Onychomycosis is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. Every other 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 adhere to safety standards. A seemingly harmless infection can be a symptom of more serious pathologies. In order to quickly find the right remedy for toenail fungus, 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 worsening of the disease, diagnostic tests should be prescribed only by a doctor. You should consult a specialist for diagnosis and proper treatment.
Symptoms of the disease
Pathogenic fungi are considered one of the most tenacious bacteria. In order for the microorganisms on the sole to die, the shoes must be kept for 20 minutes in a 1% formalin solution. This is why it is very difficult to cure onychomycosis on the nail. The patient must strictly follow all the doctor's instructions. The main signs of fungus include:
- change in the nail plate;
- yellowing of nails;
- the appearance of an unpleasant smell;
- severe itching;
- destruction of the shape of the nail.
Patients need to find the best toenail fungus treatment as soon as possible. Because without proper treatment, the disease can cause complications. In this case, the patient has acute 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 stages:
- initial (discoloration, itching);
- period of hyperkeratosis (the nail becomes loose and thick);
- phase of penetration under the nail plate (severe cuticle inflammation);
- neglected form (the nail atrophies and collapses).
Doctors are sure that the best cure for toenail fungus is caution and attention. At the first manifestations of mycosis, consult a specialist immediately. An advanced form of the disease can lead the patient to the surgical table.
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. People with weak immunity are most often affected. But, nevertheless, the fungus appears only under certain circumstances:
- low quality shoes;
- nail or foot injuries;
- failure to observe personal hygiene;
- various skin diseases.
Most people believe that onychomycosis is contracted only in swimming pools, saunas, beaches and baths, although this is not entirely true. Fungi prefer a moist environment, but when a person's skin evaporates, the infection easily separates from the affected area. Therein lies the danger. Pathogenic microorganisms fall on any surface and await their next carrier, so you can become infected through:
- 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 nail restoration procedures. The patient should make an appointment with: pediatrician, cosmetologist, therapist. Only complex treatment will help to get rid of the problem.
It is extremely important that the patient does not delay going to the 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 exclusively with fungal infections. In fact, the patient needs both doctors, so the choice between them does not matter. These experts know how to cure a fungal infection as quickly and efficiently as possible. When making an appointment, doctors will do the following:
- listen to the patient's complaints;
- study the patient's medical record;
- perform a visual inspection;
- examination of the nail with a Woods lamp.
Before choosing the right remedy for toenail fungus, each of the above specialists will prescribe tests. First of all, the patient will take an onychomycosis scraping. Then the patient will be diagnosed and the course of treatment will be drawn up.
Effective remedies for toenail fungus
Treatment of the disease directly depends on the type of mycosis and its scale. Only after a clear definition of the stage of the disease, the doctor will prescribe an adequate treatment. Despite many different medicines, fungi are very difficult to get rid of. It is important to remember that self-medication can seriously damage health. Patients are usually prescribed topical medications:
- fats;
- gels;
- varnishes;
- sprays;
- cream.
The mentioned external agents achieve the maximum concentration of the active substance in the affected area. This medicine for toenail fungus does not enter the bloodstream, which makes it easier to treat people who are predisposed to an allergic reaction. There is also systemic therapy. It is prescribed when the patient:
- mycosis has affected the entire area of the nail;
- advanced stage of the fungus;
- trouble has affected several 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 for breastfeeding. In that case, a local method of therapy is needed. Also, an effective remedy for toenail fungus can be found in traditional medicine. Various recipes can certainly speed up the healing process.
When should you not postpone 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 body. Postponing 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 remedy for toenail fungus as soon as possible, you should contact a specialist. It is important not to diagnose yourself, because there are several variants 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 "contraindication" part, which can cause serious problems. Therefore, it is better to contact a dermatologist who can easily choose high-quality, inexpensive drugs for toenail fungus. Complications of the disease can cause various painful rashes and allergic dermatitis, and evenbronchial asthma.
The best remedies for toenail fungus
In the treatment of mycosis, the patient must seek medical help in time. Dermatologists note that neglected feet and toenails double the chance of fungus. Dry, cracked skin on the feet is an ideal springboard for the development of an infection. Unlike adults, children rarely suffer from mycosis, because it is difficult for pathogens to "stick" to delicate and smooth skin. For severe stages of the disease, apply:
- surgical intervention;
- laser therapy;
- antimycotics.
An effective treatment for toenail fungus is laser treatment. The method works due to the high temperature of the air, which covers the affected area. The laser safely kills mycelial and onychomycosis spores. The operation 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.