Early stages of nail fungus

The initial stage of nail fungus (onychomycosis) occurs without obvious symptoms.Small changes in the appearance of the nail plate are observed, minimal discomfort is possible, so diagnosing the disease at this stage is quite difficult.

Symptoms: What does nail fungus look like in the early stages?

The first signs of nail mycosis appear almost immediately after infection.If, after visiting public places such as swimming pools, saunas, showering at the gym, or the beach, your nails become dull and start to itch a little, then this may be the first sign of onychomycosis.

Healthy nails are almost never susceptible to fungal infections.It begins to develop quickly when it comes into contact with the damaged nail plate.

In my arms

Nail fungus is more often diagnosed in women, but men are also susceptible to this disease.

The first symptoms of damage to the nail plate:

• The nail surface becomes dull;
• Spots appear, usually white;
• Nails begin to change shade, first they become yellow, then they become gray or brown;
• Nails begin to crumble at the edges, become brittle, and splinter;
• The skin around the plate may begin to peel and swell, but in the early stages of the disease this is rare.

At my feet

You can recognize toenail fungus with common symptoms:

• The top or side of the nail starts to turn yellow;
• The nail plate gradually thickens;
• The nail plate becomes dull, the base cannot be seen;
• The nail begins to peel from the nail bed;
• There is a slight itching of the fingers;
• There is an unpleasant smell of feet.

If treatment is not started on time, stage 1 onychomycosis develops rapidly.As a result, the nail becomes deformed and can completely peel off.Poisonous toxins released during the life of pathogenic fungi enter the bloodstream and spread throughout the body.This leads to deterioration in metabolic processes and dysfunction of internal organs.

Important!Start treating nail mycosis at the first symptoms of the disease.

Early treatment of fungus

In most cases, to treat the early stages of onychomycosis, drugs that have a direct local effect on the affected nail are sufficient.Tablets and injections are prescribed for more advanced stages.

Folk remedies are used to treat nails at home.It is better to combine them with pharmacological drugs for external action.

People's recovery

There are many folk remedies that will help cure nails affected by fungus in the early stages.Let's take a look at this effective, yet simple recipe.

1. Iodine - Apply 1 drop of 5% iodine to the affected nail daily until symptoms disappear.This procedure is carried out in the morning and also in the evening.More material on iodine treatment.
2. Mix 1 teaspoon of iodine, vinegar, glycerin and dilute with 6 tablespoons of water.Rub your nails with the resulting mixture for 10 days in a row.The composition on the nail plate must be left overnight.
3. Vinegar - Prepare a bath by diluting 1 part 9% vinegar with 8 parts warm water.Swing your legs or arms for 20 minutes.Perform 7 procedures daily.More material on vinegar treatment.
4. Egg ointment - Place a raw chicken egg in the shell into a glass and fill to the top with 9% vinegar.When the shell dissolves, remove the remaining film and mix the egg with vinegar.Apply the resulting mixture twice a day to the affected area for 2-3 weeks.
5. Hydrogen peroxide - Dilute 2 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide in 2 liters of water.Rub your arms or legs, depending on where the fungus is located, for 20 minutes.Repeat the procedure for 7-10 consecutive days.
6. Peroxide Compress - Soak a cotton ball with peroxide and apply it to the nail that shows signs of fungus.Before this, your hands or feet should be steamed in a soda bath.To prepare it, 1 teaspoon of soda is diluted in 1 liter of water.The top of the compress is wrapped in cellophane or cling film and left for 60 minutes.This is necessary so that the peroxide does not evaporate.Repeat the procedure for 10-14 days, twice a day.
7. Propolis tincture - dip cotton in 20% alcohol tincture and apply to the affected area.Keep the lotion until the composition dries.Repeat daily until recovery.1-2 procedures per day is enough.
8. Washing powder is a suitable method for treating toenails.You need to dissolve 100 g of washing powder, which contains a lot of alkali, in 2 liters of water.Keep your feet in this bath for 15 minutes.Repeat 10-14 procedures until symptoms disappear.
9. Garlic - Cut a clove of peeled garlic, dip it in salt, and then rub it on the nail plate.Repeat twice a day until symptoms disappear.
10. Ammonia - Dissolve 1 tablespoon of ammonia in 1 glass of water.Cotton cloth is impregnated with the resulting solution.You need to wrap your legs or arms and leave this compress overnight.Repeat the procedure for 7 days every day.
11. Onion - Chop the onion to a paste consistency and apply on the affected nail for 30 minutes.Repeat twice a day until recovery.

12. Mix chamomile, sage, mint, you can take dried or fresh herbs.Place the resulting mixture in socks or gloves overnight.Herbs need to be changed every evening.Repeat the procedure in combination with other recipes until the symptoms of the fungus disappear.
13. Boric acid - A cotton swab soaked in boric acid is used for pre-stiff nails.You need to keep the lotion for 30 minutes.This procedure is repeated for 10 consecutive days every day.
14. Celandine and Tea Tree Oils - Mix these products in equal proportions, soak a gauze bandage with the resulting mixture and apply to the nails for 20 consecutive days for 45 minutes.This recipe is contraindicated for pregnant women.
15. Soda - Dilute baking soda with a little water to a paste consistency.Apply to your nails for 20 minutes, and then rinse with warm water for 10-12 days, twice a day.
16. Apple Cider Vinegar - Dilute with olive oil.The required ratio is 2 parts vinegar to 1 part oil.Apply the mixture to the affected nail plate until the nail grows completely.
17. Tea Tree Oil-Apply a few drops of the oil to your nails until the fungal affected areas of the nail plate grow out completely.
18. Willow - Cut 500 g of young willow shoots, add 2 liters of water, cook until boiling.Make a hand or foot bath three times a week from the prepared decoction for 20 minutes until recovery.
19. Nettle - Brew 3 tablespoons of nettle leaves in 400 ml of water.Soak cotton with this decoction and apply it to the nail plate twice a day until recovery.
20. Pour Rowan leaves and apply a thick layer on the nails, and then wrap with cling film for 30 minutes.Repeat the procedure every day for 12-14 days.

Before using folk remedies, it is necessary to check whether there is an individual intolerance to the components of the recipe.

Medicines

After it is possible to recognize the type of fungus that has affected the nail, the doctor chooses drugs that will help destroy it.It is easiest to treat the early stages of onychomycosis with local agents: varnishes, ointments and creams.Let's look at the most effective drugs.

Varnish for mycosis

They are effective precisely at stage 1 mycosis, when no more than 50% of the surface of the nail plate is affected.The product is easy to apply and adheres well to the nail, thanks to which the active ingredient penetrates deep into the affected nail and does not wear out.

The most popular varnishes:

1. Ciclopirox is active against 58 types of fungi.Varnish is used every day.If the symptoms do not disappear within 1 month, the number of uses is reduced to 2 times a week.During the 3rd and subsequent months of therapy, varnish is used once a week.Side effects of this drug include urticaria and itching.It is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as children under 10 years of age.
2. Amorolfine - destroys many fungi.Apply to the affected area of the nails twice a week until they grow.Not prescribed for children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers.The use of this product can increase nail fragility.

Antifungal ointments and creams

Contains the optimal concentration of active ingredients to fight fungus.

List of effective drugs:

1. Naftifine, apply 2 times a day until the affected nail grows, and then continue to use for another 2 weeks to consolidate the results.Side Effects - Itching - itching is possible, which disappears quickly.Contraindications: Pregnancy, age under 12 years.
2. Ketoconazole is an ointment that quickly stops the growth of fungi.You need to apply to the affected nails until they grow twice a day.Side effects - allergies.Contraindications for use - the presence of cracks or damage to the nail.
3. Clotrimazole, which kills all types of fungi.The treatment period is one month.This cream is used daily three times a day.No side effects were identified.Contraindications: Pregnancy.

Before each application of varnish, as well as ointments and creams, the nails must be prepared.To do this, it is steamed, after which it is cut as much as possible.You should try to remove the affected area with a nail file.Individual tools must be used for each nail.

In rare cases, when the disease progresses rapidly, the doctor may prescribe pills.Fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, terbinafine have antimycotic effects.

Prevention

Always follow preventive measures that will eliminate or at least minimize the possibility of nail fungus infection.

A simple suggestion will help:

• Do not go barefoot in public showers, swimming pools, or saunas.In such establishments, you must always wear your own slippers, which you must not let anyone else use.
• Wear comfortable shoes made of natural materials.It should not press, rub, cause discomfort, or damage the nail plate or the skin around the nail.
• Don't wear other people's shoes.In stores, try on shoes with just your socks.
• For manicures and pedicures, bring your own set of tools, which need to be disinfected regularly.
• Maintain good hygiene.After the water procedure, always wipe your feet and hands dry.
• Strengthen your immune system, take vitamins and mineral complexes regularly.
• If cracks appear on the nails and wounds on the skin around the nail plate, they need to be treated immediately.

No one is immune from mycosis.Even if you practice good hygiene and try to eliminate the possibility of infection, if you see symptoms typical of fungus, consult a doctor without delay.The sooner you start treating onychomycosis, the less harm it will cause the body.Do not self-medicate;Only a qualified doctor can prescribe an effective course of therapy.If you try to cure the early stages of the fungus yourself, the disease may develop.