One of the most common infectious diseases is foot fungus.Since this can lead to quite serious consequences, it is necessary to carry out appropriate treatment as early as possible.It should be based on the type of disease, the time of onset of symptoms and the presence of other pathological processes in the body.
Factors influencing fungal infection
Athlete's foot is the most common fungal infection on Earth.This is due to the fact that there are many factors that have a favorable effect on the development of the disease:
- Endocrinological diseases, including diabetes mellitus;
- Immune deficiency of various etiology;
- Poor circulation in the lower limbs;
- Some pathologies of the structure of the foot (deformation, narrow spaces between the phalanges, diabetic form, etc.);
- Wearing poor-quality or ill-fitting shoes;
- Non-compliance with sanitary and hygienic rules.
The above factors do not lead to fungal diseases, but significantly increase the risk of infection. First of all, this applies to people who visit places with an increased risk of transmitting foot fungus.They are the following institutions:
- swimming pools;
- saunas;
- bathrooms;
- gyms;
- fitness centers;
- Beaches etc.
The risk of contracting a fungal infection increases significantly when you live in the same room with a person who neglects the treatment process of this disease if the symptoms are severe.The use of ordinary hygiene items (towels, toothbrushes, etc.) is strictly prohibited, as this almost completely guarantees the transmission of fungal spores.
Symptoms of foot fungus
The symptoms of the fungus of the lower extremities directly depend on the form of the disease, but in general we can identify a certain standard list of symptoms that are most common:
- itching of the skin;
- Inflammatory process on the surface of the epidermis;
- Dryness and peeling of the upper layers of the skin;
- The appearance of certain formations on the skin of the legs (bubbles, papules, vesicles);
- Brittleness and gradual destruction of the nail plates;
- Thickening of the skin, mainly on the foot;
- The appearance of cracks in places of thickening;
- Formation of scales that gradually fall from the surface of the foot.
Often, the symptoms of foot fungus appear gradually, and not suddenly, so it is very important to pay attention to the problem at the first signs, carry out diagnostics and start appropriate treatment.
Types and forms of foot fungus
In medical practice, there are only four forms of the spread of foot fungus:
- Interdigital (intertriginous);
- Squamous-hyperkeratotic;
- Vesicular (dyshidrotic);
- Deleted.
The most common type of foot fungus is the interdigital form, which is most active in the summer. The folds between the 3rd and 4th as well as the 4th and 5th toes are often affected. But as the disease progresses, skin manifestations spread to all areas between the phalanges of the foot.Initially, only a small ulcer or fissure appears.It can be dry or wet.White or greenish skin is layered around the perimeter, gradually turning into scales.At the same time, the disease does not spread to the back of the foot, being localized only in the front.
The squamous-hyperkeratotic form of nail fungus is a two-process disease.Squamosis is a lesion of only the top layer of the skin, while hyperkeratosis is a further growth of the stratum corneum that occurs after the previous spread of the fungus.The lesion is localized on the foot, hitting it directly on the rib.First, scales form on it, then gradually a thick layer of changed skin grows.
After the keratinized part acquires a certain thickness, cracks often appear in the heel area.They bring not only discomfort, but also severe pain when walking.Almost always, if left untreated, this form of foot fungus also affects the nails, causing onychomycosis.Thus, not only the leg itself is affected, but also other parts of the legs.
The vesicular form of athlete's foot is the rarest and least common.It differs in that vesicles appear on the lower extremities - various bubbles and blisters with a certain liquid inside.As the disease progresses, the fullness of the formations becomes cloudy, after which they crack.After that, pink-red sores form, which can even merge with each other.This leads to extensive erosive phenomena occurring on the feet.The biggest problem is the open access of bacteria and other pathogens to these wounds.Therefore, often a sick person, in addition to fungi, can also infect other diseases.This, in turn, affects not only overall health, but also the duration and complexity of treatment.
The erased form of fungus on the legs has the mildest symptoms, which are manifested only in the appearance of a small, almost imperceptible "flour" on the surface of the limbs.In some cases, microcracks appear, which are only noticeable upon prolonged examination or magnification.These symptoms are accompanied by mild itching or burning.As in other stages, foot fungus can also affect the nails, after which a person begins to pay attention to changes in the appearance of his feet.
Diagnosis and treatment of foot fungus
The diagnosis of mycosis of the feet should be made by a qualified mycologist. If there is no such specialist, you should contact a dermatologist.The following methods are used for diagnosis:
- Collection and microscopic analysis of scrapings;
- Cultural Studies;
- DNA research.
Treatment of foot fungus is often carried out with drugs with a broad spectrum of action, so it is not necessary to determine which pathogen has become the causative agent.It is only important to determine whether the lesion is fungal in nature.
Doctors often recommend both external treatment and systemic therapy of the fungus. In the early stages, in most cases, external antifungal agents are used in available forms.All creams, sprays and varnishes should not be applied to dirty skin.Studies show that this is not worth doing, since in this case they do not bring the desired effect.
The simplest course of treatment is for the interdigital form of fungus.It can heal in one to two weeks.To do this, apply external antifungal agents to the affected skin areas once a day.It is best to start therapy at this stage instead of treating advanced forms of the disease.
In the case of squamous-hyperkeratosis form, you must first get rid of the keratinization of the foot.This can be done through a special appliance procedure or home wraps with salicylic ointment.After exposing a thick layer of altered tissue, it must be gradually scraped off.After removing the top layer, you can start treating the fungus on your feet with ointments.
The vesicular form should not be treated immediately with antifungal drugs until the acute form is eliminated.In some cases, corticosteroid ointments are prescribed and only after them an antifungal.
Fungicidal foams, creams and ointments are used to treat exfoliated forms of foot fungus.In this case, you can wash your feet only immediately before the next application of the drug.
Since foot fungus can even penetrate the body itself and not develop only on the surface, systemic therapy should also be undertaken.This is especially important when the disease becomes extensive and severe.Doctors often recommend in such cases to take antimycotic tablets together with external means.In this way, the treatment of foot fungus will have an overall effect and help you to cope with the disease faster.
Traditional methods of treatment
Often, the fungus on the skin of the feet does not pose a great danger to the life and health of people, but they bring some discomfort.That is why infected people try to fight this disease by all possible means.This also applies to traditional methods of treatment, which are quite effective at some stages of the disease.
Baths with wine vinegar have a beneficial effect in the treatment of foot fungus. This is due to the fact that this substance has an antiseptic effect. Before taking such baths, you should wash and dry your feet well.Only then can they be placed in a basin with vinegar solution for 3-5 minutes.After the procedure, you should put on socks soaked in the same solution on your feet, which should not be removed until the morning.
Washing the affected areas of the feet with a decoction of medicinal herbs is one of the oldest methods of treating foot fungus.To do this, mix equal amounts of calendula inflorescences, oak bark, verbena herb and dried blackberries.Add 3 tablespoons of this mixture to water and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes.The liquid should then be filtered and the resulting broth used for lotions.
In some cases, special homemade anti-fungal ointments help.Wood ash and lard are used to make them.These components must be mixed until a homogeneous mass with a thick consistency is obtained.It should be applied to the areas where rashes appear, twice a day.
Prevention of foot fungus
To prevent infection with foot fungus, you must follow certain rules for the prevention of this disease:
- It is necessary to limit walking barefoot in places with an increased risk of infection, where infection most often occurs;
- People in certain occupations (military, athletes, factory workers and miners) should use protective creams;
- Once a month it is necessary to disinfect both the inner and outer surface of the shoes;
- It is important to eat properly and take the necessary amount of vitamins;
- Drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking cigarettes should be stopped;
- Bathroom surfaces must be thoroughly disinfected and wiped;
- Bed linen should be washed thoroughly and ironed at high temperatures;
- There is no need to wear foreign clothes and use personal hygiene products that are not individual;
- It is also important to perform a pedicure every six months, as it aims to eliminate the environment in which fungal spores like to penetrate and multiply.
By observing all preventive measures, you can practically eliminate the possibility of a possible infection.If the fungus still penetrates the skin of a person, these rules should also not be neglected in order not to worsen the current situation.
Conclusion
It is worth remembering that foot fungus is much easier to prevent than to treat.If the moment of infection is missed, therapy should begin as soon as possible, before the symptoms develop strongly and lead to serious consequences. If the treatment is carried out comprehensively and completely, after some time the patient will not even remember the unpleasant appearance of his legs, which was initially.