One of the most common infectious diseases is athlete's foot.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 that affect fungal infections
Athlete's foot is the most common fungal infection on Earth.This is due to the fact that there are many factors that have a positive effect on the development of the disease:
- endocrinological diseases, including diabetes mellitus;
- Immunodeficiency of various etiologies;
- Poor blood circulation in the lower legs;
- Some pathologies of the structure of the foot (deformation, narrow space between the phalanges, forms of diabetes, etc.);
- Wearing low-quality or ill-fitting shoes;
- Failure to comply with hygiene and sanitation regulations.
The above factors do not lead to fungal diseases, but greatly increase the risk of infection. First of all, this applies to people who visit places with an increased risk of transmitting athlete's foot.They are the following institutions:
- Swimming pool;
- Sauna;
- Shower;
- Gymnasium;
- Fitness center;
- Beaches, etc.
The risk of contracting a fungus increases greatly when living in a room with someone who ignores the treatment process of this disease if the symptoms are severe.It is absolutely forbidden to use common hygiene items (towels, toothbrushes, etc.), as this almost completely guarantees the transmission of fungal spores.
Symptoms of foot fungus
The symptoms of fungus on the bottom of the feet directly depend on the form of the disease, but in general we can identify a certain standard list of the most common symptoms:
- Itching on the skin;
- Inflammatory process on the surface of the epidermis;
- Dryness and peeling of the upper layer of the skin;
- The appearance of certain formations on the skin of the feet (blisters, papules, vesicles);
- Brittleness and gradual destruction of the nail plate;
- Thickening of the skin, especially on the soles of the feet;
- The appearance of cracks at the place of thickening;
- The formation of scales that gradually fall from the surface of the feet.
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 start appropriate treatment.
Types and forms of foot fungus
In medical practice, there are only four forms of foot fungus spread:
- Interdigital (intertriginous);
- Squamous-hyperkeratotic;
- Vesicular (dyshidrotic);
- Deleted.
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 toes, as well as the 4th and 5th toes are often affected. But as the disease progresses, skin manifestations spread to all areas between the phalanges of the feet.At first, only small ulcers or cracks appear.It can be either dry or wet.White or greenish skin layered along the perimeter, gradually turning into scales.At the same time, the disease does not spread to the back of the leg, only located in the front.
The squamous-hyperkeratotic form of nail fungus is a two-process disease.Squamosis is a lesion only on the upper layer of the skin, while hyperkeratosis is a further growth of the stratum corneum, which occurs after the initial 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 changed skin gradually grows.
After the keratin section 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.Therefore, not only the foot itself is affected, but also other parts of the foot.
The vesicular form of athlete's foot is the rarest and least common.It differs because vesicles appear on the bottom of the feet - various bubbles and blisters with a certain liquid inside.As the disease progresses, the fullness of the formation becomes cloudy, after which it breaks.After this, pink-red ulcers are formed, which can also merge with each other.This leads to the widespread phenomenon of erosion occurring on the feet.The biggest problem is the open access of bacteria and other pathogens to these wounds.Therefore, often sick people, in addition to fungi, can be infected with other diseases.This in turn affects not only overall health, but also the duration and complexity of treatment.
The deleted form of athlete's foot has the mildest symptoms, which manifest itself only in the appearance of small "flour" that is barely visible on the surface of the foot.In some cases, micro-cracks appear, which are visible only with prolonged inspection 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
The diagnosis of foot mycosis 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 broad spectrum of action, which is why it is not necessary to determine which pathogen is 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 fungus. At the initial stage, in most cases, external antimycotic agents are used in the available form.All creams, sprays and varnishes should not be used on dirty skin.Studies have shown that this should not be done, because in this case they do not bring the desired effect.
The easiest course of treatment is for the interdigital form of the fungus.It can heal within one to two weeks.To do this, apply an external antimycotic agent to the affected skin area once a day.It is better to start therapy at this stage than to treat advanced forms of the disease.
In the case of the squamous-hyperkeratotic form, you should first get rid of keratinization on the soles of the feet.This can be done using a special procedure with a device or at home with salicylic ointment.After being exposed to a thick layer of altered tissue, it needs to be scraped off gradually.After removing the top layer, you can start treating the fungus on your feet with ointment.
The vesicular form should not be treated immediately with antifungal drugs until the acute form has been eliminated.In some cases, corticosteroid ointments are prescribed, and only after them antimycotics.
To treat the erased form of foot fungus, fungal foam, creams and ointments are used.In this case, you can wash your feet only immediately before the next use 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 widespread and severe.Doctors often recommend taking antimycotic tablets in such cases along with external means.Therefore, treating foot fungus will have a comprehensive effect and help you overcome the disease faster.
Traditional treatment methods
Often, foot skin fungus does not pose a great danger to human life and health, but it brings some discomfort.That is why infected people try to fight this disease in every possible way.This also applies to traditional treatment methods, which are quite effective at some stages of the disease.
Bathing with wine vinegar has a good effect on the treatment of foot fungus. This is due to the fact that this substance has an antiseptic effect. Before such a bath, you need to wash and dry your feet thoroughly.Only after this they can be placed in a basin with vinegar solution for 3-5 minutes.After the procedure, you need to wear socks soaked in the same solution on your feet, which cannot be removed until the morning.
Washing the affected area 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 the same amount of calendula inflorescences, oak bark, verbena herb and dried black berries.Add 3 tablespoons of this mixture to water and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes.After this, the liquid must be filtered, and the resulting broth is used for lotion.
In some cases, a special homemade ointment against fungus helps.Wood ash and lard are used to make it.These components must be mixed until a homogeneous mass with a thick consistency is obtained.It should be applied to the area where the rash occurs twice a day.
Prevention of foot fungus
To prevent foot fungus infection, you should follow certain rules for the prevention of this disease:
- It is necessary to limit walking barefoot in places with a high risk of infection, where infections occur most often;
- People in certain professions (military, athletes, factory workers and miners) should use protective cream;
- It is necessary to disinfect both the internal and external surfaces of shoes once a month;
- It is important to eat properly and take the necessary amount of vitamins;
- Drinking alcoholic beverages and smoking should be stopped;
- Bathroom surfaces should be disinfected and wiped thoroughly;
- Bed linen should be washed and ironed perfectly at high temperature;
- No need to wear other people's clothes and use personal hygiene products that are not individual;
- It is also important to carry out a pedicure every six months, because it aims to eliminate the environment where fungal spores like to penetrate and multiply.
By following all preventive measures, you can almost eliminate the possibility of infection.If the fungus penetrates a person's skin, this rule should also not be ignored, so as not to worsen the current situation.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that foot fungus is 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 thoroughly and completely, after some time the patient will not remember the unpleasant appearance of his legs at first.