One of the most common infectious diseases is foot fungus.Since it can lead to quite serious consequences, it is necessary to carry out adequate treatment as soon 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
Foot fungus is the most common fungal infection on Earth.This is due to the fact that there are many factors that have a beneficial effect on the development of the disease:
- Endocrinological diseases, including diabetes mellitus;
- Immunodeficiency of various etiologies;
- Poor circulation in the lower limbs;
- Some pathologies of the foot structure (deformations, narrow spaces between the phalanges, diabetic form, etc.);
- Wearing low quality or inappropriate footwear;
- Failure to comply with hygiene and health standards.
The above factors do not lead to fungal diseases, but significantly increase the risk of infection. This applies first and foremost to people who visit places with a high 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 living in the same room with a person who ignores the process of treating this disease if the symptoms are severe.The use of common hygiene items (towels, toothbrushes, etc.) is strictly prohibited, as this almost completely guarantees the transmission of fungal spores.
Symptoms of foot fungus
Symptoms of 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 occur most often:
- Itchy skin;
- Inflammatory process on the surface of the epidermis;
- Dryness and flaking of the upper layers of the skin;
- The appearance of certain formations on the skin of the legs (blisters, papules, vesicles);
- Fragility and progressive destruction of nails;
- Thickening of the skin, mainly on the sole of the foot;
- The appearance of cracks in places of thickening;
- Formation of scales that gradually fall off the surface of the leg.
Often the symptoms of mycosis of the feet appear gradually and not all at once, so it is very important to pay attention to the problem at the first signs, make a diagnosis and start adequate treatment.
Types and forms of fungus on the feet
In medical practice, there are only four forms of spread of foot fungus:
- Interdigital (intertriginous);
- Squamous-hyperkeratotic;
- Vesicular (dyshidrotic);
- Cancelled.
The most common type of foot fungus is the interdigital form, which is most active in summer. The creases between the 3rd and 4th toes are often affected, as are the 4th and 5th toes. But as the disease progresses, the skin manifestations spread to all areas between the phalanges of the foot.Initially only a small ulcer or crack appears.It can be dry or wet.White or greenish skin layers along 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 part.
The squamous-hyperkeratotic form of nail fungus is a two-process disease.Squamosis is a lesion of only the upper layer of the skin, while hyperkeratosis is a further growth of the stratum corneum, which occurs after the preliminary spread of the fungus.The lesion is localized on the sole of the foot, affecting it directly along the coast.First, scales form on it, after which a thick layer of altered skin gradually grows.
After the keratinized part has acquired 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.Therefore, not only the foot itself is affected, but also other parts of the legs.
The vesicular form of foot fungus 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 burst.Subsequently, pink-red ulcers form that can even merge with each other.This leads to extensive erosive phenomena occurring on the legs.The biggest problem is the free access of bacteria and other pathogens to these wounds.Therefore, often a sick person, in addition to the fungus, can contract other diseases.This in turn affects not only overall health, but also the duration and complexity of treatment.
The erased form of foot fungus has the mildest symptoms, which are manifested only by the appearance of a small, almost imperceptible "flour" on the surface of the extremities.In some cases, microcracks appear, visible only with 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 legs 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 research;
- DNA research.
Treatment of foot fungus is often carried out with drugs with a broad spectrum of action, which is why it is not necessary to determine which pathogen became the causative agent.It is only important to determine that the lesion is fungal in nature.
Doctors often recommend both external treatment and systemic therapy for the fungus. In the initial stages, in most cases, external antifungal agents in available forms are used.All creams, sprays and paints should not be applied to dirty skin.Studies have shown that it is not worth doing this, since in this case they do not bring the desired effect.
The simplest course of treatment is for the interdigital form of the fungus.It can be cured in one to two weeks.To do this, apply external antifungal agents to the affected skin areas once a day.It is better to start therapy at this stage than to treat advanced forms of the disease.
In the squamous-hyperkeratotic form it is first necessary to eliminate the keratinization on the sole of the foot.This can be done using a special procedure with a device or home compresses with salicylic ointment.After exposure to a thick layer of altered tissue, it is necessary to scrape it off gradually.After removing the top layer, you can start treating the fungus on the feet with ointments.
The vesicular form should not be treated immediately with antifungal drugs until its acute form has been eliminated.In some cases, corticosteroid ointments are prescribed and only then an antifungal.
To treat erased forms of foot fungus, fungicidal foams, creams and ointments are used.In this case, you can wash your feet only immediately before the next application of the drug.
Since foot fungi can also penetrate the body itself and not only develop on the surface, it is also necessary to adopt systemic therapy.This is especially important when the disease becomes extensive and severe.In such cases, doctors often recommend taking antifungal tablets along with external means.Therefore, treatment of foot fungus will have a comprehensive effect and will help you cope with the disease faster.
Traditional methods of treatment
Often, foot skin fungi do not pose a great danger to human life and health, but they bring some discomfort.That is why infected people are trying to fight this disease by all possible means.This also applies to traditional treatment methods, which are quite effective at some stages of the disease.
Baths with wine vinegar have a beneficial effect on the treatment of foot fungus. This is due to the fact that this substance has an antiseptic effect. Before taking such baths, you should thoroughly wash and dry your feet.Only then can they be placed in a basin with a vinegar solution for 3-5 minutes.After the procedure, you should wear 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 used in the treatment of foot fungus.To do this, mix equal amounts of marigold inflorescences, oak bark, verbena herb and dried blackberries.Add 3 tablespoons of this mixture to the water and cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes.Next, the liquid must be filtered and the resulting broth used for lotions.
In some cases, special homemade ointments against fungi help.Wood ash and pork fat are used to make them.These components must be mixed until a homogeneous mass of dense consistency is obtained.It should be applied to the areas where rashes occur twice a day.
Prevention of foot fungus
To prevent fungal infection on the feet, you should follow some rules for the prevention of this disease:
- It is necessary to limit barefoot walking in places with a high risk of infection, where infection occurs most often;
- People who carry out certain professions (military, athletes, workers and miners) should use protective creams;
- It is necessary to disinfect both the internal and external surfaces of the shoes once a month;
- It is important to eat well and take the necessary amount of vitamins;
- You should stop drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking cigarettes;
- Bathroom surfaces must be carefully disinfected and dried;
- Bed linen must be washed thoroughly and ironed at high temperatures;
- It is not necessary to wear other people's clothes and use personal hygiene products that are not individual;
- It is also important to have a pedicure every six months, as it aims to eliminate the environment in which fungal spores like to penetrate and multiply.
By following all preventive measures, you can virtually eliminate the possibility of possible infections.If the fungus penetrates the skin of a person, these rules should also not be ignored, so as not to aggravate the current situation.
Conclusion
It is worth remembering that foot fungus is much easier to prevent than cure.If the moment of infection is missed, therapy should be started as early as possible, before the symptoms develop strongly and lead to serious consequences. If the treatment is carried out thoroughly and comprehensively, then after some time the patient will not even remember the unpleasant appearance of his legs that he had initially.