If your nails are discolored, cracked, and flaking, you have onychomycosis—a fungal infection of the nail plate.When the first signs of the disease appear, onychomycosis can be stopped with the use of ointments and drops; advanced stages cannot be cured by external means.
Choice of bactericidal preparations
When choosing an antifungal (fungicidal) medication, first consider the type of fungus affecting your nails.The most common cause of onychomycosis is dermatophytes of the genus Trichophyton, followed by fungi of the genus Epidermophyton.Only laboratory testing of nail scrapings can accurately identify the pathogen.
Nails affected by a fungal infection can become discolored and develop yellow, brown, or gray spots.The nail plate can become unnaturally thick, lose its shine, and become deformed.For initial fungal infections, topical medications - ointments or drops - can be used.Compared with internal medicines, these dosage forms have the advantage of having no toxic effects on the liver and other organs.Topical preparations work directly on the affected area to effectively destroy mold and its spores.
Popular antiseptic preparations include nail fungus drops for toes and hands, these products do not leave greasy marks on the skin and clothing, absorb quickly, and have high therapeutic activity.Most modern antifungal drops can combat many types of onychomycosis, so laboratory testing is not required before using these products, and these medications can be purchased at pharmacies without a prescription.
Best drops to treat fungus
Patients and doctors have several requirements for antifungal drops, the first being safety.Treatment of onychomycosis lasts three months or more, so the drugs contained in the preparation should not have a systemic effect on the body.
Another requirement for antiseptic drops is a broad spectrum of action.The active ingredient must not only destroy many species of dermatophytes (having a fungicidal effect), but must also prevent the proliferation of their spores (this ability is called bacteriostatic effect).
Patients are also concerned about the cost of antifungal drugs—long-term treatment requires purchasing several packs; for some buyers, price becomes an important selection criterion.
You should not self-medicate; a specialist will choose the best drops for treating toenail fungus based on test results.
Some are not used to treat onychomycosis; they are used to treat fungal skin lesions.For onychomycosis, drops are used together with other medications to prevent fungal lesions from spreading to the skin.
Application rules
Antifungal drops are a simple and effective way to combat onychomycosis, but patients may experience some difficulty when using them.This is because the source of infection is located beneath the nail plate, making it difficult to get there.
In order for the drug to achieve its goals, patients need to follow some recommendations when using antiseptic drops.
Rules for using liquid antifungals:
- Before applying the medicinal composition, steam your feet and hands to remove dead skin and affected nail areas.
- After cleansing, dry skin and nails.
- Trim the edges of the nail plate and clean the surface with a nail file.
- Apply the drops to the affected area, trying to get the solution under the nail plate.
- Be sure to treat the healthy skin around damaged nails.
If the fungal infection has spread deep into the tissue, you need to consult a doctor - drops may no longer be helpful, and the nail will need to be removed.For severe fungal infections, doctors may prescribe internal antifungal medications.Treatment for onychomycosis can take years; some types of disease are impossible to deal with without expert help.
Prevent onychomycosis
Public places—bathrooms, swimming pools, gyms—are prone to onychomycosis.About one-third of patients are susceptible to the disease due to age-related changes - older adults have reduced immunity, so dermatophytes can easily settle on the nail plate, and the person becomes a source of infection for their family.
To prevent onychomycosis, you need to take the following precautions:
- Don't walk barefoot in public places.
- Don't wear other people's slippers.
- Only use your own towels.
- If anyone in your family has onychomycosis, have your own nail file handy.
- Use an antifungal for prophylaxis after visiting water parks and swimming pools.
- Boost immunity.
Without proper treatment, onychomycosis can lead to the destruction of the nail plate; the sooner you start antifungal treatment, the better your chances of keeping your nails beautiful and healthy.