One of the most common infectious diseases is foot fungus.Since it can lead to quite serious consequences, it is necessary to carry out appropriate treatment as early 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 quite a lot of 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 extremities;
- Some pathologies of the structure of the foot (deformation, narrow spaces between the phalanges, diabetic form, etc.);
- Wearing low-quality or inappropriate footwear;
- Failure to comply with sanitary and hygienic rules.
The above factors do not lead to fungal disease, but greatly increase the risk of infection. First of all, this applies to people who visit places with an increased risk of transmitting foot fungus.They are the following institutions:
- Swimming pools;
- Saunas;
- Baths;
- Gyms;
- Fitness centers;
- Beaches, etc.
The risk of contracting a fungal infection increases greatly when living in the same room with a person who ignores the treatment process for this disease if the symptoms are severe.It is strictly forbidden to use common hygiene items (towels, toothbrushes, etc.), since this almost completely guarantees the transmission of fungal spores.
Symptoms of foot fungus
The 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 most often occur:
- Itching of the 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);
- Brittleness and gradual destruction of the 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 sign, carry out a diagnosis and begin 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);
- Squamous-hyperkeratotic;
- Vesicular (dyshidrotic);
- Erased.
The most common type of foot fungus is the interdigital form, which is most active in the summer. The folds between the 3rd and 4th, as well as the 4th and 5th fingers are often affected. But as the disease progresses, skin manifestations spread to all areas between the phalanges of the foot.Initially, only a small ulcer or crack appears.It can be either dry or wet.White or greenish skin is layered along the perimeter, gradually turning into scales.At the same time, the disease does not spread to the back of the foot, being localized only in the front.
The squamous-hyperkeratotic form of nail fungus is a two-process disease.Squamosis is a lesion of only the upper layer of the skin, while hyperkeratosis is a further growth of the stratum corneum, which occurs after the preliminary spread of the fungus.The lesion is localized on the sole of the foot, hitting it directly along the rib.First, scales form on it, after which a thick layer of altered skin gradually grows.
After the keratinized part acquires a certain thickness, cracks often occur in the heel area.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.Thus, 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 liquid inside.As the disease progresses, the fullness of the formations becomes cloudy, after which they burst.After this, pink-red ulcers form, which can even merge with each other.This leads to extensive erosive phenomena occurring on the legs.The biggest problem is the open access of bacteria and other pathogens to these wounds.Therefore, often a sick person, in addition to the fungus, can contract other diseases.This in turn affects not only the overall health, but also the duration and complexity of treatment.
The erased form of foot fungus has the most mild symptoms, which manifest themselves only in the appearance of a small, almost imperceptible “flour” on the surface of the extremities.In some cases, microcracks appear, which are noticeable only with prolonged examination or magnification.These symptoms are accompanied by slight itching or burning.As in 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
Diagnosis of mycosis of the legs should be carried out by a qualified mycologist. If there is no such specialist, you should contact a dermatologist.The following methods are used for diagnosis:
- Taking 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, which is why it is not necessary to determine which pathogen became 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. In 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 this is not worth doing, since in this case they do not bring the desired effect.
The simplest course of treatment is for the interdigital form of 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 best to start therapy at this stage rather than treating advanced forms of the disease.
In the case of the squamous-hyperkeratotic form, you should first get rid of keratinization on the sole of the foot.This can be done using a special procedure with a device or at home wraps with salicylic ointment.After exposure to a thick layer of altered tissue, it should be gradually scraped off.Having removed the top layer, you can begin to treat the fungus on your feet with ointments.
The vesicular form should not be treated immediately with antifungal drugs until its 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 into the body itself, and not just develop on the surface, systemic therapy should also be taken.This is especially important when the disease becomes extensive and severe.Doctors often recommend taking antimycotic tablets in such cases along with external means.Thus, treating 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 it does bring some discomfort.That is why infected people are trying to fight this disease with all possible means.This also applies to traditional methods of treatment, which are quite effective at some stages of the disease.
Baths with wine vinegar 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 should thoroughly wash and dry your feet.Only after this can they be placed in a basin with a vinegar solution for 3-5 minutes.After the procedure, you should put on socks soaked in the same solution on your feet, which should not be removed until 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 herb and dried blackberries.Add 3 tablespoons of this mixture to water and cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes.After this, the liquid must be filtered, and the resulting broth used for lotions.
In some cases, special homemade ointments against fungus help.Wood ash and pork fat are used to make them.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.
Prevention of foot fungus
In order to prevent infection with foot fungus, you should follow certain rules for the prevention of this disease:
- It is necessary to limit walking barefoot in places of increased risk of infection, where infection most often occurs;
- People in certain professions (military, athletes, factory workers and miners) should use protective creams;
- It is necessary to disinfect both the inner and outer surfaces of shoes once a month;
- It is important to eat right and take the required amount of vitamins;
- Drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking cigarettes should be stopped;
- Bathroom surfaces should be thoroughly disinfected and wiped;
- Bed linen should be thoroughly washed and ironed at high temperatures;
- There is no need to wear someone else’s clothes and use personal hygiene products that are not individual;
- It is also important to carry out a pedicure every six months, as it is aimed at eliminating the environment into which fungal spores like to penetrate and multiply.
By following all preventive measures, you can virtually eliminate the chance of possible infection.If the fungus does penetrate a person’s skin, these rules should not be ignored either, 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 moment of infection has been missed, therapy should be started as soon as possible, before the symptoms develop strongly and lead to serious consequences. If the treatment is carried out comprehensively and fully, after some time the patient will not even remember the unpleasant appearance of his legs that was initially.