If you ask at the clinic which doctor will help cure toenail fungus, then most likely they will refer you to a dermatologist. This seems strange. After all, a dermatologist treats skin diseases, and mycologists treat fungal infections.
But there is no contradiction in this. A dermatologist treats a wide variety of skin conditions. A mycologist only treats fungal infections, not just skin. If the disease is not advanced, a dermatologist from the district clinic will be able to prescribe a suitable treatment, and, if necessary, refer to a mycologist. The nail, of course, is not exactly skin. But nails are treated by dermatologists. Which doctor is better to contact?
In complex or severely advanced cases, complex treatment is required. In addition to medicines 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. By the way, an appointment with a mycologist is often paid. 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 which doctor treats nails, paid tests may be required. But it is better to take an analysis to clarify the diagnosis or make sure that there is no fungal infection. In advanced cases, 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 a lot of skin diseases, but a dermatologist can distinguish a parasitic disease from an allergic one and prescribe a treatment even before the result of the tests.
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 genital organs - urologist or gynecologist. Thrush in children - pediatrician. Uncomplicated skin diseases dermatologist.
In complex (and more often - in advanced) cases, the help of a specialist in fungal infections is needed. Namely, the mycologist understands them. It is possible to address to the mycologist. if you don’t want it to be 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
Running forms arise due to the fact that the disease was not noticed immediately. What should be alarming?
- If the skin between the fingers gets wet and cracks
- There is itching or redness of the skin of the foot
- There was swelling of the skin near the nail
- The skin is flaky
- Cracks in the heels
- The skin of the foot looks rough and unkempt with good care.
- The color of the nail has changed, spots or stripes have appeared
- There was an unpleasant smell from the feet.
It is enough to notice only one of the above violations in order 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 laundry or baby soap, and then make 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 goes to the nails. To treat the fungus, while 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 re-infection. Finally, other family members may also become infected.
But is fungus really that dangerous? What, besides itching and an ugly appearance, does it threaten?
The danger is that some fungi can damage more than just the skin of the feet or nails. The infection can get, for example, 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 risk and not wait for the spread of the infection.
How is the treatment
In all cases, the doctor prescribes not only local treatment, but also tablets. It doesn't have to be antifungal drugs. Vitamin and mineral complex preparations help to cope with the infection. Blood tests are required, and other examinations are carried out. Do a scraping from 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 it turns out that injections are needed, they can be admitted to the hospital.
But modern science can cure the fungus in two or three laser treatments. The treatment is not cheap, but in the most hopeless cases, a 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 conquered. 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 medications. Excellent in the fight against the fungus at the initial stage
- foot baths
- lotions and compresses from herbs and vegetables
- essential oils,
- soda, salt, vinegar, vodka
- natural ground coffee
- alcoholic tinctures of medicinal plants
- ordinary yellow clay
- tar soap
From the fungus on the legs - homemade 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 tincture. The stem of the plant is insisted 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. Attention! The plant is poisonous!
Baths with sea salt are taken twice a week. After that, they wipe their feet dry and lubricate the inflamed places with celandine juice.
Compresses with infusion of herbs. Take 20 grams of lilac flowers, calendula, celandine herbs and oak bark for 2 cups of boiling water. They insist one 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 being done. Science has confirmed the antifungal effect of birch tar and tar soap. There are no contraindications. But the skin after them is too susceptible to the sun. During the day after the procedure, go outside only in socks! Tar soap dries the skin a little. You should know it.
Coffee grounds. Perfectly disinfects and promotes skin renewal. A thickening is applied to the surface of all toenails and the skin at their base. This is done after steaming, for example, a bath with salt, sea or ordinary. Wipe feet dry. wrap the legs with a bandage to fix the thick 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. In addition, after baths with a decoction of potatoes, the skin is updated faster.
Mycologist's recommendation
Protecting yourself from 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 bed linen, the rug in the bathroom and near the bed. Disinfect shoes. The spores of the fungus do not die with normal washing. Therefore, it is better to just throw away socks. Those who listen to the advice of doctors will get rid of the annoying parasite faster.