Onychomycosis is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. One in two people are carriers 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 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 nail 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 need to contact a specialist.
Disease symptoms
Pathogenic fungi are considered one of the most tenacious bacteria. In order for the microorganisms present 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 on the nail. The patient should strictly follow all instructions of the attending physician. The main signs of a fungus include:
- change of the nail plate;
- yellowing of the nail;
- the appearance of an unpleasant odor;
- severe itching;
- destruction of the shape of the nail.
Patients should find the best cure for nail fungus as soon as possible. Because without proper treatment, the disease can lead to 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:
- 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 cure for nail 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 infection. In fact, it can be any place where a person is barefoot. Onychomycosis is an insidious disease. Infection can occur any time after infection. Most often, people with weak immunity are susceptible to the disease. But, nevertheless, the fungus occurs only under certain circumstances:
- poor quality shoes;
- injury to nails or feet;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene;
- various skin conditions.
Most people believe that onychomycosis is infected exclusively 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 steamed, the infection is easily separated from the affected area. This is where the danger lies. Pathogenic microorganisms fall on any surface and wait for their next carrier, so you can be infected with:
- slippers;
- socks;
- flooring (especially tiles in the bathroom);
- the sand;
- deck chairs.
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 for nail 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 severe discomfort and a lot of problems for a person. Even after successful treatment, there is always a risk of recurrence. The neglected form of the fungus requires a long and complex therapy. The course of treatment will include many drugs and procedures to restore the nail. The patient must make an appointment with: a podiatrist, a cosmetologist, a therapist. Only complex treatment will help eliminate the problem.
It is extremely important for the patient not to postpone the trip to a specialist, because the disease multiplies very quickly. People often ask: which doctor should I contact first and how to choose the best cure 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. Listed specialists know how to cure a fungal infection as quickly and efficiently as possible. At the appointment, the doctors will do the following:
- listen to patient complaints;
- study the patient's medical file;
- 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, the patient will take a scraping from onychomycosis. Then the patient will be diagnosed and a treatment will be worked out.
Effective remedies for nail fungus
The treatment of the disease directly depends on the type of mycosis and its extent. Only after a clear definition of the stage of the disease, the doctor will prescribe adequate treatment. Despite the many different medications, the fungus is very difficult to eliminate. It is important to remember that self-medication can cause serious damage to health. Typically, patients are prescribed topical medications:
- ointments;
- gels;
- varnish;
- Vaporizers;
- cream.
The listed external agents achieve the maximum concentration of the active substance in the affected area. This remedy for nail fungus does not enter the bloodstream, which makes it easier to treat people who are prone to an allergic reaction. There is also systemic therapy. It is prescribed when the patient:
- mycosis has affected the entire surface of the nail;
- advanced stage of the fungus;
- affliction seizes 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 breastfeeding. In this case, a method of local therapy is necessary. Also, an effective remedy for nail fungus can be found in folk 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 whole body. Delaying a visit to a specialist can lead to such complications:
- allergic sensitivity to fungus;
- exacerbation of chronic diseases;
- penetration of infection into internal organs.
In order to find an effective remedy for nail fungus as soon as possible, you need to consult a specialized specialist. It is important not to self-diagnose, as there are several varieties 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 select 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 should consult a doctor in time. Dermatologists note that neglected feet and nails double the risk of yeast infection. Dry, sprained skin on the feet is an ideal springboard for the development of an infection. Unlike adults, children rarely suffer from mycosis, since it is difficult for pathogens to "cling" to delicate, smooth skin. For severe stages of the disease, apply:
- surgical intervention;
- laser therapy;
- antimycotics.
An effective treatment for nail fungus is laser treatment. The method works due to the high temperature of the beam, which covers the affected area. The laser safely kills mycelia and onychomycosis spores. The surgery involves completely removing the nail. This is done in the most difficult cases. The nail plate will grow back only if the matrix remains intact.