The problem of fungal nail infection is quite common today. Far advanced reproduction of the fungus in the thickness of the nail plates and in the soft tissues around 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 not characteristic 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 bruises on the nails, from the manifestation of systemic diseases of the body.
Causes of toenail fungus
Compliance with the usual rules of hygiene and vigilance for infection is the basis for preventing a fungal infection. Failure to observe these vital aspects leads to disease. Most often, the fungus gets on the skin and the nail plates themselves, when you wear foreign shoes, perform bath procedures in public places such as baths, pools, saunas, rarely or never wash your feet, do not fight with ingrown nails. and cracks on the rough skin of the feet.
If the condition and disinfection of pedicure tools is poor, it is also possible to get infected with the fungus, although this is fraught with infection 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 this 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 of the affected fingers in the area of the periungual soft tissue structures, skin cracks of different size and depth can be observed in the interdigital areas. Join this feeling of itching, tingling in the affected areas. The skin may begin to peel, redden in varying degrees of severity of these symptoms. The main 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, combinations of colors. The edge of the nail ceases to be even, in advanced cases the nail gradually loses its structure, breaks, crumbles. Eventually, delamination of the entire plate can occur.
If you look carefully at your friends, especially those who are already mature and elderly, you will probably be able to easily identify the symptoms of nail fungus.
How to distinguish a bruised nail from a fungus?
First of all, a bruised nail is directly related to the fact of a recent injury to the toe. The external manifestations of the bruise do not appear immediately, but after 2-3 hours. Before that, the finger swells, it can become red. In addition, the blood accumulated under the nail plate (and this is due to its outflow from the damaged vessels of the nail bed) becomes visible to the naked eye. Its grapes initially acquire a pink-scarlet color, over time it turns into 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 remain swollen and a bruise may form on them. The severity of the symptoms depends on the force that caused the injury to the finger and nail plate.
Thus, the symptomatology and actions of the patient preceding its appearance, characteristic of the picture of a bruised nail, are radically different from the clinic of a fungal infection of the nails. The difference is also evident in the mechanism of development of these diseases: they become infected with fungi, further damage to the nail is precisely related to the activity of microorganisms, the bruise is the result of an injury, and the hematoma is formed due to damage to the vessels of the finger. no microorganisms are involved in the pathogenesis. Also, nail fungus is treated by a dermatovenerologist or dermatologist, while bruising is closer to the activities of traumatologists and surgeons.
Method for checking fungal infection with potassium permanganate
Such a quick and easy recipe for diagnosing fungus can be used at home. The main substance for determination is potassium permanganate (potassium permanganate), which must be diluted in pure water to achieve a pale purple color. You should then place your feet in the 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 do not forget to contact a specialist if you find a positive result of the diagnostics. Now you know how to recognize nail fungus at home without much effort.
Diagnosis of nail fungus in the hospital certainly includes other more accurate laboratory methods to get to the bottom of the problem.
We treat nail fungus with medication
As you know, many people prefer attempts at folk remedies for any disease to modern medical treatment by doctors. It is possible that in some cases nail fungus can be treated with folk methods, 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 medical prescriptions, to adhere to treatment with pharmacological preparations.
Depending on how far the disease has reached, the forms of the drugs are chosen. Basically, they are divided into means for 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 remedies (ointments, creams, gels). If the fungus has already managed to enter the general circulation, which is the most severe 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 are the basis of the treatment. Such means can be part of various medicines. That is, the latter drugs are only the trade names of those substances that are listed first. In order not to make a mistake with the drug, its form of use and doses, do not forget to consult with specialists and follow their recommendations for treatment.
The most common treatment methods include:
- soda baths
- treatment with iodine
- vinegar or vinegar essence therapy
- treating fungus with laundry soap
Folk methods are effective only in the early stages, together with medicines.
Preventing nail fungus infection
To protect yourself from fungal microorganisms, you do not need to follow special rules, they are all simple if you introduce them into your daily life. To begin with, refuse to wear other people's shoes, even in the most harmless, in your opinion, cases. Also, do not forget to use individual slippers and plates in bathrooms, saunas, pools.
Take care of your feet constantly, remove germs well with soap, dry your 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 soiled. And if sweating feet is your not-so-pleasant daily 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 population of the country today. Many are not even aware of its presence, referring perhaps to symptoms of bruised nails or banal daily pollution. But, as you have already seen, fungi cause quite characteristic clinical manifestations. A person only needs to take a closer look at his feet and seek medical help for treatment in time, but it is better to deal with the prevention of infection.