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. 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 exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For proper diagnosis and treatment, you should contact a specialist.
disease symptoms
Pathogenic fungi are considered one of the most tenacious bacteria. In order for the microorganisms on the sole to die, shoes must be kept for 20 minutes in a 1% formalin solution. That is why it is very difficult to cure nail onychomycosis. The patient must strictly follow all the instructions of the attending physician. The main signs of a fungus include:
- alteration in the nail plate;
- yellowing of the nail;
- the occurrence of an unpleasant odor;
- intense itching;
- destruction of the nail shape.
Patients need to find the best nail fungus remedy as soon as possible. Because without proper treatment, the disease can cause complications. In this case, the patient has sharp pain in the nail and intense redness. It is important to remember that symptoms may vary depending on the stage of the disease. Doctors divide them into four phases:
- initial (discoloration, 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 caution and attention. At the first manifestations of ringworm, you should immediately go to a specialist. An advanced form of the disease can bring the patient to the operating table.
The reasons
There are many sources of fungal infection. In fact, it can be anywhere a person is barefoot. Onychomycosis is an insidious disease. Infection can occur any time after infection. Most of the time, people with weak immunity are susceptible to the disease. But nevertheless, the fungus occurs only under certain circumstances:
- low quality shoes;
- nail or foot injuries;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene;
- various skin diseases.
Most people believe that onychomycosis is exclusively infected in swimming pools, saunas, beaches and baths, although this is not entirely true. The fungus prefers a moist environment, but when a person's skin is vaporized, the infection is easily separated from the affected area. Therein lies the danger. Pathogenic microorganisms drop on any surface and await their next carrier, so you can get infected through:
- flip flops;
- socks;
- flooring (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 nail fungus - personal hygiene. The disease is easily treated only in the first few days after infection.
Which doctor will prescribe a remedy for leg fungus?
Onychomycosis can cause serious discomfort and many problems for a person. Even after successful treatment, there is still a chance 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 needs to make an appointment with: a podiatrist, a cosmetologist, a therapist. Only complex treatment will help get rid of the problem.
It is extremely important that the patient does not postpone going to the specialist, as the disease multiplies very quickly. People often ask: which doctor should I contact first and how to choose the best nail fungus remedy? A dermatologist specializes in skin conditions, while a mycologist deals exclusively with fungal infections. In fact, the patient needs both doctors, so the choice between them does not matter. The experts listed know how to cure a fungal infection as quickly and effectively as possible. At the appointment, doctors will do the following:
- listening to the patient's complaints;
- study the patient's chart;
- carry out 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, the patient will have an onychomycosis scraping. Then the patient will be diagnosed and a course of treatment will be worked out.
Effective remedies for nail fungus
The therapy of the disease directly depends on the type of ringworm and its scale. Only after a clear definition of the stage of the disease, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate 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. Typically, patients are given topical medications:
- ointments;
- gels;
- varnishes;
- sprayers;
- cream.
The listed external agents reach the maximum concentration of the active substance in the affected area. This toenail fungus remedy does not enter the bloodstream, which makes treatment easier for people predisposed to an allergic reaction. There is also systemic therapy. It is prescribed when the patient:
- the mycosis affected the entire nail area;
- advanced stage of the fungus;
- grief gripped several fingers;
- diabetes;
- mature age.
Doctors warn that systemic treatment of the fungus 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 necessary. 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 put off a visit to the doctor?
In the presence of any disease, the patient should always consult a doctor. Especially if it's a contagious fungal infection. The disease is often underestimated and onychomycosis can cause damage to the entire body. Delaying a visit to a specialist can cause such complications:
- allergic sensitivity to the fungus;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- penetration of infection into internal organs.
To find an effective remedy for toenail fungus as quickly as possible, you need to consult a specialized specialist. It is important not to make a diagnosis on your own, as there are several varieties of onychomycosis:
- dermatophyte (white-yellow stripes along the edges of the nail);
- yeast (the nail turns yellow).
- moldy (chronic form of the disease).
When self-medicating, patients often skip the "contraindications" section, which can cause serious problems. Therefore, it is best to contact a dermatologist who can easily select high-quality, inexpensive 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 ringworm, the patient should seek medical help in time. Dermatologists note that neglected feet and nails double the chance of a fungus. Dry, crushed skin on your feet is an ideal springboard for an infection to develop. Unlike adults, children rarely suffer from ringworm, as it is difficult for pathogens to "cling" to the smooth, delicate skin. For severe stages of the disease, apply:
- 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, which covers the affected area. The laser safely kills mycelium and onychomycosis spores. Surgery involves the 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.