Just yesterday, the legs delighted with impeccable tenderness, and today unbearable itching and inflamed skin call for immediate action. It looks like a visit to the pool gave a “nice” bonus. Or are the slippers to blame for which you had to wear guest shoes last week? In fact, now it is not so important where the attack came from. Is it possible to cure a fungal infection and how to protect yourself for the future - we understand together.
Foot Fungus - Causes
Foot fungus is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by certain types of fungi. Ease of infection and self-treatment cause a rapid increase in carriers of fungal infection. Experts believe that about 70% of the world's population at least once experienced the unpleasant symptoms of foot mycosis. You can get infected in the pool and on the beach, in the sauna and in the sports locker room, while wearing other people's slippers and using a common towel.
Foot fungus can occur on its own, especially men are susceptible to this, due to the constant wearing of tight, closed shoes and abundant sweating of the feet. Warm and humid environment - excellent conditions for the rapid growth of mushrooms. Infection with the fungus of the foot is also possible during the pedicure procedure, when the master uses non-sterile instruments.
The most susceptible to fungal infections of the foot are people with weak immunity. In addition, patients with circulatory disorders in the legs who suffer from certain chronic diseases - diabetes, excessive sweating, obesity, and varicose veins - are at increased risk. Half of the elderly people have certain fungal diseases. The frequent appearance of corns and sores on the legs makes it easier for the mushrooms to relocate to a new permanent place of residence.
Foot Fungus - Symptoms
Specialists subdivide the foot fungus into several forms of development, each of which has characteristic features:
1. Squamous - the initial form of the disease does not cause much trouble. The fungus of the foot is manifested only by peeling of the skin - between the fingers, at their base, on the lateral surface of the foot and the heel.
2. Hyperkeratotic - the skin on the feet is compacted and thickened, the pattern becomes more pronounced, a small peeling appears in the skin folds, resembling flour. Itching, discomfort when walking, feeling of excessive dryness of the skin and discomfort are added to the external manifestations, painful cracks appear.
3. Intertriginous - burning and severe itching, detachment of the upper layer of the skin, between the fingers, the skin turns red and cracks. This stage of development of the fungal lesion of the foot delivers a lot of torment and occurs most often.
4. Dyshidrotic - the culmination of the disease. The symptoms of the fungus of the foot appear as small bubbles that form, after opening, erosion. Peeling, flaking of the skin, possible increase in body temperature, severe itching and burning, swelling - a bacterial infection can be added to all unpleasant manifestations. The response of the immune system can manifest itself as a strong allergy, and not necessarily at the site of a fungal injury.
And what to do if you find yourself in such unpleasant symptoms? Of course, without the help of a doctor is not enough. Some believe that the fungus of the foot is manifested only by itching and pain, but the problem is much more serious. Fungal cells do not just live on the surface of the skin, they intrude into the lymphatic system and cause even more trouble - they weaken the body and contribute to a significant decrease in immunity. Untreated until the end of the fungus is able to lie low and wait for an opportunity for a new attack. It releases toxins and causes allergies, can provoke erysipelas and aggravate the manifestations of diabetes, interferes with proper rest and complicates personal life. Therefore, the best way to get rid of the misfortune is a visit to a dermatologist and scrupulous implementation of his recommendations.
Foot fungus - diagnosis
The doctor will be able to diagnose a foot fungus already during the examination, having inquired in detail about the symptoms and similar diseases previously experienced. However, for an accurate diagnosis, mandatory detection of the pathogen is necessary. To do this, take the scales and a small piece of skin and examined under a microscope. With the help of laboratory tests, the culprit is first identified, and then, by placing it in a nutrient medium, they identify the type of fungus. But, unfortunately, it succeeds in about 60% of cases. Despite this low rate, the doctor will prescribe an effective treatment, as many drugs have a wide spectrum of action.
The most common causative agents of foot fungi:
- Trichophyton Mentagrophytes (Trichophyton Mentagrophytes) - athlete's foot;
- Trihofiton rubrum (Trichophyton Rubrum) - affects the feet, may also settle on the hands and in large folds of the skin (eg, inguinal). Able to spread lymphogenous way;
- Trichophyton interdigital (Trichophyton interdigitale) - the interdigital space of the legs suffers from it, further the disease spreads to the whole foot;
- Candida albicans (Candida albicans) - more often brings trouble to women.
Identification of the pathogen helps to prescribe the most effective treatment against it.
Foot Fungus - Treatment
The earlier the visit to the doctor and the treatment started, the more hope for his success. Sometimes the appeal to the doctor is delayed, the patient tries to use the drugs advertised on TV and sincerely hopes for success. However, such self-activity is often not properly completed - sometimes treatment is simply not effective, and sometimes the side effects of drugs increase the number of problems.
Foot fungus is a rather serious disease, its treatment is complex and is carried out in several directions:
- elimination of the inflammatory process;
- the use of antifungal drugs;
- restoration of normal blood circulation in the feet.
Sometimes running foot fungus is very difficult, with severe itching and pain. To alleviate the condition, the doctor prescribes a course of footbaths with potassium permanganate. At the same time, large scales are removed, and the cornified skin softens. To soften it, you can use 5-20% salicylic petrolatum, then applying pumice. After the baths, an antibiotic is applied to the feet in the form of a cream and preparations that reduce inflammation. Only after the disappearance of the ulcers and wounds can you begin the use of antifungal medications. It is necessary to disinfect shoes and items of care, to change socks regularly and iron after washing with an iron.
Effective shoe polish:
Work carried out in gloves! Cotton swab well moistened with vinegar essence, process the inner surface of the shoe three times. Put the used tampon in the toe of the shoes, put the shoes in a plastic bag, carefully tie and forget about it for a day. After the expiration date, remove the cotton wool and air out the shoes well.
The basis of the treatment of foot fungus is the use of drugs of local exposure, by applying them to the affected area. Such drugs as Miconazole, Lamisil, Tinakitin, Clotrimazole, Nizoral are dispensed in pharmacies without a prescription.
Attention! If you decide to do without the help of a dermatologist, use antifungal drugs strictly according to the instructions and carefully observe the result. In the absence of visible improvement or the occurrence of side effects do not ignore the visit to the doctor.
Antifungal ointments or creams gently, but carefully rubbed into the affected skin of the foot 2-3 times a day, the course of treatment is two weeks. Depending on the neglect and complexity of the course of the disease, the doctor may prescribe pills that will have to be taken for more than a month or in separate courses. Do not use systemic drugs yourself. In appointing them, the specialist takes into account many factors that you cannot independently determine. These are unsafe medications, and some of them require regular monitoring of the body's response and biochemical blood tests.
It is very important to conduct a course of treatment with antifungal drugs completely. Sometimes, with the disappearance of the main manifestations of the disease, the patient independently declares himself healthy. The disappearance of the itch does not mean recovery, there is still to completely rid the body of the unwanted guest.
Foot fungus - treatment of folk remedies
Many recipes of traditional medicine that have passed the test of time, allow you to get rid of foot fungus. However, their success depends on the stage of the disease. Deciding what is best - a visit to the doctor or, perhaps, only a temporary postponement of it - everyone should independently. However, if there is a desire - you can try.
1. Four tablespoons of dry celandine pour one and a half liters of boiling water. Allow to cool to a pleasantly warm temperature and use for baths, you need to keep the legs in it for half an hour. Instead of celandine, you can take the same amount of wormwood.
2. Soften the burdock leaf and pin it to the sore spot. Change leaves twice a day, the total course of treatment is 3 weeks.
3. Apply fresh, softened rowan leaves to the affected skin, fix with bandaging and change once a day.
4. Mix the chopped garlic thoroughly with the same amount of butter. Lubricate the foot fungus 2 times a day until recovery.
5. Vinegar in the amount of 100 grams, one raw egg in the shell and 200 grams of butter. Slightly stir in a glass jar and leave in the refrigerator for a week, until the shell is completely dissolved. After that, thoroughly mix and smear your feet at night for 2 weeks. Store in a cold place.
Another option is to wait for the eggshell to dissolve in vinegar, and only then add 1 teaspoon of butter.
6. A teaspoon of the collection of plantain leaves, wormwood, yarrow and burdock pour 200 grams of boiling water and let it brew for 12 hours. Drink in three doses throughout the day, preferably before meals.
7. Bring a liter of water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon of a shag and hold for another 2 to 3 minutes on fire. Pour the mortar into a basin and, waiting for a comfortable temperature, lower the legs into it. The procedure continues until the water is completely cooled, and after wiping it, do not wipe her feet. It is necessary to do this before bedtime, in the morning wash your feet with plain water.
8. Use instead of cream usual sour cream. Lubrication at night relieves itching, heals cracks and relieves fungus.
9. Brew natural coffee and make baths at night. In addition to healing the fungus of the foot, coffee gives tenderness to the legs, eliminates unpleasant sensations.
The disappearance of the external manifestations of the disease does not mean a complete recovery. Remember this when using folk remedies instead of visiting a doctor.
Foot Fungus - Prevention
Having fully completed the course of treatment and getting rid of the unpleasant “guest”, one should not forget that there is no guarantee against reinfection. Only personal hygiene and precautionary measures will help prevent the next meeting with the fungus of the foot. Not complicated measures to prevent mycosis of the feet:
- Do not use someone else's shoes and do not let them wear your own;
- Wear fresh tights or socks daily;
- After water procedures, wipe your feet thoroughly;
- do not go barefoot on the beach or in the pool, use special beach slippers;
- to care for the feet should be used only individual tools - nail files, scissors, tweezers;
- take immediate measures to treat cuts and sores on the skin - they serve as hospitable entry gates for a fungal infection;
- in the hot season it is better to use light open shoes made from natural materials;
- strengthen immunity - walk, swim, temper, do not forget about vitamins and healthy right menu.
Complimentary to visit, the fungus will never leave the familiar place voluntarily. Only an effective complex treatment can get rid of the fungus of the foot, and compliance with preventive measures can not be found on the legs again.
