Foot fungus is a common name for several types of dermatomycosis, differing in location and type of fungus. There are four main groups of foot mycosis:
- skin of interdigital spaces;
- toes;
- toenails (onychomycosis);
- skin of the lower extremities.
What is foot mycosis?
If you believe the statistics, in our country foot fungus is diagnosed in almost twenty percent of the population. Fungal infections live freely in the environment and sometimes we don't even realize that we may be carrying the disease.
Under certain favorable conditions, some of the nearly five hundred species of fungi that exist in nature experience a "moment of rebirth. "They multiply quickly, forming numerous colonies and spreading spores to new areas of the skin.
Fungal residues are toxic. As a result of intoxication, the whole body can suffer.
Foot mycosis is caused by microscopic fungi:
- dermatophytes;
- yeast;
- musty;
- candidiasis.
Prerequisites for the occurrence of foot fungus:
- visit a swimming pool, sauna, bathhouse, gym, any place where you have to move barefoot, and there is also a risk of getting sick while working;
- wear someone else's shoes;
- dermatological diseases (neurodermatitis, psoriasis, eczema);
- organic chronic diseases;
- diabetes mellitus (diabetic foot) and other endocrine diseases;
- flat feet with deformity of the big toe;
- increased sweating of the skin of the feet (hyperhidrosis);
- decreased body defenses, especially in people with nail fungus (onychomycosis);
- uncontrolled use of antibiotics, hormones and antiallergics;
- lesions on the skin of the feet in the form of cracks, corns and calluses.
What does foot fungus look like?
The disease manifests itself depending on the type of fungus that has "infected" the skin of the feet and the exact place where it is located.
Often, the symptoms of the disease (scaling, flaking, severe itching) occur with the addition of an inflammatory process due to itching.
Fungal infection of the skin and toenails has two forms - acute and chronic. In the acute form, recovery usually occurs within a few days (considering the adequacy of prescribed medications). The chronic form is not completely cured, it alternates between relapses and remissions. Its treatment aims to alleviate the symptoms of the disease.
Important! As soon as you suspect the first signs of foot fungus, run to the doctor! Do not self-medicate, slowing the spread of the infection. The longer you delay visiting a specialist, the longer the treatment will take.
Foot fungus between the toes
The infection, as a rule, first affects the interdigital folds (especially the narrowest among them - between the third and fourth fingers).
Signs of interdigital fungus on the foot:
- thickened skin is dry;
- furrows and even calluses form;
- the skin on the feet cracks and peels;
- pain and debilitating itching appear.
It happens that the fungus remains hidden and manifests itself only through the formation of small cracks between the fingers, slight peeling and slight itching. The patient goes a long time without seeking medical help and only when crying occurs does the patient begin to worry.
The exudative (humectant) form of the fungus on the feet is:
- intertriginous, occurring as diaper rash;
- dyshidrotic – with the appearance of blisters;
- mixed - interginous-dyshidrotic.
The most dangerous form of fungal infection is considered vesicular foot fungus or dyshidrotic mycosis.
It is characterized by the formation of painful vesicles (large blisters) that merge and form large erosive areas without any skin covering. As it develops, erosion constantly increases in volume. The fluid inside the blisters is highly contagious. You can infect all family members at once.
The foot, which is practically skinless, is also at risk of "catching" a serious purulent infection. Recovery is delayed for at least three to four months. The place of localization is usually the skin on the instep, a little less often - the skin between the toes and even less often - the skin on the surface of the heel.
Fungus on toes
An untreated fungus "crawls" from the interdigital space to the nearest fingers. In principle, all the symptoms characteristic of mycotic infection of the interdigital folds are also inherent in the skin of the toes - severe itching, etc. They cause a lot of inconvenience.
As a result of endless scratching, the skin on the fingers thickens, becomes inflamed and turns bright red. Persistent swelling, pustules and blisters appear. A pustular rash often forms as a result of a bacterial infection.
Almost always, the process that occurs on the skin of the fingers or between them spreads to the nails.
Onychomycosis or nail fungus
The main causative agent of the disease is dermatophytes and, at least, fungi of the genus Candida. The appearance of the nail and the sensations with onychomycosis are not the most pleasant.
Signs of the disease:
- deformation and separation of the nail;
- pain when walking;
- appearance of cloudiness and yellowish tint on the nail;
- significant thickening of the nail plate;
- nail destruction.
Important! Onychomycosis contributes to the transition of any fungal disease into a chronic form. Do not delay a visit to the doctor, as fungal spores can spread further to the extremities: legs, thighs and even buttocks, abdomen and chest.
Foot fungus: causes and symptoms of the disease in a child
The fungus occurs on children's feet for several reasons:
- endocrine disorders;
- uncomfortable faux leather shoes that don't fit;
- inadequate functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
- dirty and untrimmed toenails;
- neglect of personal hygiene rules when visiting bathhouses and gyms;
- flat foot.
Most often, the fungus affects children's skin in the spaces between the fingers. Symptoms: peeling, thickening of the nail plate tissue, severe itching. Small erosions and ulcers appear, inflammation of the skin of the foot.
Diagnosis of foot mycosis
The correct treatment of foot mycosis, as well as its diagnosis, can only be carried out by a dermatologist.
What a doctor should do when diagnosing foot fungus:
- detailed examination of the patient's foot;
- collection of anamnesis (a survey of the symptoms of the disease is carried out, as well as the presence or absence of chronic diseases, heredity);
- shave the affected skin or cut off a piece of deformed nail;
- a special test to confirm the presence of a fungal infection in the body as a whole;
- sow the material on nutrient medium (if necessary);
- skin biopsy (a small piece of affected skin is cut) for microscopic examination (carried out in exceptional cases);
- General and biochemical blood test.
To take the test correctly, you need:
- do not use antifungals without a medical prescription;
- do not treat the affected skin with anything at least three days before the test;
- It is advisable to use only baby soap without additives;
- do not carry out manipulations to remove nails for a week;
- do not take medications;
- if possible, do not smoke;
- Before taking a blood test, do not drink coffee, lemonade or alcohol.
How and how to treat foot mycosis
The treatment prescribed by the doctor is usually complex, consisting of tablets and local products (creams, ointments, sprays). Treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies should not be ignored. They will be able to speed up the healing process of injuries. It is impossible to name an effective remedy that can be used for foot fungus, since during treatment it is important to obtain an antimycotic effect, eliminate concomitant pathologies and improve the blood supply to the feet.
The following have an excellent therapeutic effect:
- A broad-spectrum antifungal is an excellent remedy for foot fungus. It is the basis of many antimycotic medications. For local use only. Effective as an ointment, cream, lotion, aerosol. The ointment should be applied in a thin layer to the clean, dry soles of the feet, three times a day. It is best to use one or two months after treatment.
- Product (lotion) to restore and protect the nail plate in case of fungal infection. This spray has been proven to be effective against foot fungus. It mainly serves to prevent fungal diseases. Contains undecylenic acid, which forms immunity against fungal nail diseases. The spray is very easy to apply. It is used on the inner surface of shoes to disinfect them. But a patient with onychomycosis still needs to be treated not only with this, but also with other antimycotics.
- Antifungal medication for systemic use."In the ground" kills fungi of all types. It is used in the form of tablets, cream, spray and solution for oral administration. For adults, tablets are prescribed for two weeks, taken twice a day. Cream for fungus on the skin of feet is applied to damaged areas twice a day. The duration of treatment can vary from a week to a month and a half.
- Antifungal antibiotic. The drug inhibits the proliferation of fungi. Available in the form of tablets, oral suspension and ointment. The ointment is indicated for use only in cases where the nail is not affected by fungi of the genus Candida.The pills are taken for three months. The first month - once a day, the second and third - every other day. The dosage is prescribed by the doctor. The medication ends when healthy nails grow back.
- Antimycotic medication. It has a high degree of activity against all groups of mycotic organisms that can cause foot fungus. It is available in suppositories and tablets, but is used to treat fungal infections of the intestines and female genitals. It is recommended to apply the ointment once or twice a day for up to a month.
How to treat foot fungus at home
It is possible and necessary to treat a fungal "infection" at home, but only after consulting a doctor and having test results and a set of individually selected special medications with you. Traditional medicine also treats foot fungus, but is usually used only as an additional treatment:
Baking soda is used for foot fungus as a softener (for painful nails). Place your feet in a soda solution (prepared at the rate of one teaspoon per liter of warm water) for 7 to 9 minutes. From cotton we form a plate corresponding to the size of the nail. Dip a cotton ball in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and place it on a soft nail. Wrap the compress in plastic wrap or place it on your fingertip. Keep the swab on the nail for 45 to 60 minutes. We repeat the manipulation twice a day. If a burning sensation occurs, rinse your finger with water. You will see the effectiveness of the procedure within four days.
Treating foot fungus with wine vinegar is a simple and inexpensive remedy. In the evening, wash your feet with warm water without soap and place them in a basin with a strong solution of wine vinegar. After five minutes, clean your feet and put on socks previously soaked in this solution. The procedure has a disinfecting effect. A simple recipe for home treatment is a bath with instant coffee. Prepare strong coffee in the required amount of water. The drink is allowed to cool a little and the feet are steamed. With regularity – twice a day – the unpleasant foot odor is eliminated and the mycosis is "expelled".
Rules for caring for personal belongings during illness:
- flip-flops must have a closed toe and heel;
- you can't walk barefoot;
- shoes should be treated with antifungal agents twice a day, for example: a 40% acetic acid solution;
- wash personal items separately from others;
- Wash bathtubs, washbasins, shower cabins with disinfectant solutions after use;
- Daily wet cleaning of the apartment and ventilation of the room are required;
- daily change of socks;
- After recovery, get rid of old underwear, shoes and medicines.
Preventing foot and nail fungus
To the question "How not to get sick? "the answers are simple:
- maintain personal hygiene;
- follow a dairy and vegetable diet, eat more vegetables and fruits;
- give up bad habits;
- control your emotional state, be careful with stress;
- practice physical education and outdoor sports.