Which doctor treats the nail fungus on the legs - mycologist or dermatologist?

Mycosis, or nail fungus, is an extremely unpleasant infectious disease, which causes deformation of the horny tissues and delivers to the person a whole lot of problems and discomfort. An unpleasant consequence of the development of ailments of this nature is the high probability of their return after the successful therapy.

Which doctor treats nail fungus on legs? More often for the elimination of the problem are addressed to several specialists who prescribe complex therapy. Treatment involves first of all careful observance of personal hygiene, as well as the use of medications, the choice of which depends on the degree of tissue damage and the nature of the causative agent of the disease.

Let's consider, which doctor treats the nail fungus on his legs. The photo, as well as information on the main manifestations of certain types of mycological infections, presented in the material, will help determine the nature of the problem and seek appropriate help.

Symptoms

Before you find out which doctor heals nail fungus on his legs, it is worth comparing the symptoms of the disease with the existing manifestations. There are several types of pathogens that cause damage to keratinized tissues and adjacent areas. Let's consider the manifestations of each of them in order.

White surface fungus

With the development of the disease at the base of the nail plate, small spots of opal-white shade are formed. In place of the old foci of infection remains a fine-grained powder. As the pathological spores spread, the fungus completely covers soft and keratinized tissues.

Normotrophic fungus

The main symptom of the infection is a change in the shade of the nail plate. In this case, the gloss and thickness of corroded tissue remain the same. At the initial stages of the disease, the nail is gradually covered with dark spots and textured bands. Gradually, these manifestations cover a more impressive area.

Another clear symptom of normotrophic nail fungus is the so-called onycholysis. This manifestation makes it difficult to connect the cornified part of the nail with soft tissues. As a result, the risk of an independent dropping of the plate increases, which causes a whole mass of unpleasant sensations.

Hypertrophic fungus

The main symptom of such infection is a thickening of the nail plate. The development of the hypertrophic fungus leads to the formation of specific scales under the keratinized tissue, which, in fact, causes its increase in volumes. Over time, the natural shade of the nail plate becomes dull, its deformation occurs.

The side regions of the nail suffer the most. As a result, a person begins to feel unbearable pain due to the friction of open cracks on the skin about the shoes.

Atrophic fungus

The nail plate acquires a brownish gray shade. Then the tissues lose their natural shine. In the end, the nail is completely destroyed. The final stage of the disease is the complete death of tissues.

Atrophy of the nail develops in stages. Necrosis of tissues extends from the edge of the plate and moves in the direction of the nail roller.

Proximal fungus

It is a rather rare disease that affects mostly soft tissue around the nail plate. A common cause of infection is a sloppy cuticle. Pathogenic spores fall into open wounds near the nail growth zone. As propagation, pathogens surround the entire keratinized plate and lead to its complete destruction.

Total nail fungus

If the above forms of the fungus for a long time remain without attention and do not lend themselves adequately to treatment, total necrosis of the tissues begins. The nail blackens, its structure becomes loose, the plate is abundantly crumbled into small particles. The nail quite quickly departs from the base and disappears. The admission of pathology leads to a whole mass of unpleasant consequences, up to the difficulty of independent movement and the impossibility of building a new plate.

Who should I contact: mycologist or dermatologist?

Which doctor treats nail fungus on legs and hands? The mycologist deals with the elimination of infectious manifestations of this plan. Such specialists are able to determine the nature of pathology, which is concentrated in the area of keratinized sections of nails and adjacent tissues.

So we found out which doctor is treating the nail fungus on his legs. The dermatologist, in turn, specializes in the elimination of skin infections. In case of development of fungal manifestations at the initial stages, if desired, you can refer to such a specialist. According to the results of a visual examination, the dermatologist will tell you whether it is necessary to undergo examination at the mycologist, or the problem can be eliminated on your own.

The main point in choosing a specialist is the possibility of obtaining the most adequate help, which will quickly eliminate the existing symptoms of the disease. As practice shows, the speed of research and the development of effective therapies is of paramount importance. Since the slightest delay and self-treatment often lead to the transition of the disease to a neglected stage.

Which doctor treats nail fungus on legs? The main stages of therapy

The procedure for getting rid of nail tissue from the spread of pathological spores involves performing the actions in the following sequence:

1. Noticing the manifestations of the disease, it is necessary to urgently seek help from a doctor. As mentioned earlier, it is possible to help the mycologist or dermatologist to determine the nature of the pathogen and to select appropriate methods of therapy.
2. So, we decided which doctor heals the nail fungus on his legs. Diagnostic stage involves the development of methods for eliminating a specific type of infection. Identify the nature of the problem allows visual inspection, as well as conducting studies by sampling a pathological tissue.
3. On the basis of the formed anamnesis the expert will make the plan of struggle against an illness. And it is not so important which doctor treats the nail fungus on his legs - the diagnostic stage, not to mention the treatment, can be quite long. Elimination of manifestations of the disease in the presence of severe tissue damage in some cases takes from several months to a year.

Methods of therapy

You already know which doctor heals the nail fungus on his legs. Proper treatment is the next item that needs to be addressed in the context of the topic we are discussing. There are several ways of therapeutic effect on the affected tissue in the development of fungal infections. Regardless of which doctor treats the nail fungus on the legs, the correct treatment involves, first of all, the construction of a competent scheme. Mycologist can prescribe a course of medicines, local therapy with the application of special varnishes or removal of the nail plate. Let us consider each solution separately.

The intake of antibacterial drugs appears to be rational in cases where the fungus has a neglected character. The most effective, widely available drugs are:

1. "Fungavis" - the main active substance is ketoconazole, which prevents the proliferation of pathological spores of microorganisms.
2. "Fluconazole" - has a good disinfecting effect. It is one of the cheapest, but at the same time proven means for eliminating manifestations of fungal diseases.
3. "Lamisil" - contains terbinafine, the action of which is aimed at destroying the pathogen and suppressing its mass distribution in the structure of both keratinized and soft tissues.

With regard to antifungal varnishes, their use only results in the initial stages of infection. Among the most affordable means of this category is worth mentioning "Batrafen", "Loceril", "Ofmol", serum "Mikozan".

If therapy is used at the stage of progressive spread of the pathogen, it is possible to resort to methods that will make it possible to remove painless nail plate painlessly. The following drugs will allow for adequate treatment:

1. "Nogtimycin" - is not a medicinal product in the traditional sense. The basis of the preparation is made up of natural plant components, in particular essential oils. Soft impact of the latter on the affected tissue contributes to the early recovery of the skin and the growth of a new nail plate.
2. "Nogtivit" - the components of the drug soften keratinized tissues, which makes it possible to remove the damaged nail fungus without unnecessary discomfort. Regular application of the drug to the affected area provides removal of the old keratinized layer for 2-3 days.

Prevention

Finding out which doctor is treating the nail fungus on his legs, and also resorting to appropriate treatment, then in the future it is necessary to do everything possible to prevent the re-development of the infection. As effective preventive measures, it is worth noting the following:

1. Refusal to visit public showers, bathrooms, swimming pools, baths and saunas in someone else's shoes. Avoid contamination in this case will allow the use of personal slippers or slippers, as well as thorough washing of the feet with the use of disinfectants after performing water procedures.
2. To put on someone else's shoes is not recommended and being on a visit. In this situation it is much safer to walk barefoot.
3. To never have to find out which doctor heals the nail fungus on his legs, than to treat the disease, it is necessary to avoid wearing shoes made of synthetic materials, in particular artificial leather. The products of this plan badly pass air. As a result, fogging occurs, which creates optimal conditions for the development of fungal infections.
4. People who have an unpleasant smell of feet and increased skin moisture, often undergo a checkup with a doctor. This will allow to develop the right approach, aimed at hygiene compliance, and if a disease occurs - to identify the problem at the early stages of its development.

Finally

As practice shows, the development of nail fungus is not capable of causing significant harm to human health, but only in case of good immunity. If the protective functions of the body are weakened, the multiplication of pathological spores in the tissues of the body can cause a whole lot of unpleasant consequences. Therefore, in the presence of the first signs of mycological diseases, it is extremely important, without delay, to resort to diagnosis and selection of optimal methods of treatment.