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.

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 on the beach, the nails become dull and start to itch a little, then these may be the first signs of onychomycosis.

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

In my arms

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

The first symptoms of damage to the nail plate:

• the surface of the nail becomes dull;
• spots appear, often white;
• the nail begins to change its shade, first becoming yellow, then 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 this rarely happens in the early stages of the disease.

On your feet

You can recognize toenail fungus by the typical symptoms:

• the tip or side of the nail starts to turn yellow;
• the nail plate gradually thickens;
• the nail plate becomes dull, the base cannot be seen through it;
• the nail begins to peel from the nail bed;
• there is slight itching of the fingers;
• there is an unpleasant foot odor.

If treatment is not started on time, stage 1 onychomycosis progresses 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 of 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, for the treatment of the early stage of onychomycosis, drugs that have a local effect directly on the affected nail are sufficient.Tablets and injections are prescribed for the advanced stage.

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

Folk remedies

There are many folk remedies that will help to 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 daily to the affected nails until the symptoms disappear.The procedure is performed in the morning and in the evening.More material on iodine treatment.
2. Mix 1 teaspoon of iodine, vinegar, glycerin and dilute with 6 teaspoons of water.Rub the resulting mixture on your nails 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.Float your feet or hands in it for 20 minutes.Do 7 procedures every other day.More material on vinegar treatment.
4. Egg fat - put a raw chicken egg in its shell in a glass and fill it to the top with 9% vinegar.When the shell melts, remove the remaining film and mix the egg with the vinegar.Apply the resulting mixture twice a day to the affected areas for 2-3 weeks.
5. Hydrogen peroxide - dilute 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide 3% in 2 liters of water.Steam your hands or feet, depending on where the fungus is, for 20 minutes.Repeat the procedure for 7-10 days in a row.
6. Peroxide compress - soak a cotton swab in peroxide and apply it to nails showing signs of fungus.Before that, hands or feet should be steamed in a soda bath.For preparation, 1 teaspoon of soda is diluted in 1 liter of water.The top of the dressing is wrapped in cellophane or transparent 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. Tincture of propolis - dip a cotton swab in alcohol tincture of propolis 20% and apply to the affected areas.Hold the lotion until the composition dries.Repeat daily until recovery.1-2 procedures per day are enough.
8. Washing powder is a suitable method for treating toenails.In 2 liters of water, you need to dissolve 100 g of washing powder, which contains a lot of alkali.Keep your feet in this bath for 15 minutes.Repeat 10-14 procedures until the symptoms disappear.
9. Garlic – Cut a peeled clove of garlic, dip it in salt and then rub it on the nail plate.Repeat twice daily until symptoms disappear.
10. Ammonia – dilute 1 tablespoon of ammonia in 1 glass of water.The cotton fabric is impregnated with the obtained solution.You have to wrap your legs or arms with it and leave this wrap overnight.Repeat the process every day for 7 days.
11. Onion – chop the onion to a paste consistency and apply to the affected nails for 30 minutes.Repeat twice a day until recovery.

12. Mix chamomile, sage, mint, you can take dry or fresh herbs.Place the resulting mixture in a sock or glove overnight.Herbs should be changed every evening.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 burned nails.You must keep the lotion for 30 minutes.The procedure is repeated every day for 10 consecutive days.
14. Celandine and tea tree oils - mix these products in equal proportions, soak a gauze bandage with the resulting mixture and apply it to the nails for 20 days in a row for 45 minutes.The prescription is contraindicated for pregnant women.
15. Baking soda - dilute baking soda with a small amount of water to a paste consistency.Apply to the nails for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water for 10-12 days, twice a day.
16. Apple cider vinegar - dilute it 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 out completely.
17. Tea tree oil – apply a few drops of oil on the nails until the areas of the nail plate affected by the fungus grow out completely.
18. Willow - chop 500 g of young willow shoots, add 2 liters of water, boil.Use the prepared decoction to make hand or foot baths for 20 minutes three times a week until recovery.
19. Nettles – boil 3 tablespoons of nettle leaves in 400 ml of water.Soak cotton swabs in this decoction and apply them to the nail plates twice a day until recovery.
20. Crush the rowan leaves and apply a thick layer on the nails, then wrap with cling film for 30 minutes.Repeat the procedure daily for 12-14 days.

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

Medicines

After it is possible to recognize the type of fungus that has affected the nail, the doctor selects drugs that will help in its destruction.It is most appropriate to treat the initial stage of onychomycosis with local means: varnishes, ointments and creams.Let's look at the most effective drugs.

Lacquers for mycosis

They are effective precisely in stage 1 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 deep into the affected nail and do not wear off.

The most popular varnishes:

1. Ciclopirox is active against 58 types of fungi.The varnish is applied every other 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 following months of therapy, the varnish is applied once a week.Side effects of this drug include hives and itching.It is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women, as well as in children under 10 years of age.
2. Amorolfin - destroys many fungi.Apply to the affected areas of the nails twice a week until they grow back.Not prescribed for children, pregnant and lactating women.Use of this product may increase nail brittleness.

Antifungal ointments and creams

It contains an optimal concentration of active ingredients to fight fungi.

List of effective drugs:

1. Naftifin, apply 2 times a day until the affected nail grows, then continue to use for another 2 weeks to consolidate the result.Side effects - itching is possible, which quickly disappears.Contraindications: pregnancy, age under 12 years.
2. Ketoconazole is an ointment that quickly stops the growth of fungi.You have to apply it on the affected nails until they grow 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, after which it is cut off as much as possible.You should try to remove the affected areas with a nail file.A special tool must be used for each nail.

In rare cases, when the disease progresses very quickly, the doctor may prescribe tablets.Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Ketoconazole, Terbinafine have antimycotic activity.

Prevention

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

Simple recommendations will help:

• Do not go barefoot in public showers, swimming pools or saunas.In such institutions, you should always wear your own slippers, which you must not allow anyone to use.
• Wear comfortable shoes made of natural materials.It must 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 socks only.
• For manicures and pedicures, bring your own set of tools that need to be disinfected regularly.
• Maintain good hygiene.After water treatments, always wipe your feet and dry your hands.
• Strengthen the immune system, regularly take vitamins and mineral complexes.
• 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 notice symptoms typical of a fungus, consult a doctor immediately.The sooner you start treating onychomycosis, the less damage it will cause to the body.Do not self-medicate;only a qualified doctor can prescribe an effective course of therapy.If you try to treat the initial stage of the fungus yourself, the disease can progress.