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 called epidermophytes in medicine. Onychomycosis affects all age groups equally. Pathogenic fungi can live on almost any surface, so a person must adhere to safety standards. A seemingly harmless infection can be a sign of more serious pathologies. To quickly find the right remedy for nail fungus, you should consult a doctor immediately.
It is important!
The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. You should contact a specialist for diagnosis and proper treatment.
Symptoms of the disease
Pathogenic fungi are considered one of the most resistant bacteria. To kill the microorganisms on the heel, the shoe should be kept in 1% formalin solution for 20 minutes. Therefore, it is very difficult to treat onychomycosis on the nail. The patient must strictly follow all the instructions of the attending physician. The main symptoms of the fungus include:
- change in the nail plate;
- yellowing of the nail;
- the formation of an unpleasant smell;
- severe itching;
- nail deformity.
Patients should find the best remedy for toenail fungus as soon as possible. Because if not treated properly, the disease can cause complications. In this case, the patient has a sharp pain and severe redness in the nail. It is important to remember that symptoms may vary depending on the stage of the disease. Doctors divide them into four stages:
- primary (discoloration, itching);
- period of hyperkeratosis (the nail becomes loose and thick);
- the stage of penetration under the nail plate (severe inflammation of the cuticles);
- neglected form (nail atrophy and collapse).
Doctors are sure that the best remedy for toenail fungus is caution and attention. At the first manifestations of mycosis, you should immediately consult a specialist. An advanced form of the disease can lead the patient to the surgical table.
The reasons
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. Often, people with weak immunity are susceptible to the disease. But despite this, the fungus occurs only under certain conditions:
- low quality shoes;
- damage to nails or feet;
- non-observance of personal hygiene rules;
- various skin diseases.
Most people believe that onychomycosis is contracted only in swimming pools, saunas, beaches and baths, although this is not entirely true. The fungus really prefers a moist environment, but when a person's skin is steamed, the infection easily leaves the affected area. Therein lies the danger. Pathogenic microorganisms fall on any surface and wait for their next carrier, so you can infect:
- slippers;
- socks;
- floor (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 main remedy against toenail fungus - personal hygiene. The disease is easily treated only in the first days after infection.
Which doctor will prescribe a remedy for fungus on the legs?
Onychomycosis can cause serious discomfort and many problems to a person. There is a chance of recurrence even after successful treatment. The indifferent form of the fungus requires long and complex therapy. The course of treatment will include many drugs and procedures to restore the nail. The patient should make an appointment with a podiatrist, cosmetologist, therapist. Only complex treatment will help to get rid of the problem.
It is extremely important that the patient does not delay a visit to a specialist, because the disease multiplies very quickly. People often ask: which doctor should I see first and how to choose the best remedy for toenail fungus? A dermatologist deals with skin diseases, while a mycologist deals only with fungal infections. In fact, the patient needs both doctors, so the choice between them is not important. The listed specialists know how to treat a fungal infection as quickly and effectively as possible. During the admission, doctors will:
- listening to patient complaints;
- study the patient's medical records;
- conduct a visual inspection;
- Examining the nail with a Woods lamp.
Before choosing the right remedy for toenail fungus, each of the listed specialists will prescribe tests. First of all, the patient will receive an onychomycosis scraping. Then the patient will be diagnosed and a course of treatment will be drawn up.
Effective remedies for nail fungus
Treatment of the disease directly depends on the type and extent of mycosis. Only after the accurate determination of the stage of the disease, the doctor will prescribe the adequate treatment. Despite many different drugs, it is very difficult to get rid of the fungus. It should be remembered that self-medication can seriously harm health. Typically, patients are prescribed local drugs:
- ointments;
- gels;
- lacquers;
- sprays;
- cream.
The listed external agents reach the maximum concentration of the active substance in the affected area. This remedy for toenail fungus does not enter the bloodstream, which makes it easier to treat people prone to allergic reactions. There is also systemic therapy. It is prescribed to the patient in the following cases:
- mycosis affected the entire area of the nail;
- the advanced stage of the fungus;
- adversity caught a few fingers;
- diabetes;
- mature age.
Doctors warn that systemic treatment of fungi is strictly contraindicated for pregnant women and people with liver disease, as well as breastfeeding. In this case, a local therapy method is required. Also, an effective remedy for nail fungus can be found in traditional medicine. Various recipes can safely speed up the healing process.
When should a visit to the doctor not be postponed?
In case of any illness, the patient should always consult a doctor. Especially if it is a contagious fungal infection. The disease is often underestimated and onychomycosis can affect the whole body. Postponing a visit to a specialist can lead to such complications:
- allergic sensitivity to mushrooms;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- penetration of the infection into the internal organs.
You should consult a specialist to find an effective remedy for toenail fungus as soon as possible. It is important not to self-diagnose, because there are several types of onychomycosis:
- dermatophyte (white-yellow stripes along the edges of the nail);
- yeast (the nail plate turns yellow).
- moldy (chronic form of the disease).
When self-medicating, patients often skip the "contraindications" section, which can lead to serious problems. Therefore, it is better to contact a dermatologist who can easily choose high-quality cheap remedies for nail fungus. Complications of the disease can cause various painful rashes and allergic dermatitis, even bronchial asthma.
The best remedies for nail fungus
In the treatment of mycosis, the patient must receive timely medical help. Dermatologists note that neglected feet and toenails double the chance of fungus. Dry, trampled skin of the feet is an ideal springboard for the development of infection. Unlike adults, children rarely suffer from mycosis, because it is difficult for pathogens to "stick" to delicate and smooth skin. Apply for severe stages of the disease:
- surgical intervention;
- laser therapy;
- antimycotics.
An effective remedy for toenail fungus is laser treatment. The method works due to the high temperature of the beam covering the affected area. The laser safely kills mycelia and onychomycosis spores. Surgery involves the complete removal of the nail. This is done in the most difficult cases. The nail plate will grow only if the matrix remains intact.