Athlete's foot: causes, symptoms and treatments

Fungal infections (mycoses) are among the dermatological diseases are the most common. The infection with the pathogen is possible in various ways, and mild symptoms of the disease in an early stage of its development, not all patients in the time we go to the doctor. The result of the pathological process covers the whole of the greater part of the limbs (most often the feet) and spreads deeper into the tissues. Execution foot fungus is treatable, but in order to fully fight the infection, sometimes it takes months of hard therapy.

Causes of foot fungus

The fungus develops as a result of the penetration into the subcutaneous layers of spores of pathogenic microorganisms. Lose only the skin is called dermatomycoses, the destruction of the nail plates under the action of the fungus is onychomycosis.

The infection with the pathogen occurs in two ways – direct and indirect. In the first case, the spores of the fungus can remain in the soil in the tiles of the wooden surfaces. In the second, the infection is transmitted through personal items – washcloths, Slippers, towels, manicure instruments.

Fungal microorganisms for a long time remain viable in warm, moist places which is why the infection often occurs in swimming pools, beaches, in bathhouses, gyms, and saunas.

The risk of penetration of the microorganism in the skin is much greater if the feet have hairline fractures – abrasions, scrapes, blisters. The susceptibility to the fungus increased under the influence of predisposing disease factors:

• reduce the body's resistance, there are not enough immune system;
• in case of not complying with the hygienic needs;
• sweating;
• diseases of the endocrine system that occur with metabolic disorders. Fungal infections characteristic of patients with diabetes;
• violation of the circulation of the blood in the lower extremities, which may be associated with vascular pathologies or deformities of the feet;
• door close, poorly ventilated shoes. Foot, while in these circumstances, constantly sweating, there are scuffs and abrasions, which is suitable for the reproduction of the fungus environment;
• age. Fungal infection is common in children and the elderly, these categories of patients the skin is thin and its protective properties are reduced, which creates conditions for the entry of the infection.
• excessive dryness of the skin. Hydrated skin has a surface fatty film that prevents the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms. For greater dryness any type of protection, which allows fungal spores to penetrate easily to the interior.

The likelihood of developing a fungal infection is very high if the organism is exposed to various predisposing disease factors.

Types of fungi

Of the disease depending on the type of fungus is classified into:

• the athlete's foot. Called flexible Trichophytonmcntagrophytes;
• the rubrofitii. It is found in 70% of cases of athlete's foot.

Depending on the location of pathologic process there are:

• fungal infection between the toes of the feet (dermatophytosis). This files most often takes the form of intertriginous (acute) infection by fungi;
• plantar athlete's foot. The main symptoms – flaking of the skin, if the disease enters the actinic;
• the skin of the stop. The pathological process begins with the formation of lesions, similar to allergic manifestations;
• a deep form of mycosis. The infection affects the superficial and deep layers of the skin stop;
• onychomycosis – fungal infection of the nail plate. Rarely occurs in isolation, in the majority of cases is a complication of plantar superficial mycoses.

The symptoms of the disease

The initial phase of the disease often occurs with erased signs. The appearance of scaly spots, slight redness and itching is often not taken seriously, and the use of multiple topical treatments of itching and inflammation reduces the symptoms, but the fungus does not die. That is to say, the infection continues to evolve and gradually becomes chronic. Symptoms depend on the form of the disease and its duration.

• form interdigital mycosis characterized by the appearance of redness and burning between the toes. Inflammatory process, infection rarely extends beyond the interdigital spaces. As a general rule, the symptoms disappear in the winter and in the summer period exacerbated;
• fungal infection occurs with peeling of the epidermis and redness of certain areas of the foot. Occasionally there is severe itching;
• hyperkeratotic form. It is characterized by the formation of watery papules or plaques bluish in color with a rough surface. Individual pockets and a merger, on the heels of the cracks;
• disgidroticheskaya form. The main signs – the emergence of a large number of watery vesicles, it was finally open and in its place are sores. In advanced stages, this disease is often confused with eczema.
• onychomycosis is manifested by change the color of the nail plate, the appearance of dark or bright spots and stripes and the stratification of the nails and thickening.

With the onset of burning, redness, peeling, itching in the feet and legs should as soon as possible to consult a doctor. At an early stage of the disease is easily treated by external media.

Diagnosis

With the suspicion of fungal infection, you should consult a dermatologist. Experienced doctor on the basis of the complaints of the patient and the examination establishes the diagnosis. But to confirm and determine the type of pathogen necessary laboratory tests. The application allows you to set the type of microorganism that requires the correct treatment regime.

Treatments

Drug therapy is based on the stage of the disease, the patient's age, comorbidities, and complications. The treatment must be comprehensive, which consists of the use of the exterior and systemic medications, the traditional methods.

In addition, your doctor may prescribe a multivitamin complex, which improves the immune system. In severe itching in the acute phase of the disease to relieve the irritation help antihistamines. When you join secondary infection requires treatment with antibiotics.

Fungi, you should remove and personal items. First, you have to try the shoes with disinfectant, and it is better to completely replace it with a new one.

In the detection of the infection can not forget that probably infected by fungi and other members of the family. So, in order to recover you need to use your own personal hygiene items, towels and Slippers. The spores of the fungus are destroyed under high temperatures, so you need to iron bed linen, bed clothes and even socks.

Local Agents

Local agents antifungal – ointments, gels, emulsions and solutions. Cause external medications on the affected skin of the feet after its preparation. Enough to make a foot bath with potassium permanganate, soda or soap. The procedure time is 15 minutes after the skin is dried and is applied to the area for equipment.

Onychomycosis prior to application of the ointment or solution is to remove the top of the machine Polish. The nail plate soft with a special keratolytic remedies. If this is not done, then the components of the ointments do not fall into the lower layers of the nail, that is to say, where the growth of fungal colony.

With the defeat of the nail system of fungi is sometimes required to drink for 12 months or more. Scheme of the medication to the patient as prescribed by the doctor.

Folk remedies

How to get rid of foot fungus at home? It should be remembered that the use of all kinds of "recipes from the grandmother", as the main of the therapy ensures that the infection is subsiding, but not entirely disappears. This leads to the fact that the fungus over time, re-aktiviziruyutsya. The traditional way agents antifungals should be combined with drug therapy.

To defeat a yeast infection you can stop using trays, prepare ointments, rubbing.

• antifungal properties have baths with salt, soda, and soap. 5 liters of hot water that you need to take 2 tablespoons of salt and soda, RUB in a solution of a quarter of a piece of soap. In this water foot stand for half an hour, then dried and applied to the skin and nail antifungal medication;
• interdigital spaces and the fungal lesions on the feet can be greased with birch tar. The procedure is best done at night, in the feet, wear clean socks;
• the Apple cider vinegar must be mixed with an equal quantity of an alcoholic solution of iodine. In the result of liquid to moisten a clean and lubricate them more affected by the zones of the feet;
• the garlic and olive oil. The great garlic should be crushed into pulp and combine with butter or pork fat. The result ointment is used for the treatment of the stop.

Fungus treatment on legs folk ways is a couple of weeks in a row. It is desirable to periodically change the background, that will increase the effectiveness of the therapy.

Infection prevention

To prevent infection, it is not always possible. But you can reduce the risk of infection by fungal pathogens to a minimum. You must observe the following rules.

1. In public places where need indoor shoes, to only catch her.
2. Do not use other people's articles of personal hygiene.
3. Formed in the feet, abrasions, calluses and abrasions treated promptly.
4. Use only high quality, well-ventilated shoes.
5. Always observe the rules of hygiene.

The probability of infection is reduced when the good working of the immune system. To improve the condition of the protection of the forces it assists rational nutrition, vitamin therapy, tightening. Need and treat all chronic diseases.

Conclusion

Nail fungus is not dangerous, but very unpleasant in its manifestations and consequences of the disease. To deal with the infection with the help of modern drugs can be just a few days, but with one condition – the timely treatment to the doctor.