How to get rid of toenail fungus. Which Antifungal Drugs Are Most Effective? Medicinal products for external and oral use. Let's take a closer look at everything.
Toenail and nail fungus is a common and difficult-to-treat infectious disease caused by pathogenic fungal spores. Most commonly the skin of the feet and the nail plates of the toes and hands are infected. The most effective treatment is in the early stages of the disease when the area and depth of the infection are small.
When the first signs of damage are noticed (itching, reddening of the skin, thickening and layering of the nails), treatment of the disease must be started immediately. Modern medicine offers a wide range of effective drugs to combat different types of nail fungus - antifungal drugs, solutions, sprays, effective ointments, as well as oral agents.
Antifungal drugs are selected by a specialist.
The most effective drugs for nail fungus
The pharmaceutical industry offers consumers a wide variety of effective antifungal drugs. However, medical advice is required in each individual case, as only a specialist can correctly determine the type and extent of the spread of the fungal infection.
In addition, antifungal drugs (for both local and internal use) are effective 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 resistance to drugs of various forms of fungi and an even greater progression of the infection.
Modern remedies for the treatment of nail fungus have a fungicidal and fungistatic effect, that is, they not only completely destroy the fungus, but also stop the further development and growth of fungal cells, which gives a long-term positive effect of the treatment.
Often times, the feet and nails are affected by fungal infections, which include different types of fungi and bacteria. In this case, a good treatment effect can be obtained by alternating external antifungal drugs in combination with oral drugs.
Highly potent active ingredients have broad spectrum antifungal activity that allows them to be used to treat nail fungus caused by different types of fungal infections.
Paints against nail fungus
If you start treatment for mycosis in a timely manner, and nail damage is not too common, you can get a positive effect with local treatment agents - antifungal varnishes and solutions against nail fungus.
Antifungal varnishes have a highly effective antifungal effect, they penetrate well into the structure of the nail, the effect in the affected tissue persists even 7-10 days after application. The concentration in the body is negligible after prolonged use. Effective for nail damage no more than 2/3.
Antifungal drugs for external use
If the fungus has infected not only the nails but also the skin of the feet or hands, it is recommended that topical creams and ointments be applied to the affected areas. The most popular and effective are:
Creams or gels with the active ingredient terbinafine hydrochloride are effective. The drugs have an active fungicidal and fungistatic effect on a number of fungi: mold, dimorph, dermatophytes, yeast. Gels are absorbed faster and penetrate the skin better.
Oral antifungal drugs
The advanced stages of mychomycosis are difficult to treat and the use of only external drugs is not enough. In such cases, it is necessary to use oral drugs, which very effectively affect the course of the disease, infect the fungus from the inside and prevent the further development of the disease. A particularly positive result can be achieved through complex treatment in the form of tablets and ointments.
In most cases, pills for nail fungus can have a toxic effect on the human body and affect the fatty internal organs - the liver and kidneys. At the same time, these drugs have a powerful therapeutic effect, effectively destroy various types of fungi and contribute to a full recovery. Therefore, all oral medications should be taken strictly as directed by a specialist (mycologist), taking possible side effects into account.
Antifungal drugs should be taken with great care, carefully observing the dosage prescribed by the doctor and the duration of the course of treatment. If side effects occur, the drug should be discontinued immediately and a doctor should be consulted. Patients with various renal and hepatic impairments should be treated with extreme caution.
The need to treat mycosis and its prevention
Fungal spores are very persistent, the affected areas are difficult to treat, and the course can take 2 to 4 months. Treatment should not be interrupted, since even a small focus under favorable conditions leads to the development of a new infection. Even after a full recovery, it is necessary to adhere to the rules of hygiene and avoid contact with other people's shoes.
For prevention, it is recommended to treat feet and shoes with antifungal or other effective means, especially after visiting public places: swimming pools, saunas, beaches, showers in sports facilities.
Only comprehensive treatment, combined with preventive measures, will help defeat the fungus forever.