Infection also occurs through contact with infected areas of the body under favorable conditions: high temperature and humidity. This is why the risk of contracting onychomycosis is very high in bathrooms, saunas and gyms. Toenail fungus, which can be treated at home, is one of the most unpleasant subtypes of this disease.
Symptoms
It is very difficult to ignore the symptoms of toenail fungus.
The most common symptoms are:
- color change of the damaged nail plate to poisonous gray or dirty yellow,
- itching of the skin around the area of infection,
- gradual detachment of the nail, it crumbles,
- painful sensations when touching an area of the skin affected by inflammation that has acquired a red color.
Reasons for the difficulty of treating nail fungus
Many people are faced with the following problem: a person cured a fungus, but after a while it manifests itself again. There could be several reasons for this:
- improper treatment, due to something the fungus can penetrate deep into the tissues and become resistant to various means,
- error in choosing the drug,
- initially weak immunity caused by living in a polluted environment (for example in a large city),
- other illnesses that may prevent stable recovery. For example, diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, etc.
- the inability to completely destroy nail fungus. Every year new strains of this disease appear, resistant to certain drugs,
- low level of hygienic conditions.
Treatment of onychomycosis
There are many ways to treat nail onychomycosis. For example, laser procedures in a clinic. But they are all quite expensive and suitable for a narrow circle of people: a full treatment of 10 nail plates will cost a decent amount of money on average.
Unlike laser procedures, special creams, ointments and tablets are suitable for a wide range of people and are sold in every pharmacy. Before using them, you should smooth them as much as possible, or better yet, remove the damaged nail plate. This can be done with a file or in the surgeon's office.
All drugs for onychomycosis are divided into several groups:
- pills,
- ointments,
- paints and solutions.
The choice of a specific antifungal drug depends on three factors: the extent of the affected area, the physiological state of the person (antibiotics are contraindicated for elderly patients, for example) and the duration of the disease. Based on them, the attending physician prescribes the necessary medications to the patient. Various remedies and treatment methods are well described in any short thematic video.
Economical tablets and capsules for onychomycosis
Drug for the treatment of fungal infections
Tablets based on the active ingredient are prescribed for any fungal disease. It is better to combine them with special ointments. Used internally in the form of capsules. Contraindications: Not recommended for use by people with hypersensitivity or during breastfeeding and pregnancy. Perhaps this drug is the best choice for patients, since drugs based on this substance have no contraindications or serious side effects.
Synthetic broad-spectrum antifungal agent
Antifungal capsules have a similar action to the previous drug, but have fewer options for use. Thanks to this, the fight against specific strains of nail fungus is much more effective.
The capsules are taken immediately after meals and washed down with water. It is not recommended to take this drug to people with hypersensitivity to its components. Sometimes the patient may experience itching, burning in the vagina and a rash near the external genitalia. This is a normal reaction of the body, for this reason you should not interrupt the course of treatment.
Antimicrobial drug for systemic use
Cheap pills. They are taken for many types of onychomycosis, including foot and toe fungus. The advantage of the drug is its good combination with antibiotics.
It should be taken once a day before meals, which is also a plus. But it is highly not recommended for people with serious organic damage to the nervous system and children. The drug is effective.
Antifungal ointments and creams
Medicinal solution for the treatment of skin infections of fungal origin
The most famous and "advertised" cream against mycosis. Used to treat toenails and fingernails. Before use, you need to smooth your nails. Apply ointment underneath. After application, the substance remains under the nail for a long time, accelerating the healing process and the duration of the effect.
There are practically no contraindications, except that the use of the drug is not recommended for children, pregnant women and even during breastfeeding.
Antifungal agent intended for external use
An expensive drug designed specifically for the treatment of nail fungus. It can be used to treat onychomycosis in children over 4 years of age. Unlike analogues, the patient feels the effect of this colorless serum after just a few days of use. There are practically no contraindications: it can even be used during pregnancy.
The only thing that scares me is the high price for 5 grams. this medicine. It varies from pharmacy to pharmacy, but patients say the high cost is well justified.
Medical product with patented formula
A modern and economical remedy for toenail fungus. Before use it is advisable to cut the area affected by the mycosis. Next, the product should be applied directly to the nails (not underneath! ). This drug is contraindicated in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. It is prescribed by the attending physician. After application (strictly apply once a day, given its effectiveness), you may feel a slight burning sensation, but don't panic, it will pass quickly.
Cream and tablets for the prevention and treatment of foot fungus
There is ointment and tablets. It is not recommended to take the latter, as there are more effective analogues. On the contrary, the ointment is worth trying.
It is rubbed under the nail (it is cleaned and cut beforehand) depending on the severity of the fungus, once or twice a day. The effect becomes noticeable already on the second day. But even if the patient believes that the mycosis is localized, the course of treatment must be completed. It is 1 week for a mild form of the fungus and 2 weeks for the severe one.
Contraindications: The cream can cause severe allergies or itching if taken incorrectly. Therefore, before starting an effective course of treatment against foot fungus, consult a specialist.
Antifungal paints
Broad-spectrum antifungal agent with good penetrating ability
Expensive but effective paint against fungi. Suitable for both the treatment and prevention of various fungal diseases. But the drug is a kind of "antibiotic". Therefore, if it has already been used for treatment, it is not worth using it a second time: the effect will not justify the money spent, becausemost likely the fungus has developed immunity to the drug.
Before application, the damaged nail is filed with a file, after which the varnish itself is applied. Leaves an undesirable shine for men. The drug is used every other day! During this period it will have time to be absorbed and reach the source of the infection.
Varnish for the treatment and prevention of nail fungus
Well known expensive paint. It is also an antifungal antibiotic, making it not recommended for repeated use. The application method is no different from the previous paint, but, unlike it, this drug is allergenic.
Contraindications: Not recommended for use by pregnant women and children, as well as allergy sufferers. The paint is very toxic.
Apply nail polish to the damaged nail once or twice a week, after pre-treating and cleaning it with a nail file.
Toenail fungus prevention
Onychomycosis is extremely contagious and difficult to treat. A person infected with this disease requires treatment, which can last more than a month. After all, even if the disease is destroyed, some spores remaining on the legs can bring it back. It must be treated carefully and under the supervision of an experienced specialist.
But even if the disease has not affected a person, it is not necessary to sit at home and wait for infection. Prevention will help not to be afraid of mushrooms. Just remember a few simple rules:
- Never use the same tools to treat diseased and healthy nails, as well as affected areas of the skin. No matter how strange it may seem, this way there is less risk of infection of healthy nails, especially of nearby hands and feet,
- Wash your socks more often. This rule applies especially to men, because. . . They are the ones who care the least about cleanliness. Don't wear the same socks several days ago,
- do not wear other people's clothes and shoes. This applies to all clothing that comes into contact with hands and feet (gloves, socks) and absolutely any shoes. Even slippers from the same family should have their own. After all, the fungus is very contagious: if one family member gets infected, the others will be too.
- On the beach wear only slippers. No closed shoes!
- visit the sauna or bathhouse opposite in closed shoes. Try to avoid splashes of water,
- After showering and swimming, be sure to dry your feet completely and treat them with antifungal ointment. This rule applies especially to swimming in public rivers and lakes.