Dermatologists and mycologists try not to use formal approaches to the treatment of fungi, which consist in the standard prescription of ointments and tablets and lead to a chronic course of fungal infections and the development of serious complications that reduce the quality of life:
- Fungal eczema.
- Permanent hair loss.
- Destruction of nail plates and nail bed scars.
- Chronic inflammation of the glans penis and vagina, which constantly disturbs men and women and makes sex impossible.
A method for the complete elimination of fungal disease that helps to achieve the following goals:
- Destruction of pathogenic fungi in the focus of skin lesions.
- Protection of healthy skin (nails, mucous membranes) from the spread of mycosis.
- Prevention of recurrence.
- Restoration of the normal structure of the skin, hair and mucous membranes while maintaining their elasticity and beauty.
- Removal from the body of waste products of fungi that cause chronic intoxication and allergies.
- Restore the sensitivity of the skin and mucous membranes of the genitals to normalize sex life.
It seems that all this is logical and as it should be. But in practice very rarely dermatologists adhere to all the rules for the treatment of fungal diseases, often limiting themselves to external therapy. Yes, and many patients just want to "smear something" instead of undergoing full treatment.
What diseases are treated in the clinic:
- Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails of the hands and feet.
- Fungal lesions on the skin of the feet, hands.
- Fungus for smooth skin.
- Fungal diseases of the folds of the inguinal, axillary, sub-mammary glands, intergluteal folds.
- Pityriasis versicolor.
- Scalp fungus, dandruff.
- The fungus that causes seborrheic dermatitis.
- Candidiasis, thrush of the penis and vagina.
- Fungal prostatitis.
- Candidiasis of the oral mucosa and tongue.
- Fungal diseases of the outer ear.
The treatment of the fungus, of course, depends on its type and localization of the process. Let's highlight the general stages of therapy:
- Mandatory analysis of scrapings for the fungus with determination, if possible, of its type, sensitivity to drugs, quantity.
- Blood tests, biochemical and for the state of the immune system.
- Removal of the affected area of the nail plate, laser hair, hardware or surgery.
- Drug therapy: Antifungal drug intravenously or in tablet form. Lasts from 10 days to 4 months (for onychomycosis). Injection of antifungal drugs proved to be the best and allowed to reduce the duration of treatment of fungal disease and reduce the impact on the liver. External treatment with antifungal ointments, creams and solutions in a certain sequence. Preparations that improve the growth of nail plates, hair, restore the covering epithelium of the skin and mucous membranes. Local treatment in the form of baths on the penis and in the vagina, restoration of the normal microflora of the genitals with fungal disease of the genital organs. Immunotherapy and removal of fungal toxins and allergens.
- Physiotherapy: ultraviolet radiation with medical quartz, treatment of the affected areas with infrared or ultrasonic laser.
- And finally - control tests for mushrooms.
The treatment of fungal diseases can seem too long and complicated. That's right, but only for a doctor! The treatment regimens are designed in such a way that the patient does not notice much discomfort during therapy and everything goes quite easily for him.
The treatment of skin fungus usually does not take time and is about 10-20 days. The treatment of hair and nails is longer and lasts several months.
But it is not even a question of the duration of therapy. The treatment of fungal diseases should be performed by a professional, dermatovenereologist, mycologist, who is familiar with all the above methods and actively applies them in practice. Specialists in this field are admitted daily to clinics.
Treatment of fungus on the feet
The treatment of foot fungus has been carried out along with the treatment of other fungal diseases for more than 13 years.
The method of treating fungus on the skin of the feet, developed and used in the clinic, has long proven its effectiveness, despite the well-known difficulties in the treatment of fungal diseases.
What do patients who have completed a full course diagnosed with athlete's foot receive as a result:
- Complete destruction of the pathogenic fungus on the feet, in the interdigital spaces, on the back of the foot, in the thickness of the nail plates.
- Eliminate itching and odor from the feet.
- Healing cracks and inflammatory changes in the skin of the foot.
- Restoration of skin elasticity, elimination of hyperkeratosis - thickening of the skin of the foot, especially in the heel.
- Eliminate excessive sweating - hyperhidrosis of the legs.
- Growth of healthy nails.
That is, if at the initial appointment the dermatovenerologist, mycologist and the patient see a picture of thickened soles, with cracks, exfoliated epithelium between the toes, stagnant redness of the skin of the foot, constantly wet shoes and socks and twisted, darkened nails, then after a full coursefungal therapy of the feet, there is a pleasant feeling of comfort in this part of the body, the skin becomes smooth, the smell disappears, the nails gradually recover.
Steps to treat foot fungus
- The diagnostic stage involves examining the scrapings of the skin and nail plates for the pathogenic fungus to determine the group of the pathogen, which is important for the choice of antifungal drug. A complete picture requires information about changes in the patient's metabolism, which may be the main cause of excessive sweating of the skin of the feet and reduce local resistance to fungal infection. This is where blood tests help us.
- The treatment of mycosis of the feet is carried out in several stages, which depend on the initial clinical picture and the type of fungus. Removal of keratinized thick layers of the skin and the affected areas of the nail plates. This is achieved with the help of special ointments, procedures or hardware and laser removal of pathological areas. The duration of the stage is from 1 to 7 days. When the skin is cleansed, it becomes possible to use external antifungal therapy, which delivers the drug directly to the skin of the foot.
- Antifungals with systemic action, ie antifungal drugs administered by injection or in the form of tablets. Of course, intravenous instillation of such drugs proved to be more effective. In addition, it proved safer for the liver and reduced the duration of treatment, which is 7-14 days for skin lesions and up to 4 months in combination with nail lesions.
- Physiotherapy treatment for foot fungus includes exposure to medical ultraviolet radiation, which has a detrimental effect on foot fungus, and infrared laser therapy, which further improves the blood supply to the affected areas, accelerates skin recovery and nail growth. The duration of the procedure is from 3 to 10 minutes.
- If the diagnosis reveals problems with internal organs, lack of micronutrients and other substances necessary for the delivery of antifungal drugs to the skin, for skin regeneration, to activate the fight against pathogenic fungus, then additional auxiliary drugs are prescribed to correctof these changes: immunomodulators, ozone therapy, vitamins, hepatoprotectors, iron, calcium and vitamin complexes with trace elements.
- Excessive sweating and odor often disappear with this treatment for foot fungus. But sometimes it is necessary to prescribe drugs that block the sweat glands of the skin of the foot, to conduct sessions of laser therapy and cryomassage with liquid nitrogen.
- After treatment it is necessary to check whether the fungus on the feet is destroyed. Re-analyzes of fungal scrapings are performed. But usually the result is close to 100%.
A very important step in the treatment of foot fungus is the appointment of subsequent recurrence prevention, which includes skin care products and treatment of shoes on which fungal spores may remain.
The treatment of foot fungus is very diverse. It is impossible to describe all the therapeutic options in one article. The dermatovenerologists of the clinic, after examination and based on the results of laboratory diagnostics, will be able to determine the most appropriate technique in your particular case of fungus on the skin of the feet and conduct a full treatment.
Nail fungus treatment
The treatment of nail fungus is one of the main areas of clinical work in specialized centers, for the development of which specialists approach in detail each stage of the treatment of onychomycosis.
It has long been known that the treatment of fungal diseases is a serious problem, even more serious than the treatment of bacterial infections. The uncontrolled use of various antifungal ointments, tablets, solutions, varnishes has led to the growth of a huge number of drug-resistant fungi. And the number of these drugs is very limited, unlike antibiotics. Therefore, in order to achieve the maximum effect of the treatment of patients, we had to use a scientific and practical approach in the treatment of toenail and toenail fungus, and not limit ourselves to the official prescription of external therapy for onychomycosis.
What results will you see after a full course:
- Restoration of the color and structure of the nail plate.
- Normalize nail growth and its shape.
- The disappearance of nail fungus confirmed by the laboratory.
- The unpleasant odor and excessive sweating of the feet will disappear.
- The inflammatory process of the skin of the periungual ridges, interdigital spaces and the soles of the feet or palms will disappear. That is, redness, itching, flaking, crying caused by a fungal disease will disappear.
The treatment of fungus on the nails of the hands lasts 2-3 months, on the feet up to 3-4 months. But everything, of course, is individual and depends on the type of pathogenic fungus, the rate of nail growth in a person, the presence of concomitant pathology of internal organs and blood vessels. For example, in diseases of the veins or arteries of the lower extremities, when the supply of drugs and nutrients to the nail is disrupted, the treatment time is much longer and the result is very difficult to achieve.
The control of the cure is performed for fungus on the nails of the hands after 6 months, for mycosis of the toenails after 1 year.
The clinic employs dermatovenereologists who are trained in all methods of nail removal and professionally select the optimal course of therapy for each patient diagnosed with nail fungus on the hands and feet.
How to treat nail fungus in the clinic
Mycosis of the nails is a chronic disease, so the treatment has several stages and is always preceded by a detailed diagnosis, which reveals the type of fungus and the possibility of complex treatment, which, unfortunately, can not be prescribed to everyone.
Steps to treat nail fungus:
- Appointment of a mycologist.
- Diagnosis.
- Direct treatment.
At the initial appointment, the doctor will assess the damage to the nail plates and the surrounding skin, if it is also involved in the pathological process, which often happens. He will examine other areas of the skin, mucous membranes, hair, because there are cases when the patient is referred for suspected fungus and ultimately the diagnosis sounds like onychodystrophy, ie the symptoms are similar to the disease, but without an infectious agent. It is associated with metabolic disorders, hormone levels, chronic skin diseases and injuries of the nail matrix and bed.
Then a plan of diagnostic measures is made, particles of nail plates and blood are taken for examination.
Diagnosis of onychomycosis of the fingers and toes
| No. | Analysis | Purpose | period of execution |
|---|---|---|---|
| one. | Scraping of nail plates and nail bed for mushrooms | Determine the type of fungus to choose the most effective drug | 1-3 days |
| 2. | Sowing for mushrooms | Determining the type of fungus and its sensitivity to antifungal drugs | 7-10 days |
| 3. | PCR diagnosis for Candida | Identification of mycosis caused by yeast-like fungi | 1-2 days |
| 4. | Blood chemistry | Determining the state of liver and kidney function when planning systemic antifungal therapy. It is also possible to detect metabolic disorders that have led to nail changes. | One day |
| 5. | Hospital complex (syphilis, HIV, hepatitis, coagulogram) | If you plan to remove nail plates or the affected part of the nail | One day |
Here is a complete list of basic diagnostic measures, but not everyone is assigned all these tests by a mycologist. In superficial forms, for example, when it is not necessary to remove the plates and prescribe antifungal drugs orally or drip, it is not necessary to perform blood tests.
Crops are also quite rare due to their low sensitivity.
Therefore, those who treat nail fungus or fingernails should always consult a dermatologist or mycologist first and then begin to do research, apply ointments and take pills, and not vice versa.
Proper sampling of material from affected areas to identify fungi is also important. Its detection in a particular patient depends on this by 90%. Not only the hard parts of the nail plate are taken for examination, but also the loose mass of the nail bed, which contains the maximum amount of pathogen.
But even with this approach, the laboratory does not always immediately detect the presence of a fungal infection.
In case of obvious signs of onychomycosis, the analysis is repeated three times with negative results.
So, the diagnosis was made, the fungus was discovered, its type was identified, the condition of the internal organs was examined and therapy was started.
Treatment of nail fungus by a mycologist
Here everything depends on the clinical situation. Superficial forms of mycosis can be cured by using external means such as varnishes, solutions containing drugs that are harmful to fungi, and laser treatment of plates. Total nail lesions require removal of the affected areas and administration of drugs orally or intravenously.
We will consider the stages of treatment of advanced fungus on toenails, because this is the most difficult stage of onychomycosis for drug treatment.
Removal of the nail or part of the nail plate affected by the fungus.
As a result, we will immediately clear the body of a huge accumulation of fungus and make the nail bed accessible for the penetration of healing substances to destroy the remaining microbe. It also reduces the absorption of fungal waste products into the bloodstream, reducing allergic and toxic effects on humans.
There are several methods to remove plaque affected by mycosis. The choice depends on the clinical situation and on which doctor treats the nail fungus in this patient, what technique he has most professionally:
| No. | Methodology | How it is done | Advantages | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| one. | Hardware nail removal | It is used most often. The affected part of the nail plate is cut with a special knife to the nail bed and the posterior nail plate | Security Minimal discomfort The patient does not lose his ability to work |
1000-1500 rubles |
| 2. | Surgical removal | After conduction anesthesia of the finger, the nail plate is removed completely or partially, if necessary. An antibacterial dressing is required. | The most "pure" removal of the affected nail, when the fungus is removed, including from under the nail edges, the nail bed is cleared of fungal layers. It is possible to perform plastic surgery on a curved nail bed. | From 2500 rubles. |
| 3. | Laser nail removal | Anesthesia of the treated finger is also performed. The laser beam burns the area of the nail affected by the fungus by capturing the nail bed | Maximum removal of fungal masses, but without penetration under the rear roller | From 3000 rubles. |
Hardware technique is used more often because it gives a minimum number of complications, does not damage the growth area and the nail bed, is accessible, but requires more frequent cleaning of the nail beds, as it does not provide complete sanitation of the nails. soil from the fungus.
After surgical or laser removal, of course, the amount of fungus remaining is minimal, but the length of the recovery period, possible damage, dressings limit the use of these methods in some patients.
Destruction of fungi by external means.
On the nail bed, cleaned as a result of the removal of the nail plate, apply antifungal solutions daily for several months until the growth of a normal nail and a negative test for fungus. It is also possible to add antifungal varnishes to the growing edge of the nail plate.
The use of systemic antifungal drugs orally and intravenously. This is the main stage of treatment after nail removal.
It is necessary to ensure the delivery of drugs to the nail matrix, where a new nail grows, and to the nail bed with blood flow.
Based on the tests, the doctor will choose a drug that is appropriate for this patient, as well as the method of its application.
The type of fungus, the condition of the liver and kidneys, the comfort of the patient are taken into account.
For the liver, intravenous administration of drugs that enter the blood and nails, bypassing the intestines and liver, respectively, is the safest.
The treatment is carried out up to 3-4 months with lesions on the legs and 2-3 months if the fungus is on the hands.
There are several treatment regimens for nail fungus that include both daily medications and periodic courses.
At least once a month, a blood test is done for liver and kidney tests. If it deviates from the norm, treatment is stopped.
- Physiotherapy in the treatment of nail fungus - helps to destroy the infection and to improve the supply of drugs, accelerate the growth of nail plate. UV radiation on the nail bed has a detrimental effect on the fungus. 10-15 sessions for 3-5 minutes. Infrared laser - improves blood flow to the growth zone and the nail bed, which provides enhanced drug delivery to the affected area and accelerates the growth of a new plate impregnated with antifungal. Electrophoresis of antifungal drugs is the creation of the maximum possible concentration of drugs directly in the focus of the pathological process.
- Regular hardware cleaning of the nail bed from layers of hyperkeratosis and fungal residues. For patients with fungal nail diseases, it is important to imagine the whole treatment process and understand that this is a very long-term event, the success of which depends largely not only on which doctor treats nail fungus, but also on themselves. It is important to take medication and antifungal solutions regularly, to treat shoes regularly, to adhere to the schedule of physiotherapy procedures and to clean the nail bed.
Which doctor treats nail fungus?
Nail fungus is a serious problem. Anyone who has experienced mycosis of the nail plates knows this. It is treated for a long time, not always with a good effect, and the use of various ointments, creams, solutions in almost 95% of cases does not bring any results.
But in fact, not everything is so sad if you know which specialist to turn to for nail fungus. And then success is guaranteed even when it comes to onychomycosis.
A doctor who treats nail fungus is a mycologist or dermatologist who has experience in treating such patients.
Why experience is important, not just theoretical knowledge. The fact is that the treatment of fungal infections that affect the nail plates lasts more than a month. The result is not immediately visible, it can be very difficult to assess effectiveness. It is also not easy to choose the whole range of procedures and drugs for a particular patient, which differ in each clinical situation.
There is a lot of information on the Internet about antifungal drugs, various laser, physiotherapy methods, nail removal. Patients who self-medicate start buying one drug after another and, after failing, despair and stop all attempts to get rid of the fungus. The same happens when treatment is prescribed by a doctor who has no experience in monitoring such patients.
The clinic is visited by a doctor who treats fungus on the feet and hands every day, and has a fully equipped mycology room, which performs all stages of diagnosis and treatment of onychomycosis.
Which doctor effectively treats nail fungus
- This must be a dermatologist or mycologist.
- He has experience in the research and treatment of nail fungal infections.
- He knows how to remove the affected nail plates, clean the nail bed.
- Knows the stages of systemic therapy of onychomycosis, introduction to the course of physiotherapy methods.
- It can change the tactics of treatment in time or add a procedure, a drug with little effect from the previously prescribed therapy.
- It is possible to use all modern methods and the necessary equipment in the clinic for the treatment of nail fungus.
The treatment of such mycoses is a planned, not an urgent procedure. Therefore, after the examination, the doctor who treats nail fungus explains to the patient all the possibilities for possible therapy, but the choice always depends on the person.
The course, regardless of the choice of technique, is very long and each patient must understand at the outset the effectiveness of each method:
Treatment of nail fungus with external methods (solutions, varnishes, ointments) - the effectiveness is less than 10%, ie it helps only in the initial, superficial forms.
Using an integrated approach, but without removing the affected areas of the nail, is up to 60% effective.
Complex treatment with removal of the affected part of the nail plate and physiotherapy - efficiency up to 90-95%.
Usually at the initial appointment, the doctor who treats nail fungus tells the patient: If patients are ready to undergo a 3-4 month course of complex therapy for onychomycosis, then success can be achieved. If not, then it is better not to even start. Money will be spent, time and the result will be questionable. This is a disease that requires a long and meticulous approach to treatment by both the doctor and the patient, in which even the small details are important.