Fungal pathology is a common disease among all age categories of the population. It is necessary to treat the fungus on the feet between the toes because of the high risk of infecting others, including your family members, with the infection. Mycosis is easily treated if the symptoms are detected in the early stages. In chronic cases, it may take several months to a year to get rid of the disease.
Etiology
Fungal spores can be found on clothing, shoes, and household items for several years.
The appearance of fungus on the feet is a sign of failure in the body's protective function. Avitaminosis, exacerbation of chronic infections, seasonal viral diseases - all this can lead to a decrease in immunity, and then to fungal diseases. A healthy body will not allow pathogenic microbes to multiply. Risk factors:
- the presence of one of the diseases:
- pathology of the gastrointestinal tract;
- dry cough;
- ENT infections;
- diabetes;
- HIV.
- changes in metabolism;
- hormonal surge:
- adolescent puberty;
- pregnancy;
- menopause;
- menopause.
- wearing inappropriate shoes;
- the presence of corns, abrasions on the legs;
- wearing other people's shoes;
- the use of pedicure tools that are not properly disinfected;
- walking barefoot in saunas, baths, pool complexes;
- excessive sweating;
- bad habits:
- alcoholism;
- smoking
- product use with mold;
- Hereditary tendency to fungal infections (violation of the acid-base balance in the skin).
Signs of illness
Signs of fungus between the toes:
- itching between the toes;
- peeling and flaking of the skin between the fingers;
- blisters appear on the skin between the fingers, which break and form oozing erosions;
- on the feet, the skin thickens, cracks (often this happens under the little finger);
- the nail on the big toe looks dull, changes color and structure;
- occurrence of rash, redness of the skin of the legs;
- smelly feet.
Diagnostic methods
Just looking for disease is not enough. We need a detailed diagnosis that will help identify specific strains of fungi and their sensitivity to antifungal drugs. For this, the dermatologist, after the examination, instructs the patient to scrape from the affected leg area. As a result of this study, it is possible to prescribe effective treatment in certain cases.
You can recognize fungus at home. Potassium permanganate will help. If you dip your feet into a weak solution of potassium permanganate, the healthy skin will turn pink, while the diseased area will remain white.
What needs to be treated?
To cure interdigital fungus on the feet, you need to be patient - therapy takes from a month to a year in some cases. Treatment of mycosis includes the use of local fungicidal agents (to relieve symptoms) and systemic action, antibacterial and healing drugs and vitamin complexes. It is important to treat the disease with a full course of medication. After the symptoms disappear, it is important to continue using the medication for another 10 days.
Medicines
Medicines of synthetic origin against foot fungus can be divided into local and systemic. Topical aims to relieve symptoms and treat new fungal infections. While the systemic use of antimycotic agents has a complex effect on the body. The drugs are very toxic, so their use is contraindicated in children, pregnant women, during breastfeeding.
Release form of topical preparations:
- ointment;
- cream;
- spray;
- nail polish.
Local remedies are good for fungus:
- liquid Castellani;
- chloronitrophenol;
- cationic antiseptic;
- ammonia;
- potassium permanganate;
- iodine;
- aluminum acetate solution;
- iodine solution in aqueous potassium iodide solution.
Active ingredients that affect the fungus systemically are available in the form of tablets and solutions for intravenous administration.
Treatment with folk remedies
You can cure the fungus between the toes with the help of traditional medicine recipes. However, the use of such methods should be agreed with the attending physician. It is also important to ensure that there is no allergic reaction of the body to the natural medicinal components. To check this, you need to apply a little on the inner bend of the elbow and wait a few hours. If there is no redness or rash at the site, folk remedies for fungus between the toes are suitable for use.
Vinegar for fungus
Common table vinegar (wine or apple cider vinegar is best) has an acidic environment that is detrimental to fungal infections. You can quickly cure the fungus on the big toe by using a vinegar compress on it every day. It is advisable to wrap the feet with polyethylene and leave for 5 minutes. After that, the feet are washed well with running water and antifungal medicine is applied.
Other recipes using vinegar:
- Pour a bottle of glycerin into a half-liter jar.
- Fill the jar with 70% vinegar up to the neck and mix well.
- Soak a swab in the solution and rub it between the fingers every day.
Sea salt for athlete's foot
The most effective treatment with folk remedies is possible with the use of sea salt. If it is not possible to get sea salt, then regular table salt can also be used. To prepare a solution for a foot bath, add 5 tablespoons of salt to hot water. Do a foot bath several times a day until a stable recovery from the fungus on the toes.
How does soda help?
Violation of the acid-base balance leads to the fact that fungus appears between the fingers. Soda restores skin balance and actively fights foot fungus. Recipes using soda:
- A foot bath with soda can be prepared if you add 2 tablespoons to 2 liters of water with a temperature of 40 degrees. l. Soda.
- A soda-based fungus paste is prepared from 2 tablespoons of the component, a tablespoon of water and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix all ingredients. The chemical reaction will be followed by the release of gas bubbles. After it disappears, you can apply the paste on the damaged skin area.
Use of the bow
Preparing a remedy for fungal infections from ordinary onions is very simple. You can cut an onion head into a pulp and apply this medicine to the affected area. It is possible to add garlic gruel (1: 1). It is also useful to squeeze onion juice and use a cotton swab to apply the juice to the peeling feet. Apply daily.
Cleanliness and care of feet and shoes
For the temporary period when the fungus on the toe is being treated, it is important for the patient to provide individual underwear, socks, hygiene items - pumice stones, scissors. All shoes must be washed and dried thoroughly. If possible, shoes should be treated with a 1% water-methanol formaldehyde solution - the fungus dies in it within 15 minutes.It is necessary to carry out hygiene procedures for the feet at least 2 times a day, keep the shoes dry and clean, and avoid blisters and abrasions on the feet. Washing clothes should be done at the highest temperature allowed.
Surgical intervention
If the fungal scab does not disappear after the use of local and systemic drugs, and folk remedies do not have the desired effect, an operation against the fungus on the feet is possible. The procedure is performed in a medical facility under local anesthesia using a local anesthetic. The damaged skin is cut with a scalpel, the place is treated with an antiseptic. This method guarantees complete recovery.
How to treat children?
Fungus in children is less common than in adults. However, due to non-compliance with hygiene rules, infection of children with fungi is possible. Fungus occurs in children especially on the thumb and little finger due to frequent injuries. Treatment involves the use of local preparations - ointments and creams.
Features in pregnant women
Fungus between the toes during pregnancy is a common occurrence due to a decrease in immunity in women in position. This disease is not dangerous for the fetus in the womb, but it is possible and necessary to treat the disease during pregnancy so as not to infect the baby that has been born later. The choice of drugs for pregnant women should be in favor of drugs that are least toxic and easy to use with a short treatment. Perhaps the folk treatment of fungal diseases. Systemic therapy is contraindicated.
Preventive methods
To ensure that fungal diseases do not penetrate the body, it is necessary to improve the body's protective functions in every possible way - to harden, eat well, give up bad habits. It is important to observe the rules of personal hygiene: wash your hands after visiting public places, wear changeable shoes in the pool and shower, wash your feet every day. You can't wear other people's shoes and let other people wear their own shoes. When buying shoes and clothes, choose items made from natural fabrics.