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 mycosis of the nails 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 slightly itchy, these may be the first signs of onychomycosis.

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

In my hands

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 matte;
• spots appear, often white;
• the nail begins to change its shade, first it becomes yellow, then it becomes gray or brown;
• the nail begins to crumble at the edges, becomes brittle and flakes;
• 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 top or side of the nail begins to turn yellow;
• the nail plate gradually thickens;
• the nail plate becomes matte, the base is not visible through it;
• the nail begins to peel off from the nail bed;
• there is a slight itching of the fingers;
• feet smell bad.

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

important!Start the treatment of nail mycosis at the first symptoms of the disease.

Treatment of the initial stage of fungus

In most cases, drugs that have a local effect directly on the affected nail are sufficient to treat the early stage of onychomycosis.At a more advanced stage, tablets and injections are prescribed.

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

People's funds

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 iodine 5% to the affected nails daily until symptoms disappear.The procedure is performed in the morning and also in the evening.More material on iodine treatment.
2. Mix 1 teaspoon each of iodine, vinegar, glycerin and dilute with 6 teaspoons of water.Apply the resulting mixture to your nails 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.Soak your feet or hands in it for 20 minutes.Do 7 treatments every other day.More materials on the vinegar treatment.
4. Egg poultice - put one raw chicken egg with 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.With the resulting mixture, apply 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 7-10 days in a row.
6. Peroxide compress - soak a cotton pad with peroxide and apply it to the nails where there are signs of fungus.Before that, your hands or feet should be steamed in a soda bath.For its preparation, 1 teaspoon of soda is diluted in 1 liter of water.The upper part of the compress is wrapped with cellophane or household foil 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 a cotton swab in alcohol tincture of propolis 20% and apply to the affected areas.Keep 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 symptoms disappear.
9. Garlic – chop a peeled clove of garlic, soak 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 cup of water.The cotton fabric is impregnated with the resulting solution.You need to wrap your legs or hands with it and leave this compress overnight.Repeat the procedure for 7 days every day.
11. Onion – cut the onion into a paste and apply on the affected nails for 30 minutes.Repeat twice a day until recovery.

12. Mix chamomile, sage, mint, you can take dry or fresh herbs.Put 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 pre-steamed nails.You need to keep the lotion on for 30 minutes.The procedure is repeated for 10 consecutive days every day.
14. Calendula and tea tree oils - mix these products in equal proportions, soak gauze with the resulting mixture and apply to the nails for 20 days in a row for 45 minutes.The recipe is contraindicated for pregnant women.
15. Baking soda - dilute baking soda with a small amount of water to a paste consistency.Apply it on your nails for 20 minutes and then rinse with warm water for 10-12 days, twice a day.
16. Apple cider vinegar - dilute it with olive oil.The required ratio 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 your nails until the fungal affected areas of the nail plate have fully grown.
18. Willow - 500 g of young willow stalks are finely chopped, poured with 2 liters of water, let it boil.Use the prepared decoction three times a week to make hand or foot baths for 20 minutes until recovery.
19. Nettle - brew 3 tablespoons of nettle leaves in 400 ml of water.Soak cotton swabs in this decoction and apply it to the nail plates twice a day until recovery.
20. Grind rowan leaves and apply a thick layer on the nails, then wrap with foil 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

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

Varnishes for mycosis

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 easy to apply and adheres well to the nail, thanks to which the active substances penetrate deep into the affected nail and do not rub off.

The most popular varnishes:

1. Ciclopirox is active against 58 species of fungi.The varnish is applied every other day.If the symptoms do not disappear within 1 month, the number of applications is reduced to 2 times a week.During the 3rd and subsequent months of the therapy, the varnish is applied once a week.Side effects of this drug include hives and itching.It is contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women, as well as for children under 10 years of age.
2. Amorolfin - destroys many fungi.Apply to the affected areas of the nail twice a week until they grow out.It is not prescribed for children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.Use of this product may increase nail brittleness.

Antifungal ointments and creams

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 passes.Contraindications: pregnancy, age under 12 years.
2. Ketoconazole is an ointment that quickly stops fungal growth.You should apply it on 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 have been 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, then cut as much as possible.You should try to remove the affected areas with a nail file.An individual tool should be used for each nail.

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

Prevention

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

Simple recommendations will help:

• Do not walk barefoot in public showers, swimming pools or saunas.In such establishments, you should always wear your own slippers, which you should 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 socks only.
• For manicures and pedicures, bring your own set of tools that must be disinfected regularly.
• Maintain good hygiene.Always wipe your feet and hands dry after water procedures.
• Strengthen your immune system, regularly take vitamins and mineral complexes.
• If cracks appear on the nails and wounds on the skin around the nail plate, they must be treated urgently.

No one is immune from mycosis.Even if you observe good hygiene and try to eliminate the possibility of infection, if you notice symptoms typical of a fungus, consult a doctor immediately.The earlier you start the treatment of onychomycosis, the less harm it will cause to the body.Do not self-medicate;only a qualified doctor can prescribe an effective course of treatment.If you try to cure the initial stage of the fungus yourself, the disease can progress.