Treatment of fungal diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist.The wrong choice of antifungal medication can only temporarily improve the condition, but cannot cure the disease itself.
Treatment of fungal diseases must be carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist.In the case of self-medication, the wrong choice of antifungal medication can only lead to temporary improvement, but not a cure for the disease itself.
When choosing a treatment method, the size and shape of the lesion, the prevalence of the fungus, the presence of concomitant diseases, and the age of the patient need to be considered.
Antifungal drugs are divided into two types: external and internal.External treatments themselves are effective only in the early stages of the disease, so treatment must be comprehensive: the fungus must be affected both externally and internally.
internal preparation
In order to successfully and safely treat fungal diseases with internal antifungal drugs, it is recommended to adhere to certain rules:
- The diagnosis must be confirmed by a doctor.
- During treatment with internal antifungal drugs, it is recommended to limit the intake of other drugs, with the exception of important drugs.
- The drug should be used long-term under the supervision of a doctor until the fungus is completely gone.
- Control checks must be carried out initially every two weeks and then monthly.Controlling Gua Sha – 6 months after treatment.If fungus is detected, a second course of treatment will be required.
Currently, dermatologists consider pulse therapy — pills taken spaced over a long period of time — to be the most effective and safest form of treatment.In some cases, doctors will prescribe a 1-week course, followed by a 3-week break, and then a new 7-day course.While administered, the drug builds up in the body and continues to actively fight the infection over the next few weeks.
The entire course of treatment usually lasts three months.However, once completed, the drug will continue to work for a year, preventing the fungus from returning.On the one hand, this technology allows the body to "rest" from taking drugs, and on the other hand, it does not rule out the possibility of taking other drugs, including antibiotics.In addition, the risk of recurrence is significantly reduced.
topical preparations
When nails are affected, it is necessary to use not only internal medicines, but also external ones - nail polish, exfoliating (keratolysis) plasters and ointments.
Loceryl and 5% batrafen act as an antifungal varnish that penetrates deep into the nail and nail bed.Apply varnish to the top-sawn nail (you can use the nail file that comes with the varnish to remove the affected surface area of the nail), clean and degrease (for example, with alcohol) the nail.
Additionally, exfoliating ointments and plasters can be used to exfoliate the affected areas of the nails.These products soften the nail so it can be easily and painlessly removed from the surface of the nail bed.Currently used patches contain urea or salicylic acid as keratolytic ingredients.Sometimes, antiseptics (quinazole, iodine) or topical antifungal agents, such as ketoconazole, are added to the patch.
Apply the cuticle patch to the nail surface and cover it with adhesive tape and a bandage.After 2-3 days, clean the affected area and reapply the patch.The procedure is performed once a day until the affected nail is completely removed.The average treatment time for fingernails is 6 months and the average treatment time for toenails is 9-12 months.
In addition, a special set for the treatment of nails is produced, which includes an ointment with antifungal and keratolytic action, nail scrapers and patches.
For fungal skin infections, a topical cream such as Loceryl may be used.Apply the cream to the affected area daily.The average treatment time is 2-3 weeks; when treating feet - up to 6 weeks.
Treatment of contaminated items (disinfection)
During and after treating a fungal infection, it is important to disinfect everything that the fungus has come into contact with.Floors, walls, tubs, showers, bathroom equipment, and the patient's personal belongings: underwear, shoes, skin and nail care products should be disinfected.
The walls and bottom of the tub should be treated with a mixture of equal parts laundry detergent and bleach or chloramine, diluted to a creamy consistency (the powder will wash off after 30 minutes).You can also use a 5% chloramine or bleach solution, or a 3% Lysol solution.
It is recommended to treat shoes with formaldehyde (25%) or acetic acid (40%) solutions.You should thoroughly wipe the insole and side areas of the shoe with a damp cotton swab.Then place the tampon into the toe box and place the shoe itself in a sealed plastic bag for 24 hours.After using acetic acid or 25% formaldehyde solution, ventilate the shoes or wipe them with ammonia to eliminate the odor.
Underwear, stockings, socks, and tights can be disinfected by boiling 2% soap and soda solution for 15-20 minutes.Then iron them with a hot iron.
Nail clippers can be sterilized by soaking them in alcohol and burning them over a burner flame.
prevention
To prevent fungal infections of the feet, it is recommended to follow the following rules:
- Use only your own shoes.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting shoes, which retain a moist environment and expose skin and nails to friction and micro-trauma.
- Take good care of your shoes; they should be fully dry after wearing them.
- People who frequent saunas, swimming pools, baths, sports and gyms are recommended to use local antifungals (ointments, creams, varnishes).
- Avoid using porous carpets in the bathroom - they are difficult to clean and therefore an excellent haven for a variety of microorganisms, including fungi.