Onychomycosis is one of the most common infectious diseases worldwide. Every second person is a carrier of this disease. The infection is caused by harmful bacteria known in medicine as epidermophytes. Onychomycosis affects all age groups equally. Pathogenic fungi can live on almost any surface, so a person must follow 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. With 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 one of the most stubborn bacteria. In order for the microorganisms on the sole to die, the shoes must be kept in a 1% formalin solution for 20 minutes. Because of this, it is very difficult to cure onychomycosis on the nail. The patient must strictly follow all the instructions of the attending physician. The main signs of a fungus are:
- change in the nail plate;
- yellowing of the nail;
- the appearance of an unpleasant odor;
- severe itching;
- destruction of the shape of the nail.
Patients need to find the best remedy for toenail fungus as soon as possible. After all, without proper treatment, the disease can lead to complications. In this case, the patient experiences acute pain in the nail and severe redness. It's important to remember that symptoms can 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 cuticle);
- 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 consult a specialist. An advanced form of the disease can lead the patient to the operating table.
The reasons
There are many sources of fungal infections. In fact, it can be any place where a person is barefoot. Onychomycosis is an insidious disease. Infection can occur anytime after infection. Most often, people with weak immunity are susceptible to the disease. Nevertheless, the fungus only appears under certain circumstances:
- inferior shoes;
- injury to nails or feet;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene;
- various skin diseases.
Most people think that onychomycosis is only infected in swimming pools, saunas, beaches and spas, although this is not entirely true. The fungus prefers a moist environment, but if a person's skin is steamed, the infection is easily separated from the affected area. Therein lies the danger. Pathogenic microorganisms fall on any surface, waiting for their next carrier, so you can get infected by:
- slippers;
- socks;
- floor (especially tiles in the bathroom);
- Sand;
- sun loungers.
The weaker the patient's immunity, the more dangerous a fungal infection can become for him. To protect yourself, you need to know the first and foremost remedy for toenail fungus - personal hygiene. The disease can only be effectively treated in the first few days after infection.
Which doctor prescribes a remedy for fungus on the legs?
Onychomycosis can cause a person serious discomfort and many problems. Even after successful treatment, there is a possibility of recurrence. The neglected form of the fungus requires a long and laborious therapy. The course of treatment includes many drugs 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 for the patient not to postpone the visit to the specialist, since the disease multiplies very quickly. People often ask: which doctor should I contact first and how to choose the best remedy for toenail 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, doctors will do the following:
- listen to the patient's complaints;
- study the patient's medical record;
- conduct a visual inspection;
- Examination of the nail with a Woods lamp.
Before choosing the right remedy for toenail fungus, each of the listed specialists will prescribe tests. First, the patient will scrape an onychomycosis. Next, the patient is diagnosed and a treatment plan is created.
Effective remedies against nail fungus
Therapy of the disease directly depends on the type of mycosis and its extent. Only after a clear definition of the stage of the disease will the doctor prescribe appropriate treatment. Despite the many different medications, the fungus is very difficult to get rid of. It is important to remember that self-medication can cause serious harm to your health. Typically, patients are prescribed topical medications:
- Anoint;
- gels;
- lacquers;
- sprays;
- 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, making it easier to treat for people who are prone to an allergic reaction. There is also systemic therapy. It is prescribed if the patient:
- Mycosis affected the entire area of the nail;
- advanced stage of the fungus;
- the suffering took hold of several fingers;
- diabetes mellitus;
- mature age.
Doctors warn that systemic treatment of the fungus is strictly contraindicated for pregnant women and people with liver diseases, as well as for breastfeeding. In this case, a local method of therapy is required. Conventional medicine also contains an effective remedy for toenail fungus. 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 anywhere in the 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.
In order to find an effective remedy for toenail fungus as soon as possible, you need to consult a specialized specialist. It's important not to self-diagnose as there are several types of onychomycosis:
- dermatophyte (white-yellow stripes on the edges of the nails);
- Yeast (the nail plate 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 better to consult a dermatologist, who can easily choose high-quality and inexpensive remedies for toenail fungus. Complications of the disease can cause various painful rashes and allergic dermatitis, and evencause bronchial asthma.
The best remedies for toenail fungus
When treating mycoses, the patient must seek medical help in a timely manner. Dermatologists are finding that neglected feet and toenails double the likelihood of fungal infection. Dry, trampled skin on your feet is an ideal stepping stone for infection to develop. Unlike adults, children rarely contract mycoses, since it is difficult for pathogens to "hold on" to the delicate, smooth skin. In severe stages of the disease, the following 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 covering the affected area. The laser safely kills mycelia and onychomycosis spores. The operation involves the complete removal of the nail. This happens in the most difficult cases. The nail plate only grows back if the matrix remains intact.