If you ask any doctor at the clinic to help treat toenail fungus, they will most likely refer you to a dermatologist. It looks strange. After all, dermatologists treat skin diseases, and mycologists treat fungal infections.
But there is no contradiction in this. Dermatologist treats various skin diseases. A mycologist treats fungal infections, not just skin. If the disease does not progress, a dermatologist from the district clinic can prescribe appropriate treatment and, if necessary, consult a mycologist. The nail, of course, is not exactly leather. But nails are treated by dermatologists. Which doctor is better to see?
In complex or severe cases, complex treatment is required. In addition to medications for external use, pills are also prescribed, 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, a meeting with a mycologist is often paid. As a rule, there are no queues for it, and if there are serious grounds for suspicion, you can immediately consult a mycologist.
Paid tests may be required, regardless of which doctor treats your nails. However, it is better to perform an analysis to clarify the diagnosis or to make sure that there is no fungal infection. In advanced cases, treatment will be more expensive.
What does a dermatologist treat?
The word derma is translated as "skin". This specialist deals with skin problems. Allergies, acne, itching 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 one and prescribe treatment before the test results appear.
Which doctor treats nail fungus on the hands and feet
Usually, in mild cases, fungal infections are treated by ordinary doctors. Fungal diseases of the genitals - urologist or gynecologist. Liver in children - pediatrician. Dermatologist of uncomplicated skin diseases.
In difficult (and more often - advanced) cases, the help of a specialist in fungal infections is needed. Namely, the mycologist understands them. You can consult a mycologist. If you do not want to note that the fungus was found on the ambulatory card. Or you can't go to a dermatologist.
The first signs of a fungal infection of the foot
Escape forms occur because the disease is not immediately noticeable. What to worry about?
- If the skin between the fingers gets wet and cracks
- There is itching or redness on the skin of the foot
- There was swelling of the skin near the nail
- The skin is crusty
- Cracks in the heels
- The skin of the foot looks rough and untidy with good care.
- The color of the nail changed, spots or streaks appeared
- There was an unpleasant odor on my feet.
To take a closer look at your feet, it is enough to mention only one of the above violations. Of course, the reason may be new or uncomfortable shoes. You need to change your shoes and give up synthetic socks. In the evening, wash your feet with clothes or baby soap, then take a bath with sea salt or chamomile decoction. However, if the appearance of the foot does not return to normal after two, you should consult a doctor.
What is the danger of foot and nail fungus
The fungus usually affects the skin of the foot first and then spreads to the nails. Although only the skin is affected, the fungus is easier to treat. Various ointments, infusions and solutions penetrate the skin more easily than the hard surface of the nail. And move faster. It is more difficult to treat a fungus that is noticeable on the nails.
And the smallest particles of skin or nails affected by the fungus become the culprits of the infection again. Finally, other family members can be infected.
But are mushrooms really that dangerous? What threatens it other than itching and ugly appearance?
The danger is that some fungi can only damage the skin of the feet or nails. Infection can occur, for example, in the ear. And in young children and adults - in the inguinal folds. There, the skin becomes softer and more delicate. There are fungi that affect not only the skin but also the mucous membranes. It is better not to take risks and wait for the infection to spread.
How is the treatment?
In all cases, the doctor prescribes not only local treatment, but also tablets. It does not need to be antifungal drugs. Vitamin and mineral complex preparations help to cope with the infection. Blood tests are required and other tests are performed. Peel off damaged skin or nails. Treatment is usually outpatient, but there is a day hospital where all procedures are performed by a nurse. If it turns out that needles are needed, they can be hospitalized.
But modern science can treat the fungus with two or three lasers. Treatment is not cheap, but in the most hopeless cases, a full recovery takes two weeks. Of course, no new nails will appear during this period, and even the skin will not recover. But the disease will overcome. The interval between laser treatment sessions is one to two weeks. Unfortunately, even in regional centers such equipment is not always available.
Home remedy for nail fungus
It is important to understand that home remedies that you can use with your own hands do not include medications. Excellent in the fight against fungi at an early 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 mushrooms on the legs - home-made recipes
2 tablespoons calamus root, pour a glass of boiling water, insist, cover, leave for half an hour to 40 minutes. Drink a quarter cup 4 times a day. Taken simultaneously with external treatment for 10 days.
Golden mustache tincture. The stem of the plant insists on vodka, 10 internodes with leaves for 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 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 areas with celandine juice.
Compressed with an infusion of herbs. Take 20 grams of jasmine flowers, calendula, celandine herbs and oak bark for 2 cups of boiling water. 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 boiling water. There is a foot bath. Science has confirmed the antifungal effect of maple tar and tar soap. There are no contraindications. But after them, the skin is very sensitive to the sun. Only go out in socks the day after the procedure! Tar soap dries the skin a little. You need to know that.
Coffee grounds. Perfectly disinfects & promotes skin renewalThickening is applied to the surface of all toenails and the skin under them. This is done, for example, after steaming with salt, sea or an ordinary bath. Wipe your feet dry. Wrap the legs with a bandage to correct the thickness spot. Rinse after 20 minutes.
Potato decoction. Unlike tar and coffee, it does not destroy mushrooms. But it soothes the skin and eliminates inflammation. In addition, after baths with potato decoction, the skin is refreshed faster.
Mycologist's recommendation
The main thing in treatment is to protect yourself from re-infection. The spores of the infectious agent will not disappear by themselves. It is necessary to disinfect the bedding and carpet in the bathroom and next to the bed. Disinfect shoes. Fungal spores do not die with normal washing. Therefore, it is better to just throw socks. Those who listen to the advice of doctors will get rid of annoying parasites faster.