If you ask at the clinic which doctor will help you treat toenail fungus, then they will most likely refer you to a dermatologist. This looks weird. After all, a dermatologist treats skin diseases, and mycologists treat fungal infections.
But there is no contradiction in that. A dermatologist treats a wide range of skin diseases. Mycologist treats only fungal infections, not just skin. If the disease has not progressed, the dermatologist of the regional clinic will be able to prescribe the appropriate 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 drugs for external use, tablets and sometimes physiotherapy are prescribed. 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 for. As a rule, there is no order for him, and if there are serious reasons for suspicion, you can go to a mycologist immediately.
No matter which doctor treats your nails, paid tests may be needed. But it is better to take an analysis to clarify the diagnosis or make sure there is no fungal infection. In advanced cases, treatment will cost much more.
What does a dermatologist treat?
The word derma translates 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 one and prescribe treatment before the test results.
Which doctor treats nail fungus on 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. Dermatologist for uncomplicated skin diseases.
In severe (and more often - in advanced) cases, the help of experts in fungal infections is needed. Namely, the mycologist understands them. It is possible to consult a mycologist. if you do not want the fungal card to say that the fungus has been found. Or you can't go to a dermatologist.
The first signs of a fungal infection of the feet
Liquid forms occur due to the fact that the disease is not immediately noticed. What should be alarming?
- If the skin between the fingers gets wet and cracks
- Itching or redness of the skin of the feet occurs
- There was swelling of the skin near the nail
- The skin peels
- Cracks on the heels
- The skin of the feet with good care looks rough and untidy.
- Nail color changed, spots or streaks appeared
- There was an unpleasant odor on his feet.
Just spot one of the above offenses to get a better look at your feet. Of course, the reason may be new or uncomfortable shoes. You should change your shoes, abandon synthetic socks. In the evening, wash your feet with laundry soap or baby soap, and then take a bath with sea salt or chamomile decoction. But if after two the appearance of the feet 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 feet and then spreads to the nails. Treating 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 work faster. It is more difficult to cure the fungus when its manifestations become visible on the nails.
Even the smallest particles of skin or nails affected by the fungus become the culprits of re-infection. Finally, other family members can become infected.
But are fungi really that dangerous? What, besides itching and ugly looks, threatens?
The danger is that some fungi can damage not only the skin of the feet or nails. Infection can occur, 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 take risks and not to wait for the infection to spread.
How is the treatment
In all cases, the doctor prescribes not only local treatment, but also tablets. These do not have to be antifungal drugs. Vitamin-mineral complex preparations help to cope with the infection. Blood tests are mandatory, and other tests are performed. Scrape off damaged skin or nails. Usually the treatment is outpatient, but there is a day hospital where all procedures are performed by a nurse. If injections prove necessary, they can be admitted to the hospital.
But modern science can cure the fungus in two or three laser treatments. Treatment is not cheap, but in the most hopeless cases, complete recovery takes two weeks. Of course, the new nail will not grow during this time, and the skin will not recover either. But the disease will be overcome. The interval between laser treatments 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 fungi in the initial stage
- foot baths
- lotions and compresses of herbs and vegetables
- essential oils,
- soda, salt, vinegar, vodka
- natural ground coffee
- alcoholic tinctures of medicinal plants
- plain yellow clay
- tar soap
From fungus on the feet - homemade recipes
2 tablespoons 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. Admission for 10 days at the same time with external treatment.
Tincture of golden mustache. 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 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 and lubricate the inflamed areas with celandine juice.
Herbal infusions. Take 20 grams of lilac flowers, marigold, celandine herbs and oak bark for 2 cups of boiling water. They insist for an hour. Hold 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 sensitive to the sun. During the day after the procedure, go out only in socks! Tar soap dries the skin a little. You should know that.
Coffee grounds. Perfectly disinfects and stimulates skin renewal. Thickening is applied to the surface of all toenails and the skin at their base. This is done after steaming, for example, baths with salt, sea or ordinary. Wipe your feet dry. wrap your legs with a bandage to fix the thickness in place. Rinse after 20 minutes.
Potato decoration. Unlike tar and coffee, fungi do not destroy. But it soothes the skin and relieves inflammation. In addition, after a bath with a decoction of potatoes, the skin regenerates faster.
Mycologist's recommendation
Protection against 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 the bedding, the mat in the bathroom and next to the bed. Disinfect shoes. Fungal spores do not die by normal washing. Therefore, it is better to simply throw away the socks. Those who follow the doctor's advice will get rid of the annoying parasite faster.