Athlete's foot is an infectious disease that is transmitted from person to person. Athlete's foot is the most common type of fungus in adults. Both women, men and children get sick.
Mycosis (fungus) is a skin disease caused by parasitic fungi. It can be easily picked up by contact with an infected person or through items and objects that the patient has come into contact with. Fungi love warm and humid environments, so public places like saunas, baths, water parks, beaches and swimming pools are considered potentially dangerous. British doctors call this disease "symptom of athlete's foot", because athletes use closed, poorly breathable shoes, in which moisture accumulates.
Mycoses are very insidious, despite the apparent simplicity of the disease, they are difficult to treat and tend to relapse.
Recognize as early as possible
The treatment of mycosis is a rather long and complex process, so it is important to determine as early as possible how the fungus appears on the legs, the reasons for its appearance and when it starts to move. The fungus usually first appears between the toes. Then, if left untreated, the infection invades the nail plate and causes the destruction of the nail. If the cause is an infection in a pedicure salon, the disease starts from the nail plates.
Often, after infection, the fungus makes itself felt quite quickly and you immediately understand that "something" is wrong. However, the manifestations of fungus on the legs can be of a different nature: hidden or open. Therefore, it is necessary to understand how the fungus on the legs starts, what it looks like and how to recognize it.
What are the early signs of toe fungus?
After contact with the skin, the fungus on the feet undergoes an incubation period (3-14 days, depending on the immunity of the person), during which the disease does not manifest itself.
The first symptoms that make you think about visiting a dermatologist may be:
- The skin of the legs is reddened or covered with spots, itching, burning. It causes terrible discomfort, you constantly want to scratch your legs. This symptom of foot fungus is noted in 99% of cases of the disease.
- Thickening or roughness of the skin on the feet. Often this sign of finger fungus is ignored because it looks like a callus or a corn.
- Blisters with fluid in the affected areas of the skin. If the patient scratches them, the infection can get into them, then blisters burst on the skin, purulent and erosion, ulcers, abscesses appear.
- Cracks appear between the toes. Most often, the defeat of the foot fungus begins in the spaces between the toes (between the first and second or fourth and fifth). Cracks can cause discomfort and even pain.
- If you do not start treatment in time, the skin of the feet becomes rough and takes on the appearance of scales, extremely dry skin of the feet is observed - a sure sign that you have a fungus. Later, the affected areas of the skin (toes, heel, foot) appear softened, covered with a whitish coating.
- Feet smell bad.
- The skin of the feet looks pathologically shiny.
- Edema appears. This indicates that you have a chronic foot fungus.
Interdigital infection
The onset of interdigital infection starts with the skin between the toes looking very pale, soft and wet, and can present with symptoms such as burning skin and bad foot odor. If the infection is not treated, then a bacterial infection is added to the fungal infection. And this, in turn, causes the appearance of foot odor.
Interdigital infection can become complicated even with treatment. Cracks and crusts develop until the skin becomes very tight and thick.
If no measures are taken, the infection passes to the nail plates, which contributes to their rejection and fall.
Vesicular infection
A less common type of fungal infection of the legs. It usually starts with the appearance of blister-like areas under the skin of the feet that are suddenly filled with fluid. Most often, blisters develop on the back of the foot, although they can also appear between the toes or on the heel, as well as on the bottom of the foot.
This type of disease can develop after the initial infection. Moreover, secondary infection can affect both the same areas as the primary one (on the skin of the legs) and other parts of the body. In these cases, the integuments, as a rule, begin to peel off.
moccasin-like mushroom
This fungus begins with the manifestation of pain in the leg. Then, during the course of the disease, the skin on the heel gradually thickens and then begins to crack.
In this form, fungal diseases often affect the nails, which later thicken, collapse, or even fall off completely.
Manifestation of symptoms and type of fungus
Manifestations of the symptoms of nail fungus depend on the type, as well as the degree and depth of the fungal infection.
Symptoms of nail fungus include the following manifestations:
- the nail looks cloudy, loses its shine;
- the color of the nail changes from yellow to black;
- the surface looks rough and the nail itself begins to collapse;
- the nail becomes pathologically thick or, conversely, excessively thinned;
- there is a painful curvature of the nail plate;
- the cuticle around the diseased nail is either not affected by the fungus or appears to be slightly inflamed.
With fungal diseases, it is very difficult and sometimes impossible to cut nails without prior preparation, because they are very thick. If the hardened nail presses on the skin under it, pain may occur.
A fungal infection is a very complex disease, it is not easy to get rid of it, especially if the disease persists. Therefore, if you see "something" happening, you should immediately consult a doctor, because it is easier and faster to treat only the initial stages of this disease.
Urgent doctor!
If you notice the symptoms of athlete's foot, do not expect everything to go away on its own. The longer a fungus is on your feet, the harder it is to treat and the worse it is for the whole body. Prolonged mycosis can lead to weakened immunity, allergic reactions and exacerbation of chronic diseases. Therefore, at the first doubts, contact a dermatologist or mycologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, determine the extent of the disease, the structure of the affected skin or nail, and take tissue scraps for analysis. Thus, the doctor will determine the presence of a fungal infection on the legs, its type and prescribe the appropriate treatment, tablets, syrups or injections (in the most difficult cases).
Therefore, if you have a lot of pain on the bottom of your foot, maybe an old fungus has started again, see a doctor immediately. In order to save yourself from an unpleasant disease and protect others, it is very important to start treating the fungus immediately.
The initial stage of nail fungus
Onychomycosis is a common pathology in which pathogenic microorganisms multiply in the depths of the nails and adjacent tissues. As a result, the nail plate is gradually deformed. The initial stage of nail fungus can be treated effectively.
According to the recommendations, patients recover within a few months. Additional preventive measures will help keep your nails healthy.
How is the initial stage?
In the initial stages of the disease, the symptoms appear the same in both arms and legs. First, the shade of the nail plate changes. From pink to yellowish and pale, sometimes grayish. It is possible to change the structure of the plate - tubercles or other bumps appear on it.
In the future, longitudinal stripes, yellow spots or spots are noticeable on the nails. The plate begins to expand and thicken, but at the same time it becomes brittle. The skin near the nail also suffers from fungi, it becomes inflamed and reddened. Most often, spore infection occurs on the feet, first of all, onychomycosis develops on the big toe (but there are exceptions).
In the initial stage of the disease, the fungus affects only one side of the nail plate. There are the following types of lesions:
- distal form - the upper part of the nail is affected;
- lateral view - the fungus is located on the sides of the plate;
- superficial lesion - the surface of the plate suffers;
- Proximal form - periungual roller is affected.
In the photo, you can see the appearance of nails in the initial stage of onychomycosis.
How is the treatment?
If you suspect onychomycosis, you should seek help from a dermatologist. The doctor will check the nails, if necessary, take a scraping for the presence of mycelial fungi. After making a diagnosis, the doctor will tell you how to treat the disease.
Local therapy is aimed at eliminating inflammation, restoring blood supply to the diseased nail. Preparations can be in the form of varnishes, sprays, lotions. They are applied to the affected nail plates and the skin around them.
The most popular antifungal agents:
- lacquers. They are applied several times a week. Active ingredients penetrate deep into the nail. They are among the most powerful anti-fungal agents;
- cream. Designed for the treatment of skin and periungual ridges. They are treated with healthy nails to protect against penetration of the fungus;
- drops. Medicines are applied to sick nails. 1-2 drops;
- the lotion kills the fungus on the surface layers of the nail.
Sprays are used as a convenient preventive measure against onychomycosis. They process the soles of feet, fingers and shoes.
In addition to local treatment, doctors conduct systemic therapy. The patient takes antimycotic tablets or capsules. They kill the infection and help to quickly cope with the pathology.
Other treatments
- Laser therapy - the effect of laser rays on microorganisms. In the initial stages of the disease, it is enough for the patient to undergo only three or four procedures. The method not only kills pathogenic fungi, but also improves blood circulation.
- Ozone therapy - ozone is injected into the skin near the affected nail plates. Cells are saturated with ozone and resist infections. The body's immunity increases. However, this procedure is effective only in the early stages of the disease.
Both methods complement conventional treatment only at the initial stage. They are prescribed together with pills and local treatment.
How traditional medicine can help
Treating fungus in the early stages will help the recommendations of traditional healers. Their advantage is that natural products are used without chemical additives.
The main treatment methods include:
- Apple cider vinegar - dilute in equal proportions with warm water. Take a bath, take 15 minutes. Do the procedure every day until all symptoms disappear. But apple cider vinegar is only suitable for the treatment of toenail fungus.
- In the first stages of onychomycosis, ordinary hydrogen peroxide actively kills the fungus. Immerse your fingers in water with soda added (one spoon per two liters of hot water). Soak cotton pads in peroxide, place them on the affected nails and secure with a bandage. Keep the compress for at least 40 minutes.
- Tea tree essential oil helps in healing. This antiseptic is used as an additional remedy in all degrees of the disease. Apply a few drops of the extract to the affected nail plates, do not wash off the oil. Carry out the therapy from 2 weeks until complete recovery. However, this method is not suitable for children and women in an interesting position.
- Soda baths help in the fight against fungi. Dilute a spoonful of baking soda and a few drops of liquid soap (or grated laundry soap) in two liters of hot water. Dip your hands or feet in the solution. Keep them for 15-20 minutes. Then treat your nails with medicine or antiseptics.
- Regular treatment of nail plates with iodine helps to get rid of onychomycosis. Lubricate the nail with iodine solution every day. You can make antiseptic baths - add a bottle of iodine to three liters of water, keep your feet or hands for 10 minutes.
After baths and other folk treatments, it is necessary to thoroughly dry the nails, fingers and the skin between the fingers. Then put on your socks.
What are the consequences
If the problem is ignored, the fungus will not disappear by itself, microorganisms will multiply constantly.
It is fraught with complications:
- complete deformation of the nail plate;
- the disease becomes chronic;
- the infection will spread to healthy nail plates;
- the immune system will decrease, creating a favorable environment for the development of other viral or bacterial infections.
Prevention rules
Treatment of onychomycosis takes a long time and requires financial investments. Preventive measures will help protect yourself from the fungus, although they cannot be called a panacea for the disease.
These include:
- Do not wear other people's clothes or shoes. As a last resort, treat them with antifungal drugs;
- use only personal hygiene products - towel, scissors, nail file;
- walking in public places (saunas, baths or swimming pools) only with rubber shoes;
- don't wear new shoes barefoot in a store or market, wear socks.
Relapse is common. It is observed in 6-8% of the number of recovered cases.
The result
Fungal diseases affect people regardless of age and gender. Not everyone knows what the fungus looks like in the early stages and does not pay attention to the changes in the nails. In the initial stage of the disease, the treatment is easy, new and healthy ones grow in place of the affected nails.
Therapy is prescribed by a dermatologist, in addition to local methods, a comprehensive course of treatment with antimycotic drugs is carried out. In the initial stages of onychomycosis, in addition to traditional medicines, folk recipes can be used.