How to recognize toenail fungus?

Medical sources claim that almost every fifth person has or has had a disease such as foot fungus.This disease is known almost to the whole planet.The disease appeared in the 19th century and has not stopped expanding its borders since then.Fungus affects the feet due to wearing leather shoes of different quality.There are many types of diseases.Damage to toenails, skin between toes and feet is common.

Diseases caused by parasitic microorganisms are called mycoses or onychomycosis.Doctors believe that people with neglected feet are more susceptible to infection than others: corns, cracked heels, blisters.Peeling or dry skin is also considered a major cause of foot infections.There are many varieties of mycosis, because in nature there are several hundreds of fungal pathogens that can parasitize the human body.The most common are: dermatophytes, fungal and mold parasites.

Many people wonder how to recognize the fungus in the first stages, in the period when painful symptoms appear, and what to do to make the insidious disease disappear quickly.There are many answers to the question.

Symptoms of the disease

The medical name for foot fungus is mycosis.The causative agent is thought to be a parasitic virus called a fungus.It tries to settle in the cracks of the feet, between the toes, on and under the nails.The disease is helped by sweat, which spreads the halo of its development on the legs.Any damage to the skin is susceptible to fungus.

The disease destroys keratin, which is responsible for the healthy condition of the nails.The skin has a layer of fat, improper metabolism and lack of balanced nutrition lead to skin disorders.Fungus gets inside and problems appear.Restoring the skin's protective function requires time and a specific treatment system.

Forms of fungi

Doctors have identified four forms of mycosis.

• Interdigital.The first most common type of disease.Its occurrences are observed in summer.The higher the temperature, the more patients the doctors recorded.Cracks and sores that appear between the toes can be dry or wet.There is constant itching.In the photo, it is easy to see the appearance of the interdigital form of the disease.
• External.The skin of the foot underneath becomes covered with a crust that looks like a callus.This is especially visible in the photo in the area of the heels, which become covered with cracks.Nails lose their normal appearance.They change color, shape and begin to grow irregularly.It is difficult to treat.
• Vesicular.The disorder covers the skin of the legs up to the ankle.It reminds, clearly visible in the photo, of erosion.Ulcers penetrate deep into the body and require treatment prescribed by a specialist, with strict adherence to the doctor's regulations and requirements.
• Deleted.The skin of the feet resembles a surface sprinkled with flour.The cracks are almost invisible.This form is difficult to spot in time.Only careful attention to the condition of the legs and the desire to maintain their healthy appearance leads to the timely start of treatment.

There are many variants of the disease, each of them has its own symptoms and manifestations of the disease.You can see them in the photo, studying the signs and differences of each type.

1. A fungal infection does not appear on both feet at once.First it can be found on one leg, then on the other.The first symptoms are itching and flaking.On the skin, at the site of infection, you can see or touch blisters.If treatment is not started on time, they will turn into erosion and change their appearance.An unpleasant crust will appear between the fingers.Gradually, the fungus on the nails starts to spread along the leg, and the nails are the first to be affected.At first, you may notice yellow streaks and spots, then the nails change shape and begin to thicken.Nail layers increase.The nail crumbles and loses strength.
2. Different types of diseases behave differently.There is a type of fungus (dermatophyte) that has no symptoms.And the disease immediately appears on the skin and nails.Immediate medical intervention is required.
3. There are variants of the reverse course of the disease.The usual manifestation of the disease from the inside to the surface changes.The disease moves from the surface to the nail, the plate becomes light and peels off.The nail becomes unusually white.
4. The feet are covered with ulcers.They are small in size and yellow in color.Inflammation occurs where the nail grows.The color becomes green, close to brown.The nail is quickly destroyed.These are signs of the type of yeast.
5. You can check for the presence of a type such as rubromycosis using potassium permanganate.Healthy nails will discolor from the solution and turn brown.Toenails affected by the disease will not change color.The skin is also exposed to this type of virus.

Nail fungus

The disease occurs very often in people who play sports, are bright and active.They visit swimming pools, health sports centers and saunas.Other people's shoes, standing with bare feet on a surface that has not been treated after the previous visitor, lead to the appearance of nail fungus.The disease is contagious, it is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person through contact with things or shoes.It is always recommended to bring your own shoes, even when visiting places where shoes are distributed.Families in which personal hygiene is in the first place have excellent results.Each family member has his own towel and slippers.Towels for the face and feet, and a constant change of bedding will prevent the appearance of an unpleasant parasite on the feet.Nail fungus can be caused by injuries to the feet, especially tight shoes, excessive sweating, and flat feet.

Medical reasons

• Low and weak immunity;
• diabetes mellitus;
• Constant treatment with antibiotics;
• Improper blood circulation in the legs;
• Features of the structure of the limbs.

Signs of toenail fungus

• Change in structure;
• Color change (white, gray, yellow, green, brown);
• Increase in the thickness of the nail plate;
• Cracks in the nails;
• Unpleasant smell;
• The nail plate begins to disintegrate.

The parasitic microbe settles in the space between the nail and the base.The nail becomes taller than normal.The painful place looks uncomfortable, aesthetically ugly, unnaturally protrudes and becomes large.

Preventive procedures

1. Thorough cleaning of common areas.Bathrooms and toilets must be treated with disinfectants.Treat with products containing bleach, washcloths, sponges.
2. Use special products to reduce foot sweating.It can be powders, talc.
3. If a sick person appears in the family, the others must take precautions.
4. Wear comfortable, high-quality shoes.Avoid blisters and injuries.
5. Use of foot creams.For dry skin - softens, for excessive sweating - refreshes.
6. After washing, the feet must be thoroughly dried
7. Before visiting the bathroom, swimming pool, sauna or those places where you will have to groom yourself barefoot or in open shoes, treat your feet with anti-fungal aerosols.The same can be done after going to these rooms.
8. Daily change of socks and stockings.
9. Treatment of the inner surface of shoes, timely drying, care for them.
10. Don't try on other people's shoes.

A person suffering from this disease begins to experience a lot of discomfort.They are associated with changes in the appearance of the nails, physical illness and discomfort.It is not recommended to start the disease.The fungus on the nails does not rest, it begins to spread to a larger surface, and it is possible that the disease enters the interior of the body.It is important to start treatment on time.It must be carried out competently and systematically.