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 baths, 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:
- change in color of the damaged nail plate to toxic gray or dirty yellow,
- itchy skin around the area of infection,
- gradual peeling of the nail, it crumbles,
- painful sensations when touching an area of skin affected by inflammation that has acquired a red color.
Reasons for difficulty in treating nail fungus
Many people face the following problem: a person has cured a fungus, but after a while it manifests itself again. There may be several reasons for this:
- improper treatment, because of something, the fungus can penetrate deep into the tissues and become resistant to various means,
- error in choosing a medication,
- initially weak immunity caused by living in a polluted environment (for example, in a big city),
- other illnesses that may prevent stable healing. 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 sanitary 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 complete treatment of 10 nail plates will cost a decent amount 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 need to grind as much as possible, or better yet, remove the damaged nail plate. This can be done either with a file or at the surgeon's office.
All drugs for onychomycosis are divided into several groups:
- pills,
- ointments,
- varnishes and solutions.
The choice of a specific antimycotic medication depends on three factors: the size of the affected area, the physiological state of the person (antibiotics are contraindicated in elderly patients, for example) and the duration of the illness. Based on this, the attending physician prescribes the necessary medications to the patient. Various remedies and treatment methods are well described in any short thematic video.
Cheap tablets and capsules for onychomycosis
Medicine for the treatment of fungal infections
Tablets based on active substance are prescribed for any fungal disease. It is best to combine them with special ointments. Used internally in capsule form. Contraindications: use not recommended for people with hypersensitivity or during breastfeeding and pregnancy. This drug is perhaps the best choice for patients, since there are no contraindications or serious side effects for drugs based on this substance.
Broad-spectrum synthetic antifungal agent
Antifungal capsules are similar in action to the previous drug, but offer fewer options for use. Thanks to this, the fight against specific strains of nail fungus is much more effective.
Capsules are taken immediately after meals and washed down with water. It is not recommended to take this medication for 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 and you should not interrupt treatment for this reason.
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 benefit. But it is strongly not recommended for people with serious organic damage to the nervous system and for children. The medicine is effective.
Antifungal ointments and creams
Medicinal solution for the treatment of skin infections of fungal origin
The best-known and most "advertised" fungal cream. Used to treat nail plates of the feet and hands. Before use, you must grind your nails. Apply ointment underneath. After application, the substance remains under the nail for a long time, which accelerates the healing process and the duration of the effect.
There are practically no contraindications, except that it is not recommended to use the drug in children, pregnant women and during breastfeeding.
Antifungal agent intended for external use
An expensive drug designed specifically for the treatment of nail fungus. May be used to treat onychomycosis in children over 4 years old. 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 be used even during pregnancy.
The only thing that scares me is the high price of 5 grams. this medicine. This varies from pharmacy to pharmacy, but patients believe the high cost is well justified.
Medical product with a patented formula
A modern, inexpensive remedy for toenail fungus. Before use, it is recommended to cut the area affected by mycosis. After that, the product should be applied directly to the nails (not under them! ). This medication is contraindicated in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. It is prescribed by the attending physician. When applying it (to be applied strictly once a day, due to 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, since there are more effective analogues. On the other hand, the ointment is worth trying.
It is rubbed under the nail (it is previously cleaned and cut) depending on the severity of the fungus - once or twice a day. The effect becomes noticeable from the second day. But even if the patient believes that the mycosis is localized, treatment must be completed. It is 1 week for a mild form of fungus and 2 weeks for a severe form.
Contraindications: the cream can cause serious allergies or itching if taken incorrectly. Therefore, before starting effective treatment for foot fungus, consult a specialist.
Antimycotic varnishes
Broad-spectrum antifungal agent with good penetration capacity
Expensive varnish but effective against fungi. Suitable for both treatment and prevention of various fungal diseases. But the medicine 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, since the fungus most likely has developed immunity to the drug.
Before application, the damaged nail is filed with a file, after which the varnish itself is applied. It leaves an unwanted shine on men. The medicine is used every other day! During this time, 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 varnish. It is also an antifungal antibiotic, which makes its repeated use not recommended. The method of application is no different from the previous varnish, but unlike this, this drug is allergenic.
Contraindications: not recommended for pregnant women and children, as well as people with allergies. The varnish is very toxic.
Apply varnish to the damaged nail once or twice a week, after pre-treating it and cleaning it with a nail file.
Nail fungus prevention
Onychomycosis is extremely contagious and difficult to treat. A person infected with this disease requires treatment that may last more than a month. After all, even if the disease is destroyed, a few spores remaining on the legs can cause it to reappear. It must be treated carefully and under the supervision of an experienced specialist.
But even if the disease has not affected anyone, there is no need to stay at home and wait for infection. Prevention will help not to be afraid of mushrooms. Remember a few simple rules:
- Never use the same tools to treat diseased and healthy nails, as well as affected skin areas. As strange as it may seem, the risk of infection of healthy nails is thus reduced, especially of neighboring hands and feet.
- Wash your socks more often. This rule particularly applies to men, because. . . They are the ones who care the least about cleanliness. Don't wear the same socks from a few 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 all shoes. Even slippers from the same family should have their own. After all, the fungus is very contagious: if one member of the family is infected, the others will be infected as well.
- On the beach, wear only slippers. No closed shoes!
- visit the sauna or public baths opposite with closed shoes. Try to avoid splashing water,
- After showering and swimming, be sure to dry your feet completely and treat them with an antifungal ointment. This rule particularly applies to swimming in public rivers and lakes.