divided into four subtypes: marginal, normotrophic, hypertrophic and atrophic. According to the form of localization, there are several other types of the disease:

distal - when only the edge suffers from the fungus;
laterally - pathological processes begin near the skin ridges;
proximal – change affecting the lower part;
white superficial onychomycosis - white spots or streaks appear.

Regional onychomycosis

This is the initial stage of the fungus, which is very difficult to recognize on your own. This type of mycosis is accompanied by changes at the edge of the nail plate, which are visualized by the appearance of narrow gray stripes. Over time, the symptoms of toenail fungus intensify: the color begins to fade, brittleness appears, while the thickness of the plate remains the same. Sometimes gray-yellow spots may appear.

Normotrophic

This type of onychomycosis is manifested by a decrease in gloss, but with preservation of the thickness of the hard part of the finger. The main symptoms of the normotrophic type are:

increased fragility;
loss of luster;
the appearance of white or gray-yellow spots on the entire surface of the nail;
the bed is visually divided into sectors;
Gray mucus gradually starts to come out from under the nail.

Hypertrophic

This one has one specific symptom - formation of atrophy along the edge. Hypertrophy leads to thickening of the nail plate and the appearance of an atypical pattern. Patients often complain of pain, especially when walking, which disappears only after taking painkillers. Hypertrophic mycosis has three stages:

Total - a massive lesion that affects the thickness of the nail plate.
Lateral - Appears on the side parts.
Distal - the infection is localized under the free part of the bed.

The shape of the white surface

This type of fungal infection is characterized by the appearance of small foci of infection in the center or on the edge of the nails, which are white or almost white. This type of onychomycosis appears only on the legs. Due to the fact that the spores affect only the upper part of the finger, the plate itself is rarely deformed, but its upper layers and epidermis suffer from fungi. If left untreated, the hard part becomes loose and rough. As a rule, superficial onychomycosis is caused by dermatophytes.

Onycholithic

Followed by separation of part of the plate from the soft nail bed. The affected nail becomes dull with gray spots and gradually loses its shine. As a rule, this type of fungus manifests itself as a complication of hypertrophic or normotrophic mycosis. In the absence of appropriate treatment, areas covered with hyperkeratosis may appear at the site of the lesion.

Candidal onychomycosis

Often combined with damage to healthy periungual tissues. Pathology usually occurs on the 3rd or 4th finger or toe. Candidal mycosis is characterized by the following symptoms:

lack of skin on the nail growth line;
brittleness and crumbling of plate edges;
the appearance of transverse stripes at the bottom of the bed;
inflammation of skin ridges;
brown-brown color of the nail plate;
soft tissue soreness.

Proximal deformation

One of the rarest forms of onychomycosis. The disease often begins to develop from soft tissues, gradually moving to a healthy nail. Fungal growth starts from the middle of the nail. Without treatment, the plates change color, begin to crumble and peel. The causative agents of the proximal-deforming form are: red trichophytons and mentagrophytes.

Atrophic

This form of unpleasant disease is characterized by a change from normal color to brown-gray. In this case, the symptoms appear gradually: first the plate loses its shine and becomes dull, then the nail is destroyed, and at the site of the bed, loose accumulations of small skin scales are visible. Pathological processes start from the outer part, eventually covering the growth zone and the skin fold.

Types and stages of fungal infection

Signs of a fungal infection depend on the form of the disease and its severity. The first signs of pathology may not be noticed, but already at an average level the plate is noticeably deformed, becomes thick, and the structure is heterogeneous. Such signs cannot be ignored, because the next stage is dystrophic, the nail can collapse completely, inflammatory processes begin in the periungual ridges and secondary infection occurs.

The main forms of the disease:

Lateral onychomycosis is the most common type of fungus. The first signs of the fungus appear on the free edge of the nail in the form of a small yellowish spot. As the disease progresses, the plate thickens, deep cracks can form on it, and discomfort occurs when walking. This form of fungal pathology is difficult to treat.
White superficial onychomycosis - pathogenic microorganisms affect only the upper layers of the nail. The plate does not thicken, but over time it becomes loose and resembles chalk in structure. Treatment is not difficult, and improvement in well-being comes quickly.
Subungual onychomycosis is a rare form of pathology. The symptoms of the fungus appear in the form of thickening of the skin in the area of the nail fold, the nail becomes completely white and opaque.

There are a number of diseases that have symptoms similar to a fungal infection - psoriasis, eczema, lichen planus. Changes in the structure of nails occur after injuries or bruises. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a doctor after a detailed diagnosis.

How to recognize toenail fungus - common symptoms

Depending on the stage of the disease, there is a difference between complete atrophy and partial hypertrophy, and both terms are interrelated, but not synonymous. Atrophic type refers to impaired growth, thinning and complete destruction of the nail plate - this is the stage of complete damage. Often, when an advanced stage is detected, patients complain to the dermatologist not only about changes in the structure, but also about severe pain.

Hypertrophic toenail fungus - symptoms:

takes on a yellow hue along the edge of the plate or whitish inclusions appear near the growth zone;
deformed - waves, tubercles and other irregularities appear;
the pad becomes red, peels and swells as the infection grows;
begins to exfoliate, move away from the bed;
Small cracks and sometimes blisters appear between the fingers.

Itching and burning

Very often, the disease manifests itself on the legs in the form of severe itching. This feeling begins to torment the patient from the first days after the infection. If the fungal spores attack the plaque, the affected area becomes itchy and the skin becomes flabby, dry and scaly, and irritation appears. If the infection started from the soft tissues, the fingers themselves itch. When the skin is badly scratched, itching is accompanied by a burning sensation. As a rule, these symptoms occur in lesions of the feet, less often in onychomycosis of the hands.

Loss of natural color

This is the next symptom of onychomycosis, which replaces or complements itching. In this case, the color will depend on the type of pathogen that settled in the human body:

Once in the fingers, fungal spores begin to multiply actively and gradually cover the entire space, which slowly leads to complete deformation and destruction of its hard part. The plaque thickens or, conversely, becomes very thin, begins to crumble, and unnatural yellowness and a whitish coating become visible. In the initial stages of infection, the very structure of the nail plate changes - it becomes bumpy or covered with stripes, and the shade of the plate becomes cloudy.

Doctors distinguish three main stages of a yeast infection:

The color turns yellow and furrows appear. When you try to cut the edge, the tip starts to fall apart. Sometimes an unpleasant smell may appear.
The finger completely changed color, became cloudy and cloudy, and strange inclusions appeared. Jaundice begins to darken, black streaks appear, and green areas may appear. Cutting off affected nails becomes very difficult.
The whole nail has changed - it has become much thicker, it is impossible to trim the edge without softening.

Pain in the nail area

The discomfort of nail fungus is not typical for every patient. Some patients may not experience such symptoms at all, especially if the disease is detected at an early stage. With an advanced form of fungal infection, the pathology is easy to recognize: the fingers lose their original appearance, begin to peel and peel. At this stage, some patients may feel pain under the nail or in the fingers.

Painful sensations with mycosis of the toes can occur for several reasons:

Due to the fact that the affected areas become thicker, lose their original appearance and become deformed. In this case, even the most worn shoes cause noticeable discomfort when walking. As a result, pain can bother you not only during a walk, but also after taking off your shoes.
As the spores spread, the fungus occupies more and more new territories. When it reaches the soft tissue of the nail, the infection often affects the nerve endings, causing aching, paroxysmal or throbbing pain. If the symptom occurs for this reason, discomfort may occur even at rest.
One of the signs of foot fungus is the appearance of small cracks and blisters between the toes. The skin may become very red and inflamed, and the fingers may become swollen. Due to the fact that the area between the toes in closed shoes sweats a lot, such wounds on the feet heal very slowly and hurt constantly.

How does toenail fungus occur?

Loss and discoloration, the appearance of unevenness, thinning or thickening of the plate, delamination - these are the first signs of toenail fungus that correspond to the general description. However, with careful self-diagnosis, the disease can even be classified. for example:

Infection with dermatophytes starts from the free edge of the plate. The appearance of the fungus is indicated by a small yellow spot and a crumbling surface.
Yeast-like fungi are characterized by a proximal form - when the infection begins at the base. The main symptom of candidiasis-type onychomycosis is inflammation of the periungual fold, detachment of the cuticle, pain when pressed.
Molds turn green, brown or black. Mold infection appears in the form of spots, small dots or longitudinal plates.

The first signs that you have toenail fungus are symptoms that appear on the adjacent soft tissues. The skin of the feet loses its natural color, becomes red or yellow, thin and easily injured. As a rule, this is where the fungal process begins. Over time, the disease can cause serious discomfort - cause the appearance of deep cracks, itching and blisters with fluid.

Symptoms of a fungal nail infection

In the initial stage of infection, toenail fungus is almost invisible and does not cause any discomfort (see picture). Then the characteristic symptoms of a fungal infection appear:

the surface of the nail plate on the toes takes on an unpleasant dull shade;
the nail plate begins to peel, separating from the nails;
the diseased nail loses its original shape, thickens and acquires an untidy appearance;
cracks gradually form between the fingers, the person begins to feel pain in the area of the damaged nail;
the skin on the toes begins to peel;
The skin between the toes is itchy.

Nail fungus must be treated, preferably in the early stages. In this case, you can manage only with external preparations: ointments, varnishes and folk remedies. In a more advanced form, you will have to take anti-fungal tablets, in which case you will not be able to get rid of the toenail fungus quickly.

What is dangerous in untreated onychomycosis?

In addition to the unpleasant external manifestations of this disease, the fungus is a pathogenic microbe that causes damage to the entire human body:

Untreated nail fungus opens the door to other infections in time.
In addition, fungi can act as an allergen, and ultimately cause hypersensitivity to nail fungus as an allergen.
Onychomycosis complicates the course of many diseases, for example, diabetes.
In particularly severe cases, against the background of a long course of the disease or reduced immunity, a fungal infection can cause deep mycosis - penetration of the fungus into the internal organs through the blood.

To avoid complications, you need to start treatment quickly if you notice the first signs of a fungal nail infection.

How to get rid of toenail fungus?

Medicines used to treat nails affected by fungus are presented in two groups.

The first group are local means of influence. This group includes medicated varnishes and patches that peel off, ointments and creams and gels. Most of the drugs for external use are effective only in the initial stage of the disease.
The second group consists of systemic antimycotics that are taken orally. These are usually capsules or tablets that have an inhibitory effect on the fungus. They block the spread of mycosis and have a prolonged effect, which significantly reduces the possibility of disease recurrence.

But considering that the drugs used to treat onychomycosis are very toxic and often cause side effects, and the clinical picture of fungal infections of the skin and nail plate on the toes is always strictly individual, it is best to answer the question of how to cure foot fungusan experienced specialist.

Laser therapy

If the advanced form of the fungus cannot be treated with drugs, you can resort to laser therapy.

Laser treatment of fungus is considered one of the most effective ways to get rid of this disease.
Under the influence of air, fungal cells die instantly.
The laser beam does not damage nearby tissues.
An advanced form of the fungus can be cured in just four laser therapy procedures.

When deciding to undergo laser treatment, it is important to take all necessary tablets and vitamins at the same time.

Therapy of onychomycosis with drugs

The specialist prescribes treatment in the initial stages of nail fungus after taking into account certain factors:

Degree of plate change;
Phases of hyperkeratosis;
Area of damage;
Clinical form of pathology.

At the beginning of the development of the disease, the dermatologist prescribes local drugs. These include ointment, varnish, solution, cream with antifungal properties (antifungal). It is recommended to apply after treating an infected nail. Preparatory actions improve the access of drugs to the interior of the plate, which accelerates fungal therapy.

To soften nails, you can use plasters containing urea or salicylic acid:

Using a nail file, carefully process the nail plate;
Apply an antifungal agent;
Cover the nail with a bandage;
Remove it after a day;
Apply an antifungal medication prescribed by your dermatologist.

The specialist usually only prescribes drugs for external use.

Attention!

Antifungal systemic agents are not used for onychomycosis in the initial stage of development.

Treatment of nail fungus at home

In the initial stage of the disease, you can try using proven folk remedies at home.

Apple vinegar. Simply soak your feet 1-2 times a day in a 1: 1 mixture of apple cider vinegar and warm water for about 15-20 minutes. After soaking, leave the toenails to dry completely (you can use a hair dryer). And in about two weeks, you will notice that the fungus disappears, and a beautiful new one grows in place of the old damaged nail.
Tea tree oil should be applied to the skin and nails affected by the fungus three times a day. One dose is from 4 to 10 drops of the product. This treatment should be continued for at least two weeks, or even longer, to ensure that your infection does not return. This oil should not be used by children or pregnant women.
Freshly picked celandine is passed through a meat grinder, and the juice is squeezed out of the resulting pulp (this is done through 3-4 layers of cheesecloth). It should give approximately 200 ml. juice is combined with 200 ml. 70% alcohol and leave for 24 hours. The affected nails are lubricated with the prepared juice, but the treatment is carried out only after 10 minutes of steaming the feet and complete drying. The course of treatment is 10-12 days, 3-4 treatments per day.
Another way to get rid of nail fungus is home treatment with iodine. It's very simple. During three weeks, the nail plate is coated with iodine every day. In this case, the growing tip of the damaged nail is regularly removed.
Kombucha will also help fight fungus. For this treatment, compresses are made: wrap a plate of kombucha in cellophane and wrap the bandage around the leg, then put on socks. In the morning, you need to wash your feet with warm water, carefully remove the dead parts and lubricate them with iodine. Side effects include quite severe pain, but you can achieve the desired result much faster.

If folk remedies do not give the desired result, you should turn to specialists for the prescription of complex therapy.

Infection with pathogenic fungi occurs through contact, as well as through poor hygiene. Onychomycosis (fungus of the nail plate) is most often contracted by using common footwear in everyday life, in gyms and other places with high humidity and temperature. The initial stage of toenail fungus has certain signs. Knowing them, it is possible to avoid the transition of the pathology to the second stage of development.

All folk remedies can be used only after consultation with a dermatologist. Many of them can cause allergic reactions. It is easier to cure onychomycosis by combining alternative medicines with medicines.

In the initial stage, toenail fungus looks like almost imperceptible furrows or white spots. Often, a person finds out that they have a fungal infection only when they go to a dermatologist. This is explained by the fact that it is almost impossible to independently recognize the disease in this period. If the therapy is started on time, the disease is quickly cured.

Fungus (onychomycosis) is not only a dermatological disease, in advanced forms many systems and internal organs are affected. In order to stop the pathology in time, you need to know the symptoms and methods of treatment. How does the disease manifest itself in different stages? Which drugs are the most effective?

You can catch yeast infection at home if someone in your household has it; everyone uses the same tools for pedicures or manicures. But in public places the risk of infection is much higher - the fungus lives in bathrooms, swimming pools and showers in fitness centers.

What diseases can cause a fungal infection:

flat feet, congenital or acquired foot deformity;
poor blood circulation in the lower extremities;
increased sweating of the feet;
corns, excessively rough skin on the feet;
frequent injuries to the nail plate;
weakened immunity, any chronic diseases, diabetes.

Fungi on the feet often develop in lovers of narrow shoes and people who neglect the rules of personal hygiene. Infection often occurs in beauty salons where the instruments are poorly processed. The disease can be provoked by taking oral contraceptives and antibacterial drugs.

Preventive measures

In order to avoid the disease, it is necessary to:

Avoid direct contact with fungal carriers.
Follow the rules of personal hygiene, wash your hands after visiting public places.
After washing, carefully wipe the areas between the fingers, because fungi like a warm and moist environment.
Do not use other people's shoes and household items.
Wear socks made of natural fabrics.
Wear shoes in a public pool, bath or sauna.
Use personal manicure accessories.

Forecast

The prognosis for timely diagnosis and adequate treatment of nail fungus is favorable. Against the background of accompanying chronic diseases, the prognosis worsens.

Treatment of advanced nail fungus is long-term. Relapses occur in 40-70% of cases.