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 must be carried out under the supervision of a dermatologist.In the case of self-medication, incorrectly 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 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 antifungal drugs, it is advisable to limit the intake of other medications, with the exception of vital ones.
- Medicines should be used under the supervision of a doctor for a long time, until the fungus completely disappears.
- Control examinations must be carried out initially once every 2 weeks, then once a month.Control scraping - 6 months after the end of treatment.If a fungus is detected, a second course of treatment is necessary.
Currently, dermatologists consider pulse therapy to be the most effective and safe 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 continues to actively fight the infection.
The full course of therapy usually lasts three months.However, after its completion, the medicine continues to act 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 drugs, including antibiotics.In addition, the risk of relapse is significantly reduced.
External preparations
When nails are affected, not only internal medications are used, but also topical medications - nail polishes and peel-off (keratolytic) plasters and ointments.
Loceryl and 5% batrafen are used as antifungal varnishes, which can penetrate into the deep layers of the nail and nail bed.The varnishes are applied to the top-sawed nail (the affected surface areas of the nail can be removed using a nail file included with the varnish), cleaned and degreased (for example, with alcohol) nail.
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 (quinozole, 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 performed daily until the affected nails are completely removed.The average treatment duration is 6 months for fingernails and 9-12 months for toenails.
In addition, a special set for the treatment of nails is produced, which includes an ointment that has both 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 feet - up to 6 weeks.
Treatment of contaminated items (disinfection)
During and after treating a fungal infection, it is very important to disinfect everything that 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 should be disinfected.
The walls and bottom of the bath 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.
It is recommended to treat shoes with solutions of formaldehyde (25%) or acetic acid (40%).You should thoroughly wipe the insoles and side areas of the shoes with a moistened swab.Then place the tampon in the toe of the shoe, and place the shoe itself in a hermetically sealed plastic bag for 24 hours.After using acetic acid or a 25% formaldehyde solution, the shoes are ventilated or wiped with ammonia to eliminate the odor.
Underwear, stockings, socks, tights can be disinfected by boiling for 15-20 minutes in a 2% soap-soda solution.Then they should be ironed with a hot iron.
Nail scissors are disinfected by immersing them in alcohol and then burning them over a burner flame.
Prevention
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 retain a damp 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 rugs in the bathroom - they are difficult to wash and therefore serve as an excellent refuge for a variety of microorganisms, including fungi.