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How to take a test for nail fungus correctly?
We all tend to leave it too late if we catch an illness, hoping that it will go away without any efforts from our side. Unfortunately in most cases the miracle does not happen. Nail fungus is one of those diseases, which require treatment without fail!
But treatment can be different too. You can go to folk healers, or waste your money on expensive medicines trying them one after another, or you can see the truth, admit that the problem exists, and consult professionals.
How can one understand that it’s time to raise alarm?
We all think that bad things can happen to anybody but not to us. This is the reason why in most cases people consult a mycologist when they already have an advanced stage of the disease. If you suspect that you have nail fungus, our advice is that you should undergo tests at once, and start getting treatment.
See what changes are a reason for undergoing a test for nail fungus:
- Nail discoloration. The nail has become nontransparent, and the nail bed cannot be seen. The nail surface is yellowish.
- A gap between the nail bed and the nail. This gap is where the focus of infection forms.
- Thickening (keratinization) of the nail plate. The thicker the nail is, the deeper the fungus has thrust its roots.
- Appearance of white spots. The nail surface becomes crumbly and rough.
- Swelling and reddening of the skin around the nail. As a consequence, the nail plate starts deforming after some time.
- Grayish yellow or brown color of the nails. This is a sign of an advanced stage of the illness. At this stage, the nails begin flaking already.
What tests for nail fungus does one have to undergo?
The main test is a scraping for fungal identification. This procedure is completely painless, it is performed by the mycologist. The scraping is obtained with the use of scissors, a scalpel, or a preparation needle. The choice of tool depends on the nail area to take the test material from.
The material obtained during scraping is placed on the glass and tested for presence of fungus spores under the microscope. If spores are found, the next stage is seeding of the material for the purpose of determining the fungus specie. After the results of the scraping and of the seeding are known, the mycologist prescribes individual treatment to the patient. Note that the average time between undergoing the scraping and getting the results of the seeding is about three weeks.
How do I have to prepare for undergoing a test for fungus?
If you have decided to undergo a scraping, you’ll have to observe these simple rules in order to obtain objective results:
- Don’t use ointments and medicinal lacquers for 14 days.
- Don’t cut your nails before seeing the doctor for 6-10 days.
- Don’t wash the fungus-affected nails with cleaners for 2-3 days before the test.
Where can I undergo tests for nail fungus?
We suggest that you undergo a test for nail fungus with our clinic’s mycologist in Moscow. We guarantee confidentiality for all the patients who consult us. Our mycologist will collect material for tests and prescribe a treatment based on their results. We use unique German equipment that helps get rid of fungal infection — the PACT Med device.
PACT Med destroys fungus by way of exposure to light waves. This method of fighting fungus is called photodynamic antimicrobial therapy. This method is unique because light waves act on any species of fungi efficiently, while classical treatment doesn’t always bring excellent results and includes taking medicines that are harmful for your health.
Photodynamic antimicrobial therapy is painless and has no contraindications. It doesn’t require additional use of antifungal medicines, so it can be prescribed even to pregnant women and children.
Do you want to schedule an appointment with our mycologist to undergo the test?
Call +7 963 964-79-76 (toll-free in Russia) or leave a request on our website.
