Foot fungus infection occurs through contact with sick people or animals, as well as through soil, water or plants.It is important to recognize and treat the disease in time.
There are many different types of toenail fungus, 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 quickly overcome the disease.
Intertriginous form (interdigital).
This form of the disease is considered the most common.It is usually activated in summer.The development of the disease begins with lesions on 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 rim, indicating the detachment of the upper layer of the skin;
- the appearance of a weeping wound;
- burning sensation and itching;
- formation of erosion at the crack site;
- loosening of the skin as the disease progresses and disruption of its protective function.
Interdigital forms occur in most cases against the background of squamous forms.This disease is treated with ointment.At the initial stage, you can do it without using a tablet.
An experienced specialist will tell you what the fungus is and choose an effective therapy for your feet.Antifungal medication will relieve the disease in one to three weeks.The main thing is not to forget to smear your feet with the prescribed medicine twice a day.
This form of the disease has a chronic course.It is not easy to determine in the early stages.Therefore, patients often consult a doctor when the disease is present in all the folds between the fingers.In this case, treatment may take longer.
Squamous-hyperkeratotic form
This disease in most cases affects one leg and, if there is no proper treatment, spreads to the other.The skin in this form of the disease undergoes radical changes.Keratin cells completely cover the feet.The skin on the feet starts to become rough and then crack.With hyperketarosis, the heel is also subject to cracking.The appearance of erosion is accompanied by burning and itching.The patient is in pain.
The main symptoms of the squamous-hyperkeratic form are:
- redness of the skin;
- itching and peeling;
- keratin cell proliferation;
- the appearance of rough calluses, including on the heels.
This disease can also affect the nail plate.Over time, it loses transparency, changes shade and shape.In advanced stages, nails often begin to fall apart.Treating the disease at this stage is not easy.In this case, in addition to external remedies, the doctor may prescribe a course of pills.Combination drugs are mainly used for treatment.The duration of the course is determined by the specialist.Medicines are chosen based on the type of foot fungus that the patient has been exposed to.
Dyshidrotic form
This form is also called vesicular.It is extremely rare.This disease is accompanied by the appearance of blisters or bubbles of small diameter.At first they were alone, but gradually grew and broke.After that an ulcer is formed.This disease is not easy to treat.It is complicated by the fact that viruses and bacteria easily penetrate into the human body through cracks and erosion.Often, diseases such as eczema, lymphadenitis and others with similar symptoms develop in parallel with fungus.
You should consult a specialist if the following signs of the disease are observed:
- pain and itching in the affected leg area;
- the appearance of erosion and cracks;
- severe peeling of the skin of the feet;
- the appearance of vesicles or blisters on the skin.
Often, if there is no proper treatment, the disease takes the form of bacteria.In this case, the transparent contents of the vesicle become purulent and cloudy.The patient has a severe headache and an increase in body temperature.Treatment of this disease involves complex therapy.The doctor prescribes topical antifungal agents and tablets.
The form is deleted
This type of disease is not immediately recognized.The fact is that the symptoms of the form are erased and practically do not bother the patient.The type of fungus that is deleted is accompanied by peeling of the skin like flour.It looks like the legs are covered in fine flour.Small cracks appear between the toes, which are almost invisible to the eye.The person experiences mild itching.No redness.
It is difficult to treat this form of the disease.Because the patient seeks qualified help only if the suppressed form develops into onychomycosis.Valuable time is lost and recovery may take a long time.
Onychomycosis
In this case, we mean a disease accompanied by a fungal infection of the nail plate.There are several types of this disease:
- damage by mold fungi;
- hypertrophic form;
- atrophic.
In the first case, the disease develops against the background of other nail lesions.Often the nail plate changes color, becoming black, green or brown.The nail bed becomes inflamed.
In the hypertrophic form of the disease, the plate becomes yellow and thickens.Nails break easily, revealing thickened and peeling skin.
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 nail plate and bed.
Rubrophytia
This disease is also called rubromycosis.It is characterized by dryness and peeling of the skin, as well as blood vessels.The disease develops gradually, without symptoms.Therefore, the user does not immediately notice it.Burning and itching sensations appear only in the final stage.At this stage the symptoms are as follows:
- the appearance of blisters and foam;
- plaque spreads throughout the soles of the feet;
- pain when walking, which appears when 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 us to determine the type of fungus that is present and how the foot is infected.Treatment is carried out using exfoliating (keratolytic) agents.The specialist will prescribe an ointment or cream containing salicylic acid.This course also includes 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 plate, then a special formulation is prescribed.
Foot candidiasis
This disease is quite rare.Fungi of the genus Candida, which contribute to the development of diseases, are present in the body of every person and are considered conditional pathogens.If they reproduce actively, unpleasant consequences are possible.The development of pathogenic fungi is often associated with a decrease in immunity, which develops against the background of normal stress and overwork of the body.Occupational or domestic injuries or frequent wearing of closed shoes in the summer can contribute to the onset of the disease.
Symptoms of candidiasis:
- hyperemia (overflow of blood vessels);
- separation of skin layers from each other;
- itching and peeling;
- the appearance of small flat blisters on the legs;
- significant swelling.
Medicines are prescribed individually, based on the stage of the disease.As a rule, this is a complex therapy, including local and systemic drugs.
It is important to take preventive measures to avoid the development of one of the forms of the fungus.They are quite simple:
- don't use other people's shoes;
- perform pedicure and manicure only with sterile instruments;
- choose comfortable shoes that allow your skin to "breathe."
By following these simple rules, preventing disease will not be difficult.