If you ask the clinic which doctor will help you cure the toenail fungus, most likely they will refer you to a dermatologist. It seems strange. After all, a dermatologist treats skin diseases, and mycologists treat fungal infections.
But there is no contradiction there. A dermatologist treats a wide variety of skin conditions. A mycologist only treats fungal infections, not just the skin. If the disease is not advanced, a dermatologist from the district clinic can prescribe appropriate treatment and, if necessary, refer to a mycologist. The nail, of course, is not exactly the skin. But the nails are treated by dermatologists. Which doctor is better to contact?
In complex or very advanced cases, complex treatment is required. In addition to drugs for external use, pills are also prescribed, and sometimes physiotherapy. 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. Moreover, an appointment with a mycologist is often paying. As a rule, there is no queue for him, and if there are serious grounds for suspicion, you can immediately go to the mycologist.
Regardless of the doctor who treats the nails, paid tests may be necessary. But it is better to do an analysis to clarify the diagnosis or make sure that there is no fungal infection. In advanced cases, the treatment will cost 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 many skin diseases, but a dermatologist can distinguish a parasitic disease from an allergic disease and prescribe 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. Thrush in children - pediatrician. Dermatologist specializing in uncomplicated skin diseases.
In difficult cases (and more often - in advanced cases), the help of a specialist in fungal infections is necessary. Namely, the mycologist understands them. It is possible to address to the mycologist. if you do not want it recorded in the outpatient card that a fungus was found. Or you can't go to a dermatologist.
The first signs of a fungal infection of the foot
Stroke forms arise due to the fact that the disease was not noticed immediately. What should be alarming?
- If the skin between the fingers is 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 scaly
- Cracks in the heels
- Foot skin looks rough and neglected with good care.
- The color of the nail has changed, spots or scratches have appeared
- There was an unpleasant smell from the feet.
It is enough to notice just one of the above violations to take a closer look at your legs. Of course, the reason may be new or uncomfortable shoes. You should change shoes, abandon synthetic socks. In the evening, wash your feet with washing powder or baby soap, 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 danger of foot and nail fungus
Usually the fungus first affects the skin of the foot and then moves to the nails. Treating the fungus, when 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 a fungus when its manifestations become noticeable on the nails.
And the smallest particles of skin or nails affected by the fungus become the culprits of reinfection. Finally, other family members can also be infected.
But are mushrooms really that dangerous? What does it threaten, except itching and an ugly appearance?
The danger is that some fungi can damage not only the skin of the legs or the nails. The infection can spread, for example, in the ear. And in young children and the elderly - in the inguinal folds. The skin is softer and finer. There are fungi that affect not only the skin, but also the mucous membranes. It is better not to risk and not wait for the spread of infection.
How is the treatment going
In any case, the doctor prescribes not only local treatment, but also tablets. It doesn't have to be antifungal medications. Complex preparations of vitamins and minerals help to cope with infection. Blood tests are needed and other tests are done. Scrape 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 injections are needed, they can be admitted to hospital.
But modern science can cure the fungus in two or three laser treatments. Treatment is not cheap, but in the most desperate cases, full recovery takes two weeks. Of course, a new nail will not grow during this time, and even the skin will not recover. But the disease will be overcome. 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 yourself do not include medications. Excellent in the fight against the fungus in the initial stage
- foot baths
- herbal and vegetable lotions and compresses
- essential oils,
- soda, salt, vinegar, vodka
- natural ground coffee
- alcoholic tinctures of medicinal plants
- plain yellow clay
- tar soap
Mushroom on the legs - home recipes
2 tablespoons of calamus root, pour a glass of boiling water, insist, covered, from half an hour to 40 minutes. Drink a quarter cup 4 times a day. Reception 10 days simultaneously with external treatment.
Golden mustache dye. 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 brew is three parts water. Lubricate affected skin and all nails. Warning! The plant is poisonous!
Sea salt baths are taken twice a week. After that, they wipe their feet and lubricate the inflamed places with celandine juice.
Compresses with herbal infusion. Take 20 grams of lilac flowers, calendula, herbs of celandine 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. A foot bath is in progress. Science has confirmed the antifungal effect of birch tar and tar soap. There are no contraindications. But the skin after them is too sensitive to the sun. The day after the operation, go out only in socks! The tar soap dries out the skin a little. You should know that.
Coffee grounds. Perfectly disinfects and promotes skin renewal. A thickener is applied to the surface of all nails and the skin at their base. This is done after steaming, for example, a salt, sea or ordinary bath. Wipe the feet. wrap the legs with a bandage to secure the thickness in place. Wash off after 20 minutes.
Potato decoction. Unlike tar and coffee, the fungus does not destroy. But it soothes the skin and relieves inflammation. Also, after baths with a decoction of potatoes, the skin is updated faster.
Mycologist recommendation
Protecting yourself from reinfection is the mainstay of treatment. The spores of the infectious agent will not go away on their own. It is necessary to disinfect bed linen, a carpet in the bathroom and near the bed. Disinfect shoes. Fungus spores do not die with normal washing. Therefore, it is best to just throw the socks away. Those who listen to the advice of doctors will get rid of the annoying parasite faster.