Mycosis of the foot or fungal infection is a pathology that occurs in 40% of people. There can be many reasons for the development of infection: from violations of hygiene rules to the development of serious diseases of internal organs and systems. Toenail fungus can be treated with drugs and folk methods, but only with a preliminary diagnosis and consultation with a dermatologist.
How to identify athlete's foot
With the development of mycosis of the foot, damage to the skin tissue occurs. The first signs of the disease do not have an obvious intensity, so they are often perceived as normal roughness and irritation of the skin of the feet.
Despite the prevalence of pathology, many people do not know how to recognize foot fungus. Mycosis of the feet appears 3-5 days after infection. The longer the fungus lasts, the more obvious its symptoms become.
Symptoms of a fungal infection of the skin of the feet:
- at the earliest stage, the patient notes severe peeling of the skin, which is not completely eliminated even after the use of standard foot treatments and creams;
- itching gradually begins to bother you, which intensifies every day and causes severe discomfort;
- In addition to itching, there is also a sour smell, which occurs when the fungus forms on the skin, accompanied by a strong smell of sweat (sweating increases due to the dysfunction of the subcutaneous glands);
- There is also a change in the shade of the skin of the leg, the epithelium acquires an unnatural color at the site of the lesion: blue, greenish or even gray-black (in advanced cases).
With mycosis of the feet, onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nail plates) often occurs, so the patient's nails may begin to break, deteriorate and change color. In rare cases, general health deteriorates (the temperature rises, you are worried about constant weakness and apathy).
It is important! It is impossible to determine the stage and type of fungus independently, so if you have a dermatological disease, you should consult an experienced specialist.
Why is athlete's foot dangerous?
Many people who suffer from athlete's foot do not take it seriously, believing that the disease will go away on its own, or do not try to get rid of the infection until it causes excruciating pain.
Note!The peculiarity of mycosis of the foot is that the fungal infection is contagious, and since a person often walks without shoes, the patient exposes many people to the risk of infection.
Mycosis of the foot does not cause life-threatening complications, but if the disease is not treated, complications may arise:
- transition of the disease into a chronic form;
- weakened immunity;
- increased risk of developing other skin pathologies.
Dermatologic complications include:
- allergies;
- focal or regional distribution of the rash;
- generalized skin lesions;
- formation of papules, erythema, eczema.
Complications occur in patients who neglect the treatment of foot fungus. If the treatment is started on time, the disease is eliminated without any consequences.
What causes athlete's foot?
Mycosis of the feet occurs due to infection. Fungal spores have the ability to maintain vital activity even when they are not in contact with the skin.
Before answering what causes athlete's foot, it should be noted that experts identify several groups of people who are susceptible to fungal infections.
- with weakened immunity;
- with vascular diseases;
- violation of hygiene rules.
The most common causes of athlete's foot infection are:
- diseases associated with immunodeficiency;
- rarely change socks, wear low-quality shoes;
- visiting public bathing places (without observing personal hygiene);
- nail fungus;
- increased sweating of the feet.
One of the factors in the development of foot fungus is the psychosomatics of the disease. Experts confirm that the disturbance of psycho-emotional state greatly affects the immune system and weakens it. A weak immune system cannot resist fungi, so the risk of developing mycosis increases.
Is athlete's foot contagious?
Experts in the dermatological field of medicine have proven that mycosis of the feet is a disease that occurs after contact with fungal spores of the skin of the feet.
The peculiarity of this type of infection is that the spores that fall on any surface survive for a long time. Moreover, even on the skin of the foot, fungal spores can remain dormant for many years and can be activated when favorable conditions arise.
The greatest threat is its ability to maintain its infectious activity in the spore state for many years. Infection cannot be completely prevented. The fungus grows in a humid environment, so compliance with hygiene standards is the most effective way to prevent infection.
It is important!Considering how athlete's foot is transmitted, you should also think about the risks of infection of people who come into contact with the patient, especially those who live with him.
How is athlete's foot transmitted?
Fungal infection is transmitted through household contacts. The main method of infection is spores falling on the healthy skin of the feet.
How is athlete's foot transmitted? There are two types of fungal infection of the foot.
- Direct: foot contact with an infected surface, contact with the patient's feet, contact with an animal with spores in its fur.
- Indirect: contact with personal belongings of a patient with mycosis (socks, shoes, towels, etc. ), contact with infected animal care products.
In 60% of cases, infection occurs when visiting public places (saunas, baths, beaches, etc. ). If the equipment used in salons is not properly maintained, there is a danger when performing the pedicure procedure.
Types of athlete's foot
Different forms of infection can develop depending on how the athlete's foot is transmitted (where the spores attach).
Dermatologists identify the main forms of foot fungus, which differ in the location of the affected area.
- Interdigital. Mycosis affects the skin between the toes. With this form, two stages are distinguished: intertriginous and squamous. Often, the infection is chronic, because the area between the fingers creates the most favorable conditions for the spread of fungal spores.
- Plantar. Epithelial layers under the foot are affected by mycosis. A characteristic sign is strong keratinization, tissue cracking and peeling.
- Dyshidrotic. The most painful form of foot fungus is accompanied by the formation of vesicles and bubbles on the bottom of the foot, which, when burst, cause secondary infection.
- Deep mycosis. With deep mycosis, a large area of the foot is affected by infection that penetrates deep into the skin.
- Onychomycosis. This form can be the cause or result of a fungal disease of the skin on the legs. With onychomycosis, the nail plates on the feet are infected.
The most common form of pathology is interdigital. However, deep and dyshidrotic mycosis, which is completely difficult to treat, is considered dangerous.
Interdigital form
Symptoms with interdigital fungus appear after 2-3 days. Later, the symptoms of infection become more and more obvious. At the initial stage, it is almost impossible to identify foot fungus yourself. Symptoms of the disease are similar to insufficient hydration of the feet.
Note!In the case of infectious lesions of the feet, interdigital fungus on children's feet is diagnosed in 70% of cases. Children move a lot, often spend time outside and are often without shoes or socks.
Given that the symptoms of the disease are not characteristic in the first days, how can you know if you have a fungus? In folk medicine, there is a special method that helps to identify the infection at the initial stage: lower your feet into a manganese solution and wait 20 minutes.
If the color of the entire skin has changed after the procedure, but the areas between the fingers remain the same shade, it is likely that there are pathogenic microorganisms in the dermis.
Stages and their manifestations
Interdigital mycosis progresses in three stages. Each has its own characteristics. The more advanced the infection, the more obvious the symptoms. Gradually, the disease brings not only discomfort, but also painful torture.
initial stage
At the initial stage, the patient begins to worry about peeling the skin of the feet in the space between the toes. The plantar area of the tissue from the little toe to the third toe is more affected.
How does the squamous-hyperkeratotic stage manifest itself?
In the squamous-hyperkeratotic stage, the processes of keratinization and peeling of the affected epithelial particles begin on the surface of the foot. The skin around the localized areas becomes red, the feeling of burning and constant itching intensify.
In the intertriginous stage, swelling is noticeable between the fingers, erosion occurs in keratinized areas, and suppuration may begin. The symptoms of the previous stage intensify.
Dyshidrotic stage
In the dyshidrotic stage, blisters are formed, the area of the lesion grows, and it spreads further along the leg. Fungal infection also affects nails.
The development of interdigital fungi on the feet should not be allowed, treatment should be started at the first suspicion. In this way, it is possible to avoid serious complications that lead to the risk of developing purulent infections.
How to treat athlete's foot
How to remove foot fungus, a dermatologist will answer. The treatment of the disease can have many nuances, because there are many types of fungal infection. The specialist determines the diagnosis and determines individually what the nail fungus found in the patient is.
Two methods are used for fungal infections of the feet:
- medicine;
- nation
Drug therapy is the mainstay. Treatment with folk remedies at home has an additional effect on the pathological process, eliminates symptoms.
Therapy for mycosis can last several months. It will not be possible to eliminate the disease within a few weeks.
Drug method
When choosing antifungal drugs, you should not only think about how to quickly treat foot fungus. Some drugs can only eliminate the symptoms of the disease without destroying the spores located deep under the layers of the epithelium. Mycosis, which is not completely treated, can quickly cause a relapse.
Ointments
You can treat nail fungus at home using topical products. Ointments are effective in the initial stage of the disease, in advanced forms they are used together with tablets.
Dermatologists recommend ointments with disinfectant, anti-infective and restorative ingredients for foot fungus.
The symptoms and treatment of fungal infection are interconnected, because the use of antifungal ointments aims to eliminate the symptoms of the pathology and simultaneously have an antifungal effect.
It is important!The effectiveness of the topical agent is noted at the first stage of treatment, but with significant lesions of the legs, the use of ointments alone may not be sufficient.
Pills
Systemic antifungal drugs have a general effect. The dosage of the active substance in tablets is usually higher than in ointments. The advantage of the tablet form of the drug is that the drug has a stronger effect and not only eliminates the infection, but also prevents relapses.
If you treat toenail fungus at home, you can take pills, but drugs have contraindications, so taking them is allowed only after consulting your doctor.
It is important! Tablets are contraindicated in childhood, breastfeeding and pregnancy.
Antifungal drugs rarely cause side effects, have minimal contraindications and allow to overcome mycosis in the shortest possible time.
Also, for the treatment of fungus, ointments, solutions or sprays are used along with taking tablets.
Traditional method of treatment
There are many ways to get rid of foot fungus using folk methods. Considering how foot fungus is transmitted, we can conclude that home therapy methods are aimed at eliminating the infection from the surface of the foot. Folk remedies also have an antisymptomatic effect.
Note!Treatment with folk remedies is not used as a substitute for drugs. Alternative medicine is recommended only as a complementary therapy.
According to reviews, the methods of eliminating foot fungus will help to achieve the most effectiveness.
Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide
Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide - pharmacy hydrogen peroxide is mixed with alcohol and table vinegar. Everything is in equal proportion. A cotton swab is moistened in the resulting solution and the skin at the site of the leg lesion is generously treated with it. The course of treatment lasts up to 1 month. The procedure should be done every day in the morning and evening.
Celandine juice
Celandine juice - prepare a solution for the bath after preparatory procedures to clean the skin of the feet. After that, they start using celandine water. When freshly harvested, the plant produces juice from its roots, which relieves skin infections. Celandine juice is used to treat all affected areas of the foot within a month. The product should be applied twice a day.
Soda baths
Foot baths with soda have a preventive and curative effect. Put your feet in a container with two liters of water, two tablespoons of baking soda dissolve in a quarter of an hour. After that, the feet are not washed, just dried with a towel. Baths are done at least two weeks.
How to treat toenail fungus with folk remedies or medication is, of course, decided by the patient himself, but it is better to give preference to joint therapy, which will allow you to achieve quick and lasting results in the fight against mycosis.
A patient who knows how foot fungus is transmitted should understand that the treatment of the disease consists primarily of prevention. If prevention is not followed, athlete's foot can develop again. To prevent relapses, it is necessary to follow hygiene rules, strengthen the immune system and follow the recommendations of the dermatologist regarding treatment.