The fungus is not at all a harmless ailment.It not only spoils the appearance of the legs, but also undermines human health, pushes its immune system.Usually two stages of nail fungus are distinguished.At the initial it is easy not to notice it.The first signs of problems are usually:
- small white dots on the nails;
- change in the shape of the nail;
- the appearance of white stripes;
- fragility of the nail;
- Changing the surface, it can become stiff and ribbed.
The skin around the affected nail often blushes and peels.In the advanced stage, the color of the nail plate changes, it becomes rude and thicker, the nail begins to crumble.Gradually, the fungus can spread to neighboring nails.According to statistics, 15% of the population suffers from fungal diseases or is its carrier.Most often, infection with nail fungus occurs where a person is washed, but it is impossible to exclude transmission through household items: slippers, socks, shoes, ”says a dermatologist.- aggravate the course of a fungal disease such diseases as diabetes mellitus, a disease of the vessels of the legs, injuries of the nail plates, immunodeficiency states, HIV.Young people rarely suffer from the fungus on their feet, since metabolic processes in their body flow quickly, but older people are very at risk.
Treatment of nail fungus
The treatment of nail fungus is engaged in a dermatologist.At the initial stage of the disease, there may be enough external treatment, but if the moment is missed and the mushrooms sprouted in the bed of the nail plate, more serious therapy will be required.In this case, the process of treating the nail fungus will take 3-6 months and will be accompanied by the use of special products.Which drug to prescribe, a dermatologist will determine based on the tests.Problems with nails on the legs can cause different types of fungi and approaches to treatment will be different depending on the pathogen.It is determined using the cultural method, or sowing.
Effective medicines and ointments
Advertising convinces us that you can cure nail fungus with varnishes and ointments, but doctors do not guarantee success from such self -medication.Firstly, they can help out at the initial stages, and secondly, provided that you come across the ointment that is effective against your pathogen.To treat the fungus of the nails on the legs in an advanced stage, system drugs will be required.Before using creams and ointments against the fungus, I advise you to carry out hygienic washing.Make a bath for the legs from soda solution: 1 tablespoon per 3 cups of water.The temperature should be comfortable, but not exceed 36 ° C.You need to steam the feet-25-30 minutes.Then thoroughly wipe and dry the skin and nails.Before applying the cream, using the reel patch, make a “frame” around the affected nail.This is necessary in order for the product to fall exactly on a very rough layer of the nail plate, and not on the delicate skin on which irritation will appear, ”explains the dermatologist, a doctor of the highest category.
Folk remedies
Folk remedies can help in the treatment of nail fungus, but provided that your dermatologist approved them.Otherwise, there is a risk of launching the disease and, in the worst case, completely lose your nail.Typically, folk remedies are prescribed together with medical drugs.In my practice, the treatment of nail fungus using propolis was quite successful.The patient was prescribed systemic substances that suppress the vital activity of microscopic fungi and an alcohol 15 percent tincture of propolis for external use.It has a beneficial effect on the immunity and the action of a substance that suppresses the vital activity of microscopic fungi.After three months of treatment, the skin was completely restored, ”says the dermatologist.But a preliminary conversation with a doctor is necessary, since the same tool can help someone, and the other can cause dermatitis.
What to do if the fungus does not pass?
It happens that several months of treatment of the fungus do not give any effect: the disease remains, and healthy nails grow too slowly.Then, first of all, experts will recommend changing drugs to antimicotics of another group and write out medicines that stimulate the growth of the nail plate.If neither external, or systemic therapy, nor change of drugs helps, this is a serious reason for hospitalization.In rare cases, when bacterial infection is observed, an operation to remove the nail plate may be shown.
Nail fungus prevention at home
The prevention of nail fungus on the legs is primarily reduced to personal hygiene.If the legs do not wash for a long time, allow them to sweat, the risk of developing the fungus will increase significantly.Most often, this ailment is picked up in public baths: baths, saunas, showers of fitness centers.Experts advise to reinsure and wear slippers in such places and apply the barrier cream.The penetration of fungi into the skin is facilitated by abrasions, cracks on the feet, and also not thoroughly drying the legs after water procedures, so you need to carefully monitor the condition of the feet.If you have already encountered your nail fungus and overcame it, the risk of relapse remains.A few more rules will help to reduce it:
- Wipe the skin once every two to three weeks with means containing antifungal drugs, salicylic alcohol, or acidified with vinegar or lemon juice;
- disinfect clothes, bedding, they can be boiled or ironed with a hot iron;
- less often wearing synthetic clothes;
- More often change personal hygiene items, for example, washcloths and sponges.