Infection with athlete's foot occurs through contact with a sick person or animal, as well as through soil, water or plants.It is important to recognize and treat the disease in time.
There are different types of athlete's foot, and only a doctor can correctly identify the type by conducting a series of examinations.After that, the specialist will prescribe a course that will allow you to overcome the disease quickly.
Intertriginous (interdigital) form
This form of the disease is considered the most common.It is usually activated in the summer.The development of the disease begins with damage to the skin of the feet between the third and fourth, as well as the fourth and fifth toes, and then gradually spreads to all folds.The main symptoms of this fungus are:
- the appearance of cracks on the skin;
- the presence of a white ring indicating the separation of the upper layer of the skin;
- the appearance of weeping wounds;
- burning and itching;
- formation of erosions at the place of cracks;
- loosening of the skin and disruption of its protective functions as the disease progresses.
In most cases, the interdigital form occurs against the background of the squamous form.This disease is treated with ointments.At the initial stage, you can do without using tablets.
An experienced specialist will tell you what the fungus is and choose an effective therapy for your feet.Antifungal medications will clear up the disease within one to three weeks.The main thing is to remember to rub your feet with the prescribed medicine twice a day.
This form of the disease has a chronic course.It is not easy to determine at the initial stage.Therefore, patients often consult a doctor when the disease is in all the folds between the fingers.In this case, the treatment may take longer.
Squamous-hyperkeratotic form
This disease usually affects one leg and spreads to the other if not treated properly.In this form of the disease, the skin undergoes radical changes.Keratinized cells completely cover the foot.The skin of the feet begins to become rough and then crack.With hyperkeratosis, the heels are also prone to cracking.The appearance of erosions is accompanied by burning and itching.The patient feels pain.
The main symptoms of the squamous-hyperkeratic form are:
- redness of the skin;
- itching and peeling;
- proliferation of keratinized cells;
- the appearance of rough calluses, including on the heels.
This disease can also affect the nail plate.Over time, it loses its transparency, its shade and shape change.In advanced stages, the nail often begins to collapse.It is not easy to treat the disease at this stage.In this case, in addition to external remedies, the doctor can prescribe a course of pills.Combination drugs are mainly used for treatment.The duration of the course is determined by the specialist.Medicines are selected according to the type of foot fungus that the patient is suffering from.
Dyshidrotic form
This form is also called vesicular.This is extremely rare.The disease is accompanied by the appearance of small diameter blisters or bubbles.At first they are single, but gradually they grow and explode.After that, ulcers form.Treatment of this disease is not easy.It is complicated by the fact that viruses and bacteria easily penetrate the human body through cracks and erosions.Often, diseases with eczema, lymphadenitis and other similar symptoms develop in parallel with the fungus.
You should consult a specialist if the following symptoms of the disease are observed:
- pain and itching in the affected area of the legs;
- appearance of erosions and cracks;
- severe peeling of the skin of the legs;
- the appearance of vesicles or blisters on the skin.
Often, in the absence of proper treatment, this disease takes a bacterial form.In this case, the clear contents of the vesicles become purulent and cloudy.The patient develops severe headaches and an increase in body temperature.Treatment of this disease consists of complex therapy.The doctor prescribes local antifungal agents and tablets.
Deleted form
This type of disease is not immediately recognized.The fact is that the symptoms of the form are removed and practically do not bother the patient.The removed type of fungus is accompanied by a flour-like peeling of the skin.It seems that the leg is covered with fine flour.Small cracks are formed between the toes, which are almost invisible to the eye.A person feels a slight itch.No redness.
This form of the disease is difficult to treat.The patient seeks qualified help only if the deleted form turns into onychomycosis.Valuable time is lost and recovery can take a long time.
Onychomycosis
In this case, we mean a disease accompanied by a fungal infection of the nail plates.There are several types of this form of the disease:
- damage by mold fungi;
- hypertrophic form;
- atrophic.
In the first case, the disease develops against the background of other nail lesions.Often the color of the nail plate changes, it becomes black, green or brown.The nail bed is inflamed.
In the hypertrophic form of the disease, the plate turns yellow and thickens.The nail breaks easily, thickened and scaly skin appears.
With atrophic onychomycosis, the skin under the nail becomes rough and the plate becomes thinner.If treatment is not started on time, the disease can completely destroy the plate and nail bed.
Rubrophytia
This disease is also called rubromycosis.It is characterized by drying and crusting of the skin, as well as blood vessels.The disease develops gradually without practically any symptoms.Therefore, the wearer does not notice it immediately.Burning sensation and itching appear only in the later stages.Symptoms at this stage are as follows:
- the appearance of blisters and bubbles;
- plates spread over the entire sole;
- pain when walking, which appears as the number of blisters increases.
A specialist will be able to prescribe treatment only after conducting a series of examinations and studying the clinical picture.Microscopy allows you to determine what kind of fungus is present and how the feet are infected.Treatment is carried out using exfoliative (keratolytic) agents.The specialist will prescribe an ointment or cream containing salicylic acid.The course also covers the use of antifungal drugs.In advanced cases, tablets are used in addition to therapy.If it is necessary to eliminate damage to the nail plates, special formulas are prescribed.
Candidiasis of the feet
This disease is quite rare.Fungi of the genus Candida, which contribute to the development of the disease, are present in the body of every person and are considered conditionally pathogenic.If they multiply actively, unpleasant consequences are possible.The development of pathogenic fungi is often associated with a decrease in immunity, which develops against the background of regular stress and overwork of the body.In the summer, occupational or household injuries or frequent wearing of closed shoes can contribute to the onset of the disease.
Symptoms of candidiasis:
- hyperemia (overflow of blood vessels);
- separation of skin layers;
- itching and peeling;
- the appearance of small flat blisters on the leg;
- clear swelling.
Medicines are prescribed individually depending on the stage of the disease.As a rule, this is complex therapy, including local and systemic drugs.
It is important to take preventive measures so that one of the forms of the fungus does not develop.They are quite simple:
- do not use other people's shoes;
- perform pedicure and manicure only with sterile tools;
- choose comfortable shoes that allow your skin to "breathe".
It will not be difficult to prevent the disease by following these simple rules.