According to statistics from the World Health Organization, one fifth of the world's population suffers from fungal infections.
In many developed countries this figure is twenty-five percent.
In civilized countries with insurance medicine, the treatment of diseases is increasingly considered mandatory: fungus is a social disease and partly an urban disease.
Surprisingly, fungal infections are also dangerous for people who lead a healthy lifestyle.
You can get infected with fungus in the gym, beauty salon, at the beach, in the swimming pool, in the sauna.The main cause of infection is a violation of basic hygiene rules and a sudden decrease in immunity.
- All diseases in this group are caused by pathogenic fungi.
- Fungus appears on the skin and toenails;less commonly, the skin and nails on the fingers, the skin in the armpits and the groin area are affected.
- Nails with onychomycosis begin to peel and crumble, change color.
- The affected area becomes painful and itching appears around it.
- For infection, high enough temperature and humidity, contact of the skin of the feet with the fungus is necessary.
- Fungus can be inherited, and its manifestation is often a family problem.
- Nail damage in children is rare;it mainly occurs in adults and the elderly, but even an infection in childhood cannot be ignored and without medical attention.
- The development of this disease is facilitated by age-related changes in the pH of nails and skin, chronic diseases: diabetes, obesity, circulatory disorders in the legs, gastrointestinal diseases, problems with the thyroid gland and adrenal glands.
The appearance of fungus should be treated very carefully and try to cure it completely as soon as the first symptoms appear.
The further the disease progresses, the more difficult it is to treat: keratinized and hardened nails are very difficult to remove.
Advanced forms of fungus, including nail fungus, significantly reduce the body's overall resistance.
Toenail fungus is resilient;complete removal from shoes requires at least 20 minutes (one percent formaldehyde solution).Disinfecting household items with chloramine takes about an hour.
For advanced forms, treatment is long and requires patience and discipline.We can talk about a complete cure not after the symptoms disappear, but only based on the test results and after visiting the doctor.
Methods for treating nail fungus
If, at the first symptoms of toenail and toenail fungus, you treat it using the knowledge gained from television advertising, the likelihood of relapse, including nail infections, increases dramatically.
Toenail fungus is treated by a dermatologist;you need to see him at least to get tested and make a diagnosis.The doctor must make the final conclusion about how and how to treat toenail fungus in your case, whether to use topical medication, or whether it will be a waste of time and money.
The main principle of serious treatment when the nail is already damaged is a combination of drugs and targeted local tablets that are taken orally and affect the infection through the blood.
- As a result of several attempts at self-medication, fungal agents can mutate and become resistant to drugs.
- Medicines against fungi (both local and tablets) are toxic;only a doctor can create the right treatment regimen that is as gentle as possible on the body without overdosing.
- Only a doctor can take into account all contraindications.For example, liver and kidney failure in patients with self-treatment can worsen.
The progressive complex method can cure nail fungus in 2-4 months.The general principle is that treatment should be implemented as soon as possible using a significant dose of medication.In this case, a long break is required between courses.
Local treatment
Almost everyone starts local treatment of nail fungus at the first (acute) manifestation, but very few follow it to completion.Local treatment should begin after diagnosis.
The use of topical drugs exclusively to treat toenail fungus is possible only in the early stages of the pathology.
Anti-fungal cream is used twice a day, before each application it is necessary to clean and remove the affected area.Varnish mainly affects the nail plate.Once inside, its effectiveness is significantly reduced.
Before starting a complex treatment, your doctor will most likely recommend that you buy a special kit to disinfect the nail, remove the affected area or the entire nail, and clean the cavity.The composition includes a spatula, antifungal adhesive plaster, ointment, alcohol or iodine solution.
In large cities, in well-equipped medical centers, onychomycosis is successfully treated with laser therapy.With this method, the affected nail does not need to be removed.
Systemic treatment
The combination of local agents that affect the fungus with tablets is most effective.It can ensure complete recovery.If hygiene is observed, fungus will cease to be a problem for the rest of your life with a hundred percent probability.There are many remedies for toenail fungus.
All of them affect not only fungi, but also the body as a whole, disrupting the microflora, creating additional pressure on the liver and kidneys, harming the gastrointestinal tract.
The efforts of doctors today aim to minimize the harm caused to the body and give it a chance to recover.
For this purpose, a treatment regimen called pulse therapy was created.
Tablets are taken in addition to topical agents for a week, twice a day.This is followed by a three-week break from taking the pill.During this period, you need to use all the opportunities to heal and restore the body.Then a new weekly course, and again a break.The number of courses is at least three.
Approximately the same treatment regimen is used in therapy that combines tablets and creams (tablets are used intermittently, cream is used continuously).
What is the best treatment for nail fungus?
Antifungal therapy is characterized by the fact that the most effective treatment is if the patient is aware that a large part is usually done by himself.
If he is ready to completely cure the fungus, then he must plan this event, find time and energy, and also be determined not to give up halfway.
The treatment was very long.The body will experience additional stress due to the consumption of poisonous drugs.Your lifestyle at this time should be as healthy as possible.All additional risks (alcohol, smoking, lack of sleep, stress) are eliminated if possible.A healthy diet is a must.Hygiene should be prioritized during and after treatment.
If all the conditions are met, you can give up and follow the pulse therapy regimen prescribed by your doctor, which guarantees complete recovery.
As a preparation for the start of complex treatment, it is useful to further improve the health of the body, as well as improve the condition of nails and feet using traditional medicine.