Toenail fungus is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms localized on the skin, in the space between the toes and the nail plate.It brings significant discomfort and creates serious complications.Let's take a closer look at how to treat foot fungus to prevent the disease from becoming chronic and eliminate relapses.

Causes and symptoms of athlete's foot
This disease is caused by trichophyton rubrum spores and other yeasts and molds..Under favorable conditions, they multiply quickly, quickly worsening the condition of the legs.
Doctors identify several factors that contribute to the development of pathogenic microflora:
- weak immune system;
- excessive sweating of the feet;
- Shoes that are not the right size;
- corns, calluses, scratches on the feet;
- chronic infectious and endocrine diseases;
- long-term antibiotic use;
- lack of cleanliness;
- wearing shoes made of artificial materials that do not allow air to pass through;
- flat feet
Children are more susceptible to mycotic infections.Their immunity is not fully developed, the skin on their legs is too thin, so the fungus easily penetrates the body and starts to multiply.
When the skin of the feet is infected, unpleasant symptoms quickly appear.Most often, the main infection occurs in the space between the toes, gradually spreading to the foot.Many pathogens also affect the nail plate, causing the development of onychomycosis - nail fungus.

Pathology has several stages, which are characterized by certain signs.
- The initial stage is hidden, making itself felt with a slight peeling between the fingers, to which one rarely attaches importance.
- Then a small crack forms, flaking increases and smoothly covers the side of the leg.The skin becomes covered with small scaly plates, and squamous mycosis develops.
- Gradually the symptoms increased.Itching, burning appears, the affected area thickens and becomes rough.When the fungus becomes hyperkeratotic, the epidermis loses its elasticity and clear skin patterns appear on it.The burning between the fingers is increasing.
- If the intertriginous stage begins, the disease often affects the nails.Yellow-brown spots appear on it, they become deformed and collapse.The patient is constantly bothered by an unpleasant smell from his feet.Peeling skin, small ulcers and deep cracks form, causing pain when walking.
The advanced form of the disease leads to a rash that appears between the fingers and toes.Small dense bubbles often merge with each other.When they break, the weeping sores stay in place and are very itchy.
Route of infection
Fungal spores remain viable in the environment for a long time, so it is easy to get infected in the most unexpected places.But the best conditions for their development are warmth and high humidity.

Therefore, people who visit the following are at risk:
- swimming pool;
- shower;
- sauna;
- fitness center;
- beach.
Fungus can appear on any thing lying there, even if regular disinfection is carried out.Therefore, in such places, you should avoid common objects and make sure you take a spare pair of shoes with you.
Military personnel are at risk.Often, soldiers in the Army wear uncomfortable shoes that do not allow air to pass through.Due to this, foot sweat, microtraumas appear, where the fungus penetrates.
There are two types of infection.The first is a direct route through direct contact with infectious agents while communicating with sick people, caring for animals, or walking barefoot on dirt and sand.The second - an indirect route leads to infection through objects owned by infected people or pets.
Diagnostics
For fungal treatment to be successful, consultation with a dermatologist is necessary.The specialist will conduct a visual examination, carefully inspecting the lesion.
In order to make a correct diagnosis, it is important to tell the doctor about all worrying symptoms and report previously suffering from micro and other diseases.
To accurately determine the presence of infection and the type of pathogen, the doctor must take blood, nails or skin scrapings for analysis.Laboratory tests must be carried out without fail.There are more than 500 species of fungi that have different thresholds for drug resistance and require different treatment tactics.

- Microscopic examination reveals the presence of fungi.The sample is treated with a special preparation and examined under a microscope, trying to find spores.This test allows you to determine the presence of fungus and its concentration.
- More accurate results are provided by bacterial culture.Biological material is placed in a nutrient medium.If pathogenic cells are found in the scraping, fungal colonies begin to grow from them, which are subject to careful examination.Analysis takes 2 days to 4 weeks.The time depends on the type of infection.
- PCR - polymerase chain reaction - is needed to identify a specific type of fungus by identifying the pathogen's DNA.This requires scraping from the affected area.Test performance is about 100%.
- Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is taken from the veins and allows you to identify the titer of antibodies to a specific pathogen and find out the true cause of the disease.
You should go to the hospital if there is a change in your skin condition.Even small and itching between the fingers should not be ignored.Otherwise, the disease will affect the feet and nails, and it will be more difficult to cure.
Treatment
Fungus on the feet requires an integrated approach.The intensity of treatment depends on the type of infection and the extent of damage to the skin and nails.
Therapy includes medications for internal and external use and careful hygiene.The use of traditional medicine recipes is suitable as an additional method.
Medicines
The treatment regimen should be prescribed by the doctor based on the patient's clinical picture.For the treatment of adults, medicines in capsules or tablets, antifungal creams and ointments are used.Control methods aim to eliminate pathological microorganisms and heal the skin.Medicines should not be stopped until recovery is complete..
Cream
Productive treatment of fungus is provided by cream.They have a light texture and are quickly absorbed.When choosing a product, you need to take into account contraindications for use and follow the recommendations of experts.
The cream should be used regularly, after washing the skin with laundry soap and drying it.
Ointment
The choice of antifungal ointment is very wide.Before starting treatment, allergic reactions and other side effects should be excluded.
If the fungal infection of the foot is complicated by a secondary infection and other drugs do not bring the expected results, dermatologists prescribe ointments based on glucocorticosteroids.
Medicines quickly relieve inflammation and stop the disease at any stage, but have many contraindications.They must be taken strictly according to the instructions, without exceeding the dose.
An effective remedy to eliminate all signs of fungus is an ointment with salicylic acid.This is a simple and inexpensive remedy that can be used in two ways:
- treat the affected area 3 times a day;
- Before going to bed, use the product under the bandage and leave it overnight.
After compressing, the skin can peel and peel a lot.You can easily get rid of such manifestations as a soda bath (1 tablespoon of soda per 1 liter of hot water).This procedure should be done every day throughout the entire treatment.
Pills
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 uncontrollably.
It is recommended to treat nail fungus with fungistatic drugs and fungicides that suppress the growth of fungal colonies and destroy pathogenic flora.
The list of antifungal drugs varies.A dermatologist can recommend various medications based on your medical history and symptoms.The doctor sets the rules for admission.You must follow his instructions.
People's recovery
You can achieve faster recovery by using traditional methods as additional therapy.To get rid of foot mycosis, use:
- warm bath;
- homemade ointment;
- compress;
- Lotion from medicinal herbs.
Before treatment, it is important to make sure that there is no individual intolerance to the components of the traditional recipe.
Ointment for fungus

Homemade ointment helps fight pathogenic flora.
- Copper sulfate, yellow sulfur and goose fat are combined in equal proportions in an enamel container and thoroughly stirred.Place on low heat, cook until boiling and turn off.The mixture should be cooled and transferred to a glass jar.Store in a cool, dark place.Apply to the affected area morning and evening until all symptoms disappear.
- You can prepare a simpler recipe.You need to take goose fat and wood ash in equal proportions.Firm the ingredients together until smooth.Use twice a day, applying generously to the affected area.
Compress and mask
- A good remedy for fungus is a 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.Cover with cellophane, bandage and put on socks.It is advisable to carry out the procedure in the evening and leave the mask until the morning.After waking up, the bandage should be removed and the body washed with water.Treatment should be carried out daily until recovery.
- A mixture of Celandine tree oil and tea is useful for compresses.Oil is added to a spoonful of crushed dried vegetable raw materials.You should get a thick paste.It should be applied to the places where the fungus is located, wrapping the legs in polyethylene and protecting them.Apply the compress at night periodically for at least 2 weeks.
- An effective base for compresses is obtained from medicinal herbs.You need to pour 400 ml of sunflower or olive oil into the pan.Add 1 tablespoon each of calendula, peppermint, comfrey and rose radiola flowers.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 as a compress for 1 hour, 2 times a day.This method has a gentle effect, so it can be used to treat children, provided there is no allergy to herbs.
Take a shower

- The easiest bath for foot fungus is made from salt and baking soda.You need to dissolve the ingredients in warm water at the rate of 1 tablespoon of soda and 1 tablespoon of salt per 1 liter of water.Immerse your feet in the liquid and hold for 15 minutes.Finally, rinse the limb under the tap and dry.
- Herbal milkweed is suitable for preparing baths.You need to measure 3 tablespoons of dry grass and pour 3 liters of boiling water over it.Wrap in a towel and leave for 4 hours.Strain, warm slightly 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.1 month period.
- Strong coffee inhibits the development of pathogenic spores.You need to make a drink (1 tablespoon of ground coffee per 250 ml of water).When it has cooled to a comfortable temperature, pour it into a basin and place your feet there for 20 minutes.It is important that the area affected by the fungus is covered with water.Treatment can be carried out daily for a long time.
Herbal washes and lotions
Many medicinal herbs have pronounced antifungal effects.To treat foot mycosis, it is useful to use healing herbs.
You need:
- calendula flowers;
- oak bark;
- dried blackberries;
- Verbena Herb.
The components must be mixed in equal proportions.Take 3 spoons of the mixture, add 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 with herbal decoction 2-3 times a day and apply the lotion to the affected area for half an hour.

Propolis alcohol review helps fight disease.It can be bought at the pharmacy.Gauze is soaked in liquid and applied to the feet for 30 minutes or the affected area is rubbed with a cotton swab 3 times a day.
Prevention
Foot fungus is a dangerous disease that requires serious treatment.To reduce the possibility of infection, proper prevention is necessary.It is recommended to follow simple rules:
- avoid high humidity;
- Don't try on other people's shoes;
- Maintain foot hygiene.
It is important to control sweat.For this you can use regular talc.To keep your skin healthy and not cracked, you need to lubricate it with moisturizer and take a baking soda bath once a week.
During treatment, bedding should be boiled, socks should be changed daily and washed thoroughly in hot water.Manicure accessories must be systematically eradicated.To prevent re-infection, it is necessary to treat the inside of the shoe with table vinegar or medical alcohol.