Contagion also occurs through contact with infected parts of the body under favorable conditions - high temperature and humidity. That is why the chance of contracting onychomycosis is very high in bathrooms, saunas and gyms. Toenail fungus, which can be treated at home, is one of the most unpleasant subspecies of this disease.
Symptoms
It is very difficult to ignore the symptoms of toenail fungus.
The most common symptoms are:
- a change in the color of the damaged nail plate to a poisonous gray or dirty yellow,
- itching of the skin around the area of infection,
- gradual detachment of the nail, it crumbles,
- painful sensations when touching an area of the skin affected by inflammation, which has acquired a red color.
![medicinal baths against fungi](/images/articles/122/medicinal%20baths%20against%20fungi.png)
Reasons for the difficult treatment of nail fungus
Many people are faced with the following problem: a person has cured fungus, but after some time it appears again. There could be several reasons for this:
- incorrect treatment, for some reason the fungus can be stuck deep in the tissues and become resistant to various means,
- error in the choice of medicine,
- initially weak immunity caused by living in a polluted environment (for example, in a big city),
- other diseases that can prevent a stable recovery. 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 sanitation.
![diagnosis of nail fungus](/images/articles/122/diagnosis%20of%20nail%20fungus.png)
Treatment of onychomycosis
There are many ways to treat nail onychomycosis. For example, laser procedures in a clinic. But all of them are quite expensive and suitable for a narrow circle of people - a complete 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 in every pharmacy. Before using them, you need to erase as much as possible, or even better, remove the damaged nail plate. This can be done either with a 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 antifungal drug depends on three factors: the size of the affected area, the physiological state of the person (antibiotics are contraindicated, for example, for old sick people) and the duration of the disease. Based on them, the attending physician prescribes the necessary drugs to the patient. Different remedies and methods of treatment are well described in each short topic video.
Cheap tablets and capsules for onychomycosis
Medicine to treat fungal infections
Tablets based on the active substance are prescribed for any fungal diseases. It is better to combine them with special ointments. It is administered internally in the form of capsules. Contraindications: not recommended for people with hypersensitivity or during breastfeeding and pregnancy. Perhaps this drug is the best choice for patients, as there are no serious contraindications or side effects for drugs based on this substance.
Synthetic broad-spectrum antifungal agent
Antifungal capsules are similar in action to the previous drug, but have fewer options for use. Thanks to this, the fight against specific strains of nail fungus is much more effective.
The capsules are taken immediately after a meal and washed down with water. It is not recommended to take this medicine for people with hypersensitivity 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 interrupt the course of treatment.
Antimicrobial drug for systemic use
Cheap pills. They are taken for many types of onychomycosis, including foot and leg fungus. The advantage of the drug is its good combination with antibiotics.
It should be taken once a day before meals, which is also an advantage. But it is strongly not recommended for people with severe organic damage to the nervous system and children. The medicine is effective.
Antifungal ointments and creams
Medicinal solution for the treatment of skin infections of fungal origin
The most famous and "advertised" cream for mycosis. It is used to treat the nail plates of the feet and hands. Before use, you need to wipe your nails. Apply ointment from below. After application, the substance remains under the nail for a long time, which speeds up the healing process andthe duration of the effect.
There are practically no contraindications, except that the use of the drug is not recommended for children, pregnant women, and during breastfeeding.
Antifungal agent intended for external use
An expensive drug designed specifically to treat nail fungus. It can be used to treat onychomycosis in children over 4 years of age. Unlike analogues, the patient feels the effect of this colorless serum only after 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 for 5 grams. this medicine. It varies from pharmacy to pharmacy, but patients say that the high price is fully justified.
Medical product with a patented formula
Modern, inexpensive remedy for toenail fungus. Before use, it is recommended to cut the area affected by mycosis. The product should then be applied directly to the nails (not under them! ). This medicine is contraindicated in children and adolescents under 18 years of age. It is prescribed by the attending physician. When applying (applied strictly once a day, due to its effectiveness) you may feel a slight burning sensation, but do not panic, it will pass quickly.
Cream and tablets for the prevention and treatment of foot fungus
There are ointments and tablets. The latter are not recommended to be taken, as there are more effective analogues. In contrast, the salve 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 becomes noticeable already on the second day. But even if the patient feels that mycosis is localized, the course of treatment must be completed. It is 1 week for a mild form of fungus and 2 weeks for severe.
Contraindications: the cream can cause severe allergies or itching if taken incorrectly. Therefore, before starting a course of effective treatment of foot fungus, consult a specialist.
Antimycotic varnishes
A broad-spectrum antifungal agent with good penetration
Expensive but effective varnish against fungus. Suitable for both treatment and prevention of various fungal diseases. But the medicine is a kind of "antibiotic". Therefore, if it was used for treatment before, it is not worth using it a second time - the effect will not justify the money spent, becausethe fungus has most likely developed an immunity to the drug.
Before application, the damaged nail is filed with a file, after which the varnish itself is applied. It leaves a shine that is undesirable for men. The medicine is used every other 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, making it inadvisable for repeated use. The method of application does not differ from the previous varnish, but unlike it, this drug is allergenic.
Contraindications: not recommended for use by pregnant women and children, as well as those with allergies. The varnish is very toxic.
Apply polish to the damaged nail once or twice a week after you have worked it and cleaned it with a nail file.
Prevention of toenail fungus
Onychomycosis is highly contagious and difficult to treat. A person infected with this disease needs treatment that can last more than a month. After all, even if the disease is eradicated, a few spores left on the legs 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 you not to be afraid of fungus. Just remember a few simple rules:
- Never use the same tools to treat sick and healthy nails, as well as the affected areas of the skin. As strange as it sounds, this way there is less risk of infection on healthy nails, especially on adjacent hands and feet,
- Wash your socks more often. This rule is especially true for men, since. . . They are the ones who are least concerned about cleanliness. Don't wear the same socks a few days ago,
- do not wear foreign clothes and shoes. This applies to any clothing that comes into contact with hands and feet (gloves, socks) and absolutely any footwear. Even the slippers in a family must have their own. After all, the fungus is very contagious - if one member of the family gets infected, the rest will also get infected,
- Only wear slippers on the beach. No closed shoes!
- visit the sauna or bath opposite in 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 applies especially to swimming in public rivers and lakes.