Regardless of their type, all fungal diseases result from 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 to not respect basic hygiene rules.For example, if someone is sick indoors, the infection can be transmitted to other people through their shoes or other personal belongings.
Fungus on nails often appears after visiting a public place.Most fungal infections occur where:
- quite warm;
- high humidity;
- it is necessary to have skin contact with an open surface.
You should be very careful in gyms, swimming pools, public baths and other similar places.Medications to treat fungus are very 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 collapse;
- itching begins around the nail;
- painful sensations appear.
If you do not use any medications or tablets to treat nail fungus, keratinization of the nail plate will begin.As the growth layer increases, the treatment efficiency 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 phenomenon.
Reasons for the 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 nail fungus treatment protocol 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 incredible ability to survive and getting rid of it is not so easy.There are cases when the affected nail plate was removed, and after a while 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 of 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 range of different measures are needed.
Before determining the most suitable medication for fungus, the attending physician should determine:
- how long the illness has lasted;
- size of damaged areas;
- are there any associated complications?
- nature of the 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 remedy for toenail fungus.Improper treatment can lead to the formation of drug-resistant fungi or the development of an infection.
How to Remove an Affected Nail
Most often, experts recommend special medications that act painlessly and are very effective.In most cases, they can completely replace surgery.
The composition includes a large number of different substances and components that not only help get rid of the nail plate, but also promote the growth of a new one.
To achieve maximum effectiveness, you should spray the affected area very well before use.Then you can apply toenail fungus medication and stick a patch, which will only be removed after 4 days.
Next, you need to remove the stratum corneum;manicure accessories can help you.You must follow this pattern until the nail is completely clean.
Nail polish against fungus
Nail fungus solutions or special varnishes do an excellent job of treating the disease at an early stage.If you notice the infection in time, local remedies can eliminate fungus quickly and inexpensively.
In addition, many people practice using special patches 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 medications can be covered with a cosmetic varnish, particularly popular with women.
Its use is not recommended if the infection has penetrated deep into the nail plate.The varnish will only eliminate 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 develops quickly.Only a qualified specialist should choose the most suitable ones.
Medicines intended for the treatment of nail fungus should be used with caution, as they have certain contraindications:
- Not recommended for people suffering from renal or hepatic insufficiency.
- Use prohibited by children.
- Incompatible with certain other medications.
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 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 an 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 pregnant women and children.
It has a significant drawback: it must be used twice a day.And if we consider that the composition of the ointments is oily and quite liquid, this will cause significant inconveniences.
How to increase the effectiveness of treatment
When treating nail fungus, the most suitable medications are selected.But if you follow certain recommendations, you can increase efficiency, regardless of the means used.
Immediately before applying the medicine, you should thoroughly wash your feet with warm water.It is best to use good laundry soap or baby soap.
After that, you need to take hot water and steam it for 5-7 minutes.Thanks to this, the channels through which the medicine will penetrate will open as much as possible.
The nail should be cut as it grows.This will allow the medicine to penetrate where it is really needed - into the soft tissues of the nail plate.
If the characteristics of the drug allow, then you need to treat not only the nail, but also the tissues surrounding it.Through such widespread exposure, complete destruction of the fungus can be achieved.
Some people struggle with fungal infections all the time.Treatment helps, but after a while the disease returns.In such cases, you should 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 affected the nail plate will be identified.The medicine prescribed by the doctor should be different from those that have already been used, since the fungus has already developed addiction to it.
The choice of the best way to treat toenail fungus is best left to a qualified specialist.Self-medication can lead to a worsening 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 ensures not only the complete destruction of the fungal infection, but also the normal restoration of the nail.