How to accurately identify onychomycosis and when to start treatment?

Nowadays, not only women but most men also pay great attention to the beauty of their nails.But only healthy nails can be beautiful, so knowing how to identify onychomycosis is useful for everyone.The earlier a person notices signs of illness, the easier it is to receive treatment.But late-stage onychomycosis is difficult to cure.The disease often relapses and is difficult to treat.

Onychomycosis is a common disease.Most commonly, the fungus affects toenails, but the disease can also appear on the fingers.Onychomycosis of the hands is especially common in women.Symptoms of the disease are generally the same on toenails and fingernails.Symptoms depend on the type of pathogen and where the infection spread.

Species

How to identify fungus on toenails?This disease is very insidious because symptoms depend on the type of pathogen causing it.There are dozens of fungi that can cause onychomycosis.But depending on the nature of the pathogen, they can be divided into three groups.

yeast

This type of fungus most commonly affects the fingers, but can also appear on the feet.The infected nail plate becomes loose and peels away from the nail bed.In addition to the nails, the skin can also be affected, and the ridges around the plates can become inflamed.They become red, sore, and in advanced stages, white contents ooze out from under the roller when you press it.

dermatophytes

This type of filamentous fungus most commonly affects toenails.The disease manifests itself gradually.In the first stage, yellowish spots or streaks appear.These spots are small at first, but gradually grow to take up the entire surface of the nail.

Mold

Mold is extremely common but causes onychomycosis relatively rarely.Nails can become discolored when affected by this pathogen.The spots come in an unusual color - black, green, dirty grey.

sheet

The disease can occur in many forms.The symptoms of the disease depend on the form of onychomycosis:

• Distally laterally.This is the most common; the first changes in the nail can be noticed in the growing part of the nail in one corner (sometimes in both corners at the same time).
• near end.In this case, the first changes appear on the inner edge of the nail.

• shallow.Unlike previous forms, the pathogens of superficial onychomycosis do not penetrate deep into the plates.Symptoms are unusual, spots appear in the center of the plate, the nail itself becomes loose, the entire surface begins to peel off, scales peel off from it.

clinical manifestations

Fungal nail disease causes no discomfort in the first stages.The patient does not feel pain or any other unpleasant sensation.However, observant individuals may notice a change in the appearance of their nails.The main symptoms of the disease:

• Loss of natural luster, tarnish;
• Spots or streaks appear that are a different color than healthy slabs;
• Grooves may appear on the surface;
• The board can change shape;
• Nails may begin to thicken or, conversely, thin and shrink;
• The plates delaminate, begin to crumble, and subsequently lag behind the skin;

• In the later stages, physical discomfort and pain may occur when pressing;
• When secondary infection occurs, inflammation and suppuration may occur.

suggestion!Onychomycosis can occur alone, but this disease is often accompanied by fungal disease of the skin of the feet.Redness, diaper rash, and cracks between fingers.The feet start to smell bad.

Fungus or not?

Unfortunately, fungal nail disease has no specific symptoms.Other dermatological problems may present with similar clinical manifestations.For example, psoriasis.To accurately determine whether your fingernails or toenails have fungal disease, you need to go to a laboratory for testing.

For analysis, take a piece of fingernail (distal) or scrape from the plate surface.The process of collecting materials is safe and painless.Next, the biological material is transported to the laboratory.

Microscopic examination reveals the presence of fungal infection but cannot identify the type of pathogen.In order to make an accurate diagnosis, the collected material (nail particles) must be placed in a nutrient medium and under favorable conditions.

suggestion!The conditions most conducive to fungal growth are warmth and moisture.

Results of the analysis will be available in 5 days.During this time, fungal colonies can become so large that the type of pathogen can be determined by their appearance.Additionally, this study allows us to determine which antifungal agents are most effective in eradicating this fungus.

To do this, moisten filter paper with an antifungal solution and apply it to fungal colonies.After a period of time, the paper is removed and they see where it is most effective at stopping the growth of microorganisms.

home method

It happens that for some reason you cannot enter the laboratory.Is it possible to determine if a fungal infection is present in your home?Of course, home diagnostics are far from perfect.They cannot be compared with laboratory research methods.

However, even these simple methods can detect the presence of fungal infections in most cases.Many people have a bottle of maroon potassium permanganate crystals at home.Solutions of this product have antiseptic properties and are used in medicine and horticulture.

This solution will also aid in home diagnosis of onychomycosis.To diagnose, you must:

• Prepare a strong, dark purple solution in a small container;
• Pour warm water into a basin or other container, enough to fully immerse your nails;
• Add the previously prepared concentrated solution to the water drop by drop to obtain a soft lavender solution;

suggestion!Never add dry crystals to bath water.If the crystals do not dissolve, contact with skin may cause burns.

• Dip the limb into the solution so that the nail is completely covered with solution;

• Leave it on for about ten minutes;
• The limb is then removed from the solution and the nail is examined. Healthy nail plates will turn brown while patients remain unchanged.

suggestion!Before using potassium permanganate for diagnosis, make sure the potassium permanganate solution does not cause your allergies.

How to avoid infection?

Everyone is at risk of contracting onychomycosis, but some people are at risk.These are:

• the elderly;
• People who come into frequent contact with water (dishwasher, laundry workers, etc.);
• diabetics;
• Patients with severely reduced immunity.

In addition, failure to comply with hygiene rules can lead to infection.Especially using stuff with patients.So never wear someone else's shoes, use your own towel, never walk barefoot in public bathrooms, and wear rubber flip-flops.

The following areas are at highest risk for onychomycosis:

• Public places where people perform water use procedures - showers, bathtubs, water parks, swimming pools;
• shoe store;
• Nail service salon.

Additionally, if a member of your family has onychomycosis, you are at high risk of becoming infected at home.Using proactive preventive and protective measures will help avoid infection and prevent the progression of the disease.

Everyone should know the answer to the question how to identify onychomycosis.Knowing what diseased nails look like will help you spot negative changes promptly.If onychomycosis is caught in its early stages, it is much easier to cure the disease.But in the later stages, treatment becomes difficult and lengthy; the treatment process can take a year or more.