Regardless of the type, all fungal diseases arise as a result of contact with infections.Nails and skin are most often affected, since they are the first to come into contact with infections.
How can you get infected?
To do this, it is enough not to follow basic hygiene rules.For example, if someone is sick indoors, then through his shoes or other personal belongings the infection can be transmitted to other people.
Fungus on toenails often appears after visiting a public place.Most fungal infections occur where:
- warm enough;
- high humidity;
- there is a need for skin contact with an open surface.
You should be very careful in gyms, swimming pools, bathhouses and other similar places.Drugs for treating fungus 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 grey.Other signs may also appear:
- the nail plate begins to peel off;
- the nail may crumble;
- itching begins around the nail;
- painful sensations occur.
If you do not use any medications or tablets to treat toenail fungus, keratinization of the nail plate will begin.As the growth layer increases, the effectiveness of treatment decreases significantly.
According to statistics, adults and older people are more likely to suffer from foot and nail fungus.The appearance of a fungal disease in children is an extremely rare occurrence.
Reasons for appearance
In order for a fungal infection to affect the human body, significant changes in its condition are necessary, 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 is a very good reason for this.
The fungus has an amazing ability to survive and getting rid of it is not so easy.There are cases where the affected nail plate was removed, and after some time the disease returned.
A very small amount of fungus 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, then the whole process may turn out to be useless.It is impossible to cure nail fungus with one application; a whole range of different measures is necessary.
Before determining the most appropriate drug for fungus, the attending physician must determine:
- what is the duration of the illness;
- size of damaged areas;
- are there any associated complications;
- nature of changes.
Modern remedies for nail fungus allow you to completely get rid of the disease, but it is necessary 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 fungus or the development of infection.
How to remove an affected nail
Most often, experts recommend special medications 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 get rid of the nail plate, but also promote the growth of a new one.
To achieve maximum effectiveness, you must steam the affected area very well before use.Afterwards, you can apply medication for toenail fungus and stick on a patch, which is removed only after 4 days.
Next, you need to remove the stratum corneum; manicure accessories can help with this.You need to follow this pattern until the nail is completely clean.
Nail fungus polish
Solutions for nail fungus or special varnishes do an excellent job of treating the disease in the early stages.If you notice the infection in time, then local remedies can get rid of fungi quickly and relatively inexpensively.
Also, many people practice using special patches that are glued according to a certain pattern.Their disadvantage is that treatment lasts at least 6 months.
This tool is extremely popular due to its ease of use.Some medicines can be coated with cosmetic varnish, which is especially appreciated by women.
It is not recommended for use if the infection has penetrated deep into the nail plate.The varnish will only remove the fungus located on the surface, and in the meantime the disease will spread inside.
Special tablets
Tablets against nail fungus should be taken if the disease is rapidly developing.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 kidney or liver failure.
- Prohibited for use by children.
- Incompatible with some other drugs.
The best medicines
There are effective remedies and ointments for treating nail fungus that have unique properties.During administration, the solution accumulates in the nail channels of the plate.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 infection.Also, the products can relieve inflammation for a short time.
Upon contact with 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 a significant drawback - it must be used 2 times a day.And if you consider that the composition of the ointments is oily and quite liquid, then this will cause significant inconvenience.
How to increase the effectiveness of treatment
When treating nail fungus, the most suitable drugs are selected.But if you follow some recommendations, you can increase efficiency, regardless of what means are used.
Immediately before applying the medicinal substance, you should thoroughly wash your feet in warm water.It is better to use good laundry soap or baby soap.
After this, 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 cut off as it grows.This will allow the medicine to penetrate into those places where it is really needed - into the soft tissues of the nail plate.
If the characteristics of the drug allow this, then you need to treat not only the nail, but also the tissue around it.Thanks to such widespread exposure, complete destruction of the fungus can be achieved.
Some people live in a constant battle against fungal infection.Treatment helps, but after some time the disease returns again.In such cases, you need to contact a specialist.Before prescribing treatment, he must take a sample of the affected nail for examination.
Based on its results, the cause of such activity and the type of fungus that has affected the nail plate will be identified.The drug that the doctor prescribes must be different from those that have already been used, because the fungus has already developed an addiction to them.
The choice of how best to treat toenail fungus is best left to a qualified specialist.Self-medication can lead to aggravation of the situation.Treatment will become much more difficult and expensive.
To achieve the maximum possible effect, it is better to use not just one product, but a whole complex according to a specific system.This guarantees not only the complete destruction of the fungal infection, but also the normal restoration of the nail.