If you have problems with the nail plates, it is important to know which doctor treats toenail fungus so that you can consult a specialist without waiting for complications.It is difficult for a person who encounters a fungal infection for the first time to understand the name of this specialist.The problems of fungal diseases are dealt with by dermatologists and mycologists, so going to a therapist is hardly advisable.
What is nail fungus?
A disease caused by parasitic microorganisms is called a pathogenic fungus.The disease affects the horny skin (nails) and the skin of the legs around them, develops quickly, brings discomfort and inconvenience.Living in the body, dangerous parasites poison it with toxins and can worsen the general condition.You can get infected by wearing other people's shoes, not maintaining foot hygiene or walking barefoot on the beach or in the pool.People with these problems must know which doctor treats nail fungus in order to prevent complications and receive appropriate treatment to eliminate the unpleasant disease.
Symptoms of the disease
Which doctor treats the symptoms of toenail fungus depends on how much the damaged plate is affected by the fungus and what is the nature of the lesion.The following characteristic signs of the appearance of the fungus are distinguished:
- normotrophic type: streaks, ocher-yellow or white spots on the sides of the nail, ease of separation of the plate from the skin, the person suffers from itching of the skin under healthy nails;
- hypertrophic: thickening of the plate, loss of luster, crumbling, dullness, severe deformation, dark yellow or gray color;
- atrophic: brown-gray color, loss of shine, pallor, necrosis and destruction of the nail bed of the fingers;
- lateral and distal: loss of color, transverse yellowish furrows, crumbling, roughness, exposed nail beds, swelling, redness, thickening, pain in the skin of the feet, advanced cases may be characterized by the appearance of pus;
- proximal: bleaching, destruction;
- total: complete destruction of the toenail due to lack of therapy;
- white superficial: white spots, crumbling, delamination, pain.
Which doctor treats nail fungus
Knowing which doctor deals with nails is useful for any patient suffering from nail fungus.In this case, the therapist will not help;you need to visit a specialized specialist.This doctor is a dermatologist, he advises in the initial stages of the disease.In advanced cases, a consultation with a mycologist is required - this is an expert who treats nail fungus in a highly targeted manner.
Dermatologist
This doctor can prescribe the correct treatment and eliminate nail fungus.His qualifications enable him to treat skin problems including viral and infectious lesions, dermatitis, eczema and parasitic diseases.The latter includes a fungal infection.If the case has not progressed, contact a dermatologist at a local clinic or dermatovenerology dispensary and register for the first examination.According to the indications, he can refer the patient to a mycologist.
Mycologist
In severe cases, the answer to the question of which doctor treats toenails is to consult a mycologist.This is the name of the same dermatologist who only treats fungal infections of the skin, hair and nail plates.It is not available in all clinics, not even in the city.Consultations with mycologists include treatment and prevention of fungal diseases: onychomycosis, candidiasis, microsporia, trichophytosis, epidermophytosis, foot mycosis.You must contact them after a referral from a dermatologist.
How's the appointment going?
Once you know which doctor treats toenail fungus, don't hesitate to make an appointment.During the first visit, the nail specialist interviews the patient about how long ago the problem appeared, the feelings experienced and the patient's lifestyle.After collecting information, a preliminary examination of the affected areas of the feet is performed, a diagnosis is made and the stage of the infection is determined.
External signs may not always indicate a fungal species, so scrapings of dead scales are taken for laboratory examination.The obtained medical material is examined under a microscope and placed on nutrient media.It is necessary to visit a doctor as soon as possible in order to cure the fungus without consequences for the patient and his organism.
Repeated consultations
After receiving the tests from the laboratory, a second consultation is performed.A mycologist or dermatologist reports the cause of the growth, the presence of the fungus, its type and prescribes the correct treatment.Medicines are selected depending on the individual characteristics of the patient.The procedure for treating the disease is long-term, so you will have to visit a specialist several more times in order to monitor the therapy and prevent infection of the patient's body.
Treatment options
After studying the etiology of the fungus that affected the toenail plate, treatment was prescribed.It is not recommended to choose medicines independently because there is a risk of side effects.Main antifungal drugs and treatment methods used:
- oral - tablets, capsules for a comprehensive effect on the parasite from the inside;
- local effects - applied externally, this includes ointments, creams, poultices, drops, varnishes;
- special laser treatment – improves penetration of agents into the interior and tissue microcirculation;
- the recommendation for surgical removal of the nail is given in extreme cases when recovery is impossible.
Popular effective drugs, divided into groups according to their effect on fungal pathogens, are:
- Antifungal varnishes.
- Plaque removal preparations (sometimes needed to cure fungus).
- Antifungal tablets.
- Creams, ointments, sprays.
- Other medicines: medicinal liquids, tea tree oil, etc.