The fight against fungal infections, which spread and progress at a high rate, requires special attention and responsibility. If you want to have he althy and beautiful nails and smooth heels, then be patient, because the treatment can take several months. Within the framework of this article, we will consider the most popular way to combat fungal infections of the legs, which is carried out using external treatment of the affected surface with ointment.
Fungus of nails and feet
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.
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. You can determine the presence of a fungal infection of the feet by the following signs:
- feet skin became hard and dry;
- feet smell bad;
- periodically becameitching;
Toenail fungus appears as follows:
- nail plate has uneven color;
- yellow or dark brown spots appeared on the nails;
- nail plate peeling off flesh;
- there is an unpleasant odor;
- nails become 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. Treatment of mycosis may take 1-2 months.
Causes of disease
To understand how you can get mycosis, consider the list of favorable conditions for the development of colonies of fungi on the integument of your body.
- fever;
- moisture;
- lowered immunity;
- slow nail regeneration;
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 speed of nail growth. Children have a growing organism, the fungus simply does not have time to multiply, as the nail grows and it is cut. Sweat also plays a big role. Feet sweat in shoes for most people, especially if the shoes are of poor quality. A moist and warm environment is an ideal place for fungus to thrive.
As soon as the body is a little weakened, immunity immediately decreases. It comes from nervous exhaustion, as a result of an illness or seasonal changes. Forfungal infection is the best time to spread.
Identification of pathogen
To choose the right ointment from the fungus on the toes, you need to pass an analysis for scraping. The causative agent may be immune to a particular drug, then the entire treatment will be ineffective.
The causative agents of infection can be molds, 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 off 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 has penetrated. Over time, the nail is completely destroyed.
Dermatophytes appear as white stripes on the nails. In the process of reproduction of the fungus, detachments can 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.
Composition of ointment from nail fungus
Antifungal drugs are divided into two groups according to the active substance:
- Allylamine. The action of drugs of this group is aimed at the destruction of the cell membrane of fungi. Treatment is especially effective if a viral or bacterial infection is added to the fungal infection. Determine the belonging of the ointment tothis group is simple - the name should end with "-in": naftifine, exoderil, zalain, etc. Treatment with allylamine drugs lasts 2-3 months.
- Azole. The substance azole is capable of destroying the cell membranes of fungi, killing entire colonies. With prolonged use, the substance is concentrated in the nail plate, which prolongs the effect of the 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. Azole ointments include miconazole, bifonazole, fundizol, etc. Treatment with these drugs lasts an average of 30 days.
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, feet should be thoroughly washed with soap and dried.
Treatment of nail fungus should be accompanied by the treatment of the feet, perhaps they are also affected by a fungal infection. In the case of extensive spread of the fungus, it is necessary to supplement the treatment with oral preparations. Tablets or capsules must be taken in courses. Taking breaks is a must as most antifungal medications have a negative effect on liver activity.
If a child is undergoing antifungal treatment, then make sure that the baby does not touch the site of treatment with ointment. If the drug gets on the mucous membranes, then rinse the contact area with plenty of cleanrunning water.
Ointment "Clotrimazole"
Topical antifungal, inexpensive ointment for foot fungus. The active ingredient is clotrimazole, an imidazole derivative.
Indications: fungal infections of the skin, mucous membranes, nails with yeast, mold fungi or dermatophytes. Indicated for use in case of the following diseases: mycosis of the skin, versicolor, vaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis, onychomitosis.
Direction: Apply to affected areas 2-3 times/day for 2-4 weeks. When processing the oral cavity, the course is reduced to 7 days. When administered intravaginally, 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 hives.
Special instructions: the ointment is applied only to the skin of the body. You can not use "Clotrimazole" for treatment on the surface of the affected mucous membranes. If severe side effects occur, treatment should be discontinued.
"Clotrimazole" is an ointment of domestic production, so the medicine is affordable. If we compare price and quality, then this is the best ointment for fungus on the legs. The price for a tube of 20 mg of ointment is in the range of 40-180 rubles.
Ointment "Exoderil"
Antifungal agent from the group of allylamines in the form of an ointment. The active ingredient is naftifine hydrochloride. The destructive effect for the fungus lies in 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, skin candidiasis, ringworm.
Mode of application: applied 1 time / day to the affected areas of the skin, capturing areas of he althy skin around the perimeter of the infection. The duration of treatment depends on the type of mycosis: with dermatomycosis - 2-4 weeks, with candidiasis - 4 weeks.
Side effects: in some cases, there may be a slight burning sensation, the skin becomes dry to the touch. Therapy should not be interrupted.
Special instructions: the drug is not intended for application to mucous membranes. Use with caution in the treatment of children. The price for a tube of 15 g is 420-750 rubles.
Ointment "Lamisil"
Ointment for external use for the treatment of fungal infections. The active ingredient is terbinafine hydrochloride.
Indications: fungal infections caused by yeasts, molds and dermatophytes. The ointment is effective in the treatment of skin mycoses, pityriasis versicolor, irritations that arose as a result of the reproduction of candida.
Regimen: The duration of therapy depends on the individual case. With a fungal infection of the skin, 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: meetrarely. Adverse reactions appear in the form of redness or swelling of the treatment site. Nausea and vomiting may occur, and loss of appetite may occur.
Special instructions: the use of "Lamisil" with drugs that metabolize with the participation of the CYP2D6 enzyme is contraindicated. 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 destroying the cell membrane of fungi.
Indications: fungal infections caused by moulds, yeasts or dermatophytes. The ointment is active against pathogens of pityriasis versicolor, various types of candidiasis and skin mycoses. Has a wide spectrum of action.
Mode of use: treatment of onychomycosis 2 times/day; mycoses of the 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 released. If these symptoms occur, treatment should be discontinued.
Special instructions: if the ointment gets on the mucous membranes, wash 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 for toenail fungus. Currently the cheapest antifungal option.
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. An effective, but expensive ointment for fungus on the legs. The most popular remedy for the prevention of fungal infections on the nails.
Indications: fungal infections caused by yeasts, molds and dermatophytes. The ointment is used in the treatment of the following diseases: mycosis of the skin, onychomycosis, pityriasis versicolor, candidiasis of the skin in the folds of the body.
Regimen of administration: 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: the tolerance of the ointment is positive in most cases. Sometimes there is hives, swelling, allergic rashes.
Special Instructions: Avoid contact with eyes. If ingested, it is not dangerous. There are no data on the effect of the drug on pregnant and breastfeeding women. The price of a tube of ointment 15 g is 350-470 rubles
In conclusion
Considering the ranking of the best ointments for toenail fungus, we can conclude that a good quality product does not have to be expensive. Domestic antifungal ointments are in no way inferior to imported options, as they have an almost identical composition. When choosing an ointment for treatment, pay attention to this. Start treating your fungus as soon as possible.signs of the manifestation of the disease, this will facilitate and shorten the therapeutic recovery period.
