The first signs of a fungal nail infection

Today, catching a yeast infection is almost as easy as catching a cold.The slightest stress, weakened immunity - and now an insidious parasite is preparing to attack your feet.And you can encounter fungus everywhere: in your favorite pool, at a party, and even in your own home.The success of the treatment directly depends on how quickly you recognize the infection and start the treatment, so it is very important to know the first signs of nail fungus.

Where can the fungus lurk?

Many people think that fungal infection is the fate of people who are sick and do not follow the rules of hygiene, so they do not pay attention to small changes on the feet and heels.

Your nail hurts - 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 nail polish.

But modern research assures that it is exactly the opposite - supporters of a healthy lifestyle and athletes often fall victim to the fungus.In order for the fungus not just to step on your feet, but also to start actively multiplying, many conditions are needed.But if you are in the risk group of "fungus", it is important to regularly examine your feet and nails in order 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;
• wear foreign slippers when visiting and at home;
• try on shoes without shoes in stores;
• walk in the pool and gym with bare feet on the floor, without flip-flops;
• you suffer from excessive sweating of your feet;
• have diabetes;
• suffer from varicose veins and other circulatory disorders.

First signs

Recognizing the first signs of a yeast infection can be difficult.Today, many doctors are talking about an increase in the so-called deleted form of fungal infection.In this case, the obvious signs of infection do not appear for a long time, and people realize it only 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 visit a doctor as early as possible so as not to miss the disease.The following symptoms should alert you:

• dry skin and cracks on the heels and under the toes;
• constant itching on the feet and between the toes;
• thickening of the skin edges at the edges of the nail plate;
• the appearance of white spots and stripes on the nails;
• deformation of the nail plate (unevenness appears on the nail, it becomes thicker than usual).

Main symptoms

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

The typical signs of fungal nail diseases are:

• thickening and keratinization of the skin (especially on the heels and toes);
• painful blisters between the fingers;
• the legs dry and crack, the cracks are deep, sometimes bloody;
• wet sores appear (usually between the fingers, where the skin is less ventilated);
• an unpleasant smell appears from decaying tissues under the nails;
• the nail plate delaminates, becomes fragile and brittle;
• nails change color to white, yellow, black or green;
• the bleached or blackened nail moves away from the nail plate;
• the structure of the nails changes;become cloudy and loose;
• the nail plate thickens so much that it does not lend itself to pedicure tools;
• the periungual fold becomes strongly inflamed;
• deformed nails cause severe pain when walking.

Types of fungi

If you get a yeast infection, you don't necessarily have to experience all of these symptoms.For some, the main manifestation of infection is a discolored nail;in others, the nail plates simply thicken without causing discomfort.And someone suffers from so much pain and itching that they simply cannot walk normally.

There are 3 types of fungal nail infections, each with its own characteristics.

1. Normotrophic.In this case, only the color of the nail changes.At the first stage, whitish longitudinal stripes or spots appear, after which the nail plate abruptly changes its color to yellow or black-green.The thickness and structure of the plaque is usually preserved.
2. Hypertrophic.Here the nail is completely affected by a fungal attack.The color of the plate changes, the nails are deformed, become thick, loose and lumpy.Often the nail plate peels off and falls off, usually in pieces.
3. Atrophic.In this case, the fungus does everything to not just disfigure your nails, but to destroy them.The nail plate changes color, thins and gradually detaches from the bed.

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

Yeast infection is quite rare and only occurs in 4-5% of all cases.Molds attack even less often - in about 1% of cases.They usually attack people with severe chronic diseases.Our main enemies are dermatophytes.In this group there are several types of parasites, the infection with which has similar symptoms described above.

Mushrooms or not?

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

Suspicious symptoms may not be fungus if:

• you recently suffered a leg injury (you crushed your toe under the neck, walked for a long time in narrow shoes with an uncomfortable last);
• you have symptoms of psoriasis or another skin disease;
• when the changes have simultaneously affected all fingernails and toenails.

If you are unsure of your diagnosis, you can do a short home test.Dilute some potassium permanganate in a bowl of warm water and soak your feet in it for a while.Healthy nails will take on a brownish hue.If there are no visible changes, this is a clear signal of a fungal infection.

Fungal nail infections always occur individually, so each person always has their own symptoms, unlike the fungus of a colleague, neighbor or relative.You should not engage in self-diagnosis or self-treatment: at the slightest suspicion, you should go to a dermatologist and do all the tests.This will allow you to confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, begin treatment as quickly as possible.