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How can you determine that you have onychomycosis?
We all understand that nail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a serious disease that must be treated. Nevertheless, despite all the reasons, most people don’t rush to the doctor as soon as they suspect they have fungus, don’t undergo tests and start treatment. There is a common excuse: the nail became deformed and changed its color by accident, the problem will go away soon. Are they right or mistaken? What can nail fungus be confused with, is it necessary to take treatment, and can one make the diagnosis on their own? Let’s try to find answers to these questions together.
What can onychomycosis be confused with?
There is a good chance that you know the symptoms of onychomycosis: discoloration of the nail plate, nail thickening, appearance of white spots, detachment of the nail from its bed, reddening and swelling of the skin around the nail. Some of these symptoms may occur not only if you have nail fungus (such as discoloration and nail thickening).
The causes for abnormalities are the following:
- age-specific or hereditary nail deformation;
- injury or inflammation of the nail bed;
- unhealthy diet;
- constant wearing of tight-fitting shoes;
- diseases that interrupt blood circulation in the toe-tips (rheumatism, gout, atherosclerosis).
In the list above, special attention should be paid to such seemingly insignificant causes of changes in the nails as injuries or wearing uncomfortable shoes. These causes may become the factors triggering appearance of nail fungus in the future.
Why must one undergo tests at the first suspection of onychomycosis?
Many people are sure that onychomycosis is just an aesthetic problem. Women “cope” with fungus at the initial stages of the illness especially quickly. They cover the affected areas of the nail plate with lacquer and think that the problem has been solved, and if the lacquer doesn’t serve as a disguise any more, resort to nail extensions.
As a result, the fungus does not only move deeper into the affected nail but also spreads to healthy nail plates. And when the woman finally comes to see a doctor, it turns out that taking antifungal tablets, which are harmful for the organs, can’t be avoided at that stage. In fact, attempting to forget about the fungus causes even bigger problems.
But these aren’t all the possible complications yet. The fungus excretes harmful toxins into the human body, which can cause decrease in the immunity, trigger visceral diseases, promote the development of allergic reactions and dermatitis. It practically poisons the patient’s body, so nail fungus has to be fought at the initial stage, without delaying and without hiding the problem under a beautiful polish.
Can one diagnose onychomycosis on their own?
The answer to this question is simple: no, they can’t! Even if you look at photos of different stages of fungal disease and compare them with the look of your nails a hundred times, it’s impossible to make the diagnosis on your own. Also it’s practically impossible to cure onychomycosis on your own, because there are more than 50 species of fungi in the nature. It means that a medicine that will act on your particular fungus efficiently, can be selected only after a thorough examination.
Is there a universal remedy for onychomycosis?
Despite all the complexity of fighting against fungal diseases, there does exist a universal remedy that helps for any specie of nail fungi: it is the PACT Med method. This way of getting rid of onychomycosis was invented by German scientists. The method works in the following way: a special device is used to expose the affected sites of the nail to light waves; at that, the fungus cells previously treated with a special gel, will die, and healthy cells of the body will remain safe and sound.
PACT Med helps for all species of fungi. If onychomycosis is still at an initial stage, three sessions will be enough. In advanced cases, the number of sessions is determined by the mycologist.
If you have a suspicion right now that you might be developing onychomycosis, don’t try to forget about the problem, and don’t try to cure it on your own. Have a scraping taken for fungal identification — and you will know for sure if you have the disease, or you don’t. Knowing your enemy well enough you’ll be able to get rid of it quicker, and if your suspicions are not confirmed, you’ll sigh with relief and stop worrying because of imagined fears.
To schedule an appointment for undergoing tests, call +7 963 964-79-76 (toll-free in Russia) or leave a request on our website.
