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The initial stage of nail fungus

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

The first signs of nail fungus

Symptoms: what does nail fungus look like in the initial stage?

The first signs of nail mycosis appear almost immediately after infection.If, after visiting public places such as a swimming pool, sauna, shower at the gym or the beach, your nails become dull and start to itch a little, these may be the first signs of onychomycosis.

Healthy nails are practically not susceptible to fungal infections.It begins to develop rapidly when it comes into contact only with damaged nail plates.

in my arms

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

The first symptoms of damage to the nail plate:

  • the nail plate becomes dull;
  • spots appear, often white;
  • the nail begins to change its shade, first it turns yellow, then it becomes gray or brown;
  • the nail begins to crumble at the edges, becomes brittle and peels;
  • The skin around the plaque may begin to peel and swell, but in the initial stage of the disease this rarely happens.

on my feet

You can recognize toenail fungus by the typical symptoms:

  • the top or side of the nail begins to turn yellow;
  • the nail plate gradually thickens;
  • the nail plate becomes opaque, the base is not visible through it;
  • the nail begins to detach from the nail bed;
  • there is a slight itching in the fingers;
  • There is an unpleasant smell of feet.

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

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

Treatment of the initial stage of the fungus.

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

In advanced cases, medical assistance is required.

Home remedies are used to treat nails at home.It is better to combine them with pharmacological medications of external action.

Folk remedies

There are many home remedies that will help cure nails affected by fungus in the initial stage.Let's look at effective but simple recipes.

  1. Iodine: Apply 1 drop of 5% iodine to affected nails daily until symptoms disappear.The procedure is performed in the morning and also in the afternoon.More material on iodine treatment.
  2. Mix 1 teaspoon of iodine, vinegar, glycerin and dilute with 6 teaspoons of water.Rub your nails with the resulting mixture for 10 days in a row.The composition on the nail plate should be left overnight.
  3. Vinegar: Prepare a bath by diluting 1 part 9% vinegar with 8 parts warm water.Place your feet or hands in it for 20 minutes.Carry out 7 procedures every other day.More material on vinegar treatment.
  4. Egg ointment: Place a raw chicken egg in the shell in a glass and fill it 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 areas for 2-3 weeks.
  5. Hydrogen peroxide – dilute 2 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide in 2 liters of water.Steam your arms or legs, depending on where the fungus is located, for 20 minutes.Repeat the procedure for 7 to 10 days in a row.
  6. Peroxide Compress: Soak a cotton swab with peroxide and apply it to nails that show signs of fungus.Before this, it is necessary to steam your hands or feet in a soda bath.To prepare it, dilute 1 teaspoon of soda in 1 liter of water.The top of the compress is wrapped in cellophane or plastic wrap and left for 60 minutes.This is necessary so that the peroxide does not evaporate.Repeat the procedure for 10 to 14 days, twice a day.
  7. Propolis tincture: Dip a cotton swab in 20% propolis alcohol tincture and apply it to the affected areas.Keep the lotion until the composition dries.Repeat daily until recovery.1-2 procedures per day are enough.
  8. Detergent powder is a suitable method for treating toenails.It is necessary to dissolve 100 g of washing powder, which contains a large amount of alkali, in 2 liters of water.Keep your feet in this bath for 15 minutes.Repeat 10 to 14 procedures until symptoms disappear.
  9. Garlic: Cut a peeled clove of garlic, dip it in salt and then rub it over the surface of the nail.Repeat twice a day until symptoms disappear.
  10. Ammonia: dilute 1 tablespoon of ammonia in 1 glass of water.The cotton fabric is impregnated with the resulting solution.You should wrap your legs or arms with it and leave this compress overnight.Repeat the procedure for 7 days every day.
  11. Onion: Chop the onion to a paste-like consistency and apply it to the affected nails for 30 minutes.Repeat twice a day until recovery.
    12. Chopped onions will help keep your nails looking healthy.
  12. Mix chamomile, sage, mint, you can take dried or fresh herbs.Place the resulting mixture in a sock or glove overnight.Herbs should be changed every night.Repeat the procedure in combination with other recipes until the symptoms of the fungus disappear.
  13. Boric acid: Cotton swabs soaked in boric acid are applied to previously steamed nails.You must keep the lotion for 30 minutes.The procedure is repeated for 10 consecutive days every day.
  14. Celandine and tea tree oils - mix these products in equal proportions, soak gauze with the resulting mixture and apply it to your nails for 20 days in a row for 45 minutes.The recipe is contraindicated for pregnant women.
  15. Soda: dilute the baking soda with a small amount of water until you get a pasty consistency.Apply it on your nails for 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water for 10 to 12 days, twice a day.
  16. Apple cider vinegar: dilute with olive oil.The required proportion is 2 parts vinegar to 1 part oil.Apply the mixture to the affected nail plates until the nail grows completely.
  17. Tea Tree Oil: Apply a couple of drops of oil to your nails until the areas of the nail plate affected by fungus grow completely.
  18. Willow – chop 500g of young willow shoots, add 2 liters of water and bring to the boil.Perform hand or foot baths three times a week from the prepared decoction for 20 minutes until recovery.
  19. Nettle: prepare 3 tablespoons of nettle leaves in 400 ml of water.Soak cotton swabs with this decoction and apply to the nail plates twice a day until recovery.
  20. Grind rowan leaves and apply a thick layer to your nails, then wrap them with plastic wrap for 30 minutes.Repeat the procedure daily for 12-14 days.

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

If treatment with home remedies does not give the desired result.

Medications

Once the type of fungus that has affected the nail has been recognized, the doctor selects medications that will help destroy it.It is most convenient to treat the initial stage of onychomycosis with local agents: varnishes, ointments and creams.Let's look at the most effective medications.

Varnishes for mycoses.

They are effective precisely at stage 1 of mycosis, when no more than 50% of the surface of the nail plate is affected.This product is convenient to apply and adheres well to the nail, thanks to which the active substances penetrate deeply into the affected nail and do not disappear.

The most popular varnishes:

  1. Ciclopirox is active against 58 varieties of fungi.The varnish is applied every two days.If the symptoms do not disappear within 1 month, the number of uses is reduced to 2 times a week.During the third and subsequent months of therapy, the varnish is applied once a week.Side effects of this remedy include hives and itching.It is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating mothers, as well as in children under 10 years of age.
  2. Amorolfine: destroys many fungi.Apply to the affected areas of the nail twice a week until they grow.Not prescribed for children, pregnant women or nursing mothers.The use of this product can increase the fragility of the nails.

Antifungal ointments and creams.

Contains an optimal concentration of active ingredients to combat fungus.

List of effective medications:

  1. Naftifine, apply 2 times a day until the affected nail grows, and then continue its use for 2 more weeks to consolidate the result.Side effects: Itching may occur, which disappears quickly.Contraindications: pregnancy, age under 12 years.
  2. Ketoconazole is an ointment that quickly stops fungal growth.You should apply it to the affected nails until they grow back twice a day.Side effects: allergies.Contraindications for use – the presence of cracks or damage to the nails.
  3. Clotrimazole, which kills all types of fungi.The duration of treatment is one month.The cream is applied daily three times a day.No side effects were identified.Contraindications: pregnancy.

Before each application of varnishes, as well as ointments and creams, the nail must be prepared.To do this, it is steamed and then cut as much as possible.You should try to remove the affected areas with a nail file.An individual tool must be used for each nail.

In rare cases, when the disease progresses very quickly, the doctor may prescribe pills.Fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole and terbinafine have an antifungal effect.

Prevention

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

Simple recommendations will help:

  • Don't go barefoot in public showers, swimming pools, or saunas.In these establishments you must always bring your own sneakers, which you must not allow anyone to 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 on.
  • For manicures and pedicures, bring your own set of tools, which must be disinfected periodically.
  • Maintain good hygiene.After water procedures, always dry your feet and hands.
  • 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 urgently.

No one is immune to mycosis.Even if you practice good hygiene and try to eliminate the possibility of infection, if you notice typical symptoms of a fungus, consult a doctor without delay.The sooner you start treating onychomycosis, the less damage it will do to the body.Don't self-medicate;Only a qualified doctor can prescribe effective treatment.If you try to cure the initial stage of the fungus yourself, the disease may progress.