Comprehensive treatment regimen for toenail fungus

Mycosis is a disease that begins almost imperceptibly for the patient, but ends just as pitifully.It develops under the influence of a fungal infection.It penetrates deeply and literally nourishes the nail plate.The disease does not disappear on its own.It will take a long time to cure it.It is important to choose a treatment regimen that will be relevant in this case.Usually it is a complex therapy, which involves the use of different agents that mutually enhance the effects.

Symptoms of the disease

Many people think that it is almost impossible not to notice the appearance of mushrooms.In fact, it hardly makes itself felt in the first month.However, the disease progresses rapidly and steadily.First, a person notices small spots on the nails.They begin to grow gradually.Stripes appear, the nail loses its natural shine and acquires a yellow tint.

In the future, the disease is really difficult not to notice, as it manifests itself with the following symptoms:

• The nail turns yellow or black;
• Unpleasant odor;
• The appearance of thickened or thin areas;
• The plaque literally crumbles and moves away from the nail bed.

The risk that the manifestation of mycosis may be similar to the symptoms of other diseases should be taken into account.Therefore it is necessary to be aware of the risk of confusing the disease with another disease.In this case, the treatment will be completely useless and may even cause harm.To prevent such a situation, you need to contact a specialist for diagnosis.

Basic therapeutic regimens

There are three main types of possible therapies.The choice of therapeutic regimen is based on the following factors:

1. Localization of the disease;
2. Stage of mycosis;
3. Patient age;
4. If treatment is prescribed to pregnant women, it will have many nuances.

Therapy must be personalized based on the characteristics of the individual case.

Local therapy

It can be prescribed only at an early stage of the disease.It consists of taking topical medications with local action.These may include the following medications:

• Therapeutic paints;
• Solutions;
• Ointments and creams;
• Various serums.

Topical therapy may include the use of keratolytic patches to remove the nail plate.They are preferable to other products, since the thick consistency of the composition allows it to be applied only to the nail, avoiding the adjacent skin.If this condition is not met, burns will appear on the skin.

How is the therapy carried out?Various medicinal drugs should be applied regularly to the affected areas.It is recommended to lubricate healthy nails a couple of 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 belongings.If they are not destroyed, they will return to healthy areas.

To disinfect shoes, special products are on sale that do not leave stains or odors.You can also use UV coatings.To destroy a fungal infection, place them in your shoes overnight.

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

Local treatment has the following advantages:

1. Economic cost of medicines;
2. Ease of use;
3. Most products can be used during pregnancy, as they do not penetrate the circulatory system;
4. Indicated in children;
5. Minimum number of contraindications and side effects.

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

Healing paints

There are special paints for mycosis.They are often prescribed by doctors and are popular among patients.Among the advantages of their use are:

• Transparent color and therefore the drug will not be visible;
• Almost immediately after application, you can put on a sock and then such therapy will not distract a person from everyday activities;
• The paint creates a dense film on the surface of the plaque, which protects from the appearance of bacterial complications;
• Quick effect;
• Effective restoration of the normal appearance of the plaque;
• Unlike most other drugs, you only need to apply 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 gets rid of the disease;
• After just a couple of uses you can see the effect.

However, when using paint, there is a very significant disadvantage - the considerable cost of funds.Considering the duration of therapy, this is a considerable amount.

Systemic therapy

This type of treatment involves the exclusive use of tablets.No local funds are used.Systemic therapy is prescribed in the following cases:

• Advanced stage of the disease;
• The lesion involved more than 2 fingers;
• The use of local remedies did not produce tangible results;
• The infectious process affected the germinal zone of the plaque;
• The fungus began to spread on the skin.

The basis of such therapy is animicotics.They can only be used if prescribed by a doctor, since the drugs have not only advantages in the form of a powerful effect, but also disadvantages.The disadvantages include many contraindications and possible side effects.

The course of therapy takes a long time.The treatment can be considered complete when the completely healthy nail has grown back.If the mycosis affects the hands, it will take 4 to six months.Toenails grow slowly and therefore the course can last a year.

Systemic drugs can be used according to the following regimens:

1. Classic.You need to take the pills every day during the course;
2. Short.Taking the drugs ends before a healthy nail grows;
3. Intermittent.You have to take several courses.Intervals follow between them, the duration of which is the time of the course;
4. Pulse therapy.In this case, taking the pills will also be combined with a period of rest.However, the rest time will exceed the duration of the course.

The choice of the optimal treatment regimen is carried out by a dermatologist or a doctor specializing in fungal infections.

Why has impulse 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 drugs for a short period;
4. Possibility of safe use in case of weakened immunity, typical of mycosis.

Pulse therapy may consist of taking tablets for one week at three-week intervals.You need to take several similar courses.Another possible treatment regimen for toenail fungus is taking the medication once a week.

Complex therapy

This is the most popular and effective treatment method.Combines the advantages of systemic and local therapy.The infection is destroyed both from the inside and the outside.It is worth noting that the fungus penetrates the blood.It also develops on the surface of the nail.Comprehensive treatment of toenail fungus will help eliminate it completely.The set of impacts can include:

• The use of compresses (can be used using the pulse therapy method);
• Use of local remedies.These can be paints, solutions, creams.

Sometimes tablets and topical medications are different forms of the same medication.In other cases, different drugs 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 a complete cure it is necessary to complete a cycle of 6-10 sessions;
• Cleaning the hardware.Includes a therapeutic pedicure.This procedure will not cure the fungus, but it will eliminate the damage caused by the mycosis.

Traditional recipes can be present as part of complex therapy.For example, it could be warm 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 this to happen.It is important for people who have recently recovered from a yeast infection, because they are at risk of relapse.Preventive measures can be the following:

• Prohibition on wearing other people's slippers;
• Fight sweaty feet;
• Periodic treatment of nails with preventive agents;
• Disinfection of house floors;
• Compliance with personal hygiene measures;
• Heals your feet and hands, preventing the appearance of cracks on them.

Let's summarize.Mycosis is a common disease and therefore many methods have been invented for its treatment.They involve taking various drugs 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 others.For example, local remedies are used during pregnancy.