What does nail fungus on toes look like?

In order to notice pathological changes in the condition of the nails and skin of the feet in time and start treatment as quickly as possible, it is important to know what nail plate fungus looks like. The sooner measures are taken to eliminate the disease, the more likely it is 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 characteristics of the course of this disease.

What does onychomycosis look like?

To understand that your nails have been infected with a fungal infection (onychomycosis), you need to know what healthy nails look like. Under normal conditions, the nails are smooth, pale pink horny plates, smooth, without dents, bumps or delaminations. 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. Horny plaques change color, yellowish and white spots and stripes appear on them, as well as an unpleasant odor. This is the initial stage of the disease, so the nail retains its normal thickness and a relatively healthy appearance. This phase begins to appear 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 plaque can be observed along the edges.
3. Atrophic:the affected nail is separated from the nail bed.

Another classification also depends on the appearance of nail fungus. It involves dividing the infection into different 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 plaque, keratinization of the nail bed. In some cases, the nail may be completely affected and its root (matrix) may also become infected. Thinning of the plaque may occur.
2. Surface.The fungus affects the upper part of the corneum plate, 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 plate has a loose structure. This variety is specific - this is how toenail fungus manifests itself.
3. Proximal.The fungus forms under the nail, causing damage to the matrix and tissues surrounding the plaque. Cuticle rejection may occur. Deep grooves and irregularities appear on the nails.
4. Total.The nails acquire a gray-yellow tint, become very thick and peel. The plate suffers complete or partial destruction.

Foot skin fungus

Toenail fungus often spreads to the skin of the feet. What do fungi on the skin of the feet look like?

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

Very often you can notice changes 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. As time passes, the size of these spots increases, involving an increasingly larger area of skin in the fungal process. There is an unpleasant odor from the feet, even if you are not wearing shoes. If treated incorrectly or prematurely, foot fungus can develop into an extensive form, in which deep cracks form at the base of the toes and between them, on the arch of the foot and on the heels. Additionally, this stage is characterized by severe separation of the skin.

Diagnosis of fungal nail infections

Any person 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, a survey of the patient and data from studying the affected nail under a microscope. In this case you need to contact a dermatologist.

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

Nail fungus not only spoils the appearance of hands and feet, but can also lead to unpleasant consequences, including complete loss of nails and penetration of a fungal infection into the body. In addition, onychomycosis and foot fungus are contagious diseases, so at the first symptoms you need to consult a doctor as soon as possible 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 treatment will take place and the less money you will have to spend on expensive drugs with antifungal action.