Fighting fungal infections that spread and progress at high speed requires special attention and responsibility. If you want to have healthy and beautiful nails and smooth heels, then be patient, because the treatment can take several months. In the framework of this article, we will consider the most popular method of combating fungal infections of the legs, which is carried out using external treatment of the affected surface with ointment.
Nail and foot fungus
This unpleasant phenomenon creates a lot of discomfort. Affected areas of the skin and exfoliating nails cause pain, and if the disease is not treated, then the spread of the fungus will progress.
A fungal infection of the feet is called mycosis. If it is not treated, then over time the fungus will spread to the nails, this phenomenon is called onychomycosis. The presence of a fungal infection of the feet can be determined by the following signs:
- the skin of the feet became stiff and dry;
- there was an unpleasant smell from the feet;
- itching began to appear periodically;
The fungus on the nails is manifested as follows:
- the nail plate has a heterogeneous color;
- yellow or dark brown spots on the nails;
- the nail plate exfoliates from the flesh;
- there is an unpleasant odor;
- the nails became dry and brittle.
Mycosis of the feet is treated much faster than onychomycosis. This is due to the fact that the renewal of the nail plate takes longer than the renewal and exfoliation of the skin on the feet. Mycosis treatment may take 1-2 months.
Causes of the disease
To understand how you can get infected with mycosis, consider the list of favorable conditions for the development of fungal colonies on the covers of your body.
- fever;
- moisture;
- reduced immunity;
- slow regeneration of the nail;
Most often, the fungus of the nail plate can be seen in older people, and in children this phenomenon is very rare. It's all about the rate of growth of the nail. In children, a growing organism, the fungus simply does not have time to multiply, since the nail grows, and it is trimmed. An important role is played by the release of sweat. Most people sweat in their shoes, especially if they are of poor quality. A humid and warm environment is an ideal place for the development of the fungus.
As soon as the body is slightly weakened, immunity immediately decreases. This is due to nervous overwork, as a result of an illness or seasonal changes. For a fungal infection, this is the best time to spread.
Pathogen identification
To correctly select the ointment from the fungus on the toes, it is necessary to pass an analysis for scraping. The causative agent may be immune to a particular medicine, then all treatment will be ineffective.
The causative agents of infection can be mold, yeast-like fungi or dermatophytes. Mold fungi, developing on the nail plate, cause the appearance of dark yellow or brown spots on the plate. In more advanced situations, the nail may peel and break.
Yeast-like fungi can change the shape of the nail. The plate thickens, changes color to dark green with black spots. The darker the nail plate, the deeper the fungal infection penetrated. Over time, the nail is completely destroyed.
Dermatophytes manifest as white stripes on the nails. During the propagation of the fungus, detachments may form. If the disease is not treated, then over time the nail plate will completely collapse, but even this will not stop the spread of the fungus. The infection will spread throughout the body. If it enters the bloodstream, the fungus can cause damage to internal organs and lymph nodes.
The composition of the ointment from nail fungus
Antifungal drugs according to the active substance are divided into two groups:
- Allylamine. The action of drugs of this group is aimed at the destruction of the cell membrane of fungi. Especially effective treatment is if a viral or bacterial infection is added to the fungal infection. It is simple to determine whether the ointment belongs to this group - the name should end with "-in": naphthyne, exoderil, zalain, etc. Treatment with allylamine preparations lasts 2-3 months.
- Azoles. The substance azole is able to destroy the cell membranes of fungi, killing whole colonies. With prolonged use, the substance is concentrated in the nail plate, which prolongs the effect of treatment. Addiction to the effects of the drug is extremely rare. If the fungus is in an advanced stage, it is necessary to supplement the treatment with oral antifungal drugs. Azon ointments include miconazole, bifonazole, fundisol, etc. Treatment with these drugs lasts an average of 30 days.
The principle and duration of treatment
The duration of treatment depends on the stage of development of the fungal infection and the type of mycosis. Depending on the type of ointment, the frequency of application can be 1, 2 or 3 times a day. Before applying the ointment, the feet should be washed thoroughly with soap and dried.
Treatment of nail fungus should be accompanied by treatment of the feet, perhaps they are also affected by a fungal infection. In the case of the extensive spread of the fungus, it is necessary to supplement the treatment with oral drugs. Tablets or capsules must be taken in courses. Interruptions in admission are mandatory, since most antifungal drugs have a negative effect on liver activity.
If the child undergoes antifungal treatment, then make sure that the baby does not touch the place of treatment with ointment with his hands. If the drug has got on the mucous membranes, then flush the contact area with plenty of clean running water.
Ointment "Clotrimazole"
Topical antifungal agent, inexpensive foot ointment. The active substance is clotrimazole, an imidazole derivative.
Indications: fungal infections of the skin, mucous membranes, nails, yeast, mold, or dermatophytes. It is indicated for use in the event of the following diseases: mycosis of the skin, multi-colored lichen, vaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis, onychomytosis.
Dosing regimen: applied to the affected areas 2-3 times / day for 2-4 weeks. When treating the oral cavity, the course is reduced to 7 days. With intravaginal administration, the dose is 100-500 mg for 1-6 days.
Side effects: in most cases, the drug is well tolerated. Redness or irritation may occur, as well as allergies in the form of urticaria.
Special instructions: ointment is applied only to the skin of the body. You can not use "Clotrimazole" for processing on the surface of the affected mucous membranes. If pronounced side effects occur, discontinue treatment.
"Clotrimazole" is an ointment of domestic production, so the medicine is affordable. If you compare price and quality, then this is the best ointment from a fungus on the legs. The price for a tube of 20 mg of ointment is in the range of 40-180 rubles.
Ointment "Exoderil"
An antifungal agent from the group of allylamines in the form of an ointment. The active ingredient is naphthyne hydrochloride. The detrimental effect for the fungus is the ability of the drug to disrupt the structure of the cell membrane of the fungus.
Indications: fungal infections of the skin, onychomycosis, pityriasis versicolor, candidiasis of the skin, dermatomycosis.
Route of administration: it is applied 1 time / day to the affected areas of the skin, capturing areas of healthy skin around the perimeter of the infection site. The duration of treatment depends on the type of mycosis: with dermatomycosis - 2-4 weeks, with candidiasis - 4 weeks.
Side effects: in some cases, a slight burning sensation may occur, the skin becomes dry to the touch. At the same time, therapy should not be interrupted.
Special instructions: the drug is not intended for application to mucous membranes. Use with caution to treat children. The price for a tube of 15 g is 420-750 rubles.
Ointment "Lamisil"
External ointment for the treatment of fungal infections. The active ingredient is terbinafine hydrochloride.
Indications: fungal infections caused by yeast, mold fungi and dermatophytes. The ointment is effective in the treatment of skin mycoses, pityriasis versicolor, irritations that arose as a result of candida multiplication.
Admission mode: the duration of therapy depends on the particular case. With fungal infection of the skin, the treatment is carried out 1 time / day for a week, with candidiasis - 2 times / day for 20 days, with lichen - 2 times / day, 14 days.
Side effects: rare. Adverse reactions are manifested in the form of redness or swelling of the treatment site. Attacks of nausea and vomiting may occur, and appetite loss is sometimes observed.
Special instructions: the use of Lamisil is contraindicated with drugs metabolizing with the participation of the CYP2D6 enzyme. The cost of Lamisil ointment is 450-650 rubles. per tube.
Ointment "Terbinafine"
Antifungal ointment from the group of allylamines. The action of the ointment is aimed at the destruction of the cell membrane of fungi.
Indications: fungal infections caused by mold, yeast or dermatophytes. The ointment is active against causative agents of pityriasis versicolor, various kinds of candidiasis and skin mycoses. It has a wide range of effects.
Mode of use: treatment of onychomycosis 2 times / day; mycoses of feet, lower legs - 1 time / day; pityriasis versicolor - 2 times / day.
Side effects are extremely rare. The patient may experience nausea, headache, dizziness. In some cases, dark urine, light feces may be excreted. If these symptoms occur, treatment should be discontinued.
Special instructions: if the ointment has got on the mucous membranes, rinse the contact area with plenty of running water. With positive results of therapy, the course of treatment should not be interrupted. The price for a tube of 15 g is 40-80 rubles.
"Terbinafine" is an excellent ointment from toenail fungus. The most inexpensive option at the moment is antifungal agents.
Ointment "Nizoral"
The active substance of the ointment is active against pathogens of various kinds of fungal infections. The action is to destroy the cell membrane of the fungal body. Effective, but not cheap, ointment for foot fungus. The most popular remedy for the prevention of fungal infections on the nails.
Indications: fungal infections caused by yeast, molds and dermatophytes. Ointment is used in the treatment of the following diseases: skin mycoses, onychomycoses, pityriasis versicolor, candidiasis of the skin in the folds of the body.
Reception mode: the dose and duration of treatment depends on the type of mycosis. Pityriasis versicolor - 2 times / day, 2-3 weeks; fungal infection of the feet and hands - 1 time / day, 4-6 weeks; skin mycoses 1 time / day, 3-4 weeks.
Side effects: ointment tolerance is positive in most cases. Sometimes urticaria, swelling, allergic rashes occur.
Special instructions: avoid contact with eyes. If it enters the stomach, it is not dangerous. There is no data on the effect of the drug on pregnant and breastfeeding women. The price of a tube of ointment 15 g - 350-470 rubles.
Finally
Considering the rating of the best ointments for nail fungus, it can be concluded that a good quality product does not have to be expensive. Domestic antifungal ointments are in no way inferior to import options, since they have an almost identical composition. When choosing an ointment for treatment, pay attention to this. Proceed to the treatment of the fungus at the first signs of the manifestation of the disease, this will facilitate and shorten the therapeutic recovery period.