One of the most common infectious diseases is foot fungus.As it can have quite serious consequences, it is necessary to carry out appropriate 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 several 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 extremities;
- Some pathologies of the foot structure (deformation, narrow spaces between the phalanges, diabetic form, etc.);
- Wear poor quality or inappropriate footwear;
- Failure to comply with sanitary and hygienic standards.
The above factors do not lead to fungal diseases, but they greatly increase the risk of infection. Firstly, this applies to people visiting places with a higher risk of foot fungus transmission.The following institutions are:
- Swimming pools;
- Saunas;
- Baths;
- Gyms;
- fitness centers;
- Beaches, etc.
The risk of contracting a fungal infection increases greatly when living in the same room with a person who ignores the treatment process for this disease if the symptoms are severe.The use of common hygiene items (towels, toothbrushes, etc.) is strictly prohibited, as they almost completely guarantee the transmission of fungal spores.
Foot fungus symptoms
Symptoms of the fungus on 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 peeling of the upper layers of the skin;
- The appearance of certain formations on the skin of the legs (blisters, papules, vesicles);
- Fragility and gradual destruction of the nail plates;
- Thickening of the skin, especially on the sole of the foot;
- The appearance of cracks in places of thickening;
- Formation of scales that gradually fall from the surface of the leg.
Often, the symptoms of foot fungus appear gradually, and not all at once, so it is very important to be aware of the problem at the first sign, make a diagnosis and start appropriate treatment.
Types and forms of foot fungus
In medical practice, there are only four ways in which foot fungus spreads:
- Interdigital (intertriginous);
- Squamous hyperkeratotic;
- Vesicular (dyshidrotic);
- Off.
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 fingers are often affected. 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 spreads 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 anterior region.
The scaly-hyperkeratotic form of nail fungus is a two-process disease.Scaly is a lesion of only the upper layer of the skin, while hyperkeratosis is an additional growth of the stratum corneum, which occurs after the preliminary spread of the fungus.The injury is located on the sole of the foot, reaching directly along the rib.First, scales form, after which a thick layer of altered skin gradually grows.
After the keratinized part acquires a certain thickness, cracks often occur 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 foot itself is affected, but also other parts of the legs.
The vesicular form of foot fungus is the rarest and least common.The difference is that vesicles appear on the lower extremities - various blisters and bubbles with a certain liquid inside.As the disease progresses, the fullness of the formations becomes cloudy, after which they explode.After this, reddish-pink ulcers form, which may even merge.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 general health, but also the duration and complexity of treatment.
The mild form of the fungus on the feet presents the mildest symptoms, which are manifested only in the appearance of a small, almost imperceptible “flour” on the surface of the extremities.In some cases, microcracks appear, which are noticeable only with prolonged examination or magnification.These symptoms are accompanied by mild itching or burning.As in the other phases, foot fungus can also affect the nails, after which the person begins to pay attention to changes in the appearance of the feet.
Diagnosis and treatment of foot fungus
The diagnosis of leg ringworm should be carried out 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 wide 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 usually recommend external treatment and systemic therapy for the fungus. In the initial stages, in most cases, external antimycotic agents are used in available forms.All creams, sprays and varnishes should not be applied to dirty skin.Studies show that it is not worth doing this, as in this case they will not bring the desired effect.
The simplest treatment is for the interdigital form of the fungus.It can be cured in one to two weeks.To do this, apply external antimycotic agents to the affected areas of the skin once a day.It is better to start therapy at this stage rather than treating advanced forms of the disease.
In the case of the scaly-hyperkeratotic form, the keratinization of the sole of the foot must first be eliminated.This can be done using a special procedure using braces or using homemade wraps with salicylic ointment.After exposure to a thick layer of altered tissue, it must be gradually scraped off.After removing the top layer, you can start treating foot fungus with ointments.
The vesicular form should not be treated immediately with antifungal medications until its acute form has been eliminated.In some cases, corticosteroid ointments are prescribed and only then an antimycotic.
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 medicine.
Since foot fungus can even penetrate the body itself, and not just develop on the surface, systemic therapy should also be carried out.This is especially important when the disease becomes extensive and severe.Doctors often recommend taking antimycotic tablets in these cases along with external means.Thus, the treatment of foot fungus will have a comprehensive effect and help you cope with the disease faster.
Traditional treatment methods
Often, fungus on the skin of the feet does not pose a great danger to human life and health, but it does bring some discomfort.That is why infected people are trying to fight this disease with all possible means.This also applies to traditional treatment methods, which are quite effective in some stages of the disease.
Wine vinegar baths have a beneficial effect on treating foot fungus. This is due to the fact that this substance has an antiseptic effect. Before taking these baths, wash and dry your feet well.Only after that can they be placed in a basin with a vinegar solution for 3-5 minutes.After the procedure, socks soaked in the same solution should be put 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 to treat 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.After that, the liquid must be filtered and the resulting broth used to make lotions.
In some cases, special homemade ointments against fungus help.Wood ash and pig fat are used to produce them.These components must be mixed until a homogeneous mass with a thick consistency is obtained.It should be applied to areas where skin rashes occur, twice a day.
Preventing foot fungus
To prevent foot fungus infection, you must follow some rules for preventing this disease:
- It is necessary to limit walking barefoot in places with a higher risk of infection, where infection occurs more frequently;
- People in certain professions (military personnel, athletes, workers and miners) must use protective creams;
- It is necessary to disinfect the inner and outer surface of shoes once a month;
- It is important to eat well and ingest the necessary amount of vitamins;
- You should stop consuming alcoholic beverages and smoking cigarettes;
- Bathroom surfaces must be thoroughly disinfected and cleaned;
- Bed linen must be washed well and ironed at high temperatures;
- There is no need to wear other people's clothes and use personal hygiene products that are not individual;
- It is also important to get a pedicure every six months, as it aims to eliminate the environment where fungal spores like to penetrate and multiply.
By following all preventative measures, you can virtually eliminate the chance of a possible infection.If the fungus penetrates a person's skin, 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 to treat.If the moment of infection is missed, therapy should be started as soon as possible, before 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 that he initially had.