Regardless of type, all fungal diseases arise from exposure to infection.Nails and skin are most often affected because they are the first places exposed to infection.
How can you get infected?
To do this, it is enough just not to follow basic hygiene rules.For example, if someone is sick in the house, the disease can be spread to others through shoes or other personal items.
Fungus on toenails often appears after being in a public place.Most fungal infections occur in:
- warm enough;
- high humidity;
- there is a need for skin contact with open surfaces.
You should be very careful when visiting gyms, swimming pools, bathhouses and other similar places.Medicines to treat fungus are quite effective but require a long treatment time.
How to identify nail fungus
Nail fungus is easy to detect.The first symptom is a change in color, which can be white, black, brown, yellow, green or gray.Other signs may also appear:
- The nail plate begins to peel off;
- Nails may crumble;
- itching begins around the nails;
- Pain occurs.
If you do not use any medications or tablets to treat toenail fungus, the process of keratinization of the nail plate will begin.As the growth layer increases, the effectiveness of treatment decreases significantly.
According to statistics, adults and the elderly have a higher risk of developing foot and nail fungus.The occurrence of mycosis in children is an extremely rare occurrence.
The reason appeared
For a fungal infection to affect the human body, significant changes in its condition are required, for example:
- pH changes due to age;
- reduced immunity;
- manifestations of chronic diseases;
- Circulatory disorders in the limbs.
If a person is healthy and has a strong immune system, the chances of contracting a fungal disease are extremely low.
How to treat
Modern medicine can offer a large number of different drugs.The international protocol for the treatment of nail fungus requires that the choice of effective treatment be carried out by a qualified specialist.There is a very good reason for this.
This fungus has an amazing ability to survive, and getting rid of it is not easy.There are cases when the affected nail plate was removed and after a while the disease recurred.
A very small amount of fungus and a weakened immune system are enough for the infection to spread again.
If the choice of treatment methods and means is not approached professionally, the entire process may turn out to be in vain.Nail fungus cannot be cured with just one application;many different measures are needed.
Before determining the most appropriate antifungal medication, the attending physician must determine:
- How long is the duration of the disease;
- size of damaged area;
- Are there any associated complications;
- nature of the changes.
Modern treatments for nail fungus allow you to completely cure the disease, but it is necessary to use a combination of topical treatments such as creams, ointments, varnishes, etc.and take the pill.
A specialist should diagnose and choose a treatment for toenail fungus.Improper treatment can lead to the formation of drug-resistant fungi or the development of infection.
How to remove an affected nail
Usually, experts recommend special drugs that have a painless and quite effective effect.In most cases, they can completely replace surgery.
The composition includes a large number of different substances and components that not only help remove the nail plate, but also promote the growth of new nail plates.
To achieve maximum effectiveness, you must thoroughly steam the affected area before use.After that, you can apply antifungal medicine to your toenails and apply the patch, only to remove it after 4 days.
Next, you need to remove the stratum corneum;Nail accessories can help with this.You need to follow this pattern until your nails are completely clean.
Antifungal nail polish
Nail fungus solutions or special polishes are very effective in treating the disease in the early stages.If you notice the infection promptly, topical treatments can eliminate the fungus quickly and relatively inexpensively.
In addition, many people practice using special stickers that are applied in a certain pattern.Their disadvantage is that treatment lasts at least 6 months.
This tool is extremely popular due to its ease of use.Some medicines can be covered with an aesthetic varnish, which is especially appreciated by women.
It should not be used if the infection has penetrated deep into the nail plate.The varnish will only remove the fungus on the surface, and the disease will spread inside.
Special pill
You should take antifungal medication if the disease is progressing rapidly.Only a qualified specialist should choose the most suitable ones.
Drugs to treat nail fungus should be used with caution because they have a number of contraindications:
- Should not be used by people with kidney or liver failure.
- Prohibited for use by children.
- Incompatible with some other drugs.
The best medicines
There are effective cures and ointments to treat nail fungus with unique properties.During use, the solution will accumulate in the nail grooves of the plate.When the maximum concentration is reached, the fungus will die.The composition includes special substances that facilitate the penetration of the solution.
Such medical intervention helps to cope with itching and prevent recurrent fungal infections.In addition, the product also reduces inflammation in a short time.
When exposed to infection, metabolism is disrupted.The organisms die and can no longer form colonies.
The main advantage of ointments is that they are approved for use by pregnant women and children.
It has one significant drawback - it must be used 2 times a day.And if you consider that the composition of the ointment is oily and quite liquid, then this will cause significant inconvenience.
How to increase treatment effectiveness
When treating nail fungus, the most suitable drugs will be selected.But if you follow some recommendations, you can increase the effectiveness, regardless of the means used.
Immediately before applying the medication, you should wash your feet thoroughly with warm water.It is better to use good laundry soap or baby soap.
Then you need to take hot water and steam for 5-7 minutes.Thanks to this, the channels through which the drug will penetrate will open as much as possible.
The nail should be cut off as it grows.This will allow the drug to penetrate where it is really needed - into the soft tissues of the nail plate.
If the properties of the drug allow this, then you need to treat not only the nail, but also the tissues around it.Thanks to such widespread exposure, the fungus can be completely destroyed.
Some people live in a constant battle against fungal infections.The treatment was effective, but after a while the disease relapsed.In such cases, you need to contact a specialist.Before prescribing treatment, he must take a sample of the affected nail for examination.
Based on its results, the cause of such activity and the type of fungus affecting the nail plate will be determined.The medication the doctor prescribes must be different from the medication used because the fungus has developed an addiction to them.
Choosing the best treatment for toenail fungus is best left to a qualified specialist.Self-medication can make the condition worse.Treatment will become much more difficult and expensive.
To achieve the maximum possible effect, it is better to use not just one product, but a whole complex according to a specific system.This ensures not only the complete destruction of the fungal infection, but also the normal recovery of the nail.