In the scientific literature, the fungus is called "mycosis". A specialist who deals with this problem is called a mycologist. If you encountered the fungus for the first time and came to the doctor on time, then your 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 nails, 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've been smearing your nails with grease for a whole month, and there's no benefit from it, then you can't do without internal medication.
"We often hope that it will go away by itself, " says a well-known doctor and presenter of his own programs about this disease. - But medical science does not know of such a case where the fungus appeared on the nail and then disappeared by itself. This does not happen. Oryou will live with it for the rest of your life, or you will undergo appropriate treatment under the guidance of a doctor. Some antifungal drugs cause liver complications. Of course, if you have to choose 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're not risking anything. "
Prevention
If yeast infection is a recurring story for you, pay attention to preventive measures. Doctors advise you to follow the following rules.
Pay special attention to your clothes and shoes . Socks should be cotton and fit loosely on the feet. They need to be changed regularly. Be sure to wash in hot water. Disinfect 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 shared slippers, or wear expensive shoes for a friend.Hygiene products should also be individual . Everyone knows about a special foot towel. But think about it, does each member of your family have a separate manicure set? It is better to buy several scissors and files, never exchange or borrow them from each other.Excess moisture should not be allowed . After all, this is an ideal environment for the spread of fungi. Always towel dry after showering. Do not wear the same socks and sneakers after a run. Dry your shoes thoroughly. If necessary, use a dry powder foot deodorant.Take care of your immunity . Fungi can appear on any skin. But a healthy body will have enough strength to overcome it, and the infection will not manifest itself in any way. Frequent mycoses may indicate a decrease in immune defense. Taking antibiotics or anti-inflammatory hormones can negatively affect the immune system.Do not confuse cleanliness with sterility . Hygiene is hygiene, but you should not treat your feet with antibiotic ointment three times a day 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 destroying all bacteria, we allow fungi to multiply uncontrollably.
How to treat?
Advertising offers us many local remedies. In addition to being of different composition, they are also available in different forms. Drops, varnishes, ointments, creams. . . And there are corresponding tablets for them.
Advice.Creams and ointments are inconvenient to treat nails. You will need to put them on a cotton ball, apply them to the nail, and then stick them with a band-aid. Most medications require twice a day, which means the whole process will have to be repeated. While the varnish can be simply applied with a brush, and the solution can be dripped and waited for a while to dry.
Your doctor will tell you the specific name of the medicine. Ask him to advise you not only on the trade name of the medicine, but also on the international name of the active substance. In this way, you can choose not only a certain expensive product in the pharmacy, but also its cheap analogue.
Topical remedies are available under dozens of trade names. Not all of them are cheap. The price is largely due to the fact that one bottle or tube is enough for the entire course of one nail treatment.
Attention!Most medications must be used until healthy nails grow back. The speed of nail growth is an individual characteristic of each organism. But for most people it will take at least six months. Therefore, be prepared for a long treatment.
If these drugs are not enough, the doctor will choose suitable tablets for you that 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 great caution, and at the same time constantly monitor the condition of the liver. The course of these drugs is usually interrupted to give the body time to rest.
Despite the possibility of serious side effects, you should not stop the course midway when you notice the first signs of improvement. The doctor must stop taking the medicine. Otherwise, there is a high probability that the fungus will return. At the same time, it is possible that they will develop a resistance to the medicine you have been prescribed. And then the doctor will have to prescribe you large doses or even more toxic medicine.
So, despite the advertising claims, treating nail fungus is a difficult task. You can take a risk by trying to treat it yourself at home. But it is better to seek help from a doctor. He will prescribe the appropriate topical medication. If they do not help, the doctor will advise the use of systemic drugs. Tablets have a lot of side effects. But if you use them under the constant supervision of a specialist, you can get rid of the problem without harming the body.