How to recognize the type of onychomycosis from the photo?

How do you know if you have nail fungus and which one? Ideally, a doctor should be consulted for an accurate diagnosis. But if you urgently need to understand this issue, our selection of photos with a description of your symptoms will help you focus on understanding what type of onychomycosis you are suffering from.

It is not enough to diagnose nail fungus - it is important to determine exactly the type of pathogen, the stage and form of the disease. Doctors use a number of diagnostic methods to do this, and patients can recognize which specific onichomycosis they have suffered from by the characteristic symptoms and photographs of the nails affected by the fungus.

Photo of a nail fungus at different stages of development

Initial Phase

The first symptoms of the disease are:

• changes in the color of the nail and the skin around the nail plate;
• appearance of yellow and white dots, longitudinal stripes, microcracks, spots, rough skin;
• changes the structure of the nail plate, making it bumpy, thin, loose and brittle.

Second Section

In the second stage, the fungus begins to actively divide and the symptoms of the unpleasant disease literally begin to bloom before our eyes. The nail thickens and darkens, deforms, becomes brittle, and over time, deep cracks appear on it.

Third Section

The advanced stage of nail plate damage is manifested by abnormal thickening or thinning. The strong thickening of the nail plate is a protective reaction of the body. Based on the density of the stratum corneum, you can determine how deeply the fungus has penetrated the nail.

When the fungus has done its job and the thinned nail plate is rejected by the body as a source of infection, the fungus spreads to the nail bed. This is associated with a purulent process and susceptibility to various infections.

Photograph of onychomycosis in different variations of the course of the disease

Dermatologists identify different variations in the course of the disease. A single glance at the feet is enough for the practitioner to make a diagnosis.

Normotrophic version of flow

It has the following properties:

• nail thickness is retained, indicating localization of infection in the upper layers;
• the nail is dense, not fragile;
• the presence of yellow or white foci in the form of spots and streaks;
• The edge of the affected nail is irregular and serrated.

The prognosis of treatment is favorable in this case. The nail can be saved quickly until the thickening appears.

Hypertrophic process

The following symptoms are present:

• the deformation of the nail plate is visible to the naked eye;
• the nail crumbles;
• disc color gray, dirty yellow, brown, lack of natural light;
• hyperkeratosis, which is manifested by the upward growth of the horny cells of the disc, which causes discomfort and painful feelings while walking.

Hyperkeratosis is the most common cause of medical care.

A atrophic version of the course

Features the following features:

• the nail is thinned, gray or brown;
• reject the nail plate.

In this case, the treatment is very difficult, the hopes of restoring the nail plate are minimal, and there is a high risk that the nail will wither completely.

Photo of nail fungus depending on the pathogen

There are three types of fungi that infect the nail plate.

Dermatophytes

Identified by the following symptoms:

• deformation of the nail plate;
• appearance of streaks, spots, clouding of the nail;
• malnutrition of nail and mold damage is manifested by the appearance of brown and black spots;
• redness and inflammation of the nail skin.

Yeast

It has the following properties:

• the nail became thinner and looser;
• the periungual area is often inflamed;
Alteration of the interdigital folds and legs
• .

Those who are in constant contact with water are prone to infection with this pathogen.

Forms

Distinguish between the following typical symptoms:

• change the color of the disc to green, black, gray;
• the fungus may form after a finger stroke;
• mold does not penetrate deep into the nail.

Photo of onychomycosis depending on the form of the disease

The onset of negative manifestations in various cases begins at a specific location on the nail plate.

Distal variant

Properties:

• the onset of infection from the free edge;
• the edge of the nail turns white or yellow;
• the infection gradually increases from the edge to the middle.

Lateral variant

The following symptoms are present:

• starts from the sides of the nail on the skin fold;
• Fungal colonies, moving from side to side, quickly spread the disease, covering the entire surface of the nail.

Proximal version

It is characterized by the following manifestations:

• the disease begins on the side of the cuticle;
• the gradual penetration of the fungus from the beginning to the edge of the nail, leading to the appearance of spots, the thinning of the plate.

Surface white

There is the following clinical picture:

• can appear on any part of the nail plate;
• rapid development and distribution;
• due to damage to the top layer, the nail appears to be covered with white powder;
• no thickening.

Full variation

Symptoms of nail fungus:

• extensive spread of infection from the free edge of the nail and cuticle;
• periungual inflammation;
• plate thinning or hyper-thickening;
• fragility.

Such a rapid course can be caused by improper treatment or lack thereof, as well as a significant weakening of the body's immune system.

The fight against nail fungus should be started in the knowledge of it. Thanks to this selection of photos, you can independently determine the pathogen, localization and severity of onychomycosis.