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 can be 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 stages?

The first signs of nail mycosis appear almost immediately after infection.If you have visited your nails in public places, such as swimming pools, saunas, showers, the gym or the beach, and they start to itch slightly, these may be the first signs of nail fungus.

Healthy nails are practically not susceptible to fungal infections.It starts to develop quickly if it only comes into contact 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 it turns yellow, then it turns gray or brown;
• the nail crumbles at the edges, becomes brittle and flakes;
• the skin around the disc may begin to peel and swell, but this is rare in the early stages of the disease.

On my feet

You can recognize nail fungus by the typical symptoms:

• the top or side of the nail starts to turn yellow;
• the nail plate gradually thickens;
• the nail plate becomes dull, the base is not visible through it;
• the nail begins to separate from the nail bed;
• there is slight itching of the fingers;
• has an unpleasant foot odor.

If treatment is not started in time, the 1st stage of onychomycosis progresses rapidly.As a result, the nail is deformed and completely detached.Toxic 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 mycosis of the nails at the first symptoms of the disease.

Treatment of the initial stage of the fungus

In most cases, drugs that act locally directly on the affected nail are sufficient to treat the early stages of onychomycosis.In more advanced stages, tablets and injections are prescribed.

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

Folk remedies

There are many folk remedies that help to cure nails affected by fungus in the initial stages.Let's see effective, yet simple recipes.

1. Iodine - Apply 1 drop of 5% iodine to affected nails daily until symptoms disappear.The procedure is performed both in the morning and in the evening.Additional materials 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 consecutive days.The composition on the nail plate should be left overnight.
3. Vinegar – make a bath by diluting 1 part 9% vinegar with 8 parts warm water.Elevate your legs or arms in it for 20 minutes.Do 7 procedures every other day.Additional materials on vinegar treatment.
4. Egg spread - put a raw chicken egg in its 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 to the affected areas twice a day 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, for 20 minutes.Repeat the procedure for 7-10 days in a row.
6. Peroxide poultice – soak a cotton ball in peroxide and apply to nails showing signs of fungus.Before this, your hands or feet should be steamed in a soda bath.To prepare it, dilute 1 teaspoon of soda in 1 liter of water.Wrap the top of the poultice in cellophane or cling film and let it stand for 60 minutes.This is necessary so that the peroxide does not evaporate.Repeat the process twice a day for 10-14 days.
7. Propolis tincture - dip a cotton ball in 20% propolis tincture and apply to the affected areas.Hold the cream until the composition dries.Repeat daily until healed.1-2 procedures per day are sufficient.
8. Washing powder is a suitable method for treating toenails.You need to dissolve 100 g of washing powder, which contains a lot of alkali, in 2 liters of water.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 resulting solution is used to impregnate the cotton fabric.You should wrap your legs or arms with it and leave this poultice overnight.Repeat the procedure every day for 7 days.
11. Onion – cut the onion into small pieces and apply it to the affected nails for 30 minutes.Repeat twice daily until healed.

12. Mix chamomile, sage, mint, dry or fresh herbs can be used.Place the resulting mixture in socks or gloves 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 wipes soaked in boric acid are applied to pre-steamed nails.The cream should be kept for 30 minutes.The procedure must be repeated daily for 10 consecutive days.
14. Celandine and tea tree oil - 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 recipe is contraindicated for pregnant women.
15. Baking soda - dilute baking soda with a small amount of water to a paste.Apply to the nail for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water for 10-12 days, twice a day.
16. Apple cider vinegar - dilute 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 is fully grown.
17. Tea tree oil – apply a few drops of oil to the nail until the fungal areas of the nail plate are fully grown.
18. Willow - cut 500 g of young willow shoots, add 2 liters of water and boil.Make a hand or foot bath from the prepared concoction three times a week for 20 minutes until healing.
19. Nettle - boil 3 tablespoons of nettle leaves in 400 ml of water.Soak a cotton ball in this concoction and apply it to the nail plates twice a day until healing.
20. Grind the rowan leaves and apply a thick layer to the nails, then wrap them 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 ingredients of the recipes.

Medicines

Once the type of fungus affecting the nail has been identified, the doctor will select the drugs that will help to 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 drugs.

Lacquers against mycosis

They are effective precisely in the 1st stage of mycosis, when up to 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 ingredients penetrate deep into the affected nail and do not wear off.

The most popular varnishes:

1. Ciclopirox is effective 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.In the 3rd and subsequent months of the therapy, the varnish is applied once a week.Side effects of this drug include hives and itching.Contraindicated for pregnant and lactating mothers and children under 10 years of age.
2. Amorolfin - kills many fungi.Apply twice a week to the affected areas of the nail until it grows back.It is not prescribed for children, pregnant women and nursing mothers.Use of the product may increase nail fragility.

Antifungal ointments and creams

It contains an optimal concentration of active ingredients for the fight against fungus.

List of effective drugs:

1. Apply Naftifine twice a day until the affected nail grows, then continue for another 2 weeks to consolidate the results.Side effects - itching is possible, which quickly passes.Contraindications: pregnancy, age under 12 years.
2. Ketoconazole is an ointment that quickly stops the growth of fungi.It should be applied to the affected nails until they grow back twice a day.Side effects - allergy.Contraindications for use - the presence of cracks or damage on the nails.
3. Clotrimazole, which kills all types of fungi.The duration of the treatment is one month.The cream is applied three times a day.No side effects were identified.Contraindications: pregnancy.

Before every application of lacquers, ointments and creams, the nail must be prepared.To do this, it is steamed and then cut as much as possible.The affected areas should be removed with a nail file.A unique 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 are antifungal.

Prevention

Always follow preventive measures to eliminate or at least minimize the possibility of nail fungus infection.

Simple recommendations will help:

• Do not go barefoot in public showers, swimming pools or saunas.In such facilities, always wear your own slippers, which no one is allowed 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.Try on shoes in stores only with socks on.
• For manicures and pedicures, bring your own set of tools, which must be regularly disinfected.
• Maintain good hygiene.Always dry your feet and hands after wet procedures.
• Strengthen your immune system, take vitamins and minerals regularly.
• If cracks appear on the nails and wounds on the skin around the nail plate, they must be treated urgently.

No one is immune to mycosis.Even if hygiene is observed and the possibility of infection is eliminated, if you notice symptoms typical of a fungus, consult a doctor immediately.The sooner you start treating onychomycosis, the less damage it will do to your body.Do not self-medicate;only a qualified doctor can prescribe effective therapy.If you try to cure the initial stage of the fungus on your own, the disease may progress.