Fungal nail plates on the legs in the initial stages

Fungal spores enter the body through various microcracks - after a few weeks they begin to actively grow and multiply. If you skip the initial stage of the disease, then the infection will affect the plate, bed and matrix of the nail. To get rid of the pathology, you need to know the symptoms and methods of treatment, as well as the causes of the disease.

Causes of occurrence and main symptoms

The pathogen is a dermatophyte, which consists of thin threads. The fungus feeds on keratin, which is found in hair, plates, and skin. Spores can penetrate deeply into the toenail, which can lead to its rapid complete destruction. You can get infected in the pool, bath house, on the beach or in beauty salons that do not follow the rules of disinfection. Pathogenic microorganisms can penetrate through a small scratch. The main reason is weak immunity and non-compliance with the rules of hygiene.

In the early stages, people often do not pay attention to the signs of infection, so they see doctors with an already advanced disease. Anemia, liver disease, chronic inflammatory processes, lack of calcium and some other microelements - all these diseases change the color and structure of the plates on the legs and arms. Therefore, if there is a sharp change in color and thickness, then you should contact a specialist.

What does the disease look like in the initial stage:

• white or yellowish spots, longitudinal stripes appear;
• the color changes slightly - it acquires a yellow tint, the natural healthy shine disappears;
• most often in the early stages, the infection affects the big toe;
• Changes occur in the structure - the plate becomes thicker, more bumpy, begins to crumble, peel off, looks sloppy;
• Itching occurs, cracks are formed between the fingers, rounded plaques;
• The inflamed areas hurt, which leads to discomfort when walking.

If you skip the first signs, the nail will begin to move away from the bed, and pathogenic microorganisms will quickly multiply in the gap. It turns brown, black, gray, the legs constantly smell unpleasant. At an early stage, it affects the plate on one side, with the intense development of pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases, total damage is observed.

Traditional treatments

Noticing the first signs in time, it is enough to undergo treatment by external means, which only a doctor can correctly choose. At an advanced stage, the disease must be treated with expensive and not always safe drugs. You should immediately contact a mycologist or dermatologist if the structure changes.

How to Get Rid of Toenail Fungus Early:

1. In the podiatry practice, a medical pedicure is performed - with the help of tweezers, a file or a grinding machine, the damaged part of the nail is removed. If the plate is very stiff, a keratolytic patch is used to soften it. The procedure can not be done in normal salons.
2. If the disease is in the initial stages and no more than two nails are affected by the fungus, antifungal drugs should be treated. Ointments are inexpensive, but they cannot penetrate inside. They are used twice a day. Healing varnishes form a protective film on the surface and should be used once a week. You can use the funds at home, they have practically no contraindications.
3. If the infection spreads quickly, your doctor may prescribe systemic drugs in pill form.

A popular, effective and inexpensive means of getting rid of athlete's foot is a special serum. It is spread over the entire plate twice a day, the top layer is previously removed with a special nail file included in the kit. Spray - quickly eliminates the symptoms of the initial stage. You need to apply on a steamed nail 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment is 7-14 days.

Modern podiatry tries not to remove the entire nail, especially if the disease is in its early stages. During such operations, the matrix is removed, resulting in subsequent ingrowth and deformation. A safer treatment method is laser therapy. Under the influence of the beam, pathogenic microorganisms immediately die, nearby tissues are not injured.

Home remedies

You can easily check for the presence of mushrooms at home - dilute potassium permanganate in warm water, the liquid should be pale pink in color. Keep feet in the solution for 3-5 minutes - the affected panels will not stain, remain light, healthy areas will turn brown.

You can eliminate the causes and symptoms at home using conventional methods. They are safe, have practically no contraindications, many of them are suitable for the treatment of children and pregnant women. The basis of home therapy are medicinal baths, oils, ointments.

• Apple Cider Vinegareffective in treating athlete's foot. It is necessary to dilute it in equal parts with warm water and soak your feet in the solution for a quarter of an hour. Let the skin dry naturally after the procedure. All symptoms go away in 15 to 20 days.
• Tea tree oil- a powerful natural antiseptic that can be treated at all stages. The tool should be rubbed into the affected plates three times a day and the feet treated. One procedure requires 4-10 drops of oil extract. Duration - 2-4 weeks. This therapy is not suitable for pregnant women and children.
• Celandineused to get rid of various dermatological diseases at home. Grind fresh grass, squeeze out the juice and mix it with the same amount of medicinal alcohol. Remove the tincture in a dark room for a day and use the medicine to lubricate the affected plates 3-4 times a day. Before applying, the feet should be steamed in a soda or saline solution. The duration of therapy is 1, 5–2 weeks.
• peroxide- an affordable and safe antiseptic that eliminates the signs of fungal diseases. Steam your feet with some baking soda in water. Moisten the cotton wool pads with peroxide and secure them on the infected nail with a film or a fingertip. Repeat the process 3-5 times a day and hold the compress for at least 45 minutes.

Infection prevention

You must not put on other people's shoes. Stockings and tights should only be worn on absolutely dry feet.

How to prevent fungal diseases of the toenails:

• try on shoes in the store only in their clean socks;
• Always use your own towels, manicure and pedicure tools.
• Avoid going barefoot in public places with high humidity.
• In the salons, do not hesitate to ask the master to disinfect the instruments again.
• Shoes and hosiery should be made from natural materials so that the skin can breathe;
• Regularly examine your feet, toes, and do a pedicure.
• strengthen the protective functions of the body.

If you managed to notice the symptoms in time and cure them, then you need to apply antifungal drugs to the nails for 2-3 months. All shoes should be disinfected or thrown away. After getting rid of the infection, you should do a general cleaning of the house - thoroughly wash the floor, bathroom and personal belongings with special products.

Fungus is a common disease, spores remain active in the environment for a long time, penetrate the body through damaged skin. Not everyone can get rid of the infection completely, the chance of its recurrence is 7-8%. Preventive measures and strong immunity will help prevent infection.