Foot fungus treatment methods

Onychomycosis is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms localized on the skin in the spaces between the toes and nail plates.It brings significant discomfort and provokes serious complications.Take a closer look at how to treat foot fungus to prevent the disease from becoming chronic and to avoid relapses.

Causes and symptoms of athlete's foot

The disease is caused by trichophyton rubrum spores and other yeasts and molds..Under favorable conditions, it quickly worsens the condition of the legs, and it multiplies rapidly.

Doctors identify several factors that contribute to the development of pathogenic microflora:

• weakened immune system;
• excessive sweating of the feet;
• shoes that are not the right size;
• Corns, forks, scratches on legs;
• chronic infectious and endocrine diseases;
• long-term use of antibiotics;
• lack of hygiene;
• shoes made of artificial materials that do not allow air to pass through;
• straight legs.

Children are more susceptible to mycotic infections.Their immunity is not yet fully developed, the skin on their legs is very thin, so fungi easily penetrate the body and begin to multiply.

When the skin of the feet is infected, unpleasant symptoms appear quickly.Most often, the initial infection is in the spaces between the toes, gradually spreading to the foot.Many pathogens also affect the nail plates, causing the development of onychomycosis - nail fungus.

There are several stages of the pathology characterized by certain symptoms.

1. The initial stage is hidden, he himself feels a little peeling between his fingers, which a person rarely pays attention to.
2. Then the small cracks form, peeling strengthens and smooths the side of the foot.The skin is covered with small speckled plates and foamy mycosis develops.
3. Symptoms gradually worsen.Itching, burning appears, the affected area becomes thick and rough.When the fungus is hyperkeratotic, the epidermis loses its elasticity and a skin pattern is clearly visible.The burning between the fingers intensifies.
4. If the mixed stage begins, the disease often affects the nails.Yellow-brown spots appear on them, they deform and collapse.The patient is constantly disturbed by an unpleasant smell coming from his feet.Skin crusts, small ulcers and deep fissures form, causing pain when walking.

The advanced form of the disease causes a visible rash between the fingers and toes.Small dense bubbles often merge with each other.When they burst, the weeping sores remain in place and are very itchy.

Routes of infection

Fungal spores remain favorable in the environment for a long time, so it is easy to get infected in the most unexpected places.However, the most favorable conditions for their development are warm and high humidity. 

Therefore, people who visit the following are at risk:

• Swimming pools;
• bathroom;
• saunas;
• Fitness centers;
• beaches.

Fungus can appear on anything located there, even if regular disinfection is carried out.Therefore, you should avoid common facilities in such places and be sure to take a spare pair of shoes with you.

Military personnel are at risk.Mostly, soldiers in the army wear uncomfortable shoes that do not allow air to pass through.Because of this, the legs appear to be sweating, microtraumas, and penetrated by fungi.

There are two types of infection.The first is a means of direct contact with an infectious agent when communicating with a sick person, caring for an animal or walking barefoot on the ground and sand.Second - the indirect way causes infection through objects belonging to infected people or pets.

Diagnostics

To be successful, you need to consult a dermatologist for fungal treatment.The specialist will conduct a visual inspection by carefully examining the lesions.

In order to make a correct diagnosis, it is important to inform the doctor about all alarming symptoms and prior exposure to myxon and other diseases.

In order to accurately determine the type of infection and pathogen, the doctor must draw blood, nail or a nail or skin for analysis.Laboratory tests should be performed without fail.There are more than 500 species of fungi that have different thresholds for drug resistance and require different treatment tactics.

1. Microscopic examination shows the presence of fungi.The sample is treated with special preparations and examined under a microscope, trying to find spores.This test allows you to determine the presence of fungi and its concentration.
2. More accurate results are provided by bacterial culture.Biological material is placed in a nutrient medium.If there are pathogenic cells in the wrinkle, fungal colonies begin to grow from them, which involves careful examination.The analysis lasts from 2 days to 4 weeks.The time depends on the type of infection.
3. PCR - Polymerase chain reaction - it is necessary to identify a specific type of fungus by determining the DNA of the pathogen.This requires stuttering from the affected area.Test performance is about 100%.
4. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (Elisa) is taken from a vein and allows determining the titer of antibodies to a specific pathogen and finding the exact cause of the disease.

If there is any change in the condition of your skin, you should go to the hospital.Small cracks and itching between the fingers cannot be ignored.Otherwise, the disease will affect the foot and nails and will be more difficult to treat.

Treatment

The fungus on the foot requires an integrated approach.The intensity of the treatment depends on the type of infection and the degree of damage to the skin and nails.

Medicines for internal and external use of therapy and careful hygiene are included.The use of traditional medicine recipes is suitable as an auxiliary method.

Medicines

The treatment regimen should be prescribed by a doctor according to the patient's clinical picture.Medicines in capsules or tablets, antifungal creams and ointments are used for the treatment of adults.Control methods are aimed at eliminating pathological microorganisms and healing the skin.Medicines should not be stopped until complete recovery..

Creams

Effective treatment of fungi is provided by creams.They have a light texture and are quickly absorbed.When choosing a product, you should consider the contraindications for use and follow the recommendations of a specialist.

The cream should be applied regularly after thoroughly washing the skin with laundry soap and drying it.

Maz

The choice of antifungal ointments is very wide.Allergic reactions and other side effects should be excluded before starting treatment. 

If the fungal infection of the feet is complicated by a secondary infection and other means, if it does not bring the expected result, the dermatologist prescribes ointments based on glucocorticosteroids.

Medicines quickly relieve inflammation and stop the disease at any stage, but there are contraindications.They should be taken strictly according to the instructions, without exceeding the dosage. 

An effective tool to remove all signs of fungus is an ointment with salicylic acid.This is a simple and inexpensive drug that can be used in two ways:

• Treat the affected area 3 times a day;
• Before going to bed, apply the product under the bandage and leave it overnight.

After compressions, the skin may peel off and remain too forward.You can easily get rid of such manifestations with soda baths (1 tablespoon of soda for 1 liter of hot water).The procedure should be done every day throughout the entire treatment.

Pill

To increase the effectiveness of therapy, the use of external agents is often combined with internal drugs.Tablets can have a strong effect on the body as a whole, so they should not be taken without supervision.

It is recommended to treat nail fungus with fungistatic and fungicidal drugs that stop the growth of the fungal colony and destroy the pathogenic flora.

The list of antifungal drugs is diverse.A dermatologist may recommend different medications based on your medical history and symptoms.The doctor determines the rules of admission.You must strictly follow its instructions.

Folk treatment

You can recover faster using traditional methods such as complementary therapy.Use to get rid of mycosis of the feet:

• hot baths;
• homemade ointment;
• compresses;
• Herbal lotions.

Before treatment, it is important to make sure that there is no individual intolerance to the components of traditional recipes.

Ointments for fungi

Homemade ointments help fight pathogenic flora.

1. Copper sulfate, yellow sulfur and gas oils are combined in equal proportions in an enamel container and thoroughly mixed.Put on low heat, bring to a boil and turn off.The mixture should be cooled and transferred to a glass container.Store in a cool, dark place.Apply to the affected areas in the morning and evening until all symptoms disappear.
2. You can make a simpler recipe.You need to take gas oil and wood ash in equal proportions.Knead the ingredients together until smooth.Use twice a day, applying generously to the affected areas.

Compresses and masks

1. A good remedy for fungi is an onion-garlic mask.You need to peel 2-3 cloves of garlic and a small onion.Grind and spread the pulp in a thick layer on the affected skin.Put cellophane, bandage and socks.It is recommended to carry out the procedure in the evening and leave the mask until morning.After waking up, the bandage should be removed and the body should be washed with water.Treatment should be carried out daily until recovery.
2. A mixture of celandine and tea tree oil is useful for a compress.Oil is added to a spoonful of crushed dry vegetable raw materials.You should get a thick paste.It should be applied to the places where the fungus is located, wrap the foot in polyethylene and insulate.Apply the compress regularly at night for at least 2 weeks.
3. An effective base for a compress is obtained from medicinal plants.Pour 400 ml of sunflower or olive oil into the pan.Add 1 tablespoon each of calendula flowers, mint, comfrey and rose radiola.Put on fire and heat up to 60 degrees.Turn off and put in a dark place for a day.Then filter.Use the oil mixture twice a day as a compress for 1 hour.The method has a subtle effect, so it can be used to treat a child if there is no allergy to herbs.

Bathroom

1. The simplest bath for athlete's foot is salt and baking soda.You need to dissolve the ingredients in hot water at the ratio of 1 spoon of soda and 1 spoon of salt to 1 liter of water.Soak your feet in the liquid and keep it for 15 minutes.Finally, wash the feet under the tap and dry them.
2. Herb Milkweed is suitable for preparing baths.You need to measure 3 tablespoons of dry grass and pour 3 liters of boiling water into them.Wrap with a towel and leave for 4 hours.Strain, heat a little and pour into a bowl.Keep your feet in the liquid for about half an hour.The frequency of the procedure is 1 time every 2 days.Duration 1 month.
3. Strong coffee inhibits the development of pathogenic spores.You need to brew a drink (1 tablespoon of ground coffee in 250 ml of water).When it cools to a comfortable temperature, pour it into a basin and put your feet for 20 minutes.It is important to cover the areas affected by mongoose with water.Treatment can be carried out daily for a long time.

Herbal cleansers and lotions

Many medicinal plants have a pronounced antifungal effect.It is useful to use a medicinal herb for the treatment of mycosis of the feet.

You will need:

• calendula flowers;
• oak bark;
• Dried blackberries;
• Verbena herb.

The components should be mixed in equal proportions.Add 3 spoons of the mixture to 500 ml of water and place in a water bath.Boil for 20 minutes, cool and pass through a filter.You need to wash your feet and toes and toes with herbal decoction 2-3 times a day and apply lotion to the affected areas for half an hour.

Alcohol tincture of alcohol polypolisin helps to fight the disease.It can be bought at a pharmacy.Dauze is soaked in the liquid and applied to the feet for 30 minutes, or the affected areas are wiped with a cotton swab 3 times a day.

Prevention

Athlete's foot is an insidious disease that requires serious treatment.Proper prophylaxis is essential to reduce the likelihood of infection.It is recommended to follow simple rules:

• prevent high humidity;
• Don't try on someone else's shoes;
• maintain foot hygiene.

Sweating is important to control.You can use regular Talk for this.To keep your skin healthy and not cracked, you should regularly apply moisturizer and take baking soda baths once a week.

During treatment, bedding should be boiled, socks should be changed daily and thoroughly washed in hot water.Manicure accessories should be systematically disinfected.To prevent re-infection, it is necessary to treat the inside of the shoes with table vinegar or medical alcohol.