Mycosis (damage to the human body by a fungus) is a fairly common phenomenon. About every fourth inhabitant of the planet at least once was exposed to this infection. But there is nothing surprising here. The fact is that the causative agent of the disease is resistant to environmental conditions and is easily transmitted from a sick person to a healthy one.
Fungal infection can affect almost all body systems, causing a lot of trouble and causing a number of symptoms. If measures are not taken in time, serious complications can develop.
Therefore, it is so important to deal with the prevention of fungal infections, and in case of infection, in time to begin the necessary medication. At the first stages, the disease is successfully treated with external drugs. Most often, an antifungal spray is used for these purposes. This will be discussed below.
Concept of the disease
The fungus by its nature refers to opportunistic microorganisms, which, subject to certain conditions, can cause a serious illness in the human body. Factors that provoke this include:
- decreased immunity;
- the presence of chronic diseases;
- malnutrition, poor diet;
- lack of vitamins and minerals;
- prolonged exposure to stress;
- severe hypothermia and much more.
Types of Fungi
It is worth saying that in total there are about fifty thousand species of fungi, two hundred of which can cause damage to human health. Symptoms, localization of the disease, the severity of its course, possible complications, as well as treatment tactics depend on the type. Therefore, it is very important to know which pathogen caused the disease.
In medicine, several types of potentially dangerous fungi are isolated.
- Actinomycetes. They affect the stratum corneum of the skin, so the formation of a burgundy rash is characteristic of the symptoms. In this case, antifungal sprays for the body will be most relevant, since the lesions can be quite extensive.
- When a person is affected by a fungus of the genus Arthodermataceae , a disease called dermatophytosis develops. In this case, not only the patient’s skin, but also the hair with nails are under attack.
- With the development of a disease such as trichophytosis (ringworm), the cause becomes infection with the fungus trichophytone. The patient has red, itchy, roundish spots. But especially often, the disease affects the hairline. First, dandruff appears, and in the absence of timely treatment, hair loss on the front of the head is possible.
- However, more often than others, the causative agent of fungal infection is a microorganism of the genus Candida. It refers to representatives of the natural intestinal microflora. With the normal functioning of the immune system, the fungus peacefully exists in the human body. But under the influence of certain factors, its active reproduction begins, as a result of which candidiasis develops. Mucous membranes and skin can be affected.
Transmission routes
The fungus is transmitted in the following ways:
- Contact household. In close contact with the patient, a healthy person can easily become infected if he has any damage to the skin. In addition, transmission of the infection is possible when using common bedding, slippers, shoes or towels. An ideal environment for the growth of fungus is increased humidity and lack of ventilation. Therefore, most often, fungal infection occurs when visiting places such as public baths, saunas, pools. It is easy to get infection of nails, as well as skin when visiting beauty salons, which do not properly process materials. The same applies to gyms and shoe stores. Therefore, for the purpose of prevention, it is reasonable for everyone to use an antifungal spray for shoes.
- Alimentary pathway - infection with a fungus through the oral cavity. Most often it concerns young children who all love to taste. For this reason, the vast majority of children under the age of two years at least once experienced thrush of the oral cavity.
- Dusty. Many representatives of fungi feel great in the environment and are transported with dust, penetrating the human body through the respiratory system.
- Separately, I would like to highlight the sexual route of transmission of fungal infection. Thrush is easily transmitted by unprotected sexual contact. The fungus quickly populates the mucous membrane of the vagina and urogenital tract, causing itching, burning and the formation of white curdled secretions with an acidic smell. It is wise to use special vaginal suppositories.
Means for the treatment of fungus
The modern pharmaceutical market offers a huge selection of antifungal agents. They can be divided into two large groups:
- Means for oral (internal) administration. These include tablets, capsules, solutions based on terbinafine, fluconazole and many other substances. Their purpose is relevant in those cases when there is a systemic lesion of the body with pronounced symptoms.
- External antifungal drugs (antifungal spray for the skin, cream, ointment and nail polish). Used in the initial stages of the development of the disease.
I would especially like to allocate funds produced in the form of an aerosol. Recently, they have gained high popularity, having various types, areas and purposes of application.
Antifungal sprays: concept and types
So what is a spray? This is a dosage form of release in which the active substance is a liquid or emulsion and is under pressure in an airtight package. Typically, this package has a metering valve that dispenses the medicine when pressed.
Antifungal sprays can be divided into several categories.
- For example, depending on the purpose of use, they can be both prophylactic and therapeutic.
- Another classification - depending on the area of application of the drug. It can be antifungal sprays for the throat, skin, nails and so on.
Advantages of Sprays
This release form has several of them:
- Antifungal sprays are characterized by a quick and fairly noticeable therapeutic effect. Improvement most often occurs within the first week of use.
- Another plus of the antifungal foot spray is that when a medicinal substance is sprayed, it in high concentration enters the affected areas and begins to destroy the fungus. That is, for the therapeutic effect, a minimum amount of funds is required.
- The drug component does not enter the bloodstream. This means that there is no systemic effect on the body. Therefore, the risk of adverse reactions is minimized.
disadvantages
Nevertheless, antifungal sprays are not without drawbacks. The most important of them is that the medicine is not able to penetrate deep into the nail. When using some antifungal foot sprays, you must first soften the plate or partially cut it off, which is quite inconvenient. Other means do not at all have such instructions in the instructions.
Therefore, it is most reasonable to use antifungal varnishes for the treatment of nail fungus. These forms have the ability to deliver the active substance to the lesion.
Lamisil
One of the most popular antifungal agents is Lamisil Spray. Its popularity is due to the pronounced therapeutic effect. The active ingredient is terbinafine, which for many years has been used in medical practice to combat fungal infection.
The tool has a wide spectrum of action, so the list of indications for use with this tool is quite large. It includes such diseases:
- mycosis of the feet;
- damage to the skin;
- diaper rash caused by candida fungi;
- versicolor versicolor.
The drug is available in a bottle of 15-30 ml. How much is enough depends on the area of the affected area. As for the cost, then one such bottle will cost the buyer about 550-650 rubles.
Reviews of patients about this tool are almost always positive. The convenience of using Lamisil is especially often noted. After all, the instructions indicate that you need only once a day to apply the product to the affected area, and this will be enough for the onset of the therapeutic effect. However, it is worth noting that with extensive lesions, doctors recommend applying the spray twice a day (morning and evening).
It is worth noting that the tool can also be used as an antifungal spray for nails, but only with softening and partial removal of the affected plate.
"Bifosin"
Another well-known remedy is Bifosin. This is an antifungal spray of domestic production, which has a wide spectrum of action and contains bifonazole as the active substance. It should be applied to the affected area once a day, at bedtime.
Patients who have undergone treatment with this drug are generally satisfied. However, it is worth noting that the use of "Bifosin" is relevant only for skin lesions. For the treatment of nail fungus, its use is meaningless, since the substance does not penetrate deep into the nail plate.
The main advantage of this tool is called low cost by patients. A 20 ml package has a price from 100 to 150 rubles.
Mikostop
One of the most famous antifungal sprays is Mycostop. It can often be found in doctor's prescriptions and on pharmacy shelves. However, it has a fundamental difference from the means described above. The fact is that the main purpose of its use is the prevention of fungal infection, but not treatment. The drug has in its composition a number of substances that provide effective protection of the skin and nails from infection, subject to the instructions.
"Mikostop" is a prophylactic antifungal foot spray. It must be applied to the skin area of the feet, affecting the interdigital space and nail plates, immediately after contact with a potential source of infection. For example, after visiting a public pool or bath, as well as a shoe store.
In addition, the spray can be used for processing shoes. To do this, apply the substance on the inner surface of the shoes or shoes. The procedure should be repeated daily for 3-5 days. Its use is also relevant for hands, for example, after visiting a nail salon.
A solution in a bottle of 150 ml is produced, it can be purchased at any pharmacy for 160-210 rubles.
If you study the reviews about this remedy, you can come to the conclusion that many people use the remedy regularly, visiting places of potential infection, and are satisfied with the preventive effect. The low price cannot but rejoice, which makes Mikostop even more affordable.
Conclusion
Any fungal infection, regardless of the pathogen and the severity of symptoms, should be treated immediately with the help of certain medications.
In order for the therapy to be as effective as possible, one should not self-medicate. When the first signs of infection appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. Only he can choose a suitable antifungal agent (tablets, creams or sprays).