A comprehensive treatment regimen for toenail fungus

Mycosis is a disease that begins almost imperceptibly for the patient, but ends equally tragically.It develops under the influence of a fungal infection.It penetrates deep inside and literally feeds on the nail plate.The disease does not go away by itself.It will take a long time to treat it.It is important to choose a treatment regimen that will be appropriate in this case.As a rule, this is a complex therapy that includes the use of several agents that mutually enhance each other's effects.

Damage to the nail plates on the toes due to fungus

Symptoms of the disease

Many people think that it is almost impossible not to notice the appearance of mushrooms.Indeed, in the first month, he will hardly feel himself.However, the disease progresses rapidly and steadily.First, a person notices small spots on the nails.They begin to grow gradually.Stripes appear, the nail loses its natural shine and acquires a yellow tint.

In the future, it is really difficult not to notice the disease, because it manifests itself with the following symptoms:

  • the nail becomes yellow or black;
  • unpleasant smell;
  • thickening or the appearance of thin areas;
  • The plate literally breaks away from the nail bed.

It is necessary to consider the risk that the manifestation of mycosis may be similar to the symptoms of other diseases.Therefore, you should be aware of the risk of confusing the disease with another disease.In this case, the treatment will be completely useless and may even cause harm.To avoid such a situation, it is necessary to contact a specialist for diagnosis.

Basic treatment regimens

Three main types of therapy are possible.The selection of the treatment regimen is based on the following factors:

  1. localization of the disease;
  2. stage of mycosis;
  3. age of the patient;
  4. If the treatment is prescribed to pregnant women, it will have many nuances.

Therapy should be tailored based on the characteristics of the individual case.

Local therapy

It can be prescribed only in the early stages of the disease.It includes the administration of local drugs of local action.These may include the following medications:

  • therapeutic patches;
  • solutions;
  • ointments and creams;
  • different serums.

Topical therapy may include the use of keratolytic patches to remove the nail plate.They are preferable to other products, because the dense texture of the composition allows it to be used only on the nail, avoiding the surrounding skin.If this condition is not met, a burn will appear on the skin.

How is the therapy carried out?Various remedies should be used regularly on the affected areas.It is advisable to lubricate healthy nails several times a week, so that the infection does not spread to them.These procedures should be combined with shoe disinfection.

The procedure is necessary because fungal microorganisms remain on shoes and personal items.If they are not destroyed, they will return to healthy areas.

Special products are sold for shoe disinfection that do not leave stains or odors.You can also use UV liners.To destroy the fungal infection, simply put them in the shoes at night.

Socks, bedding and personal items can be cooked.When washing automatically, you can simply set the washing machine to antibacterial mode.It assumes a temperature of 90 degrees, during which bacteria and fungal microorganisms cannot survive.

Local treatment has the following advantages:

  1. cheap cost of medicines;
  2. ease of use;
  3. Most of the products can be used during pregnancy because they do not enter the blood circulation system;
  4. indicated in children;
  5. The minimum number of contraindications and side effects.

Local medicines soften the skin, quickly restore the previous appearance of the nail and relieve discomfort.

Spray for the treatment of toenail fungus

Healing spots

There are special stains for mycosis.They are often prescribed by doctors and are popular with patients.Among the advantages of their use are:

  • transparent color and therefore the drug is not visible;
  • You can put on socks almost immediately after the application, and therefore such therapy will not distract a person from daily activities;
  • Lacquer creates a dense layer on the surface of the plate, which protects against bacterial complications;
  • quick effect;
  • effective restoration of the normal appearance of the plate;
  • Unlike other medications, you only need to use the product a few times a week.Therefore, therapy will be as busy as possible in terms of time;
  • The possibility of using it as a preventive measure after a person gets rid of the disease;
  • You will notice the effect after just a few uses.

However, there is a very significant drawback when using varnish - the significant cost of joints.Considering the duration of therapy, this is quite large.

Systemic therapy

This type of treatment includes only the use of tablets.Local funds are not used.Systemic therapy is prescribed in the following cases:

  • advanced stage of the disease;
  • The lesion involved more than 2 fingers;
  • The use of local remedies did not yield tangible results;
  • The infectious process affected the germinal area of the plate;
  • The fungus started to spread on the skin.

Animikotics is the basis of such therapy.They can be used only with a doctor's prescription, since the drugs have not only advantages in the form of a strong effect, but also disadvantages.Among the disadvantages are many contraindications, as well as possible side effects.

The course of therapy takes a long time.The treatment can be considered complete when a completely healthy nail grows.If mycosis affects the hands, it will take 4 to 6 months.Toenails grow slowly and therefore the course can last for a year.

Systemic drugs can be used according to the following schemes:

  1. classic.You must take pills every day throughout the course;
  2. short.Taking medication ends before the growth of a healthy nail;
  3. Intermittent.You have to take several courses.Between them there are intervals, the duration of which is the course time;
  4. Pulse therapy.In this case, taking pills will also be combined with rest from them.However, the rest time will exceed the duration of the course.

The optimal treatment regimen is selected by a dermatologist or a doctor specializing in fungal infections.

Why has pulse therapy become so popular?

More and more often, doctors prescribe pulse therapy.Its popularity is due to the following advantages:

  1. minimal side effects;
  2. minimal harm to the patient;
  3. the possibility of receiving increased doses of medicines in a short time;
  4. Possibility of safe use in case of weakened immunity, which is characteristic of mycosis.

Pulse therapy can consist of taking tablets for one week at three-week intervals.You should take several such courses.Another possible way to treat toenail fungus is to take medication once a week.

Taking nail fungus pills

Complex therapy

This is the most popular and effective treatment method.It combines the advantages of systemic and local therapy.The infection is destroyed both internally and externally.It is worth noting that the fungus reaches the blood.It also develops on the surface of the nail.Comprehensive treatment of toenail fungus will help to completely eliminate it.An impact kit may include:

  • use of tablets (they can be used by pulse therapy method);
  • Use of local remedies.It can be patches, solutions, creams.

Sometimes tablets and topical medications are different forms of the same drug.In other cases, different drugs are prescribed, but they complement each other effectively.

Complex therapy can also include various procedures.For example, this:

  • laser therapy.It is an effective replacement for local remedies.For complete healing, you need to take a course of 6-10 sessions;
  • cleaning equipment.Includes therapeutic pedicure.This procedure will not cure the fungus, but it will eliminate the damage caused by mycosis.

Traditional recipes can be presented as part of complex therapy.For example, it can be hot baths with sea salt.

Foot bath for fungal infection

Preventive measures

Prevention is important not only for people who are not infected with the fungus and do not want to admit it.This is important for those who have recently recovered from mycosis, as they are at risk of relapse.Preventive measures can be the following:

  • Prohibition of wearing other people's slippers;
  • sweating at the feet;
  • periodic treatment of nails with preventive means;
  • Disinfection of the floor of the house;
  • observance of personal hygiene rules;
  • Take care of your feet and hands, prevent cracks from appearing on them.

Let's summarize.Mycosis is a common disease, and therefore many methods of its treatment have been invented.They include taking different drugs and different schemes of their use.Complex therapy remains the most effective measure.However, if the patient cannot use such a treatment regimen for any reason, there are many others.For example, local remedies are used during pregnancy.