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The first signs of a fungal nail infection

Today, getting a fungal 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 anywhere: in your favorite pool, at a party, and even in your own home.The success of treatment directly depends on how quickly you recognize the infection and begin treatment, so it is very important to know the first signs of nail fungus.

Where can the fungus lie in wait?

walking in someone else's slippers as a way to become infected with fungus

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

The nail hurts - you need to change your shoes to looser ones, your heels are peeling - apply thicker cream, spots have appeared on your nails - buy vitamins and choose a brighter polish.

But modern research assures that the opposite is true - adherents of a healthy lifestyle and athletes often become victims of the fungus.In order for the fungus not just to get on your feet, but to begin to actively multiply, many conditions are needed.But if you are in the “fungal” risk group, it is important to regularly examine your feet and nails so as not to miss the first symptoms.

Your chances of contracting a fungus increase if you:

  • wear tight and uncomfortable shoes, especially those made of synthetic materials;
  • you wear other people’s slippers when visiting and at home;
  • try on shoes without footwear in stores;
  • walk in the pool and gym with bare feet on the floor, without flip-flops;
  • suffer from excessive sweating of your feet;
  • have diabetes;
  • suffer from varicose veins and other circulatory disorders.

First signs

Recognizing the first signs of fungal infection can be difficult.Today, many doctors talk about the increase in the so-called erased form of fungal infection.In this case, obvious signs of infection do not appear for a long time, and people only realize it when the fungus reaches an advanced stage.

Doctors do not hide: many skin diseases begin in the same way as fungus (psoriasis, lichen, allergic dermatitis).But it’s better to play it safe and see 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 ridges along the edges of the nail plate;
  • the appearance of white spots and stripes on the nails;
  • deformation of the nail plate (bumps appear 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.

Typical signs of fungal nail disease are:

  • thickening and keratinization of the skin (especially on the heels and toes);
  • painful blisters between fingers;
  • the feet dry out and crack, the cracks are deep, sometimes bloody;
  • weeping wounds appear (usually between the fingers, where the skin is less ventilated);
  • an unpleasant odor appears from decaying tissues from under the nails;
  • the nail plate delaminates, becomes fragile and brittle;
  • nails change color to white, yellow, black or green;
  • a whitened or blackened nail moves away from the nail plate;
  • the structure of the nails changes;they become cloudy and loose;
  • the nail plate thickens so much that it is not amenable to pedicure instruments;
  • the periungual fold becomes very inflamed;
  • deformed nails cause severe pain when walking.

Types of fungi

If you become infected with a fungus, it is not at all necessary that all these symptoms await you.For some, the main manifestation of infection is a discolored nail; for others, the nail plates simply thicken without causing any discomfort.And someone suffers so much from pain and itching that they simply cannot walk normally.

There are 3 types of fungal nail infections, each of which has 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, then the nail plate abruptly changes color to yellow or black-green.The thickness and structure of the plate are usually preserved.
  2. Hypertrophic.Here the nail is completely affected by fungal attack.The color of the plate changes, the nails become deformed, become thick, loose and lumpy.Often the nail plate peels off and collapses, usually in parts.
  3. Atrophic.In this case, the fungus does everything to not just disfigure your nails, but to destroy them.The nail plate changes color, becomes thinner and is gradually torn away from the bed.

Signs of a fungal infection largely depend on the type of fungus you have contracted.Experts identify 3 main groups of parasites that are dangerous to our nails.These are dermatophytes, yeasts and molds.

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

Fungus or not?

girl thinks about treating foot fungus

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

Suspicious symptoms may well not be a fungus if:

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

If you are unsure about your diagnosis, you can do a small home test.Dilute a little potassium permanganate in a bowl of warm water and soak your feet there for a while.Healthy nails will take on a brownish tint.If no changes are visible, this is a clear signal of 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-medication: at the slightest suspicion, you need to go to a dermatologist and get all tests done.This will allow you to confirm the diagnosis and, if necessary, begin treatment as quickly as possible.