Mycologist
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Mycologist is a qualified specialist in the field of fungal diseases, skin, nail and hair lesions. Mycology is a science in the field of dermatology and venereology. Therefore, the main goal and narrow focus of the mycologist and mycology is dermatology.
Mycology is a part of dermatology, which deals with the study of genetics, morphology of fungi, physiology. The name of mycology and the doctor-mycologist is quite understandable, since in translation mycology is the study of fungi, that is, skin problems and diseases.
Who is a mycologist?
Who is a mycologist is a doctor who diagnoses, treats and conducts preventive maintenance of fungal lesions of nails, hair and skin. The causative agents of fungal diseases are various kinds of pathogenic fungi. The source and carrier of the disease can be a person, an animal, objects of personal use and hygiene.
The task of the mycologist is to find out the cause of the disease, to find the source of infection and to eliminate it. Only after this it is possible to begin a full-fledged treatment of the patient. The field of activity of the mycologist is associated with diseases such as lichen, trichophytosis, candidiasis, rubrofitia and others. Mycologist also deals with the treatment of fungal diseases, for example, the treatment of nail fungus - onychomycosis.
To diagnose any disease mycologist conducts a full diagnosis of the patient. It takes scrapings from the lesion, that is, from the mucous membrane, skin or nail bed. The samples obtained are carefully examined under a microscope, and only after this the mycologist determines the disease and prescribes appropriate treatment.
When should I go to the mycologist?
When to contact a mycologist is a question that many patients ask, since everyone wants to know how to determine that a simple rash on the skin or damage to the nail can cause a serious illness.
The mycologist needs to be treated if you notice unnatural or unpleasant changes on the skin that give you discomfort. Under special attention are problems with nails, hair on the body and head. As a rule, any fungal disease begins to affect the skin between the little finger and the fourth finger, as well as in the folds of the feet. The main symptoms of the lesion:
- Redness and itching of the skin.
- Flaking of the skin and the subsequent formation of cracks and deep ruptures.
It is simply impossible not to pay attention to such diseases, since if the cause is in a fungal infection, the disease will progress and rise higher until it hits the entire arm or leg. The danger is not only in the serious consequences of timely treatment, but also in accompanying unpleasant sensations and deterioration of the appearance due to growths and cracks of coarse skin.
What tests do I have to pass to mycologist?
If you are going to see a doctor, then you need to know what tests you need to pass when calling a mycologist. The first thing you need to do is to scrap the nails and the skin. This will allow to check the presence of fungal diseases. Also scrapes are taken from eyelashes and skin to test for demodex, that is, mites.
To confirm my diagnosis, the mycologist sends tests for a laboratory examination. The result of the analysis is to wait for a couple of days, up to a week.
What diagnostic methods does the mycologist use?
A mycologist, like any other doctor whose work is closely linked to the treatment of infectious diseases, has several diagnostic methods that can accurately determine the disease and prescribe treatment.
In my practice mycologist uses laboratory methods of research and diagnosis. Only a full examination of the patient and the study of scrapings can diagnose the disease.
What does the mycologist do?
What does the mycologist do if the scope of his activity is very wide? Doctors who work in the field of mycology, are engaged in the study and treatment of skin diseases, mycoses and other infections that have emerged because of yeast fungi. Yeast fungi cause candidiasis, which is very difficult to get rid of. If the body has a mold, then we are talking about such diseases as epidermophytia, trichophytosis or microsporia.
Every professional mycologist should know how to recognize a disease that is caused by a fungal infection from diseases with other causes of injury. Thus, non-fungal diseases, which in their symptoms are similar to those with which the mycologist works, can be the cause of smoking, ENT problems, malnutrition, infectious diseases in the body, hereditary diseases, injuries, problems with the cardiovascular system and allergic reaction to various stimuli. In addition, mycologists are engaged in trichophytosis, that is, lichen diseases.
What diseases does the mycologist treat?
What diseases mycologist treats - first of all, these are diseases that are associated with a fungal infection, that is, mycoses, as well as non-fungal diseases and problems with the nails. Mycologist treats such diseases as:
- Actinomycosis.
- Fungal pneumonia.
- Panniculitis.
- Aspergillosis.
- Onychomycosis.
- Mukormycosis.
- Dermatitis and itching.
- Paronychia.
- Candidiasis.
- Changes in the color of the nails.
- Staphylococcal syndrome.
- Impetigo.
- Excessive sweating.
- Multicolored lichen.
- Dermatitis of feet and hands.
Advices of a mycologist
The advice of a mycologist is practical advice that will help solve many of the problems that mycologist faces before they grow into a disease. Of course, preventing the development of the disease is not always possible, but preventive measures will never be superfluous.
- If you are predisposed to allergic diseases, try to avoid anything that can cause a reaction. Stay away from plants with allergenic pollen and keep the house clean, so sometimes the cause of an allergy can become dust in the house.
- To prevent the defeat of the skin, it is enough to observe the basic rules of hygiene. Correct and regular care for the skin, do not allow the development of diaper rash, scuffing or sweating. Use talc for body and deodorants. Morning and evening shower will avoid problems with the skin.
- If you have started candidiasis, in simple words thrush, you should not self-medicate or wait until the disease passes by itself. Since delaying the time leads to irreversible consequences, therefore, immediately consult a doctor. Remember that candidiasis may also appear due to medications that you took earlier. Only a doctor can find the cause of the disease and prescribe an effective treatment.
- Always keep your hands and feet clean and dry. Since excessive sweating of the feet can lead to serious skin problems, treatment that will take more than one month of time. As for the hands, their cleanliness and regular care of them is a guarantee that the fungus or nail problems will not bother you.
- Eat right, you should have a balanced diet. It is on the quality of our food that our health depends. Do not forget to take vitamins in the winter and in the spring, when the body is most weakened and prone to various infectious and fungal diseases.
Mycologist is a specialist who knows everything about skin, hair and nails problems. He is a professional in dermatology and genetics. Only a qualified professional mycologist is able to diagnose a disease, find and eliminate its cause.
