If you ask the clinic which doctor will help heal your nail fungus, you will probably be referred to a dermatologist. That seems weird. After all, dermatologists treat skin diseases, mycologists treat fungal infections.
But there is no contradiction in that. A dermatologist treats a wide variety of skin conditions. The mycologist only treats fungal infections, not just the skin. If the disease has not progressed, the dermatologist at the district clinic can prescribe appropriate treatment and refer it to a mycologist if necessary. Of course, nails are not exactly skin. But the nails are treated by dermatologists. Which doctor should you see?
Complex treatment is required in complex or severely advanced cases. In addition to medicines for external use, tablets and sometimes physiotherapy are prescribed. Of course, in such a situation, it is better to contact a mycologist.
So who is dealing with nail fungus? Both answers are correct: dermatologist and mycologist. Otherwise, the appointment with the mycologist often paid off. There is usually no queuing, and if there is a serious suspicion, you can see a mycologist immediately.
Regardless of which doctor treats your nails, paid examinations may be required. But it is better to do an analysis to clarify the diagnosis or make sure there is no fungal infection. In advanced cases, the 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 on the head is treated by the same doctor. There are a lot of skin diseases, but a dermatologist can differentiate a parasitic disease from an allergic one before the results of the tests and prescribes treatment.
Which doctor treats nail fungus on his hands and feet
Usually, in mild cases, fungal infections are treated by traditional doctors. Fungal diseases of the genitals - urologist or gynecologist. Thrush in children - pediatrician. Uncomplicated skin diseases dermatologist.
In severe (and more often advanced) cases, the help of a specialist in fungal infections is needed. Because the mycologist understands them. It is possible to consult a mycologist. if you do not want the outpatient card to show that a mushroom has been found. Or you can't go to a dermatologist.
First signs of a fungal infection of the foot
The running forms are due to the fact that the disease was not noticed immediately. What should be an alarm?
- If the skin between the fingers gets wet and cracks
- Itching or redness of the skin on the feet
- The skin was swollen near the nail
- The skin is flaky
- Cracks in the corner
- The skin of the feet looks rough and untidy with good care.
- The color of the nail changed, spots or streaks appeared
- There was an unpleasant odor from his feet.
It is enough to notice only one of the above violations to take a closer look at his feet. Of course, this may be due to new or uncomfortable shoes. Change shoes, leave synthetic socks. In the evening, wash your feet with detergent or baby soap, then take a bath with sea salt or chamomile sauce. But if the appearance of the foot does not return to normal after two, a doctor should be consulted.
What is the danger of foot and nail fungus
Usually, the fungus first affects the skin of the feet and then the nails. Treating the fungus while only the skin is affected 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 the fungus if its manifestations are noticeable on the nails.
And the smallest particles of skin or nails affected by the fungus become the culprits of re-infection. Eventually, other family members may become infected.
But is the mushroom really that dangerous? What does it threaten besides itching and ugly looks?
The danger is that some fungi can not only damage the skin of the feet or nails. For example, the infection can enter the ear. 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 infection to spread.
How the treatment is done
In all cases, the doctor will prescribe not only topical treatment but also tablets. It does not have to be an antifungal drug. Vitamin and mineral complex preparations help cope with the infection. Blood tests are needed and other tests are performed. Scrape damaged skin or nails. Treatment is usually outpatient, but there is a day hospital where all procedures are performed by a nurse. If an injection is found to be necessary, it can be taken to a hospital.
But modern science can cure fungi with two to three laser treatments. Treatment is not cheap, but in the most hopeless cases, full recovery takes two weeks. Of course, new nails do not grow during this time, and even the skin does not recover. But the disease is overcome. The interval between laser treatments is one to two weeks. Unfortunately, even regional centers do not always have such equipment.
Home remedies for nail fungus
It is important to understand that home remedies that you can use on your own do not include medications. Excellent in the fight against fungi in the initial stages
- foot baths
- creams and compresses of herbs and vegetables
- essential oils,
- soda, salt, vinegar, vodka
- natural ground coffee
- alcoholic tinctures of herbs
- ordinary yellow clay
- tar soap
From the mushrooms on the legs - homemade recipes
2 tablespoons calamus root, pour a glass of boiling water, stick, covered, for half an hour to 40 minutes. Drink a quarter cup 4 times a day. Reception 10 days simultaneously with external treatment.
Golden mustache tincture. We stick to the stem of the plant with vodka, 10 interleaf knots per 150 grams of vodka. Stick in a dark place for a week. Dilute with water before use. One part of the infusion is three parts of water. Lubricate affected skin and all toenails. Attention! The plant is poisonous!
Baths with sea salt should be taken twice a week. They then wipe their feet dry and smear the inflamed areas with celandine juice.
Compresses by infusion of herbs. Take 20 grams of purple flowers, marigolds, celandine herbs and oak bark for 2 cups of boiling water. They insist for an hour. Keep the compress for half an hour.
Grate a piece of tar soap. pour a quarter of the resulting chips with hot water. Foot bath is being prepared. Science has confirmed the antifungal effects of birch tar and tar soap. There are no contraindications. But the skin behind them is too sensitive to sunlight. During the day after the procedure, let's only go outside in socks! Tar soap dries the skin slightly. You should know.
Grounds. Perfectly disinfects and promotes skin renewal. They thicken on the surface of all the toenails and on the skin at the base. This is done after steaming, for example in a salt, sea or ordinary bath. Wipe your feet dry. wrap the legs in a bandage to secure the thick. Wash off after 20 minutes.
Potato stew. Unlike tar and coffee, mushrooms do not destroy. But it soothes the skin and relieves inflammation. In addition, the skin refreshes faster after potato pots.
Mycologist's recommendation
The most important thing during treatment is to protect yourself from re-infection. The spores of the infectious agent do not disappear on their own. Bed linen and carpets must be disinfected in the bathroom and near the bed. Disinfect the shoes. The spores of the fungus do not die with normal washing. Therefore, it is better to simply throw away the socks. Those who listen to the advice of doctors get rid of the annoying parasite faster.