Mycotic lesions of the skin and stratum corneum are extremely unpleasant. But these infections are quite common: omniscient statistics claim that a fifth of humanity has experienced all the "delight" of getting acquainted with them. One type of pathology is a fungus between the toes, which without necessary treatment will soon spread to the nails. It won't be easy to deal with, but liberation is still possible. Complex therapy will help fight the disease, but it must be carried out patiently and competently.
What is interdigital foot fungus and what does it look like?
Three types of fungi cause finger infections: molds, yeasts and dermatophytes. Each of them has their own preferences. Microorganisms from the fungal family settle in areas of the legs where it is warm and humid, which is why they often appear where there is already a similar injury. The yeast fungus does not disdain nails or skin. Dermatophytes are the most common culprits of ringworm; Thumb fungus and interdigital pathology are his "specialization. "What all species have in common is a preference for heat and high humidity.
The symptoms of the fungus in the initial phase are quite mild. It may be suspected if the following signs are present:
- fissures that appear suddenly on the foot and toes, most often the medical history begins with the little toe;
- the skin around the cracks peels off;
- slight itching, disappearing without a trace after hygiene procedures.
When the fungus begins to actively multiply, the symptoms can no longer be ignored: red spots appear, intense peeling, burning and itching are possible. The occurrence of bubbles with transparent content cannot be ruled out. As the cracks deepen, they become erosions. The inflammatory process leads to tissue swelling.
If this period is ignored, the advanced stage of the fungus begins:
- transparent blisters between the fingers turn into ulcers that burst, forming wounds;
- itching, burning intensify, severe pain appears;
- Mycosis, spreading through the nails, begins to destroy them.
It is no longer possible to ignore such symptoms. Going to the doctor becomes the only option to regain your health.
Causes of interdigital mycosis
The fungus between the toes has no shortage of victims, on the contrary, the number of those infected is growing. The reason for this sad situation is the lack of knowledge of hygiene rules. Because these pathogenic organisms love high humidity and heat, and their entry points are skin wounds, the risk increases if the following factors are present:
- visiting public places where a person walks barefoot or uses other people's shoes, towels or cloths;
- tight shoes causing microtraumas;
- excessive sweating associated with a careless attitude to hygiene procedures;
- decreased immunity;
- varicose veins;
- Hormonal imbalance;
- dysbiosis.
Danger of mycotic infection
Some people don't think foot fungus is a serious problem. But this opinion is wrong. The greatest danger is the chronic form of the disease, which leads to damage to the nails, which in itself greatly affects the quality of life. A person with ringworm is a source of infection that can "reward" the whole family, and a fungus between the fingers of a child or an elderly person can cause major health problems.
If the disease is left to chance, the body will suffer from the toxins that form as a result of fungal activity. Fungal infections, in some cases, cause serious allergic reactions. Against the background of ringworm, immunity is suppressed, which is especially dangerous for children and the elderly. As a result, a "non-serious" illness will lead to the penetration of many other infections - bacterial or viral - with consequences of varying degrees of severity.
How to treat toe fungus
Not everyone can get rid of the fungus quickly, so it's better to prepare in advance for a long battle. Therapy is usually carried out at home, so you first need to undergo an examination to find out the real culprit. After determining it, the doctor (dermatologist or mycologist) will prescribe a comprehensive treatment.
Pills
An infection that has reached an advanced stage requires oral medications. For this type of therapy, effective antifungal tablets and capsules are used that help get rid of the scourge quickly.
- The medicine from the allylamine group is the most frequently prescribed. It copes with finger fungus in 3-4 weeks. The maximum daily dose is 250 mg.
- A triazole derivative is the next broad-spectrum drug. Your intake is limited to two tablets per day. It is necessary to take two two-week courses, with a 21-day break between them.
- The product from the triazole group are capsules used for various skin diseases. The drug also helps against fungus on the feet, between the toes. There are 2 options for taking it: once a day, 50 mg, or once a week, but immediately 150 mg. The course of therapy is 4 to 6 weeks.
Ointments
Oral medications must be supplemented with medications for external use - creams or ointments. They are the first answer to the question of how to get rid of toe fungus. Local remedies are numerous and their costs vary.
All ointments will be effective if one condition is met: the feet must first be steamed in a solution of soap and soda, and then dried well.
- The imidazole derivative is the leader of the sympathies of those who have decided to destroy foot fungus at home. The reason is efficiency and reasonable price. The medicine is applied to clean fingers and nails 2 to 3 times a day. The duration of the course is individual, controlled by a doctor. After symptoms disappear, it is recommended to continue treatment for 2 weeks or more.
- A product from the imidazole group is used twice a day, the duration of therapy is 4 to 6 weeks, but in advanced cases it is necessary to apply the composition for a few more days. When the fungus spreads to the nails, ointment compresses are made.
- Cream from the allylamine group is also in the external products category. The active ingredient is the substance that gives the cream its name. The cream is applied 1 to 2 times a day, if the feet are affected the application period is up to 4 weeks. If the nail plates are already affected by mycosis, it is recommended to treat the feet for 3 to 6 months.
The main rule is the regularity of the procedures and compliance with the prescribed deadlines. In other cases, treatment may become ineffective.
Baths
This popular treatment for fungus between toes at home will not take much time, but it will be effective if the stage of ringworm is easily curable.
- Coffee.For the procedure you will need ground coffee: 10 tablespoons. I. pour 2 liters of boiling water. When the "drink" cools, put your feet in it. It is allowed to take foot baths with coffee twice a day.
- Artemisia.To prepare, take a liter of boiling water and 150 g of herbs. Prepare the decoction in a water bath for 30 minutes. The duration of the procedure is at least half an hour.
- Boric acid- a well-known remedy for fungus between the fingers. For the bath, take 40 g of powder, which dissolves in water (50-60 °C). There is no need to abuse the procedure; do it 2 to 3 times a week.
- Salt and soda.Pour warm water into a container and add 1 tbsp. I. chloride and sodium carbonate. Keep your feet in the bathtub for at least 15 minutes and then rinse with water.
- Celandine.2 tbsp. I. pour herbs with a liter of boiling water, cover with a lid and wait for it to cool to room temperature. The duration of the procedure should be at least a quarter of an hour.
These procedures do not always help and not everyone. This feature is inherent not only in popular methods. But that doesn't mean you should give up: there are many ways to cure fungus between your toes.
Compresses
This type of treatment is good because the medications remain in the affected areas for a long time, as many of them are recommended to be kept overnight. The following folk remedies are recommended in this category:
- Propolis.An alcohol tincture is used for the compress. Cotton is moistened in it, which is then fixed between the fingers. The procedures last a week and a half.
- Birch tar.Before applying the composition, the feet are well steamed and cleaned of dead skin. Dry feet are lubricated with tar, the space between the toes is treated with special care. This compress is kept for at least an hour, then the excess tar is removed with a napkin. It is prohibited to wash your feet for 2 days. The total number of procedures is 4-5 times.
- Garliccrushed and then mixed with salt. Garlic compresses should not be left on for a long time. The product is left for 1-2 hours.
- Ammonia.Take 1 tablespoon per glass of water. I. Then a piece of gauze is soaked in the solution and wrapped around the foot. A bag is placed on top and a sock on top. About 8 to 10 procedures need to be performed.
- Onionas effective as garlic. Only in this case is juice used. Compresses are left overnight. If the skin between your fingers becomes wet and a strong burning sensation bothers you, you can mix the juice with petroleum jelly in equal proportions.
Physiotherapy
To be successful, the complex treatment of interdigital fungus on the feet also includes physiotherapeutic procedures:
- Ozone therapy.This procedure significantly accelerates the growth of a healthy nail when the disease is seriously advanced. During the procedure, both the plate and the skin are saturated with ozone and oxygen, which stimulates nail growth, simultaneously destroying the fungal infection. Not only fungus on the skin of the toes, but also absolutely all types of mycoses are successfully cured.
- Laser treatment.During this operation, only the cells in which the fungus has settled are destroyed. The course of therapy includes 4 to 10 procedures. No preliminary preparation is required, but parallel drug treatment is necessary.
Diet
To successfully defeat finger fungus, it is important to change your diet.
Some foods from the diet should be completely excluded or their consumption very limited. These include:
- alcoholic beverages;
- confectionery, flour products;
- fermented dairy products containing sugar;
- candy;
- sausages;
- canned food;
- smoked meats;
- meat;
- semi-finished products.
They are allowed:
- cereals (only semolina and rice are excluded);
- coffee;
- dairy and unsweetened fermented milk products;
- Seafood;
- vegetables, greens;
- walnut seeds;
- cooked fish;
- butter and vegetable oil;
- tea;
- eggs.
How to prevent disease recurrence
In order for toe mycosis to disappear forever, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Wear shoes that fit your feet to avoid injuring your toes. It is better to give preference to natural materials. Frequent disinfection of shoes is necessary.
- After public places, feet need preventive measures: they should be washed and lubricated with lemon juice, and much attention should be paid to the toes.
- Changing socks daily is mandatory. It is better to opt for cotton products.
- Changing shoes and bed linen, as well as using other people's towels and pedicure items, is prohibited.
- Strengthening the immune system is a priority, which is why your diet should always include fruits, juices and vegetables.
To take care of your skin and toenails, it is recommended to have a pedicure every month and a half.