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 one must observe safety standards. A seemingly harmless infection can be a symptom of more serious pathologies. To quickly find the right remedy for toenail fungus, you should consult a doctor immediately.
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. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact a specialist.
Symptoms of the disease
Pathogenic fungi are considered to be some of the most resistant bacteria. In order to kill the microorganisms on the sole, the shoes should stand for 20 minutes in a 1% formalin solution. That is why it is very difficult to cure onychomycosis of the nail. The patient must strictly follow all the prescriptions of the attending physician. The main signs of fungus include:
- change in the nail plate;
- yellowing of the nail;
- 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 a sharp 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 phases:
- initially (discoloration, itching);
- the period of hyperkeratosis (nails become loose and thick);
- stage of penetration under the nail plate (severe inflammation of the cuticles);
- the neglected form (the nail atrophies and collapses).
Doctors are sure that the best remedy for toenail fungus is caution and attention. At the first manifestations of mycosis, you should immediately go to a specialist. The advanced form of the disease can lead the patient to the surgical table.
The reasons
There are many sources of yeast 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, the fungus appears only under certain circumstances:
- shoes of low quality;
- nail or foot injury;
- failure to observe personal hygiene;
- various skin diseases.
Most people think that onychomycosis is contracted exclusively in swimming pools, saunas, beaches and baths, although this is not entirely true. Fungi really prefer a moist environment, but when a person's skin evaporates, the infection is easily shed from the affected area. Therein lies the danger. Pathogenic microorganisms fall on any surfaces and wait for their next carrier, so you can get infected by:
- slippers;
- socks;
- floor (especially tiles in the bathroom);
- sand;
- deckchairs.
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 medicine for foot fungus?
Onychomycosis can cause serious discomfort and many problems to a person. Even after successful treatment, there is still a chance of recurrence. The neglected form of the fungus requires long and complex therapy. The course of treatment will include many medications and procedures to restore the nail. The patient must make an appointment with: orthopedist, cosmetologist, therapist. Only complex treatment will help get rid of the problem.
It is extremely important that the patient does not delay the trip to a specialist, because the disease multiplies very quickly. People often ask: which doctor should I see first and how do I choose the best medicine for toenail fungus? A dermatologist is a specialist 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 yeast infection as quickly and effectively as possible. At the appointment, doctors will do the following:
- listening to patient complaints;
- examination of the patient's medical record;
- perform a visual inspection;
- Wood's lamp examination of the nail.
Before choosing the right medicine for toenail fungus, each of the listed specialists will prescribe research. First of all, the patient will take a scraping from onychomycosis. After that, the patient will be diagnosed and a course of treatment will be drawn up.
Effective remedies for nail fungus
Treatment of the disease depends directly on the type of mycosis and its scale. Only after clearly determining the stage of the disease, the doctor will prescribe adequate treatment. Despite the many different drugs, the fungus is very difficult to get rid of. It is important to remember that self-medication can cause serious damage to health. Patients are usually prescribed topical medications:
- ointments;
- gels;
- varnishes;
- sprays;
- cream.
The listed external agents reach the maximum concentration of the active substance in the affected area. This toenail fungus treatment does not enter the bloodstream, making it easier to treat people who are prone to an allergic reaction. There is also systemic therapy. It is prescribed when the patient:
- mycosis affecting the entire area of the nail;
- advanced stage of the fungus;
- suffering grasped several fingers;
- diabetes;
- adulthood.
Doctors warn that systemic treatment of the fungus is strictly contraindicated for pregnant women and people with liver diseases, as well as for nursing mothers. 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 safely 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 to the entire organism. Delaying a visit to a specialist can cause such complications:
- allergic sensitivity to fungi;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- penetration of infection into internal organs.
In order to find an effective toenail fungus treatment as quickly as possible, you should consult a specialist. It is important not to diagnose yourself, as there are several varieties of onychomycosis:
- dermatophyte (white-yellow stripes on the edges of the nail);
- yeast (the nail plate turns yellow).
- mold (chronic form of the disease).
When self-medicating, patients often skip the "contraindications" section, which can cause serious problems. That's why it's better to contact a dermatologist who can easily choose high-quality, cheap drugs for nail fungus. Complications of the disease can cause various painfulrashes and allergic dermatitis and even bronchial asthma.
The best remedies for toenail fungus
In the treatment of mycosis, the patient must seek medical help in time. Dermatologists note that neglected toenails and toenails double the risk of fungus. Dry, scaly 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 "stick" to the delicate and smooth skin. In severe stages of the disease, apply:
- surgical intervention;
- laser therapy;
- antifungals.
Laser treatment is an effective treatment for toenail fungus. The method works thanks to the high temperature of the beam that covers the affected area. The laser safely kills the mycelium and spores of onychomycosis. 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.