Comprehensive treatment regimen for toenail fungus

Mycosis is a disease that begins almost imperceptibly for the patient, but ends just as miserably.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 on its own.It will take a long time to treat them.It is important to choose a treatment regimen that is relevant in this case.As a rule, it is a complex therapy in which several active ingredients are used, which reinforce each other's effects.

Symptoms of the disease

Many people think that it is almost impossible not to notice the appearance of a fungus.In fact, it's barely noticeable in the first month.However, the disease progresses quickly 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 takes on a yellow tinge.

In the future, it is really difficult not to notice the disease, as it manifests itself in 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 will resemble symptoms of other diseases should be taken into account.Therefore, you need to be aware of the risk of confusing the disease with another disease.In this case, the treatment is completely useless and can 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 therapies.The selection of a treatment regimen is based on the following factors:

1. localization of the disease;
2. stage of mycosis;
3. age of patient;
4. When treatment is prescribed for pregnant women, it has many nuances.

Therapy should be tailored to the specifics of each individual case.

Local therapy

Can only be prescribed in the early stages of the disease.Consists of taking topical medications with local action.These may include the following medications:

• therapeutic varnishes;
• 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 them to be applied only to the nail, avoiding adjacent skin.If this condition is not met, burns will occur on the skin.

How is the therapy carried out?Various medications should be regularly applied to 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 must 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.

There are special products for disinfecting shoes that do not leave stains or odors.You can also use UV liner.To combat a fungal infection, simply put them in your shoes overnight.

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

Local treatment has the following advantages:

1. Cheap cost of medicines;
2. ease of use;
3. Most products can be used during pregnancy because they do not enter the circulatory system;
4. Indicated in children;
5. Minimal number of contraindications and side effects.

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

Healing varnishes

There are special varnishes for mycoses.They are often prescribed by doctors and are very popular among patients.The benefits of using them include:

• Transparent color, therefore the drug is not visible;
• Almost immediately after application, you can put on a sock, so such therapy does not distract a person from everyday activities;
• The varnish forms a dense film on the surface of the plate, which protects against the occurrence of bacterial complications;
• Fast action;
• Effectively restore the plate's normal appearance;
• Unlike most other medications, you only need to use the product a few times a week.Therefore, the therapy will be as time-saving as possible;
• Possibility of use as prophylactic agents after a person has eliminated the disease;
• You can see the effect after just a few uses.

However, when using varnish there is a very significant disadvantage - the significant cost of the means.This is a significant amount considering the duration of therapy.

Systemic therapy

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

• Advanced stage of the disease;
• The lesion affected more than two fingers;
• The use of local remedies did not produce any tangible results;
• The infection process affected the germinal area of the plate;
• The fungus began to spread on the skin.

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

The course of therapy takes a long time.The treatment is considered complete when a completely healthy nail has grown back.If the hands are affected by mycosis, it lasts 4 to 6 months.Toenails grow slowly and therefore the course can last a year.

Systemic drugs can be used according to the following schemes:

1. Classic.You must take the pills daily throughout the course;
2. Short.Taking medication ends before a healthy nail grows;
3. Intermittently.You must take several courses.Intervals follow between them, the duration of which is the term;
4. Pulse therapy.In this case, taking the pills is also combined with a break.However, the rest period will exceed the duration of the course.

The selection 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?

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. Possibility of taking increased doses of medication in the short term;
4. Possibility of safe use in cases of weakened immunity, which is typical for mycoses.

Pulse therapy can consist of taking tablets over a week, three weeks apart.You must take several similar courses.Another possible treatment method for toenail fungus is taking the medication once a week.

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 from the inside and from the outside.It is worth noting that the fungus penetrates the blood.It also develops on the nail surface.Comprehensive treatment of toenail fungus will help eliminate it completely.The effects can include:

• The use of tablets (they can be used with the pulse therapy method);
• Using local remedies.These can be varnishes, solutions, creams.

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

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

• Laser therapy.It is an effective substitute for local remedies.For complete healing you need to complete a course of 6-10 sessions;
• Hardware cleaning.Includes a therapeutic pedicure.This procedure does not cure the fungus, but eliminates the damage caused by mycosis.

Traditional recipes may be present as part of complex therapy.This could be, for example, hot 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.This is important for people who have recently recovered from mycosis, as they are at risk of a relapse.Preventive measures can be as follows:

• ban on wearing other people's slippers;
• Fight against sweaty feet;
• Regular treatment of nails with preventive agents;
• Disinfection of floors in the house;
• compliance with personal hygiene measures;
• Care for feet and hands and prevent cracks from forming.

Let's summarize.Mycosis is a common disease and therefore many methods have been invented to treat it.They involve taking different medications and different schemes 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 other options.For example, local remedies are used during pregnancy.