Comprehensive treatment regimen for nail fungus

Ringworm is a disease that begins almost imperceptibly for the patient, but ends in an equally regrettable way.It develops under the influence of a fungal infection.It penetrates deeply and literally feeds on the nail plate.The disease does not go away on its own.It will take a long time to treat it.It is important to choose a treatment regimen that is relevant in this case.This is usually a complex therapy, involving the use of several agents that mutually enhance each other's effects.

Symptoms of the disease

Many people think that it is almost impossible not to notice the appearance of fungi.In fact, it hardly makes itself felt in the first month.However, the disease progresses quickly and steadily.First, the person notices small spots on the nails.They begin to grow gradually.Stripes appear, the nail loses its natural shine and acquires a yellowish tint.

In the future, the disease is really difficult to miss, as it is manifested by the following symptoms:

• The nail turns yellow or black;
• Unpleasant odor;
• The appearance of thickenings or thin areas;
• The plate literally collapses and moves away from the nail bed.

The risk of the manifestation of mycosis being similar to the symptoms of other diseases must be taken into account.Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of the risk of confusing the disease with another disease.In this case, the treatment will be completely useless and may even cause harm.To prevent such a situation, it is necessary to contact a specialist for diagnosis.

Basic treatment regimens

There are three main types of therapy possible.Selection of a treatment regimen is based on the following factors:

1. Location of the disease;
2. Ringworm stage;
3. Patient age;
4. If treatment is prescribed for pregnant women, it will have many nuances.

Therapy must be adapted based on the characteristics of each individual case.

Local therapy

It can only be prescribed at an early stage of the disease.It consists of taking topical medications with local action.These may include the following medications:

• Therapeutic varnishes;
• Solutions;
• Ointments and creams;
• Various serums.

Topical therapy may include using keratolytic patches to remove the nail plate.They are more preferable to other products, as the dense texture of the composition allows them to be applied only to the nail, avoiding the adjacent skin.If this condition is not met, burns will appear on the skin.

How is therapy carried out?Various medicinal medications should be applied regularly to the affected areas.It is advisable to lubricate healthy nails a few times a week so that the infection does not spread to them.These procedures must be combined with shoe disinfection.

The procedure is necessary because fungal microorganisms remain on shoes and personal belongings.If they are not destroyed, they will return to healthy areas.

To disinfect shoes, there are special products on sale that do not leave stains or odors.You can also use UV coatings.To destroy a fungal infection, simply place them in your shoes overnight.

Socks, bedding, and personal items can be boiled.When washing automatically, you can simply set the washing machine to antibacterial mode.It assumes a temperature of 90 degrees, in which bacteria and fungal microorganisms cannot survive.

Local treatment has the following advantages:

1. Cheap cost of medicines;
2. Ease of use;
3. Most products can be used during pregnancy as they do not penetrate the circulatory system;
4. Recommended for children;
5. Minimum number of contraindications and side effects.

Local medicines soften the skin, quickly restore the previous appearance of the nail and relieve discomfort.

Healing varnishes

There are special varnishes for mycoses.They are often prescribed by doctors and are popular with patients.Among the advantages of its use are:

• Transparent color and therefore the medicine will not be visible;
• Almost immediately after application, you can put on a sock and therefore this therapy will not distract the person from everyday activities;
• The varnish creates a dense film on the surface of the plate, which protects against the appearance of bacterial complications;
• Fast effect;
• Effective restoration of the normal appearance of the plaque;
• Unlike most other medications, you only need to apply the product a few times a week.Therefore, the therapy will be as simple as possible in terms of time;
• Possibility of use as a prophylactic agent after the person gets rid of the disease;
• After just a few uses you can see the effect.

However, when using varnish there is a very significant disadvantage - the considerable cost of funds.Considering the duration of therapy, this is a considerable amount.

Systemic therapy

This type of treatment exclusively involves the use of tablets.Local funds are not used.Systemic therapy is prescribed in the following cases:

• Advanced stage of the disease;
• The injury involved more than 2 fingers;
• The use of local solutions did not produce tangible results;
• The infectious process affected the germinative area of the plaque;
• The fungus began to spread through the skin.

The basis of this therapy are animycotics.They can only be used if prescribed by a doctor, as medications have not only advantages in the form of a powerful effect, but also disadvantages.The disadvantages include many contraindications, as well as possible side effects.

The course of therapy takes a long time.The treatment can be considered complete when a completely healthy nail grows back.If ringworm affects the hands, it will take 4 to six months.Toenails grow slowly and therefore the course can last a year.

Systemic medications can be used according to the following regimens:

1. Classic.You need to take the pills every day during the course;
2. Short.Medication use ends before a healthy nail grows;
3. Intermittent.You need to take several courses.Between them follow intervals, the duration of which is the time of the course;
4. Pulse therapy.In this case, taking the pills will also be combined with taking a break from them.However, the rest time will exceed the duration of the course.

Selection of the optimal treatment regimen is carried out by a dermatologist or doctor specializing in fungal infections.

Why has pulse therapy become so popular?

More and more often, doctors prescribe pulse therapy.Its popularity is due to the following advantages:

1. Minimal side effects;
2. Minimum harm to the patient;
3. Possibility of taking increased doses of medication for a short period of time;
4. Possibility of safe use in case of weakened immunity, typical of mycosis.

Pulse therapy may consist of taking pills for a week at three-week intervals.You need to take several similar courses.Another possible treatment regimen for nail fungus is to take the medication once a week.

Complex therapy

This is the most popular and effective treatment method.Combines the advantages of systemic and local therapy.The infection is destroyed both from the inside and from the outside.It is worth noting that the fungus penetrates the bloodstream.It also develops on the surface of the nail.Comprehensive treatment of nail fungus will help to completely eliminate it.The set of impacts may include:

• The use of tablets (can be used using the pulse therapy method);
• Use of local remedies.These can be varnishes, solutions, creams.

Sometimes pills and topical medications are different forms of the same medication.In other cases, different medications are prescribed, but they effectively complement each other.

Complex therapy can also include several procedures.For example, this:

• Laser therapy.It is an effective substitute for local remedies.For complete healing, you need to complete a course of 6 to 10 sessions;
• Hardware cleaning.Includes therapeutic pedicure.This procedure will not cure the fungus, but it will eliminate the damage caused by ringworm.

Traditional recipes may be present as part of complex therapy.For example, it could be hot baths with sea salt.

Preventive measures

Prevention is important not only for people who have not been infected by the fungus and do not want to allow it to happen.It is important for people who have recently recovered from ringworm, as they are at risk of relapse.Preventive measures may be as follows:

• Prohibition of using other people's slippers;
• Fighting sweaty feet;
• Periodic nail treatment with preventive agents;
• Disinfection of house floors;
• Compliance with personal hygiene measures;
• Cares for your feet and hands, preventing the appearance of cracks.

Let's summarize.Ringworm is a common disease, and therefore many treatment methods have been invented.They involve the use of several medications and different usage schedules.Complex therapy remains the most effective measure.However, if the patient, for some reason, cannot use such a treatment regimen, there are many others.For example, during pregnancy, local remedies are used.