If you ask the clinic which doctor will help treat toenail fungus, then they will probably refer you to a dermatologist. This seems strange. After all, a dermatologist treats skin conditions and mycologists treat fungal infections.
But there is no contradiction in this. A dermatologist treats a wide variety of skin conditions. A mycologist treats only fungal infections, not just the skin. If the disease is not advanced, a dermatologist from the regional clinic will be able to prescribe the appropriate treatment and, if necessary, consult a mycologist. The nail, of course, is not exactly skin. But nails are treated by dermatologists. Which doctor is best to contact?
Complex or severely advanced cases require complex treatment. In addition to medicines for external use, pills and sometimes physiotherapy are also prescribed. Of course, in such a situation it is better to contact a mycologist.
So 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 reasons for suspicion, you can immediately go to the mycologist.
No matter which doctor treats your nails, paid examinations may be required. But it is better to do an analysis to clarify the diagnosis or to make sure that there is no fungal infection. In advanced cases, treatment will cost much more.
What does the dermatologist face?
The word derma translates 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 conditions, but a dermatologist can distinguish a parasitic disease from an allergic one and prescribe a treatment even before the test result.
Which doctor treats nail fungus on the hands and feet
Usually, in mild cases, fungal infections are treated by conventional doctors. Fungal diseases of the genitals - urologist or gynecologist. Chewing gum in children - pediatrician. Dermatologist for uncomplicated skin conditions.
In difficult (and more often - in advanced) cases, the help of a fungal specialist is needed. That is, the mycologist understands them. It is possible to consult a mycologist. if you do not want the outpatient card to record fungus. Or you can not go to a dermatologist.
The first signs of a fungal infection of the foot
The forms of running occur due to the fact that the disease was not immediately perceived. What should be worrying?
- If the skin between the fingers gets wet and cracked
- There is itching or redness of the skin of the foot
- There was swelling of the skin near the nail
- The skin is peeled
- Cracks in the heels
- The skin of the foot looks rough and untidy with good care.
- The color of the nail has changed, spots or stripes have appeared
- There was an unpleasant smell from the feet.
Just look at just one of the above violations to take a closer look at your feet. Of course, the reason may be new or uncomfortable shoes. You need to change shoes, give up synthetic socks. In the evening, wash your feet with a washing machine or baby soap and then take a bath with sea salt or chamomile decoction. But if after two the appearance of the foot does not become normal, you should consult a doctor.
What is the risk of foot and nail fungus?
Usually the fungus first affects the skin of the foot, and then goes to the toenails. The treatment of the fungus, while affecting only the skin, is much easier. Various ointments, decoctions 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 felt on the nails.
Even the smallest particles of skin or nails affected by the fungus become the culprits of re-infection. Finally, other family members can also be infected.
But is the fungus really that dangerous? What, apart from itching and ugly appearance, threatens?
The danger is that some fungi can damage not only the skin of the feet or nails. The infection can pass, for example, to the ear. And in young children and the elderly - in the groin. The skin there is softer and thinner. There are fungi that affect not only the skin but also the mucous membranes. It is best not to take risks and wait for the infection to spread.
How is the treatment?
In all cases, the doctor prescribes not only topical treatment, but also tablets. They do not need to be antifungal drugs. Vitamin and mineral supplements help treat the infection. Blood tests are required and other tests are done. Scratch damaged skin or nails. Usually the treatment is outpatient, but there is a day hospital where all the procedures are done by a nurse. If injections are found to be needed, they can be admitted to hospital.
But modern science can cure the fungus with two or three laser treatments. The treatment is not cheap, but in the most desperate cases, full recovery takes two weeks. Of course, a new nail will not develop during this period, and even the skin will not recover. But the disease will be defeated. The interval between laser treatment sessions 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 medicines. Excellent in the fight against fungus in the early stages
- foot baths
- herbal lotions and compresses
- essences,
- soda, salt, vinegar, vodka
- natural ground coffee
- alcoholic tinctures of medicinal plants
- Ordinary yellow clay
- tar soap
From the fungus on the feet - homemade recipes
2 tablespoons cane root, pour a glass of boiling water, insist, covered, from half an hour to 40 minutes. Drink a quarter cup 4 times a day. Take 10 days simultaneously with external treatment.
Golden mustache tincture. The stem of the plant insists on 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 is three parts of water. Lubricate the affected skin and all toenails. Caution! The plant is poisonous!
Baths with sea salt are done twice a week. After that, they wipe their feet dry and lubricate the inflamed areas with fellant juice.
Herbal infusions. Take 20 grams of lilac flowers, calendula, celandine herbs and oak bark for 2 cups of boiling water. They insist for an hour. Hold the compress for half an hour.
Rub a piece of tar soap. pour a quarter of the resulting chips with hot water. It becomes a foot bath. Science has confirmed the antifungal action of birch tar and tar soap. There are no contraindications. But the skin after them is very sensitive to the sun. During the day after the procedure, go out only with socks! Tar soap dries the skin a little. You should know that.
Coffee beans. Perfectly disinfects and promotes skin renewal. Thickening is applied to the surface of all toenails and to the skin at their base. This is done after steaming, for example, a bath with salt, sea or ordinary. Wipe your feet dry. wrap the legs with a bandage to secure the fat in place. Rinse after 20 minutes.
Potato decoction. Unlike tar and coffee, the fungus does not destroy. But it soothes the skin and relieves inflammation. In addition, after baths with potato decoction, the skin is updated faster.
Mycologist recommendation
Protection against re-infection is the main thing in treatment. The spores of the infectious agent will not disappear on their own. It is necessary to disinfect the bed linen, a rug 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 just throw away the socks. Those who listen to the advice of doctors will get rid of the annoying parasite faster.