How to get rid of nail fungus. Which antifungal drugs are most effective? Medications for external and oral use. Let's take a closer look at everything.
Nail and nail fungus is a common and insoluble infectious disease caused by pathogenic fungal spores. Often the skin of the feet and the nail plates of the fingers and hands are infected. The most effective treatment is in the early stages of the disease, when the area and depth of infection is small.
At the first signs of damage (itching, redness of the skin, thickening and stratification of the nails), treatment should be started immediately. Modern medicine offers a wide range of effective drugs designed to combat different types of nail fungus - antifungal varnishes, solutions, sprays, effective ointments, as well as oral medications.
Antifungal drugs are selected by a specialist.
The most effective drugs for nail fungus
The pharmaceutical industry offers consumers a variety of effective antifungal agents. However, in each individual case it is necessary to consult a doctor, because only a specialist can correctly determine the type and degree of spread of fungal infections.
In addition, antifungal agents (both for topical use and for internal use) are powerful antibiotics and have a number of side effects and contraindications. Self-medication, misdiagnosis can aggravate the course of the disease, lead to the development of drug resistance of various fungi and further development of the infection.
Modern means for the treatment of nail fungus have a fungicidal and fungistatic effect, ie, in addition to completely destroying the fungus, it stops the further growth and growth of fungal cells, thus ensuring a long-term positive effect of treatment.
Often, feet and nails are affected by fungal infections of several different types of fungi and bacteria. In this case, a good therapeutic effect can be achieved by replacing external antifungal agents with oral medications.
Highly active substances have a broad-spectrum antifungal effect, which makes it possible to use them for the treatment of nail fungus caused by various types of fungal infections.
Nail fungus varnishes
If you start the treatment of mycosis on time, you can have a positive effect with local remedies - antifungal varnishes and nail fungus solutions, if the nail damage is not very common.
Antifungal varnishes have a very effective antifungal effect, penetrate well into the nail structure, the effect inside the affected tissues lasts 7-10 days after application. Concentration in the body is insignificant after prolonged use. It is effective for not more than 2/3 of the damage to the nail.
Antifungal drugs for external use
If the fungus infects not only the nails, but also the skin of the feet or hands, it is recommended to apply the most popular and effective local creams and ointments to the affected areas:
Creams or gels containing the active ingredient terbinafine hydrochloride are effective. The drugs have an active fungicidal and fungistatic effect on a number of fungi: mold, dimorphic, dermatophytes, yeast. The gels are absorbed faster and penetrate the skin better.
Oral antifungal drugs
Advanced stages of mycosis are difficult to treat and the use of external drugs alone is not enough. In such cases, it is necessary to use oral medications that have a very effective effect on the course of the disease, infect the fungus from the inside and prevent further development of the disease. A special positive result can be achieved by applying a complex treatment in the form of tablets and ointments.
In most cases, nail fungus pills can be toxic to the human body, affecting the internal organs that contain fat - the liver and kidneys. But at the same time, these drugs have a strong therapeutic effect, effectively destroy various types of fungi and help to fully recover. Therefore, all oral medications should be taken under the direction of a specialist (mycologist), taking into account the possible side effects.
Antifungal drugs should be taken very carefully, strictly adhering to the dosage and duration of treatment prescribed by your doctor. If side effects occur, the drug should be stopped immediately and a doctor should be consulted. Patients with various disorders of renal and hepatic function should be taken with extreme caution.
The need for treatment and prevention of mycosis
Fungal spores are very resistant, the affected areas are difficult to treat, the course can last from 2 to 4 months. Treatment should not be interrupted, because under favorable conditions, even a small focus can lead to the development of a new infection. Even after complete recovery, it is important to follow the rules of hygiene and avoid contact with other people's shoes.
To prevent this, it is recommended to treat the feet and shoes with antifungal sprays or other effective means, especially after visiting public places: swimming pools, saunas, beaches, showers at sports facilities.
Only a complex treatment combined with preventive measures will help to defeat the fungus forever.