Onychomycosis is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. Every second person is a carrier of this disease. The infection is caused by harmful bacteria, which in medicine are called epidermophytes. Onychomycosis affects all age groups equally. Pathogenic fungi can live on almost any surface, so a person must comply with safety standards. A seemingly harmless infection can be a symptom of more serious pathologies. In order to quickly find the right remedy for toenail fungus, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Important!
The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other worsening of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For proper diagnosis and treatment, you should contact a specialist.
Symptoms of the disease
Pathogenic fungi are considered one of the most persistent bacteria. In order for the microorganisms on the sole to die, the shoes must be kept for 20 minutes in a 1% formalin solution. That is why it is very difficult to cure onychomycosis in the nail. The patient must strictly follow all the instructions of the attending physician. The main signs of fungus include:
- change in the nail plate;
- yellowing of nails;
- the appearance of an unpleasant smell;
- severe itching;
- destruction of the shape of the nail.
Patients should find the best remedy for toenail fungus as soon as possible. Because without proper treatment, the disease can cause complications. In this case, the patient has acute pain in the nail and severe redness. It is important to remember that symptoms can vary depending on the stage of the disease. Doctors divide them into four stages:
- initial (spot, itching);
- the period of hyperkeratosis (the nail becomes loose and thick);
- the stage of penetration under the nail plate (severe inflammation of the cuticles);
- neglected form (the nail atrophies and collapses).
Doctors are sure that the best remedy for toenail fungus is care and attention. At the first manifestations of mycosis, you should immediately go to a specialist. An advanced form of the disease can lead the patient to the surgical table.
reason
There are many sources of fungal infection. In fact, it can be any place where a person is barefoot. Onychomycosis is an insidious disease. Infection can occur at any time after infection. Most often, people with weak immunity are susceptible to the disease. But, nevertheless, mushrooms occur only under certain circumstances:
- low quality shoes;
- nail or foot injury;
- non-respect of personal hygiene;
- various skin diseases.
Most people believe that onychomycosis is contracted exclusively in swimming pools, saunas, beaches and spas, although this is not entirely true. Fungi prefer a moist environment, but when a person's skin is steamed, the infection is easily separated from the affected area. Herein lies the danger. Pathogenic microorganisms fall on any surface and wait for their next carrier, so you can become infected through:
- slippers;
- socks;
- floors (especially tiles in the bathroom);
- sand;
- sun loungers.
The weaker the patient's immunity, the more dangerous a fungal infection can be for him. To protect yourself, you need to know the first and foremost remedy against toenail fungus - personal hygiene. The disease is easily treated only in the first days after infection.
Which doctor will prescribe a medicine for foot fungus?
Onychomycosis can cause a person serious discomfort and many problems. Even after successful treatment, there is still the possibility of recurrence. The neglected form of the fungus requires a long and complex therapy. The course of treatment will include many medications and procedures to restore the nail. The patient should make an appointment with: a pediatrician, a cosmetologist, a therapist. Only complex treatment will help eliminate the problem.
It is extremely important that the patient does not postpone the trip to the specialist doctor, as the disease multiplies very quickly. People often ask: which doctor should I contact first and how to choose the best medicine for nail fungus? A dermatologist specializes in skin diseases, while a mycologist deals exclusively with fungal infections. In fact, the patient needs both doctors, so the choice between them does not matter. The listed specialists know how to cure a fungal infection as quickly and effectively as possible. At the appointment, the doctors will do the following:
- listen to patient complaints;
- study the patient's medical records;
- perform a visual inspection;
- examining the nail with a Woods lamp.
Before choosing the right remedy for nail fungus, each of the listed specialists will prescribe tests. First of all, the patient will get an itch of onychomycosis. Then, the patient will be diagnosed and a course of treatment will be drawn up.
Effective remedies for nail fungus
The therapy of the disease directly depends on the type of mycosis and its degree. Only after a clear determination of the stage of the disease, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment. Despite many different medicines, the fungus is very difficult to get rid of. It is important to remember that self-medication can cause serious damage to health. Typically, patients are prescribed topical medications:
- ointment;
- gel;
- varnish;
- spray;
- cream.
The listed external agents achieve the maximum concentration of the active substance in the affected area. This remedy for toenail fungus does not enter the bloodstream, which facilitates treatment for people who are predisposed to an allergic reaction. There is also systemic therapy. It is described when the patient:
- mycosis affected the entire area of the nail;
- advanced fungal stage;
- misfortune caught some fingers;
- diabetes;
- mature age.
Doctors warn that systemic treatment of mushrooms is strictly contraindicated for pregnant women and people with liver disease, as well as for breastfeeding. In this case, a local method of therapy is required. Also, an effective remedy for toenail fungus can be found in traditional medicine. Various recipes can certainly speed up the healing process.
When should you not delay a visit to the doctor?
In the presence of any disease, the patient should always consult a doctor. Especially if it is a contagious fungal infection. The disease is often underestimated and onychomycosis can cause damage throughout the body. Delaying a visit to a specialist can cause such complications:
- allergic sensitivity to mushrooms;
- worsening of chronic diseases;
- the penetration of the infection into the internal organs.
To find an effective remedy for toenail fungus as soon as possible, you should consult a specialist. It is important not to self-diagnose, as there are several types of onychomycosis:
- dermatophyte (white-yellow lines along the edges of the nail);
- tip (the nail plate turns yellow).
- mold (chronic form of the disease).
When self-medicating, patients often overlook the "contraindications" section, which can cause serious problems. Therefore, it is better to contact a dermatologist who can easily choose cheap and high-quality remedies for toenail fungus. Complications of the disease can cause various painful rashes and allergic dermatitis, and even bronchial asthma.
The best remedies for nail fungus
In the treatment of mycosis, the patient must seek medical help in time. Dermatologists note that neglected feet and nails double the chance of a fungus. Dry, cracked skin on the feet is an ideal springboard for the development of an infection. Unlike adults, children rarely suffer from mycosis, as it is difficult for pathogens to "catch" on delicate and smooth skin. For severe stages of the disease, apply:
- Surgical intervention;
- laser therapy;
- antifungals.
An effective remedy for toenail fungus is laser treatment. The method works due to the high temperature of the beam, which covers the affected area. The laser safely kills mycelial and onychomycosis spores. Surgery involves complete removal of the nail. This is done in the most difficult cases. The nail plate will only grow back if the matrix remains intact.