In the scientific literature, the fungus is called "mycosis". A narrow specialist who deals with this problem is called a mycologist. If you encountered a fungus for the first time and you came to the doctor on time, then a regular therapist will prescribe treatment. A mycologist is consulted only in the most advanced cases. There are two types of mycoses:
- superficial (on the skin, on the nail, on the mucous membrane);
- deep or systemic (involving deeper tissues).
Medicines for this group of infections are also divided into local and systemic. The former are applied directly to the affected area, the latter are taken orally in the form of tablets, syrups and capsules. If you smear your nails with ointment for a whole month, but there is no benefit from this, then you cannot do without taking drugs internally.
"We often hope that it will disappear by itself, " says the famous doctor and presenter of his own programs about this disease. - But medicine does not know such a case when a fungus appeared on the nail, which then disappeared by itselfIt doesn't happen. You'll either live with it for the rest of your life, or you'll get proper treatment under a doctor's guidance. Some antifungal drugs cause liver complications. Of course, if you're choosing between a healthy nail and a healthy liver, most will choose the liver. But if we use the drugs carefully and under the supervision of a doctor, we are not risking anything.
Prevention
If fungal infection is a recurring story for you, you should pay attention to preventive measures. Doctors advise to follow the following rules.
Pay special attention to your clothes and shoes . Socks should be cotton and fit loosely around your feet. They should be changed regularly. Be sure to wash in hot water. Disinfect your shoes with special sprays. Boots should have time to dry between uses. It is better to have three pairs of shoes for each season. And, of course, shoes and underwear must be strictly individual. You can't walk around the apartment in common slippers or wear expensive shoes for a friend.Hygiene products should also be individual . Everyone knows about a separate foot towel. But think about whether each member of your family has a separate manicure set? It is better to buy several scissors and files, never change them or borrow from each other.Excessive humidity should not be allowed . After all, this is an ideal environment for the spread of fungus. Always towel dry after showering. Don't wear the same socks and sneakers after a run. Dry your shoes well. If necessary, use a dry foot deodorant in powder form.Take care of your immunity . Fungi can appear on anyone's skin. But a healthy body will have enough strength to overcome it, and the infection will not manifest itself in any way. Frequent yeast infections may indicate that your immune defenses have decreased. The immune system can be adversely affected by taking antibiotics or anti-inflammatory hormones.Do not confuse cleanliness with sterility . Hygiene is hygiene, but don't treat your feet three times a day with antibiotic ointment for no reason. Such measures should be taken only after a doctor's prescription. Bacteria and fungi on the skin of the feet live in a state of balance. By killing all the bacteria, we allow the fungus to multiply uncontrollably.
How to treat?
Advertising offers us many local remedies. Apart from having different composition, they also come in different forms. Drops, varnishes, ointments, creams. . . And there are corresponding tablets for them.
advice.Creams and ointments are inconvenient for nail treatment. You will need to put them on cotton wool, stick them on the nail and then stick them with a band-aid. Most medications require twice a day, which means the entire procedure will have to be repeated. While the varnish can simply be applied with a brush, and the solution dripped and waited for it to dry a little.
Your doctor will tell you the specific name of the medicine. Ask him to advise you not only the trade name of the drug, but also the international name of the active substance. In this way, you can choose in the pharmacy not only a specific expensive product, but also its cheap analogue.
Topical medications are available under dozens of brand names. All of them are not cheap. The price is largely due to the fact that one bottle or tube is enough for the entire course of treatment on one nail.
attention!Most medications should be used until healthy nails grow. The speed of nail growth is an individual feature of each organism. But for most people, it will take at least six months. So prepare for a long treatment.
If these means are not enough, the doctor will choose the right tablets for you, which will enhance the effect of ointments and varnishes. These are quite toxic products. But that doesn't mean they should be ignored. You just need to use them with extreme care and at the same time constantly monitor the condition of the liver. The course of these drugs is usually intermittent so that the body has time to rest.
Despite the possibility of serious side effects, you should not stop the course in the middle when you see the first signs of improvement. The doctor should stop the medicine. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the fungus will return. At the same time, it is possible for him to develop resistance to your prescribed medicine. And then the doctor will have to prescribe you large doses or an even more toxic drug.
So, despite the advertising claims, treating nail fungus is a difficult task. You can take a risk by trying to solve it with self-treatment at home. But it is better to seek help from a doctor. He will prescribe appropriate topical medications. If they do not help, the doctor will advise you to use systemic drugs. The pills have quite a few side effects. But if you use them under the constant supervision of a specialist, you can get rid of the problem without causing harm to the body.