If you ask at the clinic which doctor will help you cure toenail fungus, most likely you will be referred to a dermatologist. That seems strange. Finally, a dermatologist treats skin diseases, and mycologists treat fungal infections.
But there is no contradiction in that. A dermatologist treats a variety of skin conditions. A mycologist only treats fungal infections, not just skin. If the disease has not progressed, a dermatologist at the district clinic can prescribe appropriate treatment and, if necessary, refer a mycologist. The nail, of course, is not straight skin. But nails are treated by dermatologists. Which doctor is better to contact?
In complex or severely advanced cases, complex treatment is required. In addition to medicines for external use, pills and sometimes physical therapy are also prescribed. Of course, in such a situation it is better to contact a mycologist.
Who, which doctor treats nail fungus? Both answers are correct: dermatologist and mycologist. By the way, an appointment with a mycologist is often paid for. As a rule, there is no queue for him, and if there are serious suspicions, you can immediately go to the mycologist.
Regardless of which doctor is treating the nails, paid tests may be required. But it is better to take an analysis to clarify the diagnosis or to make sure that there is no fungal infection. In advanced cases, treatment costs much more.
What does a dermatologist treat?
The word derma is translated as "skin". This specialist deals with skin problems. Allergies, acne, scabies and even psoriasis. Dandruff is treated by the same doctor. There are many skin diseases, but a dermatologist can distinguish a parasitic disease from an allergic one andprescribe treatment even before the result of the tests is available.
Which doctor treats nail fungus on hands and feet?
Normally, mild cases of fungal infections are treated by conventional doctors. Fungal diseases of the genital organs - urologist or gynecologist. Thrush in children - pediatrician. Uncomplicated skin diseases dermatologist.
In difficult (and more often - in advanced) cases, the help of a specialist in fungal infections is required. The mycologist understands them. It is possible to address to the mycologist. if you do not want fungal infestation to be noted on the outpatient card. Or you can't go to a dermatologist.
The first signs of a fungal infection of the foot
Running forms arise due to the fact that the disease was not immediately noticed. What should alarm?
- When the skin between your fingers gets wet and tears
- There is itching or redness of the skin of the foot
- There was swelling of the skin near the nail
- The skin is scaly
- Cracks in the heels
- With good care, the skin of the foot looks rough and unkempt.
- The color of the nail has changed, spots or streaks have appeared
- An unpleasant odor came from the feet.
It is enough to notice just one of the above violations to take a closer look at your legs. The reason, of course, can be new or uncomfortable shoes. You should change shoes and give up synthetic socks. In the evening wash your feet with detergent or baby soap and then take a bath with sea salt or chamomile decoction. But if the appearance of the foot does not become normal after two, you should consult a doctor.
What is the danger of athlete's foot and nail fungus?
Usually, the fungus affects the skin of the foot first, and then goes to the nails. Treating the fungus while only affecting the skin is much easier. Various ointments, infusions and solutions penetrate the skin more easily than the hard surface of the nail. And they act faster. It is more difficult to cure a fungus when its manifestations are noticeable on the nails.
And the smallest particles of skin or nails affected by the fungus become the culprits of reinfection. After all, other family members can also become infected.
But is fungus really that dangerous? What threatens except itching and an ugly appearance?
The danger is that some fungi can damage not only the skin of the legs or nails. The infection can get into the ear, for example. And in young children and the elderly - in the inguinal folds. The skin there is softer and thinner. There are fungi that affect not only the skin, but also the mucous membranes. It is better not to take risks and not wait for the spread of infection.
How is the treatment
In all cases, the doctor prescribes not only local treatment, but also tablets. It doesn't have to be an antifungal. Vitamin and mineral complex preparations will help to cope with the infection. Blood tests are required and other investigations are done. Scrape off damaged skin or nails. Treatment is usually outpatient, but there is a day clinic where all procedures are performed by a nurse. If it turns out that injections are necessary, they can be hospitalized.
But modern science can cure the fungus in two or three laser treatments. Treatment isn't cheap, but in the most hopeless cases, full recovery takes two weeks. Of course, no new nail grows during this time and the skin does not recover either. But the disease will be conquered. The interval between laser treatments is one to two weeks. Unfortunately, even regional centers do not always have such equipment.
Home remedies for toenail fungus
It is important to understand that home remedies that you can use yourself do not contain medication. Excellent in the fight against the fungus in its early stages
- foot baths
- Lotions and compresses made from herbs and vegetables
- essential oils,
- Soda, salt, vinegar, vodka
- naturally ground coffee
- alcoholic tinctures of medicinal plants
- ordinary yellow tone
- tar soap
From the fungus on the legs - homemade recipes
2 tablespoons calamus root, pour a glass of boiling water, insist, covered, from half an hour to 40 minutes. Drink a quarter cup 4 times a day. Reception 10 days simultaneously with external treatment.
Golden Mustache Tincture. The stem of the plant consists of vodka, 10 internodes with leaves per 150 grams of vodka. Insist in a dark place for a week. Dilute with water before use. One part of the infusion consists of three parts of water. Lubricate the affected skin and all toenails. Attention! The plant is poisonous!
Sea salt baths are taken twice a week. After that, they wipe their feet dry and lubricate the inflamed areas with celandine juice.
Compresses with herbal infusion. Take 20 grams of lilac flowers, calendula, celandine and oak bark for 2 cups of boiling water. They insist an hour. Hold the compress for half an hour.
Grate a bar of tar soap. Pour a quarter of the resulting chips with hot water. A foot bath will be done. Science has confirmed the antifungal effects of birch tar and tar soap. There are no contraindications. But the skin afterwards is too vulnerable to the sun. The day after the procedure, go outside with only socks! Tar soap dries out the skin a bit. You should know it.
coffee grounds. Perfectly disinfects and promotes skin renewal. A thickener is applied to the surface of all toenails and the skin at their base. This happens after steaming, for example, a bath with salt, sea or ordinary. Wipe feet dry. Wrap the legs with a bandage to fix the thickness. Wash off after 20 minutes.
potato decoction. Unlike tar and coffee, the fungus does not destroy. But it does soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. In addition, after baths with a decoction of potatoes, the skin is refreshed faster.
Recommendation of the mycologist
Protecting yourself from re-infection is the most important thing in treatment. The spores of the infectious agent do not go away on their own. It is necessary to disinfect bed linen, a carpet in the bathroom and near the bed. Disinfect shoes. The spores of the fungus do not die with normal washing. Therefore, it is better to just throw socks away. Anyone who listens to the advice of doctors will get rid of the annoying parasite more quickly.