One of the fundamental factors in successful treatment of mycosis is contacting the right doctor. Patients often confuse the specialization of doctors and do not know which doctor to contact in case of nail fungus. As a result, valuable time is lost, extra money and nerves are wasted.
A fungal infection requires immediate treatment. The earlier the disease is detected and diagnosed, the more effective the treatment will be. In addition, the choice of doctor depends on the stage of the disease. In advanced forms of the disease, the help of several doctors will be necessary, including a surgeon.
About the disease
Mycosis is an infection caused by pathogenic bacteria. Adults are especially susceptible to it, but children are not immune to infection either. The disease first affects the areas between the fingers, then gradually moves to the nail plates. The fungus destroys keratin, the main component of the nail. This results in fragility of the plate, a cessation of its growth, the formation of cracks and specific spots on the surface of the nail.
Causes of infection
There are several causes of fungal infection. It is worth highlighting the main ones:
- Low immunity.
If the body is weakened by illness or does not receive the required amount of vitamins, a person risks getting mycosis. The body's protective barriers will not be able to prevent the spread of the disease.
- Exhausted nervous system.
Frequent stress, nervous breakdowns and the habit of taking everything to heart contribute to the deterioration of the immune system and increase the risk of infection.
- Neglect of hygiene rules.
The mushroom is mainly collected in public places. Inattention and negligence regarding cleanliness are the main reasons for the spread of fungus. You should always wash your hands before eating in cafes, bars, restaurants and after using the toilet. You should always carry replacement socks or tights with you when using sports or gaming shoes at rental centers or entertainment centers. It is also recommended to carry hand sanitizer gel with you so that if there is no water tap nearby, you can protect your palms from dirt and germs.
- Inappropriate communication with animals.
Fungal spores are carried not only by humans, but also by animals. All lovers of petting stray cats and dogs should wean themselves from this habit. As cute as they are, animals represent a health hazard. In case of contact, you should wash your hands thoroughly with soap, treat them with a disinfectant solution and wash your clothes.
- Improper storage of shoes and stockings.
The fungus reproduces more easily in a warm, humid environment. Taking into account this fact, after walking in the rain or on wet ground, you should dry your shoes by placing them near a radiator or radiator, and put wet socks or tights in the wash. If you leave your shoes to dry on their own, there is no guarantee that they will dry completely. During this time, the spores can activate very quickly and the very next day a person becomes infected with a mycosis.
In almost all cases of fungal infection, the person themselves is to blame. It is worth increasing your attention to detail, not ignoring the rules of hygiene and using only your own clothes and shoes. You also need to monitor your health. Take vitamin and micronutrient capsules regularly. For a healthy and clean person, the disease will pass.
Symptoms of the disease
Medicine knows more than ten types of mycoses. And there are several tens of thousands of causative agents of this disease. Naturally, each type differs from the others in its characteristic symptoms. But we can identify the main signs of the disease. They are found in every patient in one variation or another.
Main symptoms:
- thickened or thinned nail plate;
- loss of shine of the nail, acquisition of dullness;
- the nail begins to crack and peel off;
- change in color of the nail plate (white, yellow, brown, green, black);
- the appearance of spots, stripes, dots on the nail;
- the appearance of blisters, ulcers;
- discharge of mucus under the nail.
Other characteristic symptoms are itching and burning in the affected fingers or toes. The pain may become so severe that the person must take painkillers.
The fungus often spreads beyond the nail. It affects the nail ridges, the interdigital space and the foot. In rare and particularly severe cases, the disease spreads throughout the body. Sometimes pathogenic bacteria even affect internal organs.
Nail fungus detection
The difficulty in identifying the disease constitutes its main problem. It is because of the wasted time that the infection develops and takes root in the patient's body. Infection in later stages is very difficult to eradicate completely. Infected people need six months of treatment for the therapy to show positive results. Sometimes the mycelium becomes so deeply embedded that it takes a lifetime to heal. It is possible to only get temporary buffs and then the mushroom reappears.
It is extremely difficult to detect a yeast infection at an early stage. The symptoms are not as pronounced as in the following stages, when bacteria create mycelium - their mycelium. Patients do not pay attention to slight itching, confusing it with fatigue after walking. Some people don't react at all to plate color changes. People confuse crumbly, brittle nails with a temporary condition that should go away on its own.
The detection of at least one symptom is a reason to immediately consult a doctor. However, not everyone knows which doctor treats nail fungus. Usually people see a therapist, but that's not entirely true. You should make an appointment with a dermatologist or mycologist.
The medical institution will conduct the necessary tests and tell you whether the person is actually infected with the infection. It is impossible to independently determine its presence, just as it is impossible to know its type. Namely, the specific treatment and cure recommendations depend on the type of mycosis.
Contact a dermatologist
Since fungus is a skin disease, it makes sense to seek help from a dermatologist. He will examine the nail suspected of infection, ask the patient about his condition and refer him for testing. After receiving the results of medical examinations, the dermatologist will issue a verdict.
If the disease is at an early stage, then this specialist will be able to solve the problem. If the mycosis is in an advanced form or is characterized by complex symptoms, the doctor will send the patient to an appointment with a mycologist.
It should be remembered that a dermatologist is a doctor with a broader scope of action. He treats all skin diseases, but does not have any special knowledge. They are available from a mycologist who specializes only in the treatment of mushrooms.
Appointment with a mycologist
A mycologist treats all forms of fungal infection, from early to advanced stages. This specialist conducts initial examinations, determines which tests will be appropriate and develops a treatment algorithm. If the patient has the opportunity, it is best to contact a mycologist immediately. In this way, he will save time and receive a more competent and clearer answer to the question about the type of his disease and how to treat it.
An appointment with a mycologist usually costs a fee. Doctors see patients in special centers, where a general practitioner or dermatologist prescribes a referral. Few clinics have a personal mycologist.
The mycologist will guide the patient from the first appointment until recovery. It is not recommended to change doctors during treatment. A new doctor will need time to study their medical history, which is a waste of time.
Once the patient recovers, the mycologist prescribes advice to maintain health. Preventive measures must be strictly observed. In this case, the fungus will not return.
Diagnostic and treatment algorithm
Treatment of mycosis includes sequentially related stages. It is important to undergo each of them on time under the supervision of an experienced doctor.
Antifungal therapy algorithm:
- Contact a dermatologist or go directly to a mycologist.
- Initial review and obtaining a referral for testing.
- Take tests and receive their results.
- Repeated appointment with the doctor and determination of further treatment.
- Buy medicines for therapy.
Then, the patient must regularly consult the doctor to monitor the progress of the disease. If the effect is positive, the therapy continues and ends with recovery. If there is a negative reaction to medications or no improvement, additional studies are carried out and a new treatment is prescribed.
Tests to clarify the diagnosis
For effective treatment, it is necessary to accurately diagnose the cause and type of disease. The nature of the treatment will depend on the type of pathogen.
Basic diagnostic tests:
- Microbiological methods.
First, the doctor must determine whether the patient is actually infected. To do this, he must take material, that is to say a potentially infected nail. The doctor scrapes or cuts off part of the plaque. The material is then placed in a solution, after which a specialist examines it under a microscope. This is how he notes the presence or absence of harmful bacteria causing the infection.
- ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).
The doctor draws blood from a patient's vein. The analysis result arrives quickly. The answer indicates the reaction to mycosis: positive, negative or unspecified. In the latter case, it is necessary to take additional tests or repeat the blood donation in a week.
- PCR study.
As in the first study, PCR requires scraping. As a result, the doctor can accurately tell whether a person is carrying the infection or not. Among the disadvantages, it is worth noting the fact that PCR cannot identify the type of fungus. The doctor only announces his presence or absence.
The fungus in the initial stage is difficult to diagnose at the first time. This is called an unlabeled reaction. To get a definitive diagnosis, doctors will send the patient for additional tests or ask them to return in one to two weeks. Then the doctors will consult you and tell you which doctor the patient should see next if they have nail fungus. It will most likely be a mycologist.
Help from other specialists
Often, the help of a dermatologist and mycologist is not enough. Sometimes the patient does not have the opportunity to immediately get an appointment with a specialized specialist. It is then recommended to consult a therapist.
The therapist will conduct an initial examination and, based on the examination results, write instructions for testing. He will also tell you who to contact next: a dermatologist or mycologist. An appointment with a therapist is relevant for patients living in small towns or residential areas of megacities. Not all clinics have their own dermatologist or mycologist. In this case, the therapist becomes a specialist who can direct the infected person to the necessary treatment.
If the nail fungus has already developed quite seriously and reached an advanced stage, the patient will need to make an appointment with a surgeon. Sometimes professional intervention is necessary. Sometimes there is no way to save the affected nail. It must be surgically removed. The doctor will cut out the nail bed plate and advise the patient on what measures to take.
If a patient cannot immediately make an appointment with a specialist, they should consult a therapist. This doctor has all the knowledge necessary to perform an initial examination and make recommendations on next steps in antifungal treatment.
Treatment at the initial stage
Athlete's foot in the early stages can be treated with antifungal gels, patches and varnishes. These contain fungicides, substances that prevent the spread of infections. They stop the growth of bacteria and neutralize the mycelium.
It is not recommended to independently select medications. Only a doctor, after conducting an examination, can give effective advice and write the necessary prescription.
In addition to ointments and varnishes, you can use traditional therapeutic recipes. The following are particularly popular:
- vinegar;
- iodine;
- potassium permanganate;
- table salt or sea salt.
They are used to make lotions and baths. Iodine and potassium permanganate should not be used too often as they cause dry skin. To avoid damaging the skin, you need to take breaks.
Recipes using herbs and vegetables are also in great demand. For example, mint, onion and garlic compresses. Additionally, it is recommended to coat the affected fingers or toes with olive oil or tea tree oil.
Alternative therapies should only be used in addition to the main treatment, but in no case replace it.
Treatment at the developmental and neglect stage
In advanced forms of the disease, ointments and baths are essential. Requires the use of so-called antimycotics. They are prescribed by a doctor. The choice of tablets depends on the type of fungus, the patient's health status, age and other characteristics. Antimycotics are characterized by a long list of contraindications and side effects. It is forbidden to buy them without a prescription from a mycologist.
Prevent the risk of infection
To stay healthy, it is necessary to take preventive measures. They will prevent the risk of fungal nail infection.
Best tips:
- Use only personal hygiene items: towels, sports mats, wet wipes.
- Monitor the cleanliness of the stockings and change pairs regularly.
- Clean your shoes before and after going out.
- In case of humid weather or excessive sweating of the feet, dry your shoes thoroughly.
- Avoid tactile contact with strangers.
- After handling animals, especially homeless animals, wash your hands with soap.
- Always take disinfectant gel with you in public places.
- It is best to bring your personal belongings (if applicable) to the rental bases.
- Get manicures and pedicures regularly and prevent corns, calluses and cracks from forming on your feet.
- Wear only comfortable shoes that do not pinch or rub your feet.
If a fungal infection has already occurred, you should follow all your doctor's recommendations. Strictly adhering to therapy, the patient will be able to recover and forget about the unpleasant illness. But you have to be patient: the infection is difficult to eradicate. This will take several months, if not years.