Treatment of fungal diseases should be carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist.Incorrectly 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, wrongly chosen 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 proliferation 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.The 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 externally and internally.
Internal preparations
For the successful and safe treatment of fungal diseases with internal antifungal drugs, it is advisable to adhere to some rules:
- The diagnosis must be confirmed by a doctor.
- During treatment with internal antifungal drugs, it is advisable to limit the intake of other drugs, except for vital ones.
- Medicines should be used under the supervision of a doctor for a long time, until the fungus completely disappears.
- Checks should be carried out first once every 2 weeks, then once a month.Scraping control - 6 months after the end of treatment.If a fungus is detected, a second course of treatment is necessary.
Currently, dermatologists consider pulse therapy as the most effective and safest method of treatment - taking medication at long intervals.In some cases, a 1-week course of therapy is prescribed, followed by a 3-week break and then a new seven-day course of treatment.During administration, the drug accumulates in the body, and in the following weeks it continues to actively fight the infection.
The full course of therapy usually lasts three months.However, after its completion, the medicine continues to work for a year, protecting against the reappearance of mold.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 drugs, including antibiotics.In addition, the risk of relapse is significantly reduced.
External preparations
When the nails are affected, not only internal medications are used, but also topical medications - nail polishes and plasters and ointments that remove (keratolytic).
Loceryl and 5% batrafen are used as antifungal varnishes, which can penetrate into the deep layers of the nails and the nail bed.Varnishes are applied to the top saw nail (the affected areas of the nail surface can be removed using a nail file included with the varnish), cleaned and degreased (for example, with alcohol).
In addition, keratolytic ointments and plasters can be used to remove the affected area of the nail.These products soften the nail, as a result of which it is easily and painlessly removed from the surface of the nail bed.Currently used patches contain urea or salicylic acid as a keratolytic component.Sometimes an antiseptic (quinozol, iodine) or a local antifungal agent, such as ketoconazole, is added to the patch.
A keratolytic patch is applied to the surface of the nail and covered with an adhesive plaster and bandage.After 2-3 days, the affected areas are cleaned and the patch is re-applied.The procedures are carried out every day until the affected nails are completely removed.The average duration of treatment is 6 months for fingernails and 9-12 months for toenails.
In addition, a special set for nail treatment is produced, which includes an ointment that has antifungal and keratolytic effects, a nail scraper and a patch.
For fungal skin infections, topical creams are used, for example, loceryl.The cream is applied daily to the affected areas.The average duration of treatment is 2-3 weeks;when treating the legs - up to 6 weeks.
Treatment of contaminated items (disinfection)
During and after treating a fungal infection, it is very important to disinfect everything the fungus has come into contact with.Floors, walls, bathroom equipment, showers, baths, as well as the patient's personal belongings: underwear, shoes, skin and nail care items must be disinfected.
The walls and bottom of the bathroom should be treated with a mixture of equal parts of 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.
Treatment of shoes with solutions of formaldehyde (25%) or acetic acid (40%) is recommended.You should thoroughly wipe the insoles and side areas of the shoes with a damp swab.Then place the pad on the top of the shoe and place the shoe itself in an airtight plastic bag for 24 hours.After using acetic acid or a 25% formaldehyde solution, the shoes are aired or wiped with ammonia to eliminate the smell.
Underwear, socks, stockings, tights can be disinfected by boiling them for 15-20 minutes in a 2% soap-soda solution.Then they should be ironed with a hot iron.
Nail clippers are disinfected by soaking them in alcohol and then burning them over a flame.
Preventing
To prevent infection with foot fungus, it is recommended to follow the following rules:
- Use only your own shoes.
- Do not wear tight shoes, which maintain a moist environment and expose the skin and nails to friction and microtrauma.
- Take care of your shoes;shoes should be well dried after wearing.
- People who frequently visit saunas, swimming pools, baths, sports and gyms are recommended to use local antifungal agents (ointments, creams, varnishes).
- Avoid porous carpets in the bathroom - they are difficult to wash and therefore serve as an excellent shelter for a variety of microorganisms, including fungi.