What does toenail fungus look like?

In order to notice pathological changes in the condition of the nails and skin of the feet in time and start treatment as quickly as possible, it is important to know what fungus on the nail plate looks like. The sooner measures are taken to eliminate the disease, the greater the likelihood that it will be possible to prevent the destruction of the nail plate and restore its normal appearance. Find out how the fungus manifests itself at different stages and what are the features of the course of this disease.

What does onychomycosis look like?

To understand that the nail plates have been infected with a fungal infection (onychomycosis), it is necessary to know what healthy nails look like. Under normal conditions, nails are smooth, horny plates of pale pink color, smooth, without dents, bumps and delaminations. Healthy nails are strong and elastic, not thickened. But a change in its appearance can indicate many pathological processes in the body, therefore it is necessary to identify specific symptoms inherent in onychomycosis. They may vary depending on the form of the disease.

1. Normotrophic.This is the initial stage of nail fungus. The horny plates change color, yellowish and white spots and stripes appear, as well as an unpleasant odor. This is the initial stage of the disease, so the nail retains its normal thickness and relatively healthy appearance. This stage begins to appear at the end of the incubation period.
2. Hypertrophic: the color changes even more, the plates begin to thicken and the shine disappears. A change in shape and partial destruction of the plate along the edges can be observed.
3. Atrophic:The affected nail separates from the nail bed.

Another classification also depends on the appearance of the nail fungus. It is about dividing the infection into several types depending on the part of the nail affected by the fungus:

1. Distal.There is delamination and yellowing of the edge of the plate, keratinization of the nail bed. In some cases, the nail may be completely affected and its root (matrix) may also become infected. Thinning of the plaque may occur.
2. Surface.The fungus affects the upper part of the horny plate, causing the appearance of white stripes and spots that turn yellow and increase in size over time. They can be easily removed by scraping. The board has a loose structure. This variety is specific: this is how toenail fungus manifests itself.
3. Proximal.Fungus appears under the nail and causes damage to the matrix and tissues surrounding the plate. Cuticle rejection may occur. Deep grooves and irregularities appear on the nails.
4. Total.The nails acquire a grayish-yellow tint, become very thick and peel. The plate suffers total or partial destruction.

Fungus on the skin of the foot

Often, toenail fungus spreads to the skin of the feet. What do foot skin fungus look like?

In the early stages, the infection manifests itself in the form of redness and swelling of the skin and the appearance of small cracks.

Very often, changes can be noticed between the toes and heels.

The next symptom of mycosis of the feet is the appearance of spots on the skin, which soon begin to itch and peel. Over time, the size of these spots increases, involving an increasing area of skin in the fungal process. There is an unpleasant smell on the feet, even if you do not wear shoes. If treated incorrectly or untimely, foot fungus can develop into an extensive form, in which deep cracks form at the base of the toes and between them, on the arches of the foot and on the heels. Additionally, this stage is characterized by a strong separation of the skin.

Diagnosis of fungal nail infections.

Anyone who is far from medicine can suspect a fungal infection of the nails or feet if she has at least a vague understanding of this disease. However, only a qualified specialist can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment based on an external examination, examination of the patient and data from studies of the affected nail under a microscope. In this case, it is necessary to contact a dermatologist.

To determine whether a patient truly has a fungal infection, a scraping of the affected nail is taken in the laboratory and, after placing the material in an alkaline environment, it is examined under a microscope for the presence of fungal mycelium. If such a specific structure is discovered, the diagnosis will be absolutely confirmed. Additional studies may be prescribed to determine the specific type of fungus, this is necessary to select the most effective drugs against the infection.

Nail fungus not only spoils the appearance of hands and feet, but can also lead to unpleasant consequences, such as the complete loss of nail plates and the penetration of a fungal infection into the body. In addition, onychomycosis and foot fungus are contagious diseases, so at the first symptoms it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as possible to protect your loved ones. The incubation period of the fungus can last several weeks, so the disease does not appear immediately. The sooner you seek help from a specialist and accurately diagnose the disease, the faster the treatment will be carried out and the less money you will have to spend on expensive drugs with antifungal action.