If you ask at the clinic which doctor will help cure toenail fungus, they will likely refer you to a dermatologist. This looks strange. After all, a dermatologist treats skin conditions and mycologists treat fungal infections.
But there is no contradiction in that. A dermatologist treats a wide variety of skin conditions. A mycologist only treats fungal infections, not just the skin. If the disease is not advanced, a dermatologist at the district clinic can prescribe 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 best to contact?
In complex or severely advanced cases, complex treatment is required. In addition to medications for external use, pills and sometimes physical therapy are also prescribed. Of course, in such a situation it is better to contact a mycologist.
So who, what doctor treats nail fungus? Both answers are correct: dermatologist and mycologist. By the way, a consultation with a mycologist is usually paid. As a rule, there is no queue for him, and if there are serious grounds for suspicion, you can immediately go to the mycologist.
Regardless of which doctor treats your nails, paid exams may be required. But it is better to do an analysis to clarify the diagnosis or to make sure that there is no fungal infection. In advanced cases, treatment will cost much more.
What does a dermatologist treat?
The word derma is translated 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 a treatment even before the results of the tests.
Which doctor treats nail fungus on hands and feet
Typically, in mild cases, yeast infections are treated by conventional doctors. Fungal diseases of Organs genitals - urologist or gynecologist. Canker sores in children - pediatrician. Dermatologist for uncomplicated skin diseases.
In difficult cases (and more often - in advanced cases), the help of a yeast infection specialist is needed. That is, the mycologist understands them. It is possible to address to the mycologist. if you do not want it to be recorded on the outpatient card that a fungus was found. Or you can't go to a dermatologist.
The first signs of a fungal foot infection
The racing forms arise due to the fact that the disease was not immediately noticed. What should be alarming?
- If the skin between your fingers gets wet and cracks
- There is itching or redness of the skin of the foot
- There was swelling of the skin near the nail
- the skin is scaly
- Cracks in the heels
- Foot skin looks rough and unkempt with good care.
- Nail color has changed, spots or streaks have appeared
- There was an unpleasant smell from the feet.
Just notice just one of the above violations to get a closer look at your legs. Of course, the reason could be new or uncomfortable shoes. You must change shoes, ditch synthetic socks. In the evening, wash your feet with washing powder or baby soap, then take a bath with sea salt or chamomile decoction. But if after two the appearance of the foot does not normalize, you should consult a doctor.
What is the danger of foot and nail fungus
Typically, the fungus first affects the skin of the foot and then goes 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 act faster. It is more difficult to cure a fungus when its manifestations become visible on the nails.
And the smallest particles of skin or nails affected by the fungus become the culprits of reinfection. Finally, other family members can also become infected.
But is the fungus really that dangerous? What, besides itching and an ugly appearance, does this threaten?
The danger is that some fungi can damage not only the skin of the legs or nails. The infection can reach, for example, 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's best not to risk it and not wait for the infection to spread.
how is the treatment
In all cases, the doctor prescribes not only local treatment, but also pills. It doesn't have to be antifungal drugs. Vitamin and mineral complex preparations help to cope with the infection. Blood tests and other tests are done. Scrape the damaged skin or nails. Treatment is usually outpatient, but there is a day hospital where all procedures are performed by a nurse. If injections are needed, they may 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 desperate cases, full recovery takes two weeks. Of course, a new nail will not grow during this time, nor will the skin heal. But the disease will be overcome. The interval between laser treatment sessions is one to two weeks. Unfortunately, regional centers do not always have this equipment.
Home remedies for nail fungus
It is important to understand that home remedies that you can use on your own do not include medication. Excellent in the fight against fungus in the initial phase
- foot baths
- herbal and vegetable lotions and compresses
- essencial oils,
- soda, salt, vinegar, vodka
- natural ground coffee
- alcoholic tinctures of medicinal plants
- common yellow clay
- tar soap
From the fungus on the legs - homemade recipes
2 tablespoons of 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. Reception 10 days simultaneously with external treatment.
Golden mustache dye. 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 of 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 dry the feet and lubricate the inflamed places with celandine juice.
Herbal infused compresses. Take 20 grams of lilac flowers, calendula, celandine herbs and oak bark to 2 cups of boiling water. They insist an hour. Keep 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 very susceptible to the sun. During the day after the procedure, only wear socks! Tar soap dries the skin a little. You should know this.
Coffee beans. Perfectly disinfects and promotes skin renewal. A thickener is applied to the surface of all toenails and the skin at their base. This is done after steaming, for example, a bath with salt, sea or ordinary. Dry your feet. wrap the legs with a bandage to secure the thickness in place. Wash after 20 minutes.
Potato decoction. Unlike tar and coffee, the fungus does not destroy. But it soothes the skin and relieves inflammation. In addition, after baths with a decoction of potatoes, the skin is refreshed faster.
Mycologist's recommendation
Protecting yourself from reinfection is the mainstay of treatment. The spores of the infectious agent will not disappear on their own. It is necessary to disinfect bedding, a rug in the bathroom and near the bed. Disinfect shoes. The fungus spores do not die with normal washing. Therefore, it is better to throw away your socks. Those who listen to doctors' advice get rid of the irritating parasite faster.