Mycosis or fungal infection of the feet is a pathology that occurs in 40% of people. There are many reasons for the development of infections: from violations of hygiene rules to the development of serious diseases of internal organs and systems. Toenail fungus can be cured using folk remedies and methods, but only with prior diagnosis and consultation with a dermatologist.
How to identify athlete's foot
With the development of foot mycosis, damage to the dermis tissue occurs. The first signs of this disease do not have a clear intensity, so they are often considered as normal roughness and irritation of the skin of the feet.
Despite the prevalence of pathology, not many people know how to recognize foot fungus. Foot mycosis appears 3-5 days after infection. The longer the fungus develops, the more noticeable the symptoms.
Symptoms of fungal infection on the skin of the feet:
- at the earliest stage, patients notice severe peeling of the skin, which, even after standard foot treatments and the use of creams, is not completely eliminated;
- itching gradually begins to bother you, which increases every day and causes severe discomfort;
- Along with itching, a sour smell occurs, which occurs when the fungus develops on the skin, it is accompanied by a strong smell of sweat (due to the dysfunction of the subcutaneous glands, sweat increases);
- There are also changes in the shade of the skin of the feet, the epithelium acquires an unnatural color at the site of the lesion: bluish, greenish or even gray-black (in advanced cases).
With foot mycosis, onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nail plate) often occurs, so the patient's nails may begin to break, deteriorate and change color. In rare cases, general health worsens (temperature rises, constant weakness and apathy bothers you).
Important! It is impossible to determine the stage and type of fungus independently, so if you have a dermatological disease, you must visit an experienced specialist.
Why is athlete's foot dangerous?
Many people with foot fungus do not take it seriously, believing that the disease will go away on its own, or until it causes unbearable pain, they do not try to get rid of the infection.
Notes!The peculiarity of foot mycosis is that the fungal infection is contagious, and because a person often walks without shoes, the patient exposes a large number of people to the risk of infection.
Foot mycosis does not cause life-threatening complications, however, if the disease is not treated, complications may arise:
- the transition of the disease to a chronic form;
- weak immunity;
- increased risk of developing other skin pathologies.
Dermatological complications include:
- allergies;
- focal or regional spread of the rash;
- general skin lesions;
- formation of papules, erythema, eczema.
Complications occur in patients who neglect toenail fungus treatment. If therapy is started on time, the disease is eliminated without consequences.
What causes athlete's foot?
Foot mycosis occurs as a result of infection. Fungal spores have the ability to maintain vital activity even without contact with the skin.
Before answering what causes foot fungus, it should be noted that experts identify several groups of people who are susceptible to fungal infections.
- with weak immunity;
- with vascular disease;
- violate hygiene rules.
With athlete's foot, the most common causes of infection are:
- diseases related to immune deficiency;
- rarely change socks, wear low-quality shoes;
- visiting a public bath (without maintaining personal hygiene);
- nail fungus;
- increased foot sweat.
One of the factors in the development of foot fungus is the psychosomatic nature of this disease. Experts confirm that the violation of the psycho-emotional state greatly affects the immune system, weakening it. A weak immune system cannot resist fungi, so the risk of developing mycosis increases.
Is athlete's foot contagious?
Experts in the field of dermatological medicine have proven that foot mycosis is a disease that occurs after foot skin contact with fungal spores.
The peculiarity of this type of infection is the long-term survival of spores that fall on any surface. Moreover, even on the skin of the feet, fungal spores can remain inactive for years, and when conditions are favorable, they can be activated.
It is the ability to maintain infectious activity in the spore state for years that poses the greatest danger. It is impossible to completely prevent infection. Fungus thrives in moist environments, so maintaining hygiene standards is the most effective way to prevent infection.
Important!Considering how athlete's foot is spread, you should also think about the risk of infection of people who come into contact with the patient, especially those who live with him.
How is athlete's foot transmitted?
Fungal infections are spread through household contact. The main method of infection is when spores get on the skin of a healthy leg.
How is athlete's foot transmitted? There are two types of athlete's foot infection.
- Direct: foot contact with infected surfaces, contact with patient's feet, contact with animals whose fur contains spores.
- Indirect: contact with personal belongings of patients with mycosis (socks, shoes, towels, etc. ), contact with care items for infected animals.
In 60% of cases, infection occurs when visiting public places (sauna, bath, beach, etc. ). There are also dangers when doing pedicure procedures if the items used in the salon are not handled properly.
Types of foot fungus
Depending on how the toenail fungus is transmitted (to which area the spores attach), various forms of infection can develop.
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 levels are distinguished: intertriginous and squamous. Often, the infection becomes chronic, because the area between the fingers has the most suitable conditions for the proliferation of fungal spores.
- Plantar. The epithelial layer on the soles of the feet is affected by mycosis. Characteristic signs are severe keratinization, cracking and peeling of tissue.
- Dyshidrotic. The most painful form of fungus on the feet, accompanied by the formation of vesicles and bubbles on the soles of the feet, which, when ruptured, lead to secondary infection.
- Deep mycosis. With deep mycosis, a large area of the foot is affected with the infection penetrating deep into the skin.
- Onychomycosis. This form may be the cause or result of fungal disease on the skin of the feet. With onychomycosis, the nail plate on the toe becomes infected.
The most common form of pathology is interdigital. However, deep and dyshidrotic mycosis, which is difficult to cure completely, is considered dangerous.
Interdigital form
With interdigital fungus, symptoms appear after 2-3 days. After that, the signs of infection become more obvious. It is almost impossible to identify toenail fungus in its early stages on its own. Symptoms of the disease are similar to insufficient hydration of the feet.
Notes!In the case of infectious lesions on the feet, interdigital fungus on children's feet is diagnosed in 70% of cases. Children move a lot, often spend time outside and often without shoes or socks.
Since the symptoms of the disease on the first day are unusual, how do you know if there is a fungus? In folk medicine, there is a special method that helps identify the infection at an early stage: lower your foot into a manganese solution and wait 20 minutes.
If after the procedure the color of the entire skin has changed, but the area between the fingers remains the same shade, it is most likely that there are pathogenic microorganisms in the dermis.
Their stages and manifestations
Interdigital mycosis develops in three stages. Each has its own characteristics. The more the infection develops, the more obvious the symptoms. Gradually, the disease brings not only discomfort, but also painful torment.
early stage
In the early stages, the patient begins to be bothered by peeling skin on the feet in the space between the toes. The plantar area of the tissue from the little finger to the third finger is more affected.
How does the level of squamous-hyperkeratotic manifest?
In the squamous-hyperkeratotic stage, the process of keratinization and exfoliation of the affected epithelial particles begins on the surface of the feet. The skin around the site of localization becomes red, the burning sensation and the feeling of constant itching increases.
At the intertriginous stage, swelling between the fingers is noticeable, erosion occurs in the keratin area, and suppuration may begin. The symptoms of the previous stage intensify.
Dyshidrotic stage
In the dyshidrotic stage, blisters form, the area of the lesion increases, spreading further along the leg. Fungal infections also affect nails.
Interdigital fungus on the feet should not be allowed to develop; treatment should be started at the first suspicion. In this way, serious complications that lead to the risk of getting a purulent infection can be avoided.
How to treat foot fungus
A dermatologist will answer how to get rid of toenail fungus. The treatment of this disease can have many nuances, because there are many types of fungal infections. Specialists establish diagnostics and individually determine what the patient is afraid of toenail fungus.
For fungal infections of the feet, two methods are used:
- medicine;
- the people
Drug therapy is the mainstay. Treatment at home with folk remedies is an additional effect on the pathological process, eliminating symptoms.
Therapy for mycosis can last several months. It is not possible to eliminate the disease in a few weeks.
Medicine method
When choosing an antifungal drug, you should think not only about how to quickly cure foot fungus. Some drugs can only eliminate the signs of the disease without destroying the spores located deep below the epithelial layer. Mycosis that is not fully treated can quickly trigger a relapse.
Ointment
You can treat nail fungus at home by using topical products. Ointment is effective in the early stages of the disease, in advanced form it is used in combination with tablets.
Dermatologists recommend ointments that contain disinfectant, anti-infectious and regenerative ingredients for foot fungus.
The symptoms and treatment of fungal infections are interrelated, because the use of antifungal ointments aims to eliminate the pathological signs and together provide an antifungal effect.
Important!The effectiveness of topical agents is observed at the first stage of treatment, however, with significant lesions on the legs, the use of ointment alone may not be sufficient.
Pills
Systemic antifungal drugs have a general effect. The dose of active ingredients 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 recurrence.
If you treat foot fungus at home, you can take pills, but medicines have contraindications, so taking them is only allowed in consultation with your doctor.
Important! Tablets are contraindicated in childhood, breastfeeding, and during pregnancy.
Antifungal drugs rarely cause side effects, have minimal contraindications and allow you to overcome mycosis in the shortest possible time.
Also, to treat fungus, ointments, solutions or sprays are used along with taking tablets.
Traditional treatment methods
There are many methods to get rid of foot fungus using folk remedies. Considering how foot fungus is transmitted, we can conclude that home therapy methods should be aimed at eliminating the infection from the surface of the feet. Folk remedies also have an antisymptomatic effect.
Notes!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 method to get rid of foot fungus will help you get the most effectiveness.
Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide
Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide - pharmacy hydrogen peroxide mixed with alcohol and table vinegar. All in equal proportions. A cotton swab is moistened in the resulting solution and the skin at the site of the leg wound is generously treated with it. The course of treatment lasts up to 1 month. This procedure should be done every day in the morning and evening.
Celandine juice
Celandine juice - after the preparatory procedure to clean the skin of the feet, make a solution for bathing. After this, they began to use celandine juice. When freshly picked, the plant releases juice from its stem, which eliminates skin infections. Celandine juice is used to treat all affected areas of the feet for a month. The product should be used 2 times a day.
Bath soda
Bathing feet with soda has a preventive and therapeutic effect. Place your feet in a container with two liters of water in which two tablespoons of baking soda have been dissolved for a quarter of an hour. After that, the feet are not washed, but only dried with a towel. Bathing is done at least two weeks.
How to treat foot fungus using drugs or folk remedies, of course, is decided by the patient himself, but it is better to choose joint therapy, which will allow you to achieve quick and lasting results in the fight against mycosis.
Knowing how foot fungus is transmitted, the patient should understand that the treatment of the disease consists, first of all, in prevention. If prevention is not followed, athlete's foot can develop again. To avoid relapse, it is necessary to maintain cleanliness, strengthen the immune system and follow the dermatologist's recommendations regarding treatment.