Comprehensive treatment regimen for toenail fungus

Mycosis is a disease that begins almost imperceptibly for the patient, but ends just as pitifully.Develops under the influence of a fungal infection.It penetrates deep and literally lives on the nail plate.The disease does not go away by itself.It will take a long time to treat her.It is important to choose a treatment regimen that will be relevant in this case.Usually this is complex therapy involving the use of several agents that mutually enhance each other's effects.

Symptoms of the disease

Many people believe that it is almost impossible not to notice the appearance of fungus.In fact, it is hardly noticeable in the first month.However, the disease develops quickly and steadily.First, a person notices small spots on the nails.They gradually begin to grow.Streaks appear, the nail loses its natural shine and takes on a yellow hue.

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

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

The risk that the manifestation of mycosis may resemble 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 therapy possible.The choice of a 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 for pregnant women, it will have many nuances.

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

Local therapy

Can only be prescribed at an early stage of the disease.Consists of taking topical drugs with local action.These may include the following medicines:

• Therapeutic varnishes;
• Solutions;
• Ointments and creams;
• Different serums.

Topical therapy may include the use of keratolytic patches to remove the nail plate.They are more preferable to other products, since the dense texture of the composition makes it possible to apply it only to the nail, avoiding adjacent skin.If this condition is not met, burns will occur on the skin.

How does the therapy take place?Various medical drugs should be regularly applied to the affected areas.It is advisable to lubricate healthy nails a few times a week so that the infection does not spread to them.These procedures must be combined with shoe disinfection.

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

To disinfect shoes, there are special products for sale that do not leave stains or odors.You can also use UV liners.To destroy a fungal infection, just put them in your shoes overnight.

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

Local treatment has the following advantages:

1. Cheap price of medicine;
2. Ease of use;
3. Most products can be used during pregnancy as they do not enter the circulation;
4. Indicated in children;
5. Minimal number of contraindications and side effects.

Local medicine softens the skin, quickly restores the previous appearance of the nail and relieves discomfort.

Healing varnishes

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

• Transparent color, and therefore the drug will not be visible;
• Almost immediately after application, you can put on a sock, and therefore such therapy will not distract a person from everyday activities;
• The varnish creates a dense film on the surface of the plate, which protects against the appearance of bacterial complications;
• Fast effect;
• Effective restoration of the plate's normal appearance;
• Unlike most other medications, you only need to apply the product a few times a week.Therefore, therapy will be as effortless as possible in terms of time;
• Possibility of use as prophylactic agents after a person has got rid of the disease;
• After just a few uses, you can see the effect.

But when using varnish, there is a very significant drawback - the significant cost of the means.Considering the duration of the treatment, 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 funds did not produce tangible results;
• The infectious process affected the germinal area of the plate;
• The fungus began to spread to the skin.

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

The therapy process takes a long time.The treatment can be considered completed when a completely healthy nail has grown back.If mycosis affects the hands, it will take from 4 months to six months.Toenails grow slowly, which is why the process can last for a year.

Systemic drugs can be used according to the following regimens:

1. Classical.You must take the pills every day throughout the course;
2. Short.Taking medication ends before a healthy nail grows;
3. Intermittent.You must 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 period will exceed the duration of the course.

The choice of the optimal treatment regimen is carried out 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. Possibility of taking increased doses of medicine in a short time;
4. Possibility of safe use in case of weakened immunity, which is typical for mycosis.

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

Complex therapy

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

• The use of tablets (they can be used using the pulse therapy method);
• Use of local funds.These can be varnishes, solutions, creams.

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

Complex therapy may also include various procedures.For example this:

• Laser therapy.It is an effective substitute for local funds.For a complete course, you must complete a course of 6-10 sessions;
• Hardware cleaning.Includes a therapeutic pedicure.This procedure will not cure the fungus, but it will eliminate the damage caused by mycosis.

Traditional recipes may be present as part of complex therapy.This can be, for example, 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 allow this to happen.It is important for people who have recently recovered from ringworm because they are at risk of recurrence.Preventive measures can be as follows:

• Prohibition of wearing someone else's slippers;
• Combating sweaty feet;
• Periodic treatment of nails with preventive agents;
• Disinfection of floors in the house;
• Compliance with personal hygiene measures;
• Take care of feet and hands, prevent the appearance of cracks on them.

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