What does toenail fungus look like?

In order to notice the pathological changes in the condition of the nails and the skin of the feet in time and to start the treatment as quickly as possible, it is important to know what the fungus looks like on the nail plate. The sooner measures are taken to eliminate the disease, the greater the probability of preventing the destruction of the nail plate and restoring its normal appearance. Find out how the fungus manifests itself at 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 have been infected with a fungal infection (onychomycosis), you need to know what healthy nails look like. In a normal state, the nails are smooth, horny plates of a pale pink color, smooth, without depressions, bumps or layers. 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 inherent in onychomycosis. They can vary depending on the form of the disease.

1. Normotrophic.This is the initial stage of nail fungus. Corneal plates 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 stage begins to manifest itself 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 at the edges can be observed.
3. Atrophic:the affected nail separates 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 may be completely affected and its root (matrix) may also become infected. Plate thinning may occur.
2. Surface.Fungi affect the upper part of the corneal plate, causing the appearance of white streaks and spots that turn yellow and increase in size over time. They are easily removed by scraping. The plate has a loose structure. This variety is specific: this is how the toenail fungus manifests itself.
3. Proximal.Fungi appear under the nail, causing damage to the matrix and tissues around the plate. Cuticle rejection may occur. Deep furrows and irregularities appear on the nails.
4. Total.The nails acquire a gray-yellow hue, become very thick and peel off. The plate undergoes complete or partial destruction.

Fungus on the skin of the feet

Often, toenail 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, the changes are 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 area of the skin in the fungal process. There is an unpleasant smell from the feet, even if you are not wearing shoes. With incorrect or untimely treatment, the fungus on the feet 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 strong shedding of the skin.

Diagnosis of fungal nail infections

Any person who is far from medicine can suspect a fungal infection of the nails or feet if he 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 examinations of the affected nail under a microscope. In this case, you should contact a dermatologist.

To determine whether the patient really 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 a fungal mycelium under a microscope. If such a specific structure is found, the diagnosis will be absolutely confirmed. Additional tests can be prescribed to determine the specific type of fungus, this 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 lead to unpleasant consequences, including the complete loss of the 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 to protect your loved ones. The incubation period of the fungus can take 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 take place and the less money you will have to spend on expensive antifungal drugs.