Infection of the skin or nail plate with a fungus (or scientifically, mycosis) leads not only to aesthetic and moral discomfort, but can also cause serious health problems in general.In addition to complications, fungal disease is characterized by a high rate of disease relapse and long-term therapy.
There is only one way of infection with the fungus - from the carrier of mycosis to a healthy person.Lovers of saunas, baths and swimming pools are at risk.A warm and moist environment is a favorite place for fungi to exist.Uncleanness and violation of sanitary standards by the manicurist-pedicurist can also lead to infection.Especially often, mycosis enters the body through trauma to the nail fold.
Mycosis symptoms
Mycosis is insidious in that it can be quite difficult to spot the first symptoms.The course of onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nail plates) depends on the level of the body's defenses.The higher the immunity, the milder the form of the disease.There are three stages in the development of mycosis on the nails:
- Normotrophic - the initial stage of disease development.The shape of the nail does not change;small areas of white or yellowish color appear on it;
- Hypertrophic - the smooth and solid nail plate begins to delaminate.The color changes from a healthy pink to yellow.The structure of the nail changes - it becomes thick and loose;
- Atrophic - the development of mycosis destroys the nail plate, it becomes extremely thin and brittle.The process of destroying the diseased nail begins.
Important!
The appearance of at least one symptom is a reason for a mandatory consultation with a doctor!
For many, the appearance of fungus on the nails of the hands or feet seems to be a minor problem, which can be solved independently by using folk remedies or pharmaceutical drugs.However, mycosis therapy requires an integrated approach and the determination of the pathogen strain.This can only be done in a hospital.Therefore, a visit to the doctor cannot be avoided.
What should be done to cure mycosis
Let's consider a step-by-step algorithm of actions in the case of fungus:
- It is necessary to immediately contact a specialist after discovering the first signs of a fungal disease.In the following, we will consider the issue of the jurisdiction of mycoses.But looking ahead, let's make it clear that you have to make an appointment with a mycologist or dermatologist;
- After the initial examination, the specialist makes a presumptive diagnosis of mycosis and prescribes additional clinical studies;
- Based on the results of the tests, the doctor clarifies the diagnosis, determines the strain of the fungus and writes prescriptions;
- Prepare for a long, exhausting fight against fungus.The duration of therapy for mycosis is often six months or more.It is not recommended to interrupt the course of treatment at your own discretion, so as not to face a relapse of mycosis, which has adapted to the drugs taken and requires additional therapy.
Which doctor treats toenail fungus
Often, a patient with a fungus is in doubt: which doctor should he contact?Which doctor deals with foot and nail fungus?Dermatologist or mycologist?Let's look at it in detail.
Who is a mycologist?
A mycologist is a doctor who treats fungal pathologies of the nail plates and skin.All types of mushrooms are his specialty.He knows all about mushrooms.
Within its jurisdiction:
- Treatment of mycosis and other diseases of nail plates, hair and skin;
- Clinical studies and clarification of diagnosis;
- Prevention of fungal pathologies.
However, the problem is that such a specialist usually works in private paid clinics and in big cities.And mycosis knows no boundaries.What to do if there is no mycologist in the clinic?
In this case, a regular dermatologist will help you deal with the problem.It does not matter what the name of the doctor who will treat you is.His experience and qualifications are much more important.The dermatologist will perform an initial examination and, if necessary, write a referral to a mycologist.In most cases, a dermatologist becomes a doctor who treats fungi in municipal institutions in villages and provincial cities.
The main thing is not to self-medicate, not to listen to the advice of neighbors and friends, and not to delay going to the doctor.Nail mycosis is insidious and self-medication can do more harm than good.
Initial review
Timely contact with a specialist will prevent the risk of mycosis spreading.The initial examination begins with an examination of the patient's complaints, clarifying the time of occurrence of the nail plate defect and the external factors that accompanied it.
After examining the affected areas, the doctor will indicate the preliminary name of the disease and offer to undergo a list of necessary tests.
Usually, the patient must undergo the following studies:
- A method of microscopic analysis of a particle of a damaged nail plate.It's called the KON test.To conduct the study, a particle of the nail plate was immersed in a thirty percent potassium solution.The processed scraping is then examined under a microscope.This method allows the doctor involved in the treatment to determine if the fungus is present, but does not allow determining its strain;
- PCR - diagnostics.Polymerase chain reaction is one of the most sensitive techniques that allows you to determine the pathogen strain.
Which doctor will deal with further therapy depends on the strain of the fungal disease and the severity of its course.The decision on mandatory treatment by a mycologist is made in the case of severe forms of mycosis that are resistant to the main groups of drugs.
The course of mycosis treatment is long and requires an integrated approach.Therapeutic measures depend on the extent of the lesion and the duration of the disease.
Treatment of nail fungus
The insidiousness of mycotic lesions lies in their ability to adapt and become immune to the action of pharmaceutical drugs.This leads to the fact that drugs that have been proven for years lose their therapeutic effect on the fungus.
And each treatment of fungal diseases becomes a purely individual event with a developed treatment regimen for each patient individually.A combination of two or three different drugs helps to achieve a good result.
A pharmacy that produces tablets, injections and droppers for systemic treatment, as well as ointments, creams, gels and medicinal varnishes for local application, comes to the aid of mycologists.
Important!
Do not try to prescribe a course of treatment for mycosis yourself.All antifungals are highly toxic and have many contraindications.
The fungus can change its location in the human body: disappear in one area and appear in another.Only control by a mycologist will help to deal with the disease, and not allow it to transform and move deeper into the body.
Mycosis therapy
Usually, the prescription for treating fungal nail infections consists of:
- Medicinal varnish, antifungal cream or ointment;
- Tablets medicines.The choice among drugs is determined by their side effects, age, patient history and his immune defenses;
- Means for removing infected nail plates are prescribed for severe or advanced forms of mycosis.This conservative treatment method replaces surgery and allows a healthy, undamaged nail plate to grow back.
During the therapy, repeated clinical studies are prescribed to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment and adjust the drugs.The third time the tests are prescribed after the removal of visible symptoms of the fungus.And the fourth time - two to three months after the end of therapy.
The insidiousness of mycosis is its high contagiousness, speed of spread and duration of therapy.In order to avoid the recurrence of the disease, it is necessary to take measures to prevent re-infection of the patient and his family members.
Preventive measures for the patient and his family members
Non-observance of simple hygiene standards can lead to rapid infection of loved ones living with the patient.
To avoid this, you should:
- Provide each family member with means for personal hygiene - cloth, slippers, towel;
- When visiting saunas, steam baths, swimming pools, don't forget rubber shoes.It will protect your feet from onychomycosis;
- Always bring nylon or cotton socks with you to try on a new pair at the shoe store;
- The use of medicated polishes and aerosols can provide additional protection to your feet and nails;
- Give preference to genuine leather shoes over their synthetic counterparts.This will allow the feet to breathe, prevent excessive sweating and the development of mycosis;
- If you feel an unpleasant odor or profuse sweating of the feet, consult a doctor.This will help to detect the pathology in the first stages, and the treatment will be easier and faster.
A balanced diet will help to increase the body's resistance to infections.Include foods rich in vitamins A and B, calcium and iodine.