Many people, watching TV commercials about foot fungus remedies, switch channels and think, "I do not care, I will never have fungus! " It would be nice if it were, butcatching this infection is easier than you think, and getting rid of it is extremely difficult.
Sometimes they do not consult a dermatologist in a timely manner for a fungal infection of the foot because they do not believe it is. "It's not a fungus, my friend had a fungus, and he didn't look like one, " some argue. In fact, the symptoms of this infection can be varied, and if you have any concerns in the foot area, see a doctor right away. He will take the tests and only after that will determine the diagnosis.
Or maybe not to pay attention to the itching, peeling of the skin, changes in the condition of the toenails? After all, this is not a disease of the internal organs and does not threaten something terrible. And it is a shame to go to the doctor, he suddenly thinks he is a kind of fool. And this opinion is also widespread among the population. And such an attitude towards one's own health can be called irresponsible. After all, it is easier to cure the fungus by catching it at an early stage, otherwise the disease will either fade or worsen again. And most importantly, your family members can also be infected with the fungus. Therefore, there can be no two opinions on this issue. Treat yourself, period!
How and where are they infected with the fungus?
Mushrooms can be waiting in any place we go barefoot: on the beach, in the pool, in the bathroom and even in an ordinary apartment. Generally, this infection can affect any area of the skin, but the feet are most often affected due to several factors. These include the constant wearing of shoes made of low quality materials, the increased sweating of the feet, the more frequent contact with the surfaces on which the fungus can live. The mycelium spreads very quickly under the skin, causing itching and other discomfort.
Let's take a closer look at the routes of infection.
- Fungi can be spread from person to person when wearing the same shoes (for example, room slippers), socks, using a towel, and sexual partners going to bed.
- In public swimming pools, baths, saunas, on beaches when you walk barefoot. For a fungus, a humid environment is the ideal conditions for reproduction. Shoe plates or covers can prevent you from becoming infected.
- In the manicure and pedicure room, if the instruments are not sterilized well enough, or simply when using other people's instruments at home. It is best to visit a well-established manicure specialist who has not had such excesses and use personal tools at home and treat them with alcohol every time.
Strengthening the immune system will help reduce risk factors, but no one has repealed the rules of personal hygiene. Importers it is important to entrust the treatment of fungi to doctors and not to use popular recipes.
How to recognize a foot fungus?
Many infections are suitable for the concept of fungi, their manifestations may be different. But there are a number of symptoms that are common to most of them.
First of all, itching. At first it is weak, but over time it becomes stronger, it becomes unbearable, especially at night. Successive foot baths, sage and other herbs provide temporary relief, but the fungus does not go away and continues to cause itching and burning.
Nails take on an unobtrusive appearance. They turn yellow and darken, the color can be heterogeneous, break down, stratify, their surface is bumpy. Changes in the nail plate start from the edge and gradually spread to the cuticle itself.
Over time, the feet start to sweat, even in sandals and flip flops, and an unbearable odor develops.
The skin on the feet may not turn white at all, or it may turn a little red and then come off.
If you experience at least one of these symptoms, you should see a doctor. Maybe he will rule out the diagnosis of a fungus, and itching can be a common allergy. But you can only find out after you have passed the tests. Neglect of the disease can lead to complete detachment of the nails, constant scratching of the skin can damage it, and the infection gets inside, causing ulcers.
How to treat a foot fungus?
Treat as prescribed by your doctor! Tests will tell you what type of fungus you are infected with, and treatment will depend on that. Sometimes the doctor may advise the use of folk remedies in combination with pharmaceutical preparations and medical procedures. Let’s take a closer look at all of these methods.
- Laser treatment.During laser treatment, the beam penetrates deep into the skin, destroying the fungal filament - the mycelium. The number of sessions is from three to ten. Wave radiation is created by a special apparatus. Mushrooms from such an effect are gradually destroyed. Sometimes wave treatment can take up to three months with little rest.
- Medical procedures.These include wave radiation treatment, skin cleansing with a medical manicure or pedicure. Medical manicures or pedicures do not offer an in-depth treatment of the fungus, they are already used at the end of the illness to bring the nails on the hands or feet to a more or less normal appearance.
- Medication.Only a doctor can prescribe this or that medicine. They can be tablets, oils, lotions, lotions, varnishes.
- Folk remedies.These are trays, infusions, herbal oils and other plant parts. They are used only in combination with medicines. Baths can relieve itching, improve the appearance of the skin, but they will not completely get rid of the fungus. The most popular are baths with oak bark or celandine, propolis tincture in alcohol, tea tree oil.
It makes sense to repeat once again: treating a fungus is not an easy task and you should not start it without a doctor, otherwise you can direct the disease deeper, but it will remind you regularly.