Onychomycosis is one of the most common infectious diseases in the world. Every second person is a carrier of this disease. 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. In order to quickly find the right remedy for toenail fungus, you need to 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 diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact a specialist.
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. That is why 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 include:
- change in the nail plate;
- yellowing of the nail;
- the occurrence 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. 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 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 attentiveness. At the first manifestations of mycosis, you should immediately go to a specialist. An advanced form of the disease can lead the patient to the surgical 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 at any time after infection. Most often, people with weak immunity are susceptible to the disease. But, nevertheless, the fungus occurs only under certain circumstances:
- low-quality shoes;
- injury to the nails or feet;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene;
- various skin ailments.
Most people believe that onychomycosis is infected exclusively in pools, saunas, beaches and baths, although this is not entirely true. The fungus does prefer a moist environment, but when 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 and wait for their next carrier, so you can get infected through:
- slippers;
- socks;
- floor (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 toenail 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 serious discomfort and a lot of problems to 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 for the patient not to postpone the trip to a 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 medical record of the patient;
- carry out a visual inspection;
- examining the nail with a Woods lamp.
Before choosing the right remedy for toenail fungus, each of the listed specialists will prescribe tests. First of all, the patient will take a scraping of onychomycosis. Next, the patient will be diagnosed, and a course of treatment will be drawn up.
Effective remedies for toenail fungus
Therapy 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 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. Typically, patients are 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 remedy for toenail fungus does not enter the bloodstream, which facilitates treatment for people who are predisposed to an allergic reaction. There is also systemic therapy. It is prescribed when the patient:
- mycosis affected the entire area of the nail;
- advanced stage of the fungus;
- the affliction seized 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 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'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.
In order to find an effective remedy for toenail fungus as soon as possible, you need to consult a specialized specialist. It is important not to make a diagnosis yourself, 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 cause severe problems. Therefore, it is better 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.
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 a fungus. Dry, trodden skin of 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 the delicate and smooth 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 mycelia and onychomycosis spores. Surgery involves the complete removal of the nail. This is done in the most difficult cases. The nail plate will grow back only if the matrix remains intact.