One of the basic factors for the successful treatment of mycosis is contacting the right doctor. Patients often confuse the doctor's specialization and do not know which doctor to contact with nail fungus. As a result, precious time is lost, extra money and nerves are lost.
A yeast infection requires immediate treatment. The earlier the disease is detected and diagnosed, the more effective the therapy will be. Also, the choice of doctor depends on the stage of the disease. In advanced forms of the disease, the help of several doctors, including a surgeon, will be needed.
About the disease
Mycosis is an infection caused by pathogenic bacteria. Adults are mostly susceptible to it, but even children are not immune to the infection. The disease first affects the areas between the fingers, gradually moving to the nail plates. The fungus destroys keratin, the main component of the nail. The result is the fragility of the plate, stopping its growth, creating cracks and specific spots on the surface of the nail.
Causes of infection
There are several causes of a yeast infection. The main ones should be highlighted:
- Weak immunity.
If the body is weakened by the disease or does not receive the necessary amount of vitamins, the person is exposed to the risk of infection with mycosis. The protective barriers of the body will not be able to prevent the spread of the disease.
- Exhausted nervous system.
Frequent stress, nervous breakdowns and the habit of taking everything to heart contribute to the deterioration of the immune system and increase the risk of infection.
- Ignoring hygiene rules.
Fungi are mostly picked up in public places. Carelessness and negligence towards cleanliness are the main reasons for the spread of mycosis. You should always wash your hands before eating in cafes, bars, restaurants and after using the toilet. You should always take a spare pair of socks or tights with you when using sports or play shoes in rental centers or entertainment centers. It is also advisable to carry hand sanitizer gel with you so that, if there is no water tap nearby, you can treat your palms from dirt and germs.
- Inappropriate communication with animals.
Fungal spores are transmitted not only by humans, but also by animals. All lovers of petting stray cats and dogs should wean themselves from this habit. As cute as animals are, they pose a health hazard. If contact occurs, it is necessary to wash your hands well with soap, treat them with a disinfectant solution and wash your clothes.
- Improper storage of shoes and socks.
The fungus reproduces most easily in a warm and moist environment. In view of this fact, after walking in the rain or wet ground, you must dry your shoes by placing them near a radiator or heater, and put wet socks or tights in the wash. If you leave your shoes to dry on their own, there is no guarantee that they will dry completely. In the meantime, the spores can be activated very quickly and the person becomes infected with mycosis the very next day.
In almost all cases of yeast infection, the person himself is to blame. It is worth paying attention to details, not neglecting hygiene rules and using only your own clothes and shoes. You also need to monitor your health. Take vitamins and micronutrient capsules regularly. For a healthy and clean person, the disease will pass.
Symptoms of the disease
Medicine knows more than ten types of mycosis. And there are several tens of thousands of causative agents of this disease. Of course, each species differs from the other in its characteristic symptoms. But we can identify the main signs of the disease. They are found in every patient in one form or another.
Main symptoms:
- thickened or thinned nail plate;
- loss of shine of nails, dullness;
- the nail begins to crack and peel;
- change in the color of the nail plate (white, yellow, brown, green, black);
- the appearance of spots, stripes, spots on the nail;
- appearance of blisters, ulcers;
- discharge of mucus under the nail.
Other characteristic symptoms are itching and burning in the area of the affected fingers or toes. The pain can become so severe that the person has to take painkillers.
The fungus often spreads beyond the nails. It affects the nail ridges, the interdigital space and the foot. In rare and particularly severe cases, the disease spreads throughout the body. Sometimes pathogenic bacteria also affect the internal organs.
Detection of nail fungus
The difficulty in identifying the disease is its main problem. It is precisely because of the lost time that the infection develops and takes root in the patient's body. The infection in the later stages is very difficult to completely eradicate. Infected patients need six months of treatment for the therapy to bring positive results. Sometimes the mycelium gets so deep that it takes a lifetime to heal. It is possible to achieve only temporary improvements, and then the fungus returns again.
It is very difficult to detect mycosis in the early stages. The symptoms are not as pronounced as in the later stages, when the bacteria create mycelium - their own mycelium. Patients do not pay attention to mild itching, confusing it with fatigue after walking. Some people do not react at all to changes in the color of the plate. People mistake wearing and brittle nails for a temporary condition that should go away on its own.
The discovery of at least one symptom is a reason to consult a doctor immediately. However, not everyone knows which doctor treats nail fungus. Usually people go to a therapist, but that's not entirely true. You should make an appointment with a dermatologist or mycologist.
The medical institution will conduct the necessary tests and tell if the person is really infected with the infection. It is impossible to independently determine its presence, just as it is impossible to detect a species. Namely, the specific treatment and recommendations for recovery depend on the type of mycosis.
See a dermatologist
Since fungus is a skin disease, it is logical to seek the help of a dermatologist. He will examine the nail suspected of infection, question the patient about its condition and refer him for tests. After receiving the results of the medical tests, the dermatologist will make a judgment.
If the disease is at an early stage, then this specialist will be able to solve the problem. If mycosis is in an advanced form or is characterized by complex symptoms, the doctor will send the patient to see a mycologist.
It should be remembered that a dermatologist is a doctor with a wider scope. He treats all skin diseases, but has no specific knowledge. They are available from a mycologist who specializes only in the treatment of fungi.
Appointment with a mycologist
A mycologist deals with all forms of fungal infections - from early to advanced stages. This specialist conducts initial examinations, determines which tests will be appropriate and develops a treatment algorithm. If the patient has the opportunity, it is better to go to a mycologist immediately. In this way, they will save their time and get a more competent and clear answer to the question about the type of their disease and the method of treatment.
An appointment with a mycologist usually costs money. Doctors receive patients in special centers, where a general practitioner or dermatologist prescribes a referral. Few clinics have a personal mycologist.
The mycologist will guide the patient from the first examination to recovery. It is not recommended to change doctors during treatment. A new doctor will need time to study the medical history, and this is a waste of time.
After the patient recovers, the mycologist prescribes advice on maintaining health. Preventive measures must be strictly observed. In this case, the fungus will not return.
Diagnostic and treatment algorithm
The treatment of mycosis consists of a series of connected phases. It is important to undergo each of them on time under the supervision of an experienced doctor.
Algorithm of antifungal therapy:
- Contact a dermatologist or go directly to a mycologist.
- First examination and getting a referral for tests.
- Taking tests and receiving their results.
- Repeated examination with the doctor and determination of subsequent treatment.
- Purchase of drugs for therapy.
Then the patient must visit the doctor regularly to monitor the progress of the disease. If the effect is positive, the therapy continues and ends with recovery. If there is a negative reaction to the medication or there is no improvement, additional studies are conducted and a new therapy is prescribed.
Tests to clarify the diagnosis
For effective treatment, it is necessary to accurately diagnose the cause and type of the disease. The nature of therapy will depend on the type of pathogen.
Basic diagnostic tests:
- Microbiological methods.
First, the doctor must determine whether the patient is truly infected. To do this, you need to take the material, that is, a potentially infected nail. The doctor takes a scraping or cuts off part of the plaque. Then the material is placed in a solution, after which a specialist examines it under a microscope. Thus, he sees the presence or absence of harmful bacteria that caused the infection.
- ELISA (enzyme immunosorbent assay).
The doctor takes blood from the patient's vein. The result of the analysis comes quickly. The answer indicates a reaction to mycosis: positive, negative or unspecified. In the latter case, it is necessary to do additional tests or repeat the blood donation in a week.
- PCR study.
As in the first study, PCR requires scraping. As a result, the doctor can accurately tell whether a person is a carrier of the infection or not. Of the minuses, it is worth noting the fact that PCR cannot identify the type of fungus. The doctor only announces his presence or absence.
Fungus in the initial stage is difficult to diagnose the first time. This is what is called an unlabeled reaction. In order to get a final diagnosis, doctors will send the patient for additional tests or ask him to come back in one to two weeks. Then the doctors will consult and tell which doctor the patient should see next if he has nail fungus. It will most likely be a mycologist.
Help from other experts
Often, the help of dermatologists and mycologists is not enough. Sometimes the patient does not have the opportunity to get an appointment with a specialist right away. Then a consultation with a therapist is recommended.
The therapist will perform an initial examination, and based on the results of the examination, will write instructions for the tests. They will also tell you who to go to next - a dermatologist or a mycologist. An appointment with a therapist is relevant for patients who live in small towns or residential areas of megacities. Not every clinic has its own dermatologist or mycologist. In this case, the therapist becomes a specialist who can refer the infected person to the necessary treatment.
If the nail fungus has already developed quite seriously and reached an advanced stage, the patient will have to make an appointment with a surgeon. Sometimes professional intervention is needed. Sometimes there is no way to save the affected nail. It must be removed surgically. The doctor will cut the plate from the nail bed and advise the patient on further actions.
If the patient cannot make an appointment with a specialist immediately, he should visit a therapist. This doctor has all the necessary knowledge to perform the initial examination and make recommendations about the next steps regarding antifungal therapy.
Treatment in the initial phase
Athlete's foot in its early stages can be treated with antifungal gels, patches and varnishes. The latter contain fungicides - substances that prevent the spread of infection. They stop the growth of bacteria and neutralize the mycelium.
Independent selection of drugs is not recommended. Only a doctor, after the examination, can give effective advice and write the necessary prescription.
As an addition to ointments and varnishes, you can use traditional therapy recipes. The following are particularly popular:
- vinegar;
- iodine;
- potassium permanganate;
- table or sea salt.
They are used to make lotions and baths. Iodine and potassium permanganate should not be used too often because they cause dry skin. In order not to damage the skin, you must take breaks.
Recipes based on herbs and vegetables are also in demand. For example, mint, onion, garlic wraps. In addition, it is recommended to lubricate the affected fingers or toes with olive oil or tea tree oil.
Alternative therapy should only be used as a supplement to the main treatment, but in no case should it be replaced.
Treatment in the stage of development and neglect
In advanced forms of the disease, ointments and baths are indispensable. It requires the use of so-called antimycotics. They are prescribed by a doctor. The choice of tablets is based on the type of fungus, the patient's health, his age and other characteristics. Antimycotics are characterized by a large list of contraindications and side effects. It is forbidden to buy without a prescription from a mycologist.
Preventing the risk of infection
To preserve health, it is necessary to take preventive measures. They will prevent the risk of fungal nail infection.
Top tips:
- Use only items for personal hygiene: towels, sports mats, wet wipes.
- Monitor the cleanliness of your socks and change pairs regularly.
- Clean your shoes before and after going outside.
- In case of wet weather or personal excessive sweating of the feet, dry the shoes well.
- Avoid tactile contact with strangers.
- After handling animals, especially homeless animals, wash your hands with soap.
- Always carry disinfectant gel in public places.
- It is preferable to bring personal belongings (if any) to the rental bases.
- Get regular manicures and pedicures and avoid corns, calluses and cracks on your feet.
- Wear only comfortable shoes that do not pinch or rub your feet.
If the yeast infection has already occurred, you must follow all the recommendations of your doctor. By strictly following the therapy, the patient will be able to recover and forget about the unpleasant disease. But you have to be patient - the infection is difficult to eradicate. It will take several months, maybe a year.