Regardless of type, all fungal diseases result from contact with infections.The nails and skin are most often affected, as they are the first to come into contact with infections.
How can you get infected?
To do this it is sufficient not to follow the basic hygiene rules.For example, if someone is sick at home, the infection can be transmitted to other people through shoes or other personal items.
Fungus on toenails often appears after visiting a public place.Most fungal infections occur where:
- warm enough;
- high humidity;
- Skin contact with an open surface is required.
You should be very careful in gyms, swimming pools, bathhouses and other similar places.Drugs for the treatment of fungi are quite effective, but require a long period of treatment.
How to identify nail fungus
Nail fungus is very easy to spot.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;
- the nail may crumble;
- itching starts around the nail;
- painful sensations occur.
If you do not use medications or tablets to treat toenail fungus, keratinization of the nail plate will begin.As the growth layer increases, the effectiveness of the treatment decreases significantly.
According to statistics, adults and the elderly are more likely to suffer from foot and nail fungus.The appearance of a fungal disease in children is an extremely rare event.
Reasons for appearance
In order for a fungal infection to affect the human body, significant changes in its condition are required, for example:
- changes in pH levels due to age;
- decreased immunity;
- manifestation of chronic diseases;
- circulatory disorders in the extremities.
If a person is healthy and has a strong immune system, the likelihood of contracting a fungal disease is 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 selection of an effective remedy be carried out by a qualified specialist.There's a good reason for this.
The fungus has an amazing ability to survive, and getting rid of it is not so easy.There are cases when the affected nail plate was removed and after some time the disease returned.
A very small amount of fungi and a weakened immune system are enough for the infection to spread again.
If the choice of methods and means for treatment is not approached professionally, the whole process may turn out to be useless.It is impossible to cure nail fungus with just one application;a whole series of different measures is needed.
Before determining the most appropriate drug for fungi, the attending physician must determine:
- what is the duration of the disease;
- size of damaged areas;
- there are associated complications;
- nature of the changes.
Modern remedies for nail fungus allow you to completely eliminate the disease, but you need to use local remedies in combination, for example, cream, ointment, varnish, etc., and take tablets orally.
A professional should diagnose and select a cure for toenail fungus.Improper treatment can lead to the formation of drug-resistant fungi or the development of infections.
How to remove an affected nail
Most often, experts recommend special drugs that act painlessly and are quite effective.In most cases, they can completely replace surgery.
The composition includes a large number of different substances and components that help not only to get rid of the nail plate, but also promote the growth of a new one.
To obtain maximum effectiveness it is necessary to vaporize the affected area very well before use.After that, you can apply anti-fungal medicine to the toenails and apply a plaster, which will be removed only after 4 days.
Next, it is necessary to remove the stratum corneum;manicure accessories can help with this.You need to follow this pattern until the nail is completely clean.
Fungus nail polish
Solutions against nail fungus or special varnishes do an excellent job of treating the disease in the initial stages.If you notice the infection in time, local remedies can eliminate the fungi quickly and relatively cheaply.
Also, many people practice using special plasters glued in a certain pattern.Their disadvantage is that the treatment lasts at least 6 months.
This tool is extremely popular due to its ease of use.Some medicines can be coated with cosmetic paints, which is especially popular with women.
It is not recommended to use if the infection has penetrated deep into the nail plate.The paint will only remove the fungus located on the surface, and in the meantime the disease will spread inside.
Special tablets
Nail fungus tablets should be taken if the disease is developing rapidly.Only a qualified specialist should choose the most suitable ones.
Drugs for the treatment of nail fungus should be used with caution, because they have some contraindications:
- Not recommended for use by people with renal or hepatic impairment.
- Prohibited for use by children.
- Incompatible with some other drugs.
The best medicines
There are effective remedies and ointments for the treatment of nail fungus that have unique properties.During administration the solution accumulates in the nail canals of the plaque.When the maximum concentration is reached, the fungus dies.The composition includes special substances that facilitate the penetration of the solution.
Such medical intervention helps to cope with itching and prevents recurrent fungal infections.Additionally, the products can relieve inflammation for a short time.
Upon contact with the infection, metabolic processes are 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 disadvantage: it must be used 2 times a day.And if you consider that the composition of the ointments is oily and rather liquid, this will cause significant inconvenience.
How to increase the effectiveness of the treatment
When treating nail fungus, the most suitable drugs are selected.But if you follow some tips, you can increase efficiency, regardless of the means used.
Immediately before applying the medicinal substance, wash your feet thoroughly in warm water.It is best to use good laundry soap or baby soap.
Next, 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 trimmed as it grows.This will allow the medicine to penetrate into the places where it is really needed - into the soft tissues of the nail plate.
If the characteristics of the drug allow, it is necessary to treat not only the nail, but also the surrounding tissue.Thanks to such widespread exposure it is possible to achieve complete destruction of the fungus.
Some people live in a constant battle against fungal infections.Treatment helps, but after some time the disease returns again.In these cases it is necessary to contact a specialist.Before prescribing treatment, you should take a sample of the affected nail for examination.
Based on the results, the cause of this activity and the type of fungus that has affected the nail plate will be identified.The drug prescribed by the doctor must be different from those already used, because the fungus has already developed a dependence on them.
Choosing the best way to treat toenail fungus is best left to a qualified specialist.Self-medication can lead to an aggravation of the situation.Treatment will become much more difficult and expensive.
To achieve the greatest 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 restoration of the nail.