A comprehensive toenail fungus treatment regimen

Mycosis is a disease that begins almost imperceptibly for the patient, but ends just as sadly.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 heal her.It is important to choose a treatment regimen that will be relevant in this case.It is usually a complex therapy, which includes the use of several agents that enhance each other's effects.

Symptoms of the disease

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

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

• The nail turns yellow or black;
• Unpleasant smell;
• Appearance of thickening or thin areas;
• The plate literally disintegrates and moves away from the nail bed.

The risk that the manifestation of mycosis may be similar to the symptoms of other diseases should be taken into account.Therefore, you must 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 prevent such a situation, it is necessary to contact a specialist for diagnosis.

Basic treatment regimens

There are three main types of possible therapy.The choice of treatment regimen is based on the following factors:

1. Localization of the disease;
2. Mycosis stage;
3. Age of the patient;
4. If the treatment is prescribed for pregnant women, it will have many nuances.

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

Local therapy

It can be prescribed only in the early stages of the disease.It consists of taking local drugs with local action.These may include the following medicines:

• Therapeutic varnishes;
• Solutions;
• Fats and creams;
• Various 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 applied only to the nail, avoiding the adjacent skin.If this condition is not met, burns will appear on the skin.

How is the therapy carried out?The affected areas should be regularly applied with various medical drugs.Healthy nails should be lubricated several times a week so that the infection does not spread to them.These procedures must be combined with shoe disinfection.

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

There are special products on sale for disinfecting shoes that do not leave stains or odors.You can also use UV coatings.To kill a fungal infection, just put them in your shoes overnight.

Socks, bedding and personal items can be boiled.During automatic washing, you can simply set the washing machine to antibacterial mode.It assumes a temperature of 90 degrees, at which bacteria and fungal microorganisms cannot survive.

Topical treatment has the following advantages:

1. Cheap drug costs;
2. Ease of use;
3. Most of the products can be used during pregnancy, because they do not penetrate into the circulatory system;
4. Indicated in children;
5. Minimal number of contraindications and side effects.

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

Medicinal varnishes

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

• Transparent color, so the medicine will not be visible;
• Almost immediately after application, you can put on a sock and therefore such therapy will not distract a person from daily activities;
• The varnish creates a thick film on the surface of the plate, which protects against the appearance of bacterial complications;
• Fast effect;
• Effective restoration of the normal appearance of the plate;
• Unlike most other medications, you only need to apply the product a few times a week.Therefore, the therapy will be as time-consuming as possible;
• The possibility of use as prophylactic means after the person gets rid of the disease;
• You can see the effect after just a few uses.

However, when using varnish, there is a very significant drawback - a significant cost of funds.Considering the duration of the therapy, this is a considerable amount.

Systemic therapy

This type of treatment involves the use of tablets only.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 drugs did not give tangible results;
• The infectious process affected the germinal surface of the plate;
• The fungus began to spread to the skin.

The basis of such therapy is animycotics.They can be used only if prescribed by a doctor, because drugs have not only advantages in the form of strong action, but also disadvantages.Disadvantages include many contraindications, as well as possible side effects.

The course of therapy takes a long time.Treatment can be considered complete when a completely healthy nail grows.If mycosis affects the hands, it will last from 4 months to six months.Toenails grow slowly, so the course can last a year.

Systemic drugs can be used according to the following regimens:

1. Classic.You should take the tablets every day throughout the course;
2. Short.Medication is stopped before a healthy nail grows;
3. Occasionally.You have to take several courses.Between them follow intervals whose duration is the course time;
4. Pulse therapy.In this case, taking the pills will also be combined with a break from them.However, the rest time will exceed the duration of the course.

Choosing the optimal treatment regimen is done by a dermatologist, that is, a doctor specializing in fungal infections.

Why has pulse therapy become so popular?

Doctors are increasingly prescribing pulse therapy.Its popularity is due to the following advantages:

1. Minimal side effects;
2. Minimal harm to the patient;
3. The possibility of short-term intake of increased doses of drugs;
4. The possibility of safe use in case of weakened immunity, which is typical for mycosis.

Pulse therapy can consist of taking pills for a week at three-week intervals.You must take several similar courses.Another possible treatment regimen for toenail fungus is to take medication once a week.

Complex therapy

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

• Use of tablets (can be used by pulse therapy method);
• Use of topical medications.These can be varnishes, solutions, creams.

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

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

• Laser therapy.It is an effective substitute for topical medications.For complete healing, it is necessary to complete a course of 6-10 sessions;
• Cleaning the hardware.Includes therapeutic pedicure.This procedure will not cure the fungus, but it will eliminate the damage caused by mycosis.

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

Preventive measures

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

• Prohibition of wearing other people's slippers;
• Fight against foot sweating;
• Periodic treatment of nails with preventive means;
• Disinfection of floors in the house;
• Compliance with personal hygiene measures;
• Care of feet and hands, preventing the appearance of cracks 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 for their use.Complex therapy remains the most effective measure.However, if the patient cannot use such a treatment regimen for some reason, there are many others.For example, topical medications are used during pregnancy.