Infection also occurs in contact with infected areas of the body under favorable conditions - high temperature and humidity. Therefore, the chances of contracting onychomycosis in baths, saunas and gyms are very high. Nail fungus, which can be treated at home, is one of the most unpleasant subtypes of this disease.
Symptoms
Symptoms of toenail fungus are very difficult to ignore.
The most common symptoms are:
- the color of the damaged nail plate changes to toxic gray or dirty yellow,
- itching of the skin around the infected area,
- gradual peeling of the nail, splitting,
- painful sensations when touching the area of the skin affected by the inflammation, which has acquired a red color.
The reasons for the difficulty of treating nail fungus
Many people face the following problem: a person has treated a fungus, but after a while it appears again. There may be several reasons for this:
- improper treatment, for one thing, the fungus can penetrate deep into the tissues and become resistant to various means,
- error in drug selection,
- first, poor immunity caused by living in a polluted environment (for example, in a big city),
- other diseases that may interfere with stable healing. For example, diabetes, varicose veins, etc.
- inability to completely destroy nail fungus. Every year, new strains of this disease appear that are resistant to certain drugs.
- low level of sanitation.
Treatment of onychomycosis
There are many ways to treat onychomycosis of the nails. For example, laser procedures in a clinic. But all of them are 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 at every pharmacy. Before using them, it is necessary to grind as much as possible or, better, to remove the damaged nail plate. This can be done either on file or in the surgeon's office.
All drugs for onychomycosis are divided into several groups:
- pills,
- ointments,
- varnishes and solutions.
The choice of a specific antimycotic drug depends on three factors: the size of the affected area, the physiological state of the person (for example, antibiotics are contraindicated for elderly patients) and the duration of the disease. Based on them, the attending physician prescribes the necessary medication to the patient. Various remedies and treatment methods are well described in any short thematic video.
Cheap tablets and capsules for onychomycosis
Medicines for the treatment of fungal infections
Tablets based on the active substance are prescribed for any fungal disease. It is better to combine them with special ointments. It is used internally in the form of capsules. Contraindications: it is not recommended for people with hypersensitivity or during lactation and pregnancy. Perhaps this drug is the best choice for patients, because there are no serious contraindications or side effects for drugs based on this substance.
Synthetic broad-spectrum antifungal agent
The action of antifungal capsules is similar to the previous drug, but there are fewer options for use. Thanks to this, the fight against specific strains of nail fungus is more effective.
Capsules are taken immediately after meals and washed down with water. It is not recommended to take this medicine for people who are sensitive to its components. Sometimes the patient may feel itching, burning in the vagina and a rash near the external genitalia. This is a normal reaction of the body, so you should not stop the course of treatment.
Antimicrobial drug for systemic use
Cheap pills. It is taken for many types of onychomycosis, including athlete's foot and toenail fungus. The advantage of the drug is its good combination with antibiotics.
It should be taken once a day before meals, which is an advantage. However, it is not recommended for people with serious organic damage to the nervous system and children. The medicine is effective.
Antifungal ointments and creams
Medicinal solution for the treatment of fungal skin infections
The most famous and "advertised" cream for mycosis. It is used to treat nail plates of both feet and hands. Before use, you need to grind your nails. Apply ointment under it. 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 the drug is not recommended for use by children, pregnant women, and during lactation.
Antifungal agent intended for external use
An expensive drug specially designed for the treatment of nail fungus. It can be used to treat onychomycosis in children over 4 years old. Unlike analogues, the patient feels the effect of this colorless serum after only a few days of use. There are practically no contraindications: it can be used even during pregnancy.
The only thing that scares me is that 5 grams is expensive. this medicine. It varies from pharmacy to pharmacy, but patients say that the high price is justified.
A medical product with a patented formula
It is 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 medicine is contraindicated in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. This is prescribed by the attending physician. When applied (strictly apply once a day for effectiveness) you may feel a slight burning sensation, but don't panic, it will pass quickly.
Creams and tablets for the prevention and treatment of athlete's foot
There are ointments and tablets. It is not recommended to take the latter, because there are more effective analogues. In contrast, the ointment is worth a try.
It is rubbed under the nail (preliminarily cleaned and cut) depending on the severity of the fungus - once or twice a day. The effect is noticeable already on the second day. However, even if the patient feels that mycosis is localized, the course of treatment must be completed. It is 1 week for the light form of mushrooms, and 2 weeks for the heavy form.
Contraindications: the cream can cause severe allergies or itching if taken incorrectly. Therefore, consult a specialist before starting an effective course of treatment for foot fungus.
Antimycotic varnishes
A broad-spectrum antifungal agent with good penetration
Expensive but effective varnish against fungi. It is suitable for both treatment and prevention of various fungal diseases. But the drug is a kind of "antibiotic". Therefore, if it was previously used for treatment, it is not worth using it a second time - the effect will not justify the money spent, because the fungus has most likely developed resistance to the drug.
Before application, the damaged nail is filled with a file, after which the varnish itself is applied. Leaves an unwanted shine for men. The drug is used every day! During this time, it will have time to be absorbed and reach the source of infection.
Varnish for the treatment and prevention of nail fungus
Well-known expensive varnish. It is also an antifungal antibiotic, so it is not recommended for repeated use. The method of application does not differ from the previous varnish, but unlike it, this drug is allergenic.
Contraindications: pregnant women and children, as well as those with allergies, are not recommended for use. Lacquer is very toxic.
Apply varnish to the damaged nail once or twice a week, after pre-treatment and cleaning with a nail file.
Prevention of nail fungus
Onychomycosis is highly contagious and difficult to treat. A person infected with this disease requires treatment that can last more than a month. After all, even if the disease is eradicated, a few spores left on the feet can bring it back. It should be treated carefully and under the supervision of an experienced specialist.
But even if the disease has not affected a person, there is no need to sit at home and wait for infection. Prevention will help not to be afraid of fungus. Remember a few simple rules:
- Never use the same means to treat diseased and healthy nails, as well as affected areas of the skin. As strange as it may sound, this way healthy nails are less likely to become infected, especially on neighboring hands and feet.
- Wash your socks more often. This rule applies especially to men, because. . . They are the least concerned about cleanliness. Don't wear the same socks a few days ago,
- do not wear other people's clothes and shoes. This applies to any clothing that comes into contact with hands and feet (gloves, socks) and absolutely any shoes. Even slippers in the same family should be their own. After all, the fungus is very contagious - if one family member is infected, the rest will be infected,
- Only wear slippers on the beach. No closed shoes!
- Visit the sauna or bathhouse with closed shoes. Try not to splash water,
- After showering and swimming, don't forget to dry your feet completely and treat them with anti-fungal ointment. This rule applies especially to bathing in public rivers and lakes.