A mycologist is a doctor who treats diseases that develop under the influence of various fungal microorganisms. This specialist usually deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the most severe cases. Most often, the patient does not contact him independently, but in the direction of the therapist or dermatologist.
About the profession
Many are unaware of the role that mycologist plays in medicine. Who is this, only a few can answer. Even general practitioners do not always take into account the advice that mycologists can provide. Usually in severe cases, they refer their patients to dermatologists.
A mycologist is a doctor who treats the most serious diseases of fungal etiology. In addition, he assists in the differential diagnosis of various skin ailments, which, according to the attending doctor, can be caused by fungal microorganisms.
Where does mycologist work?
Mycology is a very narrow specialization. There are very few such doctors even in the largest cities. This is largely due to the fact that physicians and dermatologists are quite able to cope with the vast majority of fungal diseases.
Mycologists work only in specialized medical centers. More often, such institutions have a dermatovenerological profile. Separate mycological clinics practically do not exist due to the fact that their functions are quite capable of performing hospitals that provide assistance for any skin diseases.
In small cities, such a specialist cannot be found at all. The most accessible mycologist in Moscow. In the capital, if you wish, you can easily get an appointment with this doctor even without first consulting a therapist or dermatovenerologist. The following institutions are examples of Moscow clinics where you can get mycologist consultation:
- Spectra Clinic at 16 Gerasima Kurina Street.
- MedCenterService on Belorusskaya on 29 Tverskaya-Yamskaya Street 29.
- "SM clinic" on Yartsevskaya street, 8.
There is a mycologist in Yekaterinburg. The addresses accepted by such specialists will correspond to dermatovenerological clinics. You can sign up for a consultation on your own or in the direction from your doctor. The main organizations where you can get an appointment with a mycologist in Yekaterinburg are:
- "SK-Med" on Rosa Luxemburg street , 67 B / 3.
- Clinic "Alpha Health Center" on the street Maxim Gorky, 17.
- "SMT clinic" on the street Serova, 45.
Mycologist in Yekaterinburg is in great demand. Reviews about the activities of this specialist are often only positive. And each patient in need in any of these clinics will be able to receive specialized assistance in the fight against fungal diseases.
There is also a mycologist in Voronezh. The address of his place of work will also correspond to the location of clinics that specialize in assisting patients with skin pathology. One of the most popular institutions of this profile in Voronezh are the following:
- Polyclinic "Dubrava" on Moscow Avenue, 112.
- Homeopathic Center "Prana" on Karl Marx Street, 66.
- Medical Center "Children's Doctor" on the street Khuslynova, 60B.
Specialty Difficulties
A mycologist is a doctor who treats diseases of fungal etiology. Such a pathology is most often formed in conditions of a reduced level of immunity. As a result, the specialist has to conduct a course of treatment, while trying to restore the protective properties of the body. Often the treatment of fungal diseases is extremely difficult, since more often it is formed against the background of the presence of a particular pathology.
The mycologist has to solve the most serious problems associated with fungal pathology. As a result, he should be well-versed in mycoses, causes and factors conducive to their development, the clinical picture of such a pathology, methods for its diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
Underlying pathology
There are a number of diseases that the therapist and the dermatologist may not cure. The mycologist most often deals with the following cases:
- Severe onychomycosis.
- Fungal infection associated with HIV infection and immunodeficiency of another etiology.
- Fungal infection with concomitant diseases that worsen the blood supply to the area affected by mycosis.
- Any other fungal pathology that could not be cured by therapists and dermatovenerologists.
In this case, the mycologist can treat any diseases of the following classes:
- candidiasis;
- epidermophytosis;
- microsporia;
- trichophytosis.
The treatment of these diseases is the main work of the mycologist.
Very often, this special one has to treat a neglected nail fungus. Mycologist is almost the only doctor who is able to help the patient maintain the nail in this disease.
How is mycologist trained?
Becoming such a specialist is quite difficult. For this, it is necessary to undergo initial retraining at the institution of postgraduate education for doctors. Moreover, experienced dermatovenerologists usually apply for such specialization. The duration of the initial retraining is several months. At the end of the course, you will have to pass exams.
It is worth noting that the kits for initial retraining in the specialty "mycologist" are few. To get into a group of applicants for its receipt is quite difficult.
Medicines used by a specialist
At least once in a lifetime, but almost everyone needs a mycologist. Not many people know who this is and with what medications he carries out therapeutic measures. This doctor most often uses drugs from the following groups in his practice:
- antimycotics;
- antihistamines
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- glucocorticosteroid drugs.
Antimycotic drugs are the main drugs in the fight against fungal diseases. These are specific drugs that lead to a decrease in the rate of reproduction and the destruction of fungal microorganisms. Thanks to them, it is possible to defeat mycoses even in cases when the body’s own immunity does not contribute to this.
Antihistamines are necessary to reduce the severity of edema, as well as the activity of the inflammatory process. The most commonly used drugs from this group are:
- Suprastin.
- Loratadine.
- "Chlorapiramine."
Such drugs are used as an additional tool in the fight against fungal diseases.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed in order to reduce the severity of inflammatory reactions. The main drugs from this group are the following:
- Nimesulide.
- Ketorolac.
- Diclofenac.
Such drugs also have a fairly pronounced analgesic effect.
Glucocorticosteroid drugs are often prescribed in cases where other drugs are powerless. They are able to reduce the swelling and severity of the inflammatory process. The following glucocorticosteroids are most commonly used:
- Prednisone.
- "Methylprednisolone".
- "Dexamethasone".
Such medicines should be used with caution. Their long reception can cause the development of serious complications. It is for this reason that they are prescribed quite rarely and for a short period of time.
Diagnostic process
A mycologist is a doctor who treats diseases of a fungal nature. Before starting the therapeutic process, he must conduct appropriate studies that are able to clarify the etiology of the pathological process.
First of all, the mycologist will examine the affected area. For this, he, like a dermatovenerologist, can use a magnifying glass. Thanks to him, it is possible to consider the nature of the damage much better.
Research methods using a microscope greatly help the work of this specialist. To begin with, the mycologist scrapes the affected tissues of the patient, and then examines them under high magnification. Fungal microorganisms have a specific appearance and are easily detected.
To determine the sensitivity to a particular antimycotic drug, biological material taken with a scraping is sometimes placed on a special nutrient medium. After germination of microorganisms, they are affected by various antifungal drugs. As a result, it is possible to establish which of them fights pathogenic microflora better than others. This helps the doctor prescribe the most effective drug, reducing the duration of the treatment process and avoiding the need to use additional drugs.
Recommendations from the mycologist
Fungal diseases are often difficult to treat. In order not to have to deal with them, it is necessary to carry out certain preventive measures.
First of all, it is necessary to avoid direct contact with the skin of persons who already have fungal diseases. You should also be extremely careful with their personal belongings. If contact nevertheless has occurred, then rinse skin thoroughly with soap and water.
In addition, immunodeficiency conditions must be avoided. With their development, the cause of the decrease in the protective properties of the body should be eliminated as quickly as possible. To do this, you can contact an immunologist.
An important step in the prevention of fungal diseases is the timely treatment of diseases that can lead to a decrease in the level of blood circulation of the skin of a particular area. Such pathology can include atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, diabetes mellitus and others.
It is possible to reduce the likelihood of developing fungal diseases by limiting the impact on the skin of aggressive environmental factors. It is well known that the chance of mycotic lesion increases with prolonged exposure of the patient to direct sunlight. This is especially true for patients with pale skin.
When do you need to apply?
It is better to visit such a doctor in cases where other doctors are powerless in the fight against fungal diseases. If you wish, you can make an appointment with this specialist yourself, but in this case you will have to pay a lot for admission and further examination.
What should I bring with me when I handle it myself?
If the patient decided to visit the mycologist on his own, then it will be useful to take the following documents with you:
- extract from a medical outpatient card ;
- results of general and special analyzes performed no later than a few weeks ago;
- advisory opinions of medical specialists and extracts from hospitals, if any.
This documentation will help the mycologist to quickly navigate with the diagnosis and prescribe the most rational course of treatment.