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, therefore it is quite difficult to diagnose the disease at this stage.

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, gym or beach, your nails become dull and begin 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 surface of the nail becomes opaque;
• spots appear, usually white;
• the nail begins to change its shade, first it turns yellow, then it turns gray or brown;
• the nail begins to crumble at the edges, becomes brittle and peels off;
• The skin around the plaque may begin to peel and swell, but in the early stage of the disease this rarely happens.

On my feet

You can recognize nail fungus by its 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 can peel 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 fungus 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.Pills and injections are prescribed for more advanced stages.

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

Folk remedies

There are many folk remedies that help cure nails affected by fungus at 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 symptoms disappear.The procedure is carried out in the morning and also in the evening.More material on iodine treatment.
2. Mix 1 teaspoon of iodine, vinegar, glycerin and dilute in 6 teaspoons of water.Rub your nails with the resulting mixture 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 in 8 parts warm water.Raise your feet or hands for 20 minutes.Perform 7 procedures every other day.More material on vinegar treatment.
4. Egg ointment - place a raw, unshelled chicken egg in a cup 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 to 3 weeks.
5. Hydrogen peroxide – dilute 2 tablespoons of 3% hydrogen peroxide in 2 liters of water.Cook the arms or legs, depending on the location of the fungus, for 20 minutes.Repeat the procedure for 7 to 10 consecutive days.
6. Hydrogen peroxide compress - wet a cotton swab with hydrogen peroxide and apply to nails that show signs of fungus.Before that, your hands or feet need to be steamed 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% alcohol tincture of propolis and apply to affected areas.Keep the lotion until the composition dries.Repeat daily until recovery.1-2 procedures per day are enough.
8. Laundry soap is a suitable method for treating toenails.It is necessary to dissolve 100 g of laundry soap, which contains a lot of alkali, in 2 liters of water.Keep your feet in this bathtub for 15 minutes.Repeat 10-14 procedures until symptoms disappear.
9. Garlic – cut a peeled clove of garlic, dip it in salt and rub it on your nail.Repeat twice a day until symptoms disappear.
10. Ammonia – dilute 1 tablespoon of ammonia in 1 glass of water.Cotton fabric is impregnated with the resulting solution.You need to wrap your legs or arms with it and leave the compress overnight.Repeat the procedure for 7 days every day.
11. Onion – chop the onion until it reaches a pasty consistency and apply it 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 need to be changed every night.Repeat the procedure in combination with other recipes until the fungus symptoms disappear.
13. Boric acid - cotton swabs soaked in boric acid are applied to pre-steamed nails.You need to 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 a gauze bandage with the resulting mixture and apply to 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 little water until it reaches a pasty consistency.Apply to 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 back completely.
17. Tea tree oil – apply a few drops of oil to your nails until the areas affected by nail plate fungus grow back completely.
18. Willow – chop 500 g of willow shoots, add 2 liters of water, bring to a boil.Take hand or foot baths three times a week with 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 them to the nail plates twice a day until recovery.
20. Grind rowan leaves and apply a thick layer to your nails, then wrap with plastic wrap for 30 minutes.Repeat the procedure daily for 12 to 14 days.

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

Medication

After it is possible to recognize the type of fungus that has affected the nail, 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 medicines.

Varnishes for ringworm

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 deeply into the affected nail and do not wear off.

The most popular varnishes:

1. Ciclopirox is active against 58 varieties of fungi.The varnish is applied every other day.If 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 medicine include hives and itching.It is contraindicated for pregnant and breastfeeding women, as well as children under 10 years of age.
2. Amorolfine - destroys many fungi.Apply to affected areas of the nail twice a week until they grow.Not prescribed for children, pregnant or lactating women.Using this product can increase nail fragility.

Antifungal ointments and creams

Contains an ideal concentration of active ingredients to combat fungi.

List of effective medicines:

1. Naftifine, apply twice a day until the affected nail grows and then continue using it for another 2 weeks to consolidate the result.Side effects - itching is possible, which passes quickly.Contraindications: pregnancy, age under 12 years.
2. Ketoconazole is an ointment that quickly stops fungal growth.You need to apply it to the affected nails until they grow back, twice a day.Side effects - allergies.Contraindications for use – 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, Terbinafine have an antimycotic effect.

Prevention

Always follow preventative measures that 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 these establishments you must always wear your own slippers, which must not be used by anyone.
• Wear comfortable shoes made from 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 need to be disinfected regularly.
• 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 ringworm.Even if you practice good hygiene and try to eliminate the possibility of infection, if you notice symptoms typical of fungus, see a doctor without delay.The sooner you start treating onychomycosis, the less damage it will cause to the body.Don't self-medicate;Only a qualified doctor can prescribe an effective course of therapy.If you try to cure the initial stage of the fungus on your own, the disease may progress.