Symptoms of toenail fungus

Toenail fungus, the symptoms of which will be discussed below, most often appear due to neglect of the rules of personal hygiene. Symptoms of nail fungus in most patients appear suddenly, since the infection occurs almost imperceptibly and instantly. Since the treatment measures for this ailment continue for a long period of time, it is better for a person who has noticed signs of the disease on the toenails to seek medical help immediately.

Factors contributing to the development of the disease.

The lesion can be caused by yeasts, molds, or fungi on the skin. In the first case, it is impossible to diagnose the disease immediately. Symptoms of the disease appear 5-6 months after infection. Peeling of the nail develops, slight irritation of the skin around it. Sometimes the patient is tormented by severe itching.

In the event that the disease has developed due to a skin fungus, three scenarios are possible:

1. The feet, nails, and skin on the legs become infected. The fungus can spread not only on the skin of the lower extremities, but also on the fingernails.
2. Another type of mycelium affects only the nail of the thumb or little toe. Sometimes there is a transition of such mushrooms to the folds between the fingers. Then the skin is affected in 1-2 folds or all at once.
3. Another type of disease - fungus is limited only to the "occupation" of the nail plate on the little finger or thumb of the lower limb, but does not spread further.
4. The last type of infection is mold. This type of mycelium usually appears in people with serious immune disorders, such as HIV.

The appearance of the infection in all cases occurs for the following reasons:

1. The protective properties of the patient's body fell below a critical level.
2. The nail was mechanically damaged.
3. The man was wearing shoes that were too tight. Blood circulation in the legs was disturbed, which led to the development of an infection.
4. Some people have anatomical pathology of the feet, which contributes to the development of fungus.
5. Very often, patients who are diagnosed with obesity suffer from the disease. The disease leads to excessive sweating. This creates favorable conditions for the development of the mycelium.
6. Fungi develop in patients with diabetes.

To prevent the disease, you need to wear only your clothes, shoes, personal hygiene items. It is recommended to decontaminate and clean carpets and shoes in time.

General signs of the disease.

The first signs of toenail fungus in most people begin to appear as small whitish dots or streaks on the toenails. Most people do not pay attention to this, since nothing hurts them, there is no discomfort. If you do not start the treatment of mycosis in time, the disease can begin. There will be a germination of the mycelium on all nail plates, suppuration of the skin around the affected nails will begin. In severe cases, the disease spreads to deep tissue structures. This threatens the development of gangrene and amputation of the foot or even the entire leg.

At the second stage of the disease with mycosis, the natural shine of the nail plates disappears. Nails change color. They are yellow with brown or white stripes. The top and side surfaces of the nail are often deformed. Such changes are clearly visible to the naked eye.

At the last stage of the disease, the nail plates become very brittle, the inflammatory process begins in the cuticle. A person can completely lose a nail. But the mushrooms don't stop there. They continue to spread to all nail plates, and then pass into the skin of the leg, that is, they capture the feet.

The patient himself can recognize the disease in the second and third stages, as the nails turn yellow or brown (sometimes they turn black). The nail rises from its bed, becomes more brittle, quickly breaks.

Symptoms of the disease in the initial stage

If a person has developed toenail fungus, the symptoms of the disease are practically absent at first. But then, 2-3 months after the penetration of the fungus from the skin and its fixation on the nails, you can notice the manifestation of such signs of the disease:

1. On the surface of the skin near the affected plaque, a slight redness first develops.
2. Then the person feels a burning sensation in this area.
3. Severe itching develops, inflammation begins.
4. Subsequently, places with higher humidity develop in these areas.
5. There is a thickening of the nail and its keratinization.

As soon as a person notices these signs of nail fungus, he should be examined and then treatment should begin.

Depending on the type of fungal infection in the later stages of the development of mycosis, the diseased nail plate is painted in different colors. In the first stage of the development of the disease, the affected area may turn white or green. The spots on it will be located along the surface or will look like round spots. At the same time, the thickness of the plate in most patients does not change, and in many cases the nail retains its natural shine. Itching in all cases is very strong, it is impossible to get rid of it immediately. If the patient noticed signs of mycosis in time, then you can get rid of burning and itching by using such drugs as miconazole, clotrimazole and similar drugs. But it should not be treated on your own, it is better to do it under the supervision of a doctor. With any mistakes or non-compliance with the doctor's recommendations, the mycelium will instantly spread to healthy areas, which will complicate the treatment.

The further development of the disease.

Toenail fungus, if left untreated, can rob the nails of their natural color and the surface color of the affected area will be yellow. There is delamination of the nails. They can start to break down. Along with this, the patient develops intolerable itching of the skin around the affected area. Cracking of the substance of the nail plates begins. The burning intensifies. Some patients may develop dysbacteriosis, feel unwell, complain of weakness throughout the body. Perhaps the development of drowsiness.

First, the mycelium completely changes the color of the surface of the plates, then its thinning begins. Then the diseased nail is rejected, and the infection penetrates the skin structures. The itching gets worse.

In the last stage of the disease, the surface of the diseased nail plates becomes similar to scales. Depending on the type of fungus that struck the person, the thickening of the nails begins, their delamination. They break quickly. Symptoms of the disease include the following:

1. The edges of the plates become very brittle. Sometimes this causes pain in the patient.
2. The shape of the plaques is greatly distorted and a scaly surface may develop.
3. The color of the affected area changes from yellow to black.
4. Insertion of parts of the plates into the skin begins.
5. A whitish or yellowish layer appears under the nails. This is because they get off the bed.
6. The itching is very strong, almost unbearable. The burning of the skin around the affected areas increases again.

If these symptoms appear and treatment is started on time, it will continue for a long period of time. You can be infected with a disease in 4-5 seconds, and it is very difficult to cure the disease. This usually takes 3 to 6 months. It is not recommended to abandon the course of treatment due to possible complications that can lead to surgery. Therefore, you need to listen carefully to yourself. If the initial symptoms are detected and the treatment is started immediately, then there is a chance to complete the therapy faster, while saving the nails.