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 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;
- Certain pathologies of the structure of the foot (deformation, narrow spaces between the phalanges, diabetic form, etc.);
- Wearing poor quality or inappropriate shoes;
- Non-compliance with health and hygiene rules.
The above factors do not lead to fungal disease, but significantly increase the risk of infection. First of all, this applies to people who visit places with an increased risk of foot fungus transmission.These are the following establishments:
- Swimming pools;
- Saunas;
- Thermal baths;
- Gymnasiums;
- Fitness centers;
- Beaches, etc.
The risk of contracting a fungal infection increases significantly when living in the same room with a person who is unaware of the treatment process for this disease if the symptoms are severe.It is strictly forbidden to use common hygiene items (towels, toothbrushes, etc.), 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 peeling 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 nail plates;
- 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 foot fungus appear gradually, and not all at once, so it is very important to pay attention to the problem at the first signs, carry out a diagnosis and start appropriate treatment.
Types and forms of fungus on the feet
In medical practice, there are only four forms of spread of foot fungus:
- Interdigital (intertriginous);
- Scaly-hyperkeratotic;
- Vesicular (dyshidrotic);
- Cleared.
The most common type of foot fungus is the interdigital form, which is most active in 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.At first, only a small ulcer or crack appears.It can be dry or wet.White or greenish skin extends along the perimeter and gradually turns into scales.At the same time, the disease does not spread to the back of the foot, being localized only in the front.
The scaly-hyperkeratotic form of nail fungus is a two-process disease.Squamosis is a lesion of the upper layer of the skin only, while hyperkeratosis is a further growth of the stratum corneum, which occurs after the preliminary spread of the fungus.The lesion is located on the sole of the foot, affecting it directly along the rib.First, scales form on it, after which a thick layer of weathered skin gradually develops.
Once the keratinized part has acquired a certain thickness, cracks often appear at the heel.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.So 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 fluid inside.As the disease progresses, the fullness of the formations becomes cloudy, after which they burst.After that, pink-red ulcers are formed, which 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, a sick person, in addition to the fungus, can often get other diseases.This affects not only the general state of 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, which are visible only with prolonged examination or magnification.These symptoms are accompanied by mild itching or burning.Like 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 leg fungus should be made by a qualified mycologist. If there is no specialist, you should contact a dermatologist.The following methods are used for diagnosis:
- Sampling and microscopic analysis of scrapings;
- Cultural research;
- DNA research.
Treatment of foot fungus is often carried out with drugs that have a wide spectrum of action, therefore there is no need to determine which pathogen has become 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. At the early 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 have shown that it is not worth it, because in this case they do not bring the desired effect.
The simplest treatment concerns 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 skin areas once a day.It is better to start treatment at this stage rather than treating advanced forms of the disease.
In the case of the scaly-hyperkeratotic form, it is first necessary to get rid of the keratinization of the sole of the foot.This can be done using a special procedure with a device or at home with wraps with salicylic ointment.After exposure to a thick layer of weathered 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 has been eliminated.In some cases, corticosteroid ointments are prescribed, and only after them 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 drug.
Since foot fungus can even penetrate the body itself and not only grow on the surface, systemic treatment should also be followed.This is especially important when the disease becomes extensive and severe.In such cases, doctors often recommend taking antimycotic tablets in combination with external means.So, treatment for foot fungus will have a comprehensive effect and help you cope with the disease faster.
Traditional methods of treatment
Often, foot skin fungus does not pose a great danger to human life and health, but nevertheless causes some discomfort.That is why infected people try to fight this disease by all possible means.This also applies to traditional treatment methods, which are very effective at certain stages of the disease.
Wine vinegar baths 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 must thoroughly wash and dry your feet.Only after that can they be placed in a basin with vinegar solution for 3-5 minutes.After the procedure, you should put socks soaked in the same solution on your feet, which should only be removed in 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 calendula inflorescences, oak bark, verbena and dried blackberries.Add 3 tablespoons of this mixture to the water and cook over low heat for 15 to 20 minutes.After that, the liquid must be filtered and the resulting broth used for lotions.
In some cases, special homemade ointments against fungus help.For their manufacture, wood ash and pork fat are used.These components must be mixed until a homogeneous mass of thick consistency is obtained.It should be applied to the areas where rashes occur twice a day.
Foot fungus prevention
In order to prevent infection with foot fungus, you must follow certain rules for preventing this disease:
- It is necessary to limit barefoot walking in places with increased risk of infection, where infection occurs most often;
- People in certain professions (military, athletes, factory workers and miners) should use protective creams;
- It is necessary to disinfect the interior and exterior surfaces of shoes once a month;
- It is important to eat right and take the required amount of vitamins;
- One should stop drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking cigarettes;
- Bathroom surfaces should be thoroughly disinfected and wiped;
- Bed linen should be carefully washed and ironed at high temperature;
- There is no need to wear someone else's clothes or 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 following all preventive measures, you can virtually eliminate the risk of possible infection.If the fungus gets on 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 time of infection has not been detected, treatment should be started as early as possible, before the symptoms develop sharply and lead to serious consequences. If the treatment is carried out completely and comprehensively, after a while the patient will not even remember the unpleasant appearance of his legs.