Many do not even suspect that sweating, an unpleasant smell pursues them due to onychomycosis.This is an insidious disease, therapy of which takes a long time and does not always bring one hundred percent result.For effective treatment of the disease, it is necessary to identify the signs of nail fungus as quickly as possible, which apply to the nail plate, foot and legs.
What is nail fungus
An infectious disease caused by mold and yeast -like mushrooms of the genus Candida is called onychomycosis.According to WHO statistics, from 5 to 15% of the globe population suffers from the disease.Microorganisms affect the nail plate, changing its color, shape and hardness.Dermatologists note the frequent cases of diseases both among adults and among children.With improperly selected treatment, severe complications may occur, up to gangrene.
Infection occurs due to non-compliance with personal hygiene rules, high humidity in baths and saunas, and mechanical injuries.Regular contact with detergents, water causes the development of the disease.Flat feet and narrow gaps between the fingers increase the risk of the disease.The fungus is more often manifested in people with a weakened immune system, then other organs are also infected with fungal infection.
What does the fungus look like on the legs
If you are interested in how to determine the fungus on the nails of the legs, look at the free edge and the plate of the mouth on the end of the fingers.With a distal-lineric form of the disease, the nail becomes a yellow shade, and the plate is not transparent.The second degree of pathology is characterized by hyperkeratosis.The disease is manifested by the keratinization of the nail bed, which becomes much thicker than a healthy organ.The last stage is characterized by dystrophy, defeat of the matrix.
Symptoms
Few people pay attention to the initial symptoms of onychomycosis.The sooner you notice the disease, the more effective the treatment will be.Symptoms of nail fungus:
- change in the integrity of the nail;
- change of the color of the plate;
- Relaxing the nail phalanx;
- pain arising as pathology develops;
- Skin itching, burning around the affected area.
White plaque on the nails
The appearance of white spots is one of the first signs of nail fungus on the legs.A plaque can look like round spots of different sizes, longitudinal stripes, or cover the entire nail bed.If you notice changes in the surface of the mouth at the end of your fingers, see a doctor urgently, self -medication can cause negative consequences for your health.
Signs
The disease cause several types of pathogens that manifest themselves in different ways.Depending on the nature of microorganism, the signs of the fungus on the nails of the legs will differ:
- Yeast.With this type of pathogen, the disease can be recognized after a long time.Peeling appears, but itching of the skin near the affected area may be absent.
- Mold.It occurs in 1% of patients, more often develops in patients with HIV infection.
- Dermatophytes.The most common causative agent of the disease that causes the tightening of the nail plate, its delays.The pathogenic organism also affects the legs and feet, can spread to interdigital folds.In most cases, a thumb and a little finger amaze.
The first signs
Most people do not notice how the fungus begins.Symptoms appear when most of the nail plate is damaged.Almost immediately, infection can be seen only in the footsteps.Between the fingers begins to blush and peel the skin, itching occurs.Gradually, a deeper lesion of the skin occurs, up to the formation of cracks.An important sign of the onset of the disease is a change in the color and structure of the plate.It becomes fragile, is constantly damaged, which causes significant pain.
How different types of onychomycosis are manifested
This disease of the lower extremities does not have a single clinical picture.How the nail fungus manifests itself on the legs depends on the type of disease.To obtain the maximum result from treatment, doctors distinguish the following varieties of the fungus:
- Normotorophical.At the beginning of the disease, the color of the sick plate changes, while the thickness and natural shine remain unchanged.On the side parts of the plate there are yellow or white spots, stripes.Gradually, the nail completely changes color, but its thickness remains normal.With this form of the disease, onycholysis is observed - the impossibility of a plate to grow to the nail bed.
- Hypertrophic.This type of disease is diagnosed by thickening the plate.Scales begin to grow under the nail.The plate fades, begins to break, the color becomes gray or dark yellow.A person can experience pain when walking.
- Atrophic.With this type of disease, a change in the color of the plate to brown-gray is characteristic.The nail loses shine, the plate is gradually destroyed.The last stage of this type of onychomycosis is manifested by the complete destruction of the nail bed, its necrosis.Atrophy occurs at the outer end towards the growth zone.
Treatment
The modern pharmaceutical industry offers many means for the treatment of fungus.Local and general drugs are used.Only a specialist can choose drugs after a series of tests.Before prescribing the medicine, at the appointment, the doctor evaluates the following factors of the disease:
- Duration of the disease;
- inflammation area;
- the nature of pathological changes;
- the presence of other pathologies.
If the disease is at an advanced stage or develops very quickly, then antibiotics should be used for treatment.Tablets for the treatment of dysbiosis cannot be taken with liver or renal pathologies, children.Before starting treatment, you should carefully familiarize yourself with the pharmacological compatibility of the drugs taken.
Often used products that must be applied directly to the affected nail.It is recommended to pre -treat the skin with hydrogen peroxide or alcohol.To completely eliminate pathogenic microbes, disinfectant sprays for shoes should be used.The course of treatment takes several months.
