mikolog

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Mycology is the science dealing with the study of fungi, by itself, is the section of biology. Mycologist is a doctor with higher education, often primary speciality is dermatologist, studying fungal diseases, and defeat the fungi of the skin, nails, hair. Itself Mycology is closely associated with dermatology and venereology.

Mycologist is engaged in the identification, treatment and prevention of mycotic lesions of the human body. It has in its Arsenal various methods of diagnostics, know how to determine the causative agent of a disease and how to get rid of it. Prevention of disease transmission is also in the competence of the mycologist. It needs to inform the patient about what carriers and sources of fungi can be not only the infected person but also hygiene items, personal belongings, animals.

Therefore, the mycologist must not only identify the cause of the disease, but also to determine its source, which must be addressed. Only in this case the treatment will be effective, and the person after getting rid of the disease will not experience re-infection.


What is a mycologist?

Sphere of activity of this specialist is wide enough. The range of activities mycologist include the identification and therapy of various skin diseases, which were caused by fungi. It can be mold damage – athlete's foot, trichophytosis, microsporia and yeast lesion – candidiasis (see also: causes, signs and symptoms of thrush).

Mycologist identifies the type of the agent, selects drugs for the irradiation, controls the course of therapy deals with the prevention of disease. To the mycologist should come to the consultation, if defeat were also the scalp or the nail plate.

Mycologist should be able to distinguish mycotic lesion from similar clinical manifestations of disease. Many diseases negribkovoy origin though and give the same symptoms but they are not triggered by mycotic organisms, such as Smoking, chronic ENT pathologies, malnutrition,allergies, etc.

Read more: Causes and symptoms of allergies


What illness is cured by a mycologist

Specialist deals with the treatment of fungal infections, as well as negribkovoy diseases of nail plates.

The competence of the doctor are:

  • Onychomycosis, which is the defeat of the nail plate by fungus-dermatophytes (various types) or other fungi. Requires prolonged treatment (at least 3 months), sometimes therapy can achieve.
  • Actinomycosis, which evolves as a result of entering into the human body of radiant fungi. The defeat may be exposed to any organs, but most commonly affected are the face, jaw, neck. The treatment is carried out in hospital, is the surgical treatment of the lesion and further conservative therapy.
  • Panniculitis is a disease of unknown etiology characterized by involvement of subcutaneous fat and the acute inflammation. The role of fungi in disease development is not clear, however, treatment of this problem can do the mycologist has the specialty of a dermatologist.
  • Aspergillosis caused by fungi belonging to the genus Aspergillus. These mycotic organisms often are lung and bronchi, although they can penetrate into the internal organs by hematogenous, causing severe complications.
  • Mukormikoz that is provoked by fungi, affects the nose and brain, often ends in death.
  • Fungal pneumonia is a deep mycotic lesion of the lung tissue. The disease can cause various fungi – molds, yeast, pnevmotsisty endemic dimorphic.
  • Paronychia, which is characterized by lesions of the nail folds and other tissues surrounding the nail. Usually caused by yeast-like fungi.
  • Candidiasis or failure of organs or organ systems yeast-like fungi. Candidiasis occur on the mucous membranes of the mouth, on the nails, in the intestines, in the female and male genitals, etc.
  • Pityriasis versicolor, which is the result of damage to the skin by the yeast-like fungi.
  • Dermatosis and itchy skin.

This is the most common practice in mycologist of the disease. Besides them, any fungal infections within the purview of a specialist, so they must be properly interpreted and treated.

When should I contact the mycologist foradvice

Consult a mycologist – a survey of the diagnostic plan to identify fungal infections of the nails, skin and hair. Most often, the mycologist recommends seeing a dermatologist for a more specialized doctor.

Symptoms that should alert man:

  • Dandruff;
  • Itchy scalp and body;
  • Ulcers on the skin, accompanied by itching;
  • Cracking of the dermis, peeling;
  • Unusual nail color, changing their structure;
  • Exfoliation of the skin with its rupture in subsequent.

Not to pay attention to a fungal infection of the skin or nails is quite difficult. Starting with minor itching and redness, the microorganisms will gradually take over new areas of the body and nails. Untreated infection may cause development of serious health complications, and deterioration of appearance of the patient and decrease their quality of life.


How is the reception from the mycologist

Initial consultation with a specialist is that the doctor will listen and assess the complaints of the patient. The next stage is the medical history and examination of affected areas of the skin and nails, as well as the implementation of the inspection covers with the lamp wood.

Wood lamp is applied in dermatology in order to detect fungal skin infections and for the detection of ringworm. Therefore, such a device must be in the office of the mycologist.

In addition, the primary reception includes sampling of scrape material for further research. In this regard, should not be applied to the dermis any ointments, tinctures, powders or creams. Skin before visiting a doctor-mycologist must be clean.

At the end of the reception, the doctor may recommend to pass additional tests and set a date for the next appointment.


Diagnostic methods that are used by the mycologist

  • A fence of smears from the mucous membrane of the throat, ear, sinuses, and pharynx. After the material is received, performs a microscopic examination of the discharge and culture on different nutrient medium, which allows to allocate culture of the fungus and to determine its type. Such a diagnostic method suitable for the detection of fungal infections of ENT-organs.
  • Crystallographic method for the determination of fungi of the genus Candida.
  • Fence area affected skin with a disposable scalpel, remove the outer part of the nail and hair using a sterile scissors. Subsequentlaboratory study of the materials obtained with the use of CON.
  • Electroacupuncture diagnostics by R. Voll.
  • Application of the PCR method, which has value in identifying deep candidiasis and infection disseminirovannaya. In addition, in some cases, only PCR allows genotyping and identification in species of the fungus.
  • Rapid diagnosis of fungal infections using immunosensing method. To perform the analysis required serum of the blood of the patient.
  • Chemiluminescent analysis in immunodiagnostics fungi of the genus Candida.

Most often, the result is possible to obtain after 2-7 days, after he was made a fence of material for research. However, there are methods of Express-diagnostics, which after only a few hours can give information on the type of fungal infection in human, and therefore will make it possible to put a diagnosis and begin treatment.


Methods of prevention of fungal diseases recommended by mycologists

Mycologist at the consultation, each patient tells about rather simple methods of prevention of fungal diseases, which will minimize the risk of infection:

  • Maintaining cleanliness in the house, taking care of personal belongings. It is particularly important to conduct regular wet cleaning, people tend to develop allergies.
  • Compliance with the rules of hygiene. It is important to prevent the formation of diaper rash, heat rash skin.
  • Upon detection of the first symptoms of candidiasis should not be treated independently. You need to contact the doctor for further diagnosis and prescription of therapy.
  • Content feet and hands clean and dry. In the presence of excessive sweating, you should seek assistance from a dermatologist or mycologist.
  • Proper nutrition and vitamins depending on the season.