Treatment of fungal diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist.Poorly selected antifungal agents can only lead to temporary improvement without curing the disease itself.
Treatment of fungal diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist.In the case of self-medication, poorly selected antifungal agents can only lead to temporary improvement without curing the disease itself.
When choosing a treatment method, it is necessary to take into account the area and shape of the lesion, the degree of prevalence of the fungus, the presence of concomitant diseases and the age of the patient.
Antifungal drugs are divided into two types: for external and internal use.External remedies themselves are effective only in the early stages of the disease, then the treatment must be comprehensive: the fungus must be affected both from the outside and from the inside.
Internal preparations
For successful and safe treatment of fungal diseases with internal antifungal drugs, it is advisable to adhere to certain rules:
- The diagnosis must be confirmed by a doctor.
- During treatment with internal antifungals, it is advisable to limit the intake of other medications, with the exception of vital medications.
- Medicines should be used under the supervision of a doctor for a long time, until the fungus completely disappears.
- Control examinations should initially be carried out once every 2 weeks, then once a month.Control scraping - 6 months after the end of treatment.If a fungus is detected, a second treatment is necessary.
Currently, dermatologists consider pulse therapy to be the most effective and safest method of treatment: taking medications at long intervals.In some cases, a one-week treatment is prescribed, followed by a 3-week break and then a new seven-day treatment.During administration, the drug accumulates in the body and continues to actively fight infection in the following weeks.
The complete treatment usually lasts three months.However, once finished, the drug continues to work for a year, protecting against the reappearance of the fungus.This technique, on the one hand, allows the body to “rest” from taking medications, on the other hand, it does not exclude the possibility of taking other medications, including antibiotics.In addition, the risk of relapse is significantly reduced.
External preparations
When nails are affected, not only internal drugs are used, but also topical drugs - nail polish and peelable (keratolytic) plasters and ointments.
Loceryl and 5% batrafen are used as antifungal varnishes, capable of penetrating the deep layers of the nail and nail bed.The varnishes are applied to the sawn nail (the affected nail surfaces can be removed using a nail file supplied with the varnish), cleaned and degreased (e.g. with alcohol).
Additionally, keratolytic ointments and plasters can be used to remove the affected area of the nail.These products soften the nail, making it easy and painless to remove from the surface of the nail bed.Currently used patches contain urea or salicylic acid as a keratolytic component.Sometimes an antiseptic (quinozole, iodine) or a local antifungal agent, such as ketoconazole, is added to the patch.
A keratolytic patch is applied to the nail surface and covered with a plaster and a bandage.After 2-3 days, the affected areas are cleaned and the patch is reapplied.The procedures are carried out daily until the affected nails are completely removed.The average duration of treatment is 6 months for fingernails and 9 to 12 months for toenails.
Additionally, a special set for the treatment of nails is produced, which includes an ointment having both antifungal and keratolytic effects, a nail scraper and a patch.
For fungal infections of the skin, topical creams are used, for example loceryl.The cream is applied daily to the affected areas.The average duration of treatment is 2 to 3 weeks;when treating feet - up to 6 weeks.
Treatment of contaminated objects (disinfection)
During and after treating a fungal infection, it is very important to disinfect everything the fungus has come into contact with.Floors, walls, equipment in baths, showers, bathrooms, as well as the patient's personal belongings: underwear, shoes, skin and nail care items must be disinfected.
The walls and bottom of the bathtub should be treated with a mixture of equal parts washing powder and bleach or chloramine, diluted to a creamy consistency (the powder should be washed off after 30 minutes).You can also use a 5% solution of chloramine or bleach, or a 3% solution of Lysol.
It is recommended to treat shoes with solutions of formaldehyde (25%) or acetic acid (40%).You should carefully wipe the insoles and side areas of the shoes with a damp cotton swab.Then place the pad in the toe of the shoe and place the shoe itself in a tightly closed plastic bag for 24 hours.After using acetic acid or 25% formaldehyde solution, the shoes are aired or wiped with ammonia to remove the odor.
Underwear, stockings, socks, tights can be disinfected by boiling them for 15 to 20 minutes in a 2% soap solution.Then they must be ironed with a hot iron.
Nail scissors are disinfected by dipping them in alcohol and then burning them over the flame of a burner.
Prevention
To prevent foot fungus infection, it is recommended to follow the following rules:
- Use only your own shoes.
- Do not wear tight shoes, which retain a humid environment and expose skin and nails to friction and microtrauma.
- Take care of your shoes;shoes should be dried well after being worn.
- People who frequently visit saunas, swimming pools, baths, sports and gyms are recommended to use local antifungal agents (ointments, creams, varnishes).
- Avoid porous rugs in the bathroom: they are difficult to wash and therefore provide an excellent refuge for various microorganisms, including fungi.