In case of fungal infection of the nail plates or onychomycosis, you should contact a dermatologist or mycologist. The first doctor is a specialist in all kinds of skin problems. He is responsible for allergic, bacterial, viral and fungal lesions of the epidermis. The mycologist is a specialist with a narrow qualification. He understands all types of fungi, treats fungal lesions of any location, conducts research and collects statistical information.
When you need medical attention
A person becomes infected with the fungus when its spores get on the skin or nail plates. You can "catch" pathogenic microorganisms in public places (sauna, swimming pool, beauty salon), from members of your family, in a shoe store. Mushrooms love a humid and warm environment. They are able to multiply in shoes. -often this happens if a person suffers from sweating feet, ignores this fact or ignores the rules of personal hygiene.
When in contact with fungi, a person is not always infected. This is preceded by a decrease in immunity. Usually, the body successfully copes with the attack of billions of microbes every day. If the defenses are exhausted, you can expect trouble.
Onychomycosis is a serious infectious disease. With it a person is in contact with pathogenic fungi for a long time. Mycotoxins with toxic properties enter his body. It also has a negative effect on the immune system. Get rid of nail fungus as soon as possible. The longer a person coexists with an infection, the more difficult and longer the treatment. Started onychomycosis is difficult to treat, becomes chronic, relapses, requires lifelong use of prophylactics.
It is necessary to contact doctors when the first signs of nail fungus appear, namely:
- if covered with small spots, dots, streaks, pale inclusions;
- if the color of the nail plate has changed - it has become yellow, brown, grayish or greenish;
- if the plaque grows, improper nail trimming creates an "entrance" gate for infection;
- if the nails are exfoliated - a sign of progression of onychomycosis;
- if a person suffers from ringworm - the fungus easily spreads on the nails of the skin;
- if there are family members with onychomycosis;
- if the nails have lost their shine, they become dull, heterogeneous.
The direct reasons for visiting a doctor are itching, sweating, dry skin on the feet. Excessive sweating and foot odor can indicate a developing fungus.
Who should go first
Once you have decided to see a doctor, you must first make an appointment with a dermatologist. There are skin specialists in all paid and free hospitals. Feel free to make an appointment with a dermatologist at the skin care center in your area.
The dermatologist will conduct a visual examination - will identify signs of fungal growth, will examine the skin for other symptoms of fungal lesions of the body. As a rule, the doctor prescribes tests (scraping of nails or skin) that confirm or refute fungal disease.
If the specialist's suspicions are confirmed, additional tests may be prescribed - general and biochemical tests of blood, urine and liver tests. Additional information is needed to identify the cause of the infection, to detect all possible comorbidities. Blood and liver diseases impose restrictions on the use of certain drugs.
A referral for consultation with a mycologist is issued in advanced cases - if all toenails are damaged by onychomycosis, the process of onycholysis (destruction of plates) has begun, some nails are missing, the patient has previously been unsuccessfully self-medicating. A specialist with a narrow profile will prescribe additional tests to identify the type of pathogen. Specific drugs will be more effective for a particular type of fungus.
General principles for the elimination of onychomycosis
To treat mycosis of the nails, specialists prescribe several drugs at once. Between them:
- systemic antifungal agents;
- topical dosage forms;
- vitamin preparations;
- immunostimulants.
The doctor individually assesses the patient's lifestyle and hygiene culture. If necessary, he gives appropriate recommendations needed to reduce the duration of therapy.
Medical treatment must be carried out very strictly. The patient should take the medication orally on time, strictly adhering to the treatment conditions recommended by the doctor. Local remedies are used until the problem is completely eliminated. As a rule, the use lasts 1-2 months after the disappearance of the symptoms of onychomycosis. The following are prescribed as topical preparations:
- varnishes;
- gels;
- ointments;
- solutions.
As auxiliary methods are recommended water-salt baths, removal of plaques with the help of special emollient ointments, sometimes surgical help is needed.
Immunostimulants and vitamins are selected in accordance with the results of biochemical analyzes. In some cases, nail fungus is the first sign of serious diseases of the internal organs or hematopoietic system.
Do not discard the doctor's phone number immediately after the first consultation. The success of onychomycosis therapy depends on the control of the healing process. Medical consultations and tests will be repeated several times during the therapeutic course (up to 1 year). They will need to be taken again as soon as the altered nail plate grows, one month after full recovery. In order not to complicate the treatment process, the patient should refuse decorative varnish, nail extension.