Symptoms and photos of nail fungus on legs

Nail fungus on the legs sometimes does not bother until the dystrophic changes begin. Then the sick go to the doctor for medical help and begin a long process of treatment. Sometimes he is delayed for months, and surgically removed nail grows not earlier than a year later. Is this not a good reason to more carefully monitor the condition of the nails on the legs and with the first symptoms immediately go to the doctor? We will try to explain in an accessible way how the fungal infection manifests, so that you can distinguish the fungus from another skin disease and on time come to the dermatologist. So, the nail fungus on the legs: symptoms.

"People's" Symptoms

If you interview those who have already encountered a nail fungus on their feet, what they felt at the beginning of the disease and at a neglected stage, then on the basis of answers it is possible to compile a "folk" list of "Signs of a nail fungus on the legs."

• Stains and white strips on the surface of the nail plate
• The edge of the nail can crumble
• The nail plate loosens up
• The nail plate turns yellow
• The nail plate thickens
• Pain in walking
• The nail plate grows duller

Medical symptoms

Physicians distinguish several forms of fungal nail infection. They are classified according to the changes in the nail plate, its color and shape. The defeat begins with 1 and 5 toes, so they are given special attention to the examination. If it's difficult to navigate, then see the photo of the nail fungus on the legs:

Form of onychomycosis: distal lateral (subungual) onychomycosis Pathogen: red trichophyton As manifested: Occurs in 85 cases out of 100. Initial stage. The defeat of the nail begins with the edges of the nail bed (this is a layer of connective tissue on which the nail plate lies). First, the changes concern the side edges of the nail and its free edge. Thus, the plate loses its transparency, its color becomes slightly yellow or whitish, the free edge becomes thinner, crumbles, loses even outlines. Against the backdrop of a distant-latent form of onychomycosis, subungual keratosis may develop (the nail plate thickens). Fungus does not necessarily hit only the edge of the nail: it is capable of capturing it entirely. In this case, from the edge to the growth zone of the nail are white strips. In mold infections, the nail can acquire an unusual color: gray, black or green. The final stage. The defeat of the entire nail plate, the growth zone (matrix), nail dystrophy.

Form of onychomycosis: white superficial onychomycosis Pathogen: Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Aspergillus. As it appears: Usually only the thin dorsal layer (the uppermost layer of the nail plate) is affected. Initial stage. Initially, a small strip size or white spots are formed on the nail. Gradually, they capture an increasing territory, turning a white nail plate into a yellow one. Independently determine whether the nail is affected by scraping: if the plate becomes loose, rough, then the nail is affected by white superficial onychomycosis. Usually this form of fungal infection is diagnosed on the first toes , sometimes on the 5th finger. The factor contributing to the development of this form is the softening of the nail plate due to prolonged exposure to humid environments.

Form of onychomycosis: proximal subungual onychomycosis Pathogen: Candida albicans, T. rubrum, Scytalidium spp. As it appears: This form is rare. Fungus falls under the nail through okolonogtevye rolls or skin. If the causative agent of a fungal infection of Candida albicans, then first there is a purulent inflammation of the nail roller, and only then the infection penetrates under the nail. Then the color of the nail begins to change, it deforms in the region of the half moon, then in the germ zone. When the flow is unfavorable, the nail plate is completely rejected. When the nail plate is damaged by the T. Rubrum fungus, the disease passes in the following sequence: a white spot in the region of the half moon, the spread of the white spot to the level of the free edge. The nail gets a dirty yellow shade, the plate thickens and is rejected in neglected cases .

Form of onychomycosis: total dystrophic form Pathogen: dermatophytons, molds and yeast-like fungi. As it appears: This form develops either from the proximal or from the distal if they have not been treated. The nail looks thickened, the color of the plate is yellowish-gray, the contour is uneven. Subungual hyprekeratosis may be present. In most cases, dystrophic changes in the nail plate are observed: destruction, thinning, brittleness.

Above the development of the proposed classification worked N. Zaias. Since 1972, it is used by doctors all over the world.

Pictures of the nail fungus on the legs, presented on this page - just an example. Looking at them you do not need to make a diagnosis yourself. It will be confirmed or denied by a dermatologist after microscopy of pathological material and sowing fungi to specific identification media.

Read the continuation: Identify the fungus of the nails from the photo