How is the type of onychomycosis recognized from the photo?

How do you know if you have nail fungus? Ideally, you should consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis. But if there is an urgent need to understand this issue, our selection of photos with a description of the symptoms will help you understand what kind of onychomycosis you are suffering from.

It is not enough to diagnose nail fungus - it is important to accurately determine the type of pathogen, stage and form of the disease. Doctors use a number of diagnostic methods to do this, and thanks to the characteristic symptoms and photographs of the nails affected by the fungus, patients know which specific onychomycosis has struck them.

Photo of nail fungus at different stages of development

Initial stage

The first symptoms of the disease appear as follows:

• changes in nail and skin color around the nail plate;
• appearance of yellow and white spots, longitudinal stripes, micro cracks, spots, rough skin;
• changes the structure of the nail plate, becomes rough, thin, loose and broken.

Second stage

In the second stage, the fungus begins to actively divide, and the symptoms of an unpleasant disease begin to bloom before our eyes in the true sense of the word. The nail thickens and darkens, deforms, becomes brittle, and deep cracks form over time.

Third stage

Damaged stage of nail plate development is characterized by pathological thickening or thinning. A strong thickening of the nail plate is a protective reaction of the body. By the density of the corneal layer, you can determine how much fungus penetrates the nail.

When the fungus works and the thinned nail plate is rejected by the body as a source of infection, the fungus will spread to the nail bed. It is a purulent process and is susceptible to various infections.

The picture of onychomycosis in different variants of the disease

Dermatologists identify different variants of the disease. One look at the legs is enough for a specialist to make a diagnosis.

Normotrophic variant of flow

It has the following features:

• nail thickness is preserved, which indicates the localization of the infection in the upper layers;
• nails are tight, not broken;
• presence of yellow or white foci in the form of spots and streaks;
• The edge of the affected nail is irregular and serrated.

In this case, the prognosis of treatment is favorable. The nail can be saved quickly until thickening is visible.

Hypertrophic course

Has the following symptoms:

• Deformation of the nail plate is visible to the naked eye;
• the nail breaks;
• the color of the board is gray, dirty yellow, brown, lack of natural luster;
• Hyperkeratosis caused by the upward growth of the horn cells of the plaque, which causes discomfort and pain during walking.

Often the main reason to see a doctor is hyperkeratosis.

Atrophic version of the course

It is characterized by the following features:

• nail thinned, gray or brown;
• nail plate rejection.

This condition is very difficult to treat, the chances of nail plate recovery are minimal and the risk of complete atrophy of the nail is high.

Photo of nail fungus due to pathogen

There are three types of fungus that can damage the nail plate.

Dermatophytes

These are characterized by the following symptoms:

• deformation of the nail plate;
• appearance of streaks, spots, nausea;
• Nutrition and mold damage on the nail is manifested by the appearance of brown and black spots;
• Redness and inflammation of the nail skin.

Yeast fungi

Have the following features:

• nail thin and loose;
• The periungual region is often inflamed;
• interdigital wrinkles and leg damage.

Those in constant contact with water are susceptible to this pathogenic infection.

Templates

Distinguished by the following characteristic symptoms:

• change the color of the board to green, black, gray;
• fungus can develop after finger tapping;
• The mold does not penetrate deep into the nail.

Onychomycosis depending on the form of the disease

In different cases, the onset of adverse events begins at a specific location on the nail plate.

Distal variant

Its features:

• onset of infection from the free edge;
• The edge of the nail is white or yellowish;
• The infection gradually grows from the edge to the center.

Lateral variant

Has the following symptoms:

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

proximal variant

It is characterized by the following manifestations:

• the disease begins on the cuticle side;
• The gradual penetration of the fungus from the beginning to the edge of the nail causes the appearance of spots and thinning of the plaque.

Surface White

Has the following clinical picture:

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

General change

Symptoms of this nail fungus:

• Widespread infection of the free edge of the nail and cuticle;
• inflammation of the periungual layer;
• thinning or excessive thickening of the board;
• fragility.

The reasons for such rapid progress may be improper treatment or their absence, as well as the weakening of the body's immune system.

The fight against nail fungus should start with knowing this. With this photo option you will be able to independently determine the cause, location and severity of onychomycosis.