What does toenail fungus look like?

In order to detect pathological changes in the condition of the nails and skin of the feet in time and start treatment as soon as possible, it is important to know what the fungus of the nail plate looks like. The sooner measures are taken to eliminate the disease, the greater the probability 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 in different stages and what are the characteristic features of the course of this disease.

What does onychomycosis look like?

To understand that the nail plates are infected with a fungal infection (onychomycosis), you need to know what healthy nails look like. In a normal condition, the nails are smooth, the horny plates are pale pink in color, smooth, without depressions, protrusions or delamination. Healthy nails are strong and elastic, not thickened. But a change in their appearance can signal many pathological processes in the body, so it is necessary to identify specific symptoms that are characteristic of onychomycosis. They can differ depending on the form of the disease.

1. Normotrophic.This is the initial stage of nail fungus. Burnt boards change color, yellowish and white spots and stripes appear on them, as well as an unpleasant smell. This is the initial stage of the disease, so the nail retains its normal thickness and relatively healthy appearance. This phase begins to occur 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 is separated from the nail bed.

Another classification also depends on what the nail fungus looks like. It includes dividing the infection into several types depending on which part of the nail is 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 can be completely affected, and its root (matrix) can also be infected. Thinning of the plate may occur.
2. Area.The fungus affects the upper part of the cornea, causing the appearance of white streaks 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.Fungi occur under the nail, causing damage to the matrix and tissue surrounding the plate. Cuticle shedding may occur. Deep grooves and irregularities appear on the nails.
4. In total.The nails acquire a gray-yellow hue, become very thick and peel off. The plate is subjected to complete or partial destruction.

Fungus on the skin of the feet

Often nail fungus spreads to the skin of the feet. What does foot fungus look like?

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

Most often, changes can be noticed between the toes and on the 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 more and more skin surface in the fungal process. There is an unpleasant smell from the feet, even if you are not wearing shoes. If treated improperly or untimely, foot fungus can develop into an extensive form, in which deep cracks are formed at the base of the toes and between them, on the arch of the foot and on the heels. In addition, this stage is characterized by severe skin separation.

Diagnosis of fungal nail infections

Any person who is far from medicine can suspect a fungal nail or foot infection if they have at least a little understanding of this disease. However, only a qualified specialist can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment based on an external examination, patient survey and data from studies of the affected nail under a microscope. In this case, you must consult a dermatologist.

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

Nail fungus not only spoils the appearance of the hands and feet, but can also lead to unpleasant consequences, including 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, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible in order 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 come and the less money you will have to spend on expensive antifungal drugs.