Dermatologists and mycologists try not to use formal approaches in the treatment of fungi, which consist of standard prescribing of ointments and tablets and lead to a chronic course of fungal infections and the development of serious complications that reduce the quality of life:
- Fungal eczema.
- Permanent hair loss.
- Destroying nail plates and creating scars on the nail bed.
- Chronic inflammation of the glans penis and vagina, which constantly upsets men and women and makes sexual life impossible.
A method of complete elimination of fungal disease, which helps to achieve the following goals:
- Destruction of pathogenic fungi in the focus of skin lesions.
- Protection of healthy skin (nails, mucous membranes) from the spread of mycosis.
- Recurrence prevention.
- Restore the normal structure of the skin, hair and mucous membranes while maintaining their elasticity and beauty.
- Removal from the body of waste products of fungi, which cause chronic intoxication and allergies.
- Restoring the sensitivity of the skin and mucous membranes of the genital organs to normalize sexual life.
It seems that all this is logical and as it should be. But in practice, very rarely, dermatologists adhere to all the rules for the treatment of fungal diseases, often limiting themselves to external therapy. Yes, and many patients just want to "anoint" something instead of undergoing a complete treatment.
What diseases are treated in the clinic:
- Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails on the hands and feet.
- Fungal lesions of the skin of the feet, hands.
- Smooth skin fungus.
- Fungal diseases of the inguinal, axillary, submammary glands, intergluteal folds.
- Pityriasis versicolor.
- Scalp fungi, dandruff.
- A fungus that causes seborrheic dermatitis.
- Candidiasis, thrush of the penis and vagina.
- Fungal prostatitis.
- Candidiasis of the oral mucosa and tongue.
- Fungal diseases of the outer ear.
The treatment of the fungus, of course, depends on its type and localization of the process. Let's single out the general phases of therapy:
- Mandatory analysis of scraping on the fungus with determination, if possible, its type, sensitivity to drugs, quantities.
- Blood tests, biochemical and the state of the immune system.
- Removal of the affected area of the nail plate, hair by laser, hardware or surgery.
- Drug therapy: Antifungal drug intravenously or in tablet form. It lasts from 10 days to 4 months (for onychomycosis). Antifungal injection has been shown to be the best and allows to reduce the duration of fungal disease treatment and reduce the impact on the liver. External treatment with antifungal ointments, creams and solutions in a certain order. Preparations that improve the growth of nail plates, hair, restore the integumentary epithelium of the skin and mucous membranes. Local treatment in the form of baths on the penis and in the vagina, restoration of normal genital microflora with fungal disease of the genital organs. Immunotherapy and removal of fungal toxins and allergens.
- Physiotherapy: ultraviolet radiation with medical quartz, treatment of affected areas with infrared or ultrasonic laser.
- And finally - control tests for fungi.
Treating fungal diseases can seem too time consuming and complicated. That's right, but only for the doctor! The treatment regimens are designed so that the patient does not notice great discomfort during the therapy and everything goes quite easily.
Treatment of skin fungus usually does not last and lasts about 10-20 days. Hair and nail treatment is longer and lasts several months.
But it is not even about the duration of therapy. Treatment of fungal diseases should be carried out by a professional, dermatovenerologist, mycologist who knows all the above methods and actively applies them in practice. Specialists in this field are admitted to clinics every day.
Treatment of foot fungus
Treatment of foot fungus is carried out with the treatment of other fungal diseases for more than 13 years.
The method of treating foot skin fungus, developed and used in the clinic, has long proven its effectiveness, despite the well-known difficulties in treating fungal diseases.
What do patients who complete a full course diagnosed with athlete's foot get as a result:
- Complete destruction of pathogenic fungi on the soles, in the interdigital spaces, on the back of the feet, in the thickness of the nail plates.
- Removal of itching and odor from the feet.
- Healing cracks and inflammatory changes on the skin of the feet.
- Restoration of skin elasticity, elimination of hyperkeratosis - thickening of the skin of the soles, especially in the heel area.
- Removal of excessive sweating - hyperhidrosis of the feet.
- Growth of healthy nails.
That is, if at the initial examination the dermatovenerologist, mycologist and the patient see a picture of a thickened sole, with cracks, peeling epithelium between the toes, congestive redness of the skin of the feet, constantly wet shoes and socks and twisted, darkened nails, then after a complete course of fungal therapy on the feetin this part of the body there is a pleasant feeling of comfort, the skin becomes smooth, the smell disappears, the nails are gradually renewed.
Steps to treat fungus on the feet
- The diagnostic phase involves studying the scraping of the skin and nail plates on the pathogenic fungus with the determination of the group of pathogens, which is important for the selection of an antifungal drug. In order to complete the picture, information is needed about changes in the patient's metabolism, which can be the cause of excessive sweating of the skin of the feet and a decrease in local resistance to fungal infections. Blood tests help us with that.
- Only the treatment of mycosis of the feet is carried out in several phases, which depend on the initial clinical picture and the type of fungus. Removal of keratinized thick layers of skin and affected areas of nail plates. This is achieved with the help of special ointments, procedures or hardware and laser removal of pathological areas. The duration of the stage is from 1 to 7 days. Once the skin is cleansed, it becomes possible to use external antifungal therapy that delivers the drug directly to the skin of the feet.
- Systemic antifungals, ie antifungal drugs used in the form of injections or tablets. Of course, intravenous instillation of such drugs has proven to be more effective. Moreover, it has been shown to be safer for the liver and has reduced the duration of treatment, which is 7-14 days for skin lesions, and up to 4 months in combination with nail lesions.
- Physiotherapy treatment of foot fungus includes exposure to medical ultraviolet radiation, which is harmful to foot fungus, and infrared laser therapy, which further improves the blood supply to the affected areas, accelerates skin recovery and nail growth. The duration of the procedure is from 3 to 10 minutes.
- If the diagnosis reveals problems with internal organs, lack of micronutrients and other substances needed to deliver antifungal drugs to the skin, to regenerate the skin, to activate the fight against pathogenic fungi, then prescribe additional auxiliary drugs to correct these changes: immunomodulators, ozone therapy, vitamins, hepatoprotectors, iron, calcium and vitamin complexes with trace elements.
- Excessive sweating and an unpleasant odor often disappear with this treatment for fungus on the feet. But sometimes it is necessary to prescribe drugs that block the sweat glands of the skin of the feet, conduct sessions of laser therapy and cryomassage with liquid nitrogen.
- After the treatment, it is necessary to check whether the fungus on the feet has been destroyed. Repeated analyzes of scraping for fungi are performed. But usually the result is close to 100%.
A very important step in the treatment of foot fungus is the appointment of subsequent recurrence prevention, which includes skin care products and footwear treatment on which fungal spores could remain.
The treatment of foot fungus is very diverse. It is impossible to describe all the possibilities of therapy in one article. Dermatovenerologists of the clinic, after the examination and based on the results of laboratory diagnostics, will be able to determine the most appropriate technique in your specific case of fungus on the skin of the feet and carry out a comprehensive treatment.
Treatment of nail fungus
Treatment of nail fungus is one of the main areas of clinical work in specialized centers, for the development of which experts approach in detail each phase of onychomycosis therapy.
It has long been known that treating fungal diseases is a serious problem, even more serious than treating bacterial infections. Uncontrolled use of various antifungal ointments, tablets, solutions, varnishes has led to the growth of a huge number of drug-resistant fungi. And the number of these drugs is very limited, unlike antibiotics. Therefore, in order to achieve the maximum effect of treating patients, we had to use a scientific and practical approach in the treatment of nail fungus on the feet and hands, and not limit ourselves to formally prescribing external onychomycosis therapy.
What results will you see after the full course:
- Restoration of nail plate color and structure.
- Normalization of nail growth and its shape.
- Disappearance of nail fungus, laboratory confirmed.
- Unpleasant odor and excessive sweating of the feet will disappear.
- The inflammatory process of the skin of the periungual ridges, interdigital spaces and soles or palms will disappear. That is, redness, itching, peeling, crying caused by fungal disease will disappear.
Treatment of nail fungus on the hands lasts 2-3 months, on the feet up to 3-4 months. But everything is, of course, individual and depends on the type of pathogenic fungus, the rate of nail growth in a particular person, the presence of concomitant pathology of internal organs and blood vessels. For example, in diseases of the veins or arteries of the lower extremities, when the delivery of drugs and nutrients to the nail is disrupted, the treatment time is much longer and the result is very difficult to achieve.
Cure control is performed for nail fungus on the hands after 6 months, for toenail fungus after 1 year.
The office employs dermatovenerologists who are trained in all methods of nail removal and professionally choose the optimal course of therapy for each individual patient who has been diagnosed with nail fungus on the hands and feet.
How to treat nail fungus in the clinic
Nail fungus is a chronic disease, so the treatment has several stages and is always preceded by a detailed diagnosis that reveals the type of fungus and the possibility of complex treatment, which, unfortunately, cannot be prescribed to everyone.
Steps to treat nail fungus:
- Make an appointment with a mycologist.
- Diagnosis.
- Direct treatment.
At the initial examination, the doctor will assess the damage to the nail plates and the surrounding skin, if it is also involved in the pathological process, which is a common case. He will examine other areas of the skin, mucous membranes, hair, because there are cases when the patient is referred for suspected fungus, and in the end the diagnosis sounds like onychodystrophy, ie the symptoms are similar to the disease, but without an infectious agent. It is associated with metabolic disorders, hormonal levels, chronic skin diseases and injuries to the matrix and nail bed.
Then a plan of diagnostic measures is made, particles of nail plates and blood are taken for examination.
Diagnosis of onychomycosis of the fingers and toes
| no. | Analysis | Target | Execution period |
|---|---|---|---|
| one. | Scraping from nail plates and nail fungus | Determining the type of fungus to choose the most effective drug | 1-3 days |
| 2. | Sowing for mushrooms | Determination of the type of fungus and its sensitivity to antifungal drugs | 7-10 days |
| 3. | PCR diagnosis for Candida | Identification of yeast-like fungal mycosis | 1-2 days |
| 4. | Blood chemistry | Determining the state of liver and kidney function when planning systemic antifungal therapy. It is also possible to detect a metabolic disorder that has led to a change in the nails. | 1 day |
| 5. | Hospital complex (syphilis, HIV, hepatitis, coagulogram) | If you plan to remove nail plates or the affected part of the nail | 1 day |
Here is a complete list of the main diagnostic measures, but the mycologist does not assign all these studies to every person. In superficial forms, for example, when there is no need to remove plaque and prescribe antifungal drugs orally or by drip, there is no need for a blood test.
Crops are also done quite rarely due to their low sensitivity.
Therefore, those who treat nail fungus on their feet or hands should always consult a dermatologist or mycologist first, and then go for tests, apply ointments and drink pills, and not vice versa.
Proper sampling of material from the affected areas for fungal identification is also of great importance. Its detection in a particular patient depends on it by 90%. Not only the hard parts of the nail plate are taken for research, but also the loose mass from the nail bed, which contains the maximum amount of pathogens.
But even with this approach, the laboratory cannot always immediately determine the presence of a fungal infection.
With obvious signs of onychomycosis, the analysis is repeated three times with negative results.
So, the diagnosis was made, the fungus was discovered, its type was determined, the condition of the internal organs was examined and the therapy began.
Treatment of nail fungus by a mycologist
Here everything depends on the clinical situation. Superficial forms of mycosis can be cured by using external agents such as varnishes, solutions containing drugs harmful to fungi, and laser treatment of the plates. Total nail lesions require removal of the affected areas and application of medication orally or intravenously.
We will consider the stages of treatment of the advanced form of toenail fungus, because it is the most difficult stage of onychomycosis for drug treatment.
Removal of the nail or part of the nail plate affected by the fungus.
As a result, we will immediately rid the body of the huge accumulation of fungi and make the nail available for the penetration of medicinal substances into it in order to destroy the microbe that remained in it. It also reduces the absorption of fungal waste products into the blood, reducing allergic and toxic effects on humans.
There are several methods for removing plaques affected by mycosis. The choice depends on the clinical situation and which doctor treats nail fungus in this patient, which technique he most professionally possesses:
| no. | Methodology | How it is implemented | Benefits | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| one. | Hardware nail removal | It is most often used. The affected part of the nail plate was cut on the nail and the posterior periungual ridge with a special cutter. | Security Minimal discomfort The patient does not lose his ability to work |
1000-1500 rubles |
| 2. | Surgical removal | After conductive anesthesia of the finger, the nail plate is removed completely or partially, if necessary. An antibacterial bandage is applied. | The cleanest removal of the affected nail, when the fungus is removed, including under the ridge of the nail, the nail bed is cleaned of mycotic layers. It is possible to perform plastic surgery on a curved nail. | From 2500 rubles. |
| 3. | Laser nail removal | Anesthesia of the treated finger is also performed. The laser beam burns the area of the nail affected by the fungus while grabbing the nail bed | Maximum removal of fungal masses, but without penetration under the rear roller | From 3000 rubles. |
Hardware technique is used more often, because it gives a minimal number of complications, does not damage the growth zone and nails, is affordable, but requires more frequent cleaning of the nail bed, because it does not provide complete nail repair. fungal finger.
After surgical or laser removal, of course, the amount of remaining fungus is minimal, but the length of the recovery period, possible disability, bandages limit the use of these methods in some patients.
Destruction of the fungus by external means.
On the nail base cleaned as a result of removing the nail plate, antifungal solutions are applied daily for several months until the growth of a normal nail and a negative analysis for fungi. It is also possible to add antifungal varnishes to the growing edge of the nail plate.
Administration of systemic antifungal drugs orally and intravenously. This is the main stage of treatment after nail removal.
It is necessary to ensure the delivery of drugs to the nail matrix, from where the new nail grows, and to the nail bed with blood flow.
Based on the tests, the doctor will choose the medicine that suits this patient, as well as the way of its application.
The type of fungus, the condition of the liver and kidneys, and the suitability for the patient are taken into account.
Intravenous administration of drugs that enter the blood and nail is the safest for the liver, bypassing the intestines and liver.
Treatment is carried out for up to 3-4 months with lesions on the feet and 2-3 months if the fungus is on the hands.
There are several regimens for treating nail fungus, which include daily medications and occasional courses.
At least once a month, blood tests are performed for liver and kidney indicators. If it deviates from the norm, treatment is stopped.
- Physiotherapy in the treatment of nail fungus - helps to destroy the infection and improve the delivery of drugs, accelerates the growth of the nail plate. UV radiation of nails has a detrimental effect on fungi. 10-15 sessions lasting 3-5 minutes. Infrared laser - improving blood flow in the area of growth zone and nail bed, which ensures increased delivery of drugs to the affected area and accelerates the growth of new antimycotic-impregnated plate. Electrophoresis of antifungal drugs is the creation of the highest possible concentration of drugs directly in the focus of the pathological process.
- Regular hardware cleaning of the nail bed from layers of hyperkeratosis and fungal residues. For patients with fungal nail disease, it is important to imagine the whole treatment process and understand that this is a rather long-term event, the success of which largely depends not only on which doctor treats nail fungus, but also on themselves. It is important to take medication and apply antifungal solutions regularly, treat shoes regularly, adhere to a schedule of physiotherapy procedures and nail cleaning.
Which doctor treats nail fungus?
Nail fungus is a serious problem. This is known to all who have encountered the defeat of nail plates by mycosis. It is treated for a long time, far from always a good effect, and the use of various ointments, creams, solutions in almost 95% of cases does not give any results.
But, in fact, not everything is so sad if you know which specialist to turn to for nail fungus. And then success is guaranteed even when it comes to onychomycosis.
The doctor who treats nail fungus is a mycologist or dermatologist who has experience in treating such patients.
Why experience is important, not just theoretical knowledge. The fact is that the treatment of fungal infections that affect the nail plates takes more than a month. The result is not immediately visible, it can be very difficult to assess the effectiveness. It is also not easy to choose a whole range of procedures and medications for a particular patient, which differ in each clinical situation.
There is a lot of information on the Internet about antifungal drugs, various lasers, physiotherapy methods, nail removal. Patients, who self-medicate, start buying one drug after another and, after not getting a result, despair and stop all attempts to get rid of the fungus. The same thing happens when the treatment is prescribed by a doctor who has no experience in monitoring such patients.
There is a doctor in the clinic every day who treats fungus on the legs and arms, and there is a fully equipped mycology room, where all phases of diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis are performed.
Which doctor effectively treats nail fungus
- This must be a dermatologist or mycologist.
- He has experience in the examination and treatment of nail fungus.
- He knows how to remove the affected nail plates, clean the nail base.
- He knows the phases of systemic therapy of onychomycosis, introduction to the course of physiotherapy methods.
- He can change the tactics of treatment in time or add a procedure, medicine, with a weak effect of previously prescribed therapy.
- He has the opportunity to use all modern methods and the necessary equipment in the office for the treatment of nail fungus.
Treatment of such mycoses is a planned, not an urgent procedure. Therefore, after the examination, the doctor who treats nail fungus explains to the patient all the possibilities of possible therapy, but the choice is always up to the person.
The course, regardless of the choice of technique, is very long and every patient must understand the effectiveness of each method at the very beginning:
Treatment of nail fungus by external methods (solutions, varnishes, ointments) - the efficiency is less than 10%, ie it helps only in the initial, superficial forms.
Using an integrated approach, but without removing the affected nail areas, is up to 60% effective.
Complex treatment with removal of the affected part of the nail plate and physiotherapy - efficiency up to 90-95%.
Usually, at the initial examination, the doctor who treats nail fungus tells the patient: If patients are ready to undergo 3-4 months of complex therapy for onychomycosis, then success can be achieved. If not, then it is better not to start. Money, time will be wasted, and the result will be questionable. This is a disease that requires a long and meticulous approach to treatment from both the doctor and the patient, with small details being important.