If you ask at the clinic which doctor will help cure toenail fungus, they will most likely refer you to a dermatologist. This seems strange. Finally, a dermatologist treats skin diseases, and oncologists treat fungal infections.
But there is no contradiction in this. Dermatologists treat many different skin conditions. Mycologists only treat fungal infections, not just the skin. If the disease has not progressed to a severe stage, the dermatologist of the district clinic will prescribe appropriate treatment and, if necessary, refer to a muscle specialist. Of course, nails are not entirely skin. But nails are treated by dermatologists. Which doctor is better to contact?
In complicated or advanced cases, complex treatment is required. In addition to drugs for external use, tablets are also prescribed, and sometimes physical therapy. Of course, in such a situation it is better to contact a mycologist.
So who, which doctor treats nail fungus? Both answers are correct: dermatologist and mycologist. By the way, an appointment with a neurologist is usually paid. As a rule, there is no queue for him, and if there are serious grounds for suspicion, you can immediately go to a mycologist.
Regardless of which doctor treats the nails, paid tests may be ordered. But it is better to do an analysis to clarify the diagnosis or make sure that there is no fungal infection. In severe cases, the treatment will be much more expensive.
What do dermatologists 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 many skin diseases, but a dermatologist can distinguish parasitic diseases from allergies and prescribe treatment even without test results.
Which doctor treats toenail fungus?
Usually, in mild cases, fungal infections are treated conventionally by doctors. Fungal diseases of the genital organs - urologist or gynecologist. Thrush in children - pediatrician. Dermatologist uncomplicated dermatology.
In difficult cases (and more often - in severe cases), the help of a fungal infection specialist is needed. Namely, the theologian understands them. It can be resolved with the mycologist. if you do not want to indicate on the outpatient card that the fungus was found. Or you can't go to a dermatologist.
The first signs of a fungal infection in the feet
The form of protrusion arising from the disease is not immediately noticed. What should be alarming?
- If the skin between the fingers is wet and cracked
- Have itchy or red skin on your feet?
- There is swelling of the skin near the nail
- Peeling skin
- Cracks in the heel
- The skin of the feet looks rough and rough if well taken care of.
- The color of the nails has changed, spots or stripes appear
- There is an unpleasant smell from the feet.
Just noticing one of the above violations is enough to take a closer look at your feet. Of course, the reason could be new or uncomfortable shoes. You should change shoes, abandon synthetic socks. In the evening, wash your feet with laundry detergent or baby soap, then bathe with sea salt or chamomile decoction. But if after two visits the foot does not return to normal, you should consult a doctor.
What are the dangers of toenail and nail fungus?
Usually, the fungus first affects the skin of the feet, then the fingernails. To treat the fungus, even though only the skin is affected, is much easier. Various ointments, infusions and solutions penetrate the skin more easily than the hard surface of a fingernail. And they act faster. It becomes more difficult to cure the fungus when its manifestations become noticeable on the nails.
And the tiniest parts of the skin or nails that are affected by the fungus become the culprit for re-infection. Finally, other family members can become infected as well.
But are mushrooms really that dangerous? In addition to the itch and ugly appearance, what does it threaten?
The danger is that some fungi can not only harm the skin of the feet or nails. For example, an infection can occur in 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 spread of infection.
How to treat?
In any case, the doctor prescribes not only topical treatment, but also pills. It is not necessarily antifungal. Vitamin and mineral complex preparations help to cope with infections. Blood tests and other tests are required. Shave damaged skin or nails. Usually treatment is outpatient, but there is a day hospital where all procedures are performed by a nurse. If it turns out that an injection is needed, they may be hospitalized.
But modern science can cure the fungus with two or three laser treatments. Treatment doesn't come cheap, but in the most hopeless cases, full recovery takes two weeks. Of course, a new nail will not grow during this time, and even the skin will not be able to recover. But disease will be conquered. The interval between laser treatments is one to two weeks. Unfortunately, even regional centers don't 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. Excellence in the fight against fungus at an early stage
- declaim food
- lotions and compresses from herbs and vegetables
- oil,
- soda, salt, vinegar, vodka
- natural ground coffee
- tincture of medicinal plants
- ordinary golden clay
- tar soap
From mushrooms on the feet - homemade recipes
2 tablespoons cactus root, pour a cup of boiling water, insist, cover, from half an hour to 40 minutes. Drink a quarter cup 4 times a day. Reception 10 days simultaneously with external treatment.
Golden mustache. The stem of the plant is pressed into vodka, 10 skeins with leaves per 150 grams of vodka. Insist in a dark place for a week. Dilute with water before use. One part infusion is three parts water. Lubricate the affected skin and all toenails. Attention! Poisonous plants!
Bathing with sea salt is carried out twice a week. Then, they dry their feet and lubricate the inflamed areas with celandine juice.
Compressed with infusion of herbs. Take 20 grams of lilac, primrose, celandine and oak bark in 2 cups of boiling water. They insist an hour. Hold the compress for half an hour.
Grate a piece of tar soap. pour a quarter of the resulting chips with hot water. Soaking feet. Science has confirmed the antifungal effects of tar and ringworm soap. There are no contraindications. But the skin after they are too sensitive to the sun. During the day after the procedure, just put your socks on! Tar soap dries out the skin a bit. You should know that.
Coffee grounds. Perfectly disinfects and promotes skin regeneration. A thick layer is applied to the surface of all toenails and the skin at their base. This is done after steaming, for example, bathing with salt, sea water or ordinary. Dry your feet. Wrap the leg with a bandage to secure the thick in place. Wash off after 20 minutes.
Potato juice. Unlike tar and coffee, fungi are not indestructible. But it calms the skin and reduces inflammation. In addition, after bathing with a decoction of potatoes, the skin is updated faster.
Neurologist's recommendation
Protecting yourself from reinfection is the mainstay of treatment. The spores of the infectious agent will not go away on their own. Need to disinfect bed sheets, rugs in the bathroom and near the bed. Disinfect shoes. Spores of the fungus do not die with normal washing. Therefore, it is better to just throw away the socks. Those who follow the doctor's advice get rid of the nasty parasites faster.