The first signs of a fungal nail infection

Today, getting a yeast infection is almost as easy as catching a cold.A little stress, weak immunity - and now dangerous parasites are preparing to attack your feet.And you can find mushrooms everywhere: in your favorite pool, at a party, and even in your own home.The success of treatment directly depends on how quickly you recognize the infection and start treatment, so it is very important to know the first signs of nail fungus.

Where can fungus wait?

Many people think that fungal infections are a lot of sick people and do not follow hygiene rules, so they do not pay attention to small changes in the feet and heels.

Nails hurt - you need to change your shoes to looser ones, your heels are peeling - apply a thicker cream, spots have appeared on your nails - buy vitamins and choose a brighter polish.

But modern research assures that the opposite is true - adherents of a healthy lifestyle and athletes often become victims of fungus.In order for the fungus not only to be able to stand on your feet, but to start actively multiplying, many conditions are required.But if you are in the "fungal" risk group, it is important to regularly check your feet and nails so as not to miss the first symptoms.

Your chances of getting a yeast infection increase if you:

• wear tight and uncomfortable shoes, especially those made of synthetic materials;
• you wear other people's slippers when visiting and at home;
• try on shoes without shoes in the store;
• walking in swimming pools and gyms barefoot on the floor, without slippers;
• experience excessive sweating on your feet;
• have diabetes;
• suffering from varicose veins and other circulatory disorders.

The first signs

Recognizing the first signs of a fungal infection can be difficult.Today, many doctors are talking about an increase in so-called suppressed forms of fungal infections.In this case, obvious signs of infection do not appear for a long time, and people only notice it when the fungus reaches an advanced stage.

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

• dry and cracked skin on the heels and under the toes;
• constant itching on the feet and between the toes;
• thickening of skin ridges along the edge of the nail plate;
• the appearance of white spots and stripes on the nails;
• deformation of the nail plate (bumps appear on the nails, they become thicker than usual).

Main symptoms

As the fungus invades more parts of your body, your symptoms will get worse.The itching becomes unbearable, the skin constantly peels, even the best foot scrubs and expensive nourishing creams.And your nails change their appearance so much that you have to hide them in closed shoes even in summer.

Common signs of fungal nail disease are:

• thickening and keratinization of the skin (especially on the heels and toes);
• painful blisters between the fingers;
• dry and cracked feet, the cracks are deep, sometimes bleeding;
• weeping sores appear (usually between the fingers, where the skin lacks ventilation);
• an unpleasant smell appears from decaying tissue from under the nails;
• the nail plate delaminates, becomes brittle and fragile;
• nails change color to white, yellow, black or green;
• bleached or blackened nails move from the nail plate;
• nail structure changes;they become cloudy and loose;
• the nail plate thickens so that it does not fit the pedicure instrument;
• the periungual fold becomes very inflamed;
• Deformed nails cause severe pain when walking.

A type of fungus

If you have a fungal infection, not necessarily all these symptoms await you.For some people, the main manifestation of infection is discolored nails;for others, the nail plate simply thickens without causing any discomfort.And a person experiences pain and itching so that they cannot walk normally.

There are 3 types of nail fungus infection, each of which has its own characteristics.

1. Normotropic.In this case, only the nail color changes.In the first stage, white longitudinal stripes or spots appear, then the nail plate suddenly changes color to yellow or black-green.The thickness and structure of the plate is usually preserved.
2. Hypertrophic.Here the nails are completely affected by the fungal attack.The color of the plate changes, the nail becomes deformed, becomes thick, loose and lumpy.Often the nail plate peels and crumbles, usually in parts.
3. Atrophic.In this case, the fungus does everything to not only disfigure your nails, but to destroy them.The nail plate changes color, becomes thinner and gradually detaches from the bed.

The symptoms of a yeast infection largely depend on the type of fungus you have contracted.Experts identify 3 main groups of parasites that are dangerous to our nails.These are dermatophytes, yeasts and molds.

Yeast infections are relatively rare, occurring in only 4-5% of all cases.Mold attacks less often - in about 1% of cases.They usually attack people with severe chronic diseases.Our main enemies are dermatophytes.There are several types of parasites in this group, infections that have similar symptoms described above.

Fungus or not?

Although all the signs of a fungal infection are present, we still want to believe that it is not a fungus, but just uncomfortable shoes or the scorching summer sun that mercilessly dries our feet.

Suspicious symptoms may not be fungal if:

• you recently had a foot injury (you crushed your toe under the door, walked for a long time in tight shoes with the last one being uncomfortable);
• you have symptoms of psoriasis or other skin diseases;
• when simultaneous changes affect all nails and toenails.

If you are not sure about your diagnosis, you can do a small test at home.Dissolve some potassium permanganate in a bowl of warm water and soak your feet in it for a while.Healthy nails will have a brown color.If no changes are visible, this is a clear sign of a fungal infection.

Fungal nail infections are always individual, so everyone always has their own symptoms, unlike the fungus of colleagues, neighbors or relatives.You should not engage in self-diagnosis or self-medication: at the slightest suspicion, you should go to a dermatologist and complete all the tests.This will allow you to confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, start treatment as soon as possible.