Nail fungus is an incurable disease, so diagnosing the symptoms in the early stages of the disease will greatly accelerate the course of its treatment. In addition, when the first signs of the disease are detected, you will be able to protect your family / loved ones from infection, because in most cases (70-80%) nail and skin fungus is transmitted between family members.
What the symptoms look like
![itchy feet with nail fungus](/images/articles/706/itchy%20feet%20with%20nail%20fungus.jpg)
First of all, nail fungus manifests itself with an unpleasant odor and itching. If you have started to notice that your feet suspiciously often emit an unpleasant odor (with timely replacement of socks and proper hygiene), then this is a good reason to consult a doctor for a diagnosis of the disease.
![yellow nails due to fungal infection](/images/articles/706/yellow%20nails%20due%20to%20fungal%20infection.png)
The next symptom of the fungus is a change in the color of the nail plate. In this case, the edges of the nail are damaged more often. Small grooves and whitish spots appear, as a result of which they begin to increase in size.
![damage to the nails of the plate with cork](/images/articles/706/damage%20to%20the%20nails%20of%20the%20plate%20with%20cork.jpg)
If appropriate measures are not taken, the plate will continue to deform and damage new areas of the nail until the fungus completely infects it.
Another characteristic symptom of onychomycosis is discoloration of the nail plate. As a result of exposure to fungal spores, it can acquire different shades. In most cases, it is brown and yellow, but if exposed to mold or yeast fungi, it can also acquire a darker color.
Also, one of the signs of the disease is a change in the nail structure. It can change shape very quickly and begin to collapse.
Other features of the disease
The fungus is a very insidious disease, because the spores of this infection are in the human body for most of life and only in some cases go into the active phase:
- Decreased level of immunity
- Diabetes
- Skin diseases
- Mechanical damage to the skin of the feet / arms or nails.
So, if you have any of these symptoms, you should be more careful. If you damaged your nail at the nail salon or wore tight shoes, it is recommended to use one of the many antifungal preventive products and apply to the damaged areas no more than once a week.
What to do if you find signs of a fungus?
- If you find signs of onychomycosis, do not forget to go to a dermatologist in the hospital and pass the appropriate tests. There are more than 50 types of pathogenic fungi for the human body, and if you start treatment yourself, then it will most likely be ineffective and you will waste your precious time.
- After passing all the necessary tests, strictly follow the prescribed prescription and carry out all the procedures for the treatment of fungi in a timely manner. Remember that folk remedies are best taken
in the complex with antifungal drugs and do not forget to consult your doctor about it.
Everything! These are all the actions you are required to take when detecting the first signs of onychomycosis. Do not try to self-diagnose and, moreover, prescribe treatment.