The development of any fungal disease, as a rule, is provoked by pathogenic fungi. The most common foci of localization of these microorganisms are skin and nails. As for the second, a healthy nail plate gives the fungus little chance of survival. However, her injuries, as well as a sharp decrease in immunity, a change in the pH of nails (usually with age) create favorable soil for the development of infection. Also quite serious risk factors are the presence in a person of such problems as impaired metabolism, diabetes, obesity, diseases of the thyroid gland, gastrointestinal tract and adrenal glands, circulatory disorders.
Fungus is a very viable infection. Treatment can continue for a sufficiently long period of time. However, the modern pharmaceutical market can offer a variety of drugs for toenail fungus, the list of which is wide and varied.
Toenail fungus: alarming symptoms
Specialists distinguish 3 stages of the development of infection that affects the nails. At the earliest, no pronounced symptoms are observed.
If you look closely, then on the nails you can see subtle spots and stripes. At this stage, onychomycosis can only be diagnosed in a laboratory setting.
In the second stage, the nail loses its natural luster, its natural color changes to white, gray, brown, black, green or yellow. The upper and lateral parts of the nail plate undergo deformation. If during this period you do not see a doctor who will prescribe any drugs for toenail fungus (a list of the most popular ones will be discussed later), the third stage of onychomycosis will occur, in which the nail stratifies, breaks, and generally there is a risk of its loss.
The second and third stages of the disease may well be diagnosed independently, since there is a discoloration, a loose and thickened nail plate, its lagging from the nail bed, its (plate) fragility and brittleness.
Associated symptoms
From fungal infections of the nails, not only the nails themselves, but also the nearby areas of the skin suffer. Although it would be more correct to say that the fungus first attacks the epidermis, and only then spreads to the nail plates. Dry and flaky oval spots, foci of thickened keratinized skin or weeping sore spots appear on the skin around the nails. The type and variant of skin damage depends and is determined by the type of parasitic fungus. In the vast majority of cases, damage to the epidermis is accompanied by itching and a burning sensation.
All the symptoms described above are a reason for seeking medical advice and starting treatment with appropriate medications. The most popular of these can be called “Ketoconazole”, “Miconazole”, “Bifonazole”, “Naftifin”, “Clotrimazole”, “Terbinafine”.
Instructions for use of each of them contain complete information about the drug, the field and methods of its use.
Ketoconazole
This antifungal drug is prescribed for use in mycoses of the superficial and systemic types. The medication is effective in the treatment of dermatomycosis (fungal skin lesions) and onychomycosis (damage by nail parasites) provoked by blastomycetes (microorganisms belonging to the class of imperfect fungi). Also, "Ketoconazole" (ointment, tablets and shampoo) is prescribed for the treatment of mycoses of the scalp, vaginal mycoses, blastimacetoses (from the pathogen name) of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary organs. A medication is prescribed for many other fungal infections of the internal organs.
Ketoconazole ointment (price - 150-500 rubles, depending on the manufacturer and the exact composition) has a fairly standard method of use. The product is applied in a thin layer to the diseased nail, the affected areas of the skin around it and at least 2 cm of healthy skin. Previously, the problem area should be washed with soap and dried.
Recommended application mode - 1 time per day. However, if the fungal disease is severe enough, or the lesion is in contact with clothing or shoes, you can perform the procedure twice. It is best to apply the cream in the evening. Since the product should be well absorbed, it is best not to wear clothes or shoes immediately after the procedure. The course of therapy can last from 2 to 6 weeks. Treatment with Ketoconazole (ointment) should be continued for several more days after the symptoms disappear.
An overdose of the drug is extremely unlikely. Of the side effects when using the ointment, itching and burning, contact dermatitis, local edema, and erythema are possible. In most cases, the development of such negative manifestations is the result of individual hypersensitivity to the components of the drug. After the drug is canceled, the negative manifestations quickly disappear by themselves.
When applied externally, “Ketoconazole”, the price of which is quite affordable, is not absorbed, does not enter the bloodstream and, therefore, does not have any systemic effect. Therefore, the use of this particular form of release (ointment or cream) is allowed at any stage of pregnancy and throughout the entire period of lactation. The main thing is to ensure that while feeding the baby the ointment does not get into his mouth.
Miconazole
The main active components of the drug "Miconazole" (ointment, tablets) have an overwhelming effect on a group of parasitic fungi called dermatomycetes and provoking a number of skin diseases in humans. The medication is also characterized by a bactericidal effect in relation to some gram-positive bacteria.
The scope of this medication is very similar to Ketoconazole. In addition to systemic and superficial mycoses, dermatomycoses, blastomycetosis, fungal balanitis, "Miconazole" is often prescribed for preventive purposes to prevent fungal diseases in cases where there is a decrease in the immunological resistance of the body (lowering the threshold of resistance to pathogenic agents).
"Miconazole" reviews of doctors and consumers characterize as an effective tool both for fungal skin lesions and for the treatment of onychomycosis. In case of fungal diseases of the nails, it is recommended to remove the affected part of the nail before applying the ointment, and then apply the ointment to the infection site and apply a special occlusive dressing. Procedures should be carried out 1-2 times a day until a healthy nail plate grows. The average duration of treatment is about 3 months.
As a rule, Miconazole (ointment) is well tolerated by patients. In rare cases, you can hear about a slight tingling at the place of application of the composition, about burning and redness. It is not recommended to apply the medication along with other creams and ointments.
There are analogues in the antifungal drug Miconazole. Patient reviews recommend drugs such as Ginezol 7, Gino-Dactanol, Dactarin, Mycoson.
"Naftifin"
The drug "Nafticin" exhibits fungicidal activity against dermatophyte-class parasitic fungi and fungistatic activity against yeast-like fungi of the species Candida.
Naftifin, the price of which ranges from 400 rubles per tube to 15 g, is effective in a number of fungal diseases. It is prescribed for lesions of the skin and skin folds, with epidermophytosis and trichophytosis, with interdigital mycoses. Specialists practice the appointment of this drug for onychomycosis and pityriasis versicolor, with damage to the external auditory canal and mixed fungal diseases characterized by bacterial infections. Naftifin (cream) is also recommended for mycoses developing in areas of hair growth.
In the treatment of fungal diseases of the nails, the destroyed parts of the nail plate are first removed, and then the cream is applied. The procedures are carried out 1-2 times during the day. The course of therapy can last up to 6 months. In order to avoid relapse, it is recommended to apply the cream for another 2 weeks after all symptoms of the disease have disappeared.
Naftifin, the price of which is by no means the most affordable, is usually well tolerated by patients. In rare cases, you can hear about the appearance of a local allergic reaction in the form of hyperemia, itching and burning.
"Terbinafine"
This antifungal agent belongs to the class of allylamines. As patients say, “from the fungus” “Terbinafine” is prescribed for dermatophyte and some dimorphic fungi. In relation to yeast parasitic fungi, it is characterized by fungicidal or fungistatic activity, depending on the type of the damaging microorganism.
An antifungal agent is effective in a number of diseases. It is prescribed for skin and scalp lesions provoked by dermatophytes. The tool is effective for foot mycosis, inguinal epidermophytosis. It is prescribed for lesions caused by fungi of the genus Candida, with onychomycosis and multi-colored lichen.
"Terbinafine" instructions for use recommends applying to previously cleaned, washed and dried foci of infection. Procedures are carried out 1-2 times during the day. The product is applied to the affected area and captures small areas of healthy skin. After you can cover the place of application of the cream with a gauze bandage.
The medication is characterized by high efficiency. After the first procedures, you can visually notice a decrease in the severity of the clinical manifestations of the disease. However, if within 1-2 weeks of using the drug there are no signs of improvement, it is necessary to verify the previously established diagnosis.
Typically, Terbinafine is well tolerated by patients, but sometimes consumers talk about slight redness, itching and burning at the place of application of the cream.
Clotrimazole
The antifungal drug "Clotrimazole" is effective in a number of fungal skin lesions provoked by dermatophytes, molds and yeasts that are sensitive to the effects of clotrimazole. The positive results in the fight against pathogens of multicolored lichen and erythrasma are also stated in the instruction “Clotrimazole”.
The price of a medicine varies depending on the volume of containers and the region. In Moscow, a jar of dark glass or an aluminum tube with 20 g of the drug can be bought for 50 rubles. However, at certain points of the pharmacy chain, the same amount of Clotrimazole can be offered to consumers for 120-140 rubles.
Method of application - as with all similar means. An ointment is applied to the previously cleaned surface and gently rubbed. The procedures are repeated 1-3 times during the day. The course of therapy, depending on the severity of the disease, can be from 2 to 4 weeks.
As side effects, patients talk about anaphylactic / anaphylactoid reactions from the immune system. Itching, redness, rash, and so on, up to contact dermatitis, can appear on the skin. With the development of all these reactions, the use of Clotrimazole should be discarded.
"Bifonazole"
Another effective antifungal drug that exists in many dosage forms is Bifonazole. The price of the drug is quite affordable (about 50 rubles), and meanwhile the drug has a wide range of effects. It is prescribed for fungal infections with epidermophytons, trichophytons, microsporum, pityriasis versicolor and erythrasma, mold and yeast-like pathogens.
Dermatologists prescribe this medication for diseases such as dermatophytosis, rubrophytia, microsporia, trichophytosis. "Bifonazole" is effective for foot and bone mycosis, candidiasis of nails, nail ridges, genitals, and inguinal epidermophytosis.
Frequency of use - 1 time per day, best before bedtime. It is advisable to close the affected nail and the skin area around it with a band-aid for a day. The dressing changes daily. After removing it, the foot is lowered into warm water for 10-15 minutes, the damaged part is removed with a special scraper and a new bandage is applied.
The medicine “Bifonazole” (price, scope and mode of use are described in the instructions) has certain side effects in the form of burning, itching, rash and peeling on the skin. However, in the vast majority of cases, the drug is well tolerated by patients.
Folk remedies
Existing preparations for toenail fungus , the list of which can be continued and continued, are often replaced by folk remedies for combating fungus. Someone says that he got rid of the problem with a soda solution (1 tbsp.spoon of soda per 3 liters of water), in which he needs to soar his sore leg, then wipe it dry and lubricate with celandine oil.
Someone was helped by applications from Kombucha, pieces of which are superimposed on the affected nail, covered with cellophane and secured with a bandage. The procedure is done at night, in the morning the bandage is removed, the exfoliated sections of the nail are cut off and the feet are washed with a solution of potassium permanganate. In general, there are a lot of recipes in social networks and literature.
What should I think about?
Self-treatment of fungal infections of the nails, of course, will give some kind of result. However, there are a great many parasitic fungi, and only a doctor after laboratory tests can determine which of them “undertook an intervention” in each specific case. And since there is a medicine for fighting any group of parasitic fungi, the preparations for toenail fungus, the list of which is quite extensive, will be more effective than any herbs and soda solutions.