Nail fungusorOnycholisis- A common problem found in many people. It refers to nail plate diseases and can cause serious problems if not detected and not dealt with on time. At the same time, nail injury can imitate the symptoms of the fungus and cause confusion in the diagnosis.
ButAsthe sameDistinguishNail fungusofLesions? The main signs of nail fungal damage are a change of color, texture and shape of the nail plate. The fungus usually leads to the appearance of a yellow, brown or green shadow on the affected nail. In addition, the nail can become thicker or more brittle. It is important to note that the fungus usually affects various nails on the legs or hands at the same time and can also spread to neighboring skin areas.
On the other hand,woundThe nail can lead to a change in its appearance, but usually only a nail is impressive, which was subject to impact or pressure. For example, if you have had a nail injury as a result of the fall of a heavy object, the nail may change color, become wavy or have cracks. It is important to pay attention to the fact that when nail lesions, there are usually no signs of damage to other nails or skin.
The main resources and diagnostic methods
It can be difficult to distinguish the fungus from the nails from the lesion, as the growth and appearance of the nail can be signs of fungal infection and injury. However, there are several basic features that can help determine the causes of the problem.
Nail onicolise
One of the main signs of nail fungus is onicolise, ie peeling the nail nail plate. In the case of injury, this exfoliation may not be, and the nail may be damaged or have cracks that differ from the changes caused by the fungus.
Changes in nail appearance
Nail fungus can cause changes in nail appearance, such as color change, boiling, peeling or deformation. In case of injury, the nail plate can keep its color and shape natural, but can be damaged or have traces of injury.
For a more accurate diagnosis and determine the cause of the problem, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist or mycologist, specialist in fungal infections. The doctor may examine the nail, make a stain for analysis or perform other procedures necessary to determine the presence of a fungal infection or injury.
In short:
It can be difficult to distinguish a fungus from nails from an injury, but signs such as onicolisis and nail appearance changes can help determine the causes of the problem. For a more accurate diagnosis, you should consult a dermatologist or mycologist.
How to distinguish a fungus from nails from an injury:
Nail fungus:
- In the fungus of nails, a change in the color and structure of the nail plate is observed, basically, nails on the legs are affected by this disease.
- Nail fungus symptoms include thick, stubborn, yellow or whitish nails, a change in nail shape and the presence of white or yellow spots.
- The nail fungus occurs due to fungal infection, which can penetrate under the nail plate through damaged skin or nail plate.
Nail injury:
- A nail injury may occur due to an accident or mechanical effect on the nail.
- Distinct signs of nail injury include a bruise, bruises under nail, peeling the skin nail and a change in nail shape.
- A nail lesion can lead to onicolisis (to remove the nail from the bed) or other changes that are not characteristic of nail fungus.
Determining the cause of the change in the nail plaque on the legs can be difficult, so it is recommended to consult a dermatologist or pediatrician for a precise diagnosis and proper treatment.
How to determine the fungus of nails:
The nail petal fungus is often confused with a foot injury. For proper diagnosis, it is necessary to consider several basic resources that will help distinguish between the fungus of the lesion.
Onycolysis Legs: What is it?
Onicolise is a local detachment of nail nail plate. At the same time, nails usually get a convex shape and take yellow, orange or brown shape. Such changes are the first sign of the presence of a fungus.
The difference between the fungus and the foot injury:
- Nail fungus usually affects one or more nails in the leg, while the lesion can affect only one nail.
- The fungus is characterized by the thickening and stratification of the nail plate, while with nail injury can be curved or broken.
- The nail petal fungus is often accompanied by itching, burning or pain, unlike the lesion, which usually causes pain and edema.
If you suspect the presence of a nail fungus, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist or mycologist to perform professional diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Diagnostic Methods of Nail Fungi:
If nail fungus is suspected, it is important to make a precise diagnosis to determine the correct treatment. There are several methods that can help unlike nail fungus of other problems, for example, injury or ancrolysis.
Visual inspection
One of the first steps in the diagnosis of nail fungus is a visual exam. The doctor analyzes the structure and color of the nail, evaluates his condition and external signs. Fungal nail infections are often accompanied by a color change (for example, with a yellow or greenish tone), stratification, nail plate thickening, white spot appearance and nail surface. Separated symptoms may also indicate other problems, so visual examination may be insufficient to determine the diagnosis.
Microscopy
If a visual exam is not enough to determine the presence of a fungus, the doctor may take a nail sample and examine it using microscopy. The microscopy method allows to detect fungal elements (GIFs or disputes), which may indicate the presence of a fungal infection. This method is quite fast and simple, although its results are not always quite accurate and reliable.
More accurate and reliable methods of nail fungus diagnosis may include sowing in a nutrient or PCR diagnosis (polymerase chain reaction), which allows you to determine the exact type of fungus and establish its sensitivity to various medications. However, these methods, as a rule, require more time and financial resources.
How to distinguish the fungus from the nails from onicolis
Onicolise is a condition of the nail in which there is a detachment from the nail nail bed. Visually, onicolysis may seem very similar to nail fungus, but the causes and treatment of these conditions are different.
The main difference between nail fungus and onicolise are the causes of development. The nail fungus is caused by an infection with a fungus, sitting under the nail plate and begins to destroy it. Onicolise is the result of a nail lesion, such as traumatic detachment of the nail plate bed.
Another way to distinguish the fungus from the nails from onicolisis is the analysis of symptoms. With nail fungus, a change in nail color is observed (usually becomes yellowish or greenish), the thickness and texture of the nail plate change, the nail can become fragile and brittle. With onicolise, problems with a nail are usually limited only by the exfoliation of the box, without changes in the color or structure of the nail plate.
If you suspect a nail fungus or onicolise, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist. It will examine the nails, may make a stain for additional analysis. Using microscopy or sowing in a nutrient medium, the doctor can determine if you have fungal damage to nails or problems with onicolis.
Anyway, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of your nails and, in the first suspicions of nail fungus or onicolis, do not lower the trip to the doctor. Only one qualified specialist can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.