Unbearable itching and redness of the skin between the toes, cutting pains while walking are the first symptoms of the most common dermatological problem - fungal skin lesions. Emerging through the delicate epithelium of the skin, the fungal mycelium gradually "spreads" to the entire surface of the sole of the foot, causing uncomfortable damp and hairy areas, painful cracks, and deformity of the nails.
Malignant fungus and its associated factors
The causative agent of the disease is the dermatomycete fungus, among which the genus Trichophyton is considered the most common. They live almost everywhere - in swimming pools and beaches, in human shoes and in animal hair, but the disease is not always provoked. An important factor is the creation of an infection gateway through which dermatomycete can penetrate to a sufficient depth.
Fungi between the fingers appear when the skin's barrier functions are weakened:
- When wearing tight and closed shoes. This is especially true for the hot season, when the released sweat creates conditions for skin maceration, it becomes the habitat of many microorganisms.
- Scratches and abrasions are ready gates for the entry of fungi. If you have them, you should not risk trying on someone else's shoes on your bare feet, walking barefoot in the pool, sauna and steam bath.
- An effective remedy for foot fungus between the toes should be sought after by cheap pedicure lovers in salons of dubious fame. The procedure itself involves cutting the cuticles and cleansing the skin, and non-sterile instruments can be "enriched" with mushrooms.
Fungus between the toes: symptoms and complications
It seems that the fungus on the feet between the toes can not be clearly described, as the disease has several forms, each of which is characterized by specific manifestations:
- Dihydrotic fungus of the feet is characterized by three stages - redness, the formation of blisters with liquid crusts and dryness, skin. As a rule, all three stages coexist in the same areas of the skin. The insidiousness of the dihydrotic form of dermatomycosis lies in its high resemblance to eczema. For an accurate diagnosis, a laboratory stain test is required.
- The squamous form is characterized by redness and severe peeling of the skin.
- Squamous-hyperkeratotic lesion causes severe itching and burning, seals and scaling scales appear slightly later.
- With the intertriginous form, the manifestations are so typical that you do not even have to look at what the fungus looks like between the fingers in the picture: severe itching, burning accompanied by peeling and the formation of painful cracks and fairly large foci often appear epidermal exfoliation.
- Intertriginous and dyshidrotic forms of dermatomycosis require care and delicate methods of treatment, because the secondary microflora can easily penetrate into foci and tear cracks, which will lead to the appearance of abscesses. Despite the chronic course, they have pronounced inflammatory processes, which requires the use of soothing oils and anti-inflammatory baths.
Medication treatment
In the arsenal of modern medicine, there are a number of medicines for treating fungus between the fingers. Among them are both oils and tablets that destroy the fungus from within. As a rule, a specialist chooses a drug based on an analysis of the degree of development of the disease, its form and coverage. Systemic therapy using pills is used only in advanced cases, when the skin of the whole foot is involved in the process and characteristic changes are found in the nail plates.
Antifungal ointments are divided into several generations. But, it should be understood that even the most effective remedy for fungus between the toes does not guarantee disposal if you neglect the rules of personal hygiene and a number of precautions.
Throughout the treatment, a gentle pedicure should be performed at least once a week. Thereafter, the frequency can be reduced to once every two weeks.
Since fungi can survive in socks and shoes, they also need to be treated. To do this, use chlorine-containing liquids, such as bleach.
If you are thinking about how to get rid of fungus between your toes, do not forget to change socks every day. For two or three days in a row, wearing clothes already bears traces of sweat, in which parasites live and multiply.
Only a combination of a course of therapy chosen by a specialist and careful observance of all rules of hygiene can guarantee a speedy recovery from the disease.
Treatment of fungus between the fingers with folk remedies
Traditional medicine has collected many recipes to fight fungus, including both products from kitchen cupboards and very exotic herbs and medicines. The most achievable among them are:
- Iodine, daily lubrication of lesions with which it brings visible results within a week.
- Hydrogen peroxide, which gained popularity thanks to the works of a famous doctor. Its ability to destroy fungal cell membranes and form a film on the surface of damaged skin guarantees rapid relief from the disease.
If you have spent a lot of funds and are thinking about how to treat the fungus between your fingers, then you should also try the vinegar effect. Despite fungi living in a slightly acidic environment, it does not tolerate an increase in pH. Lubrication of the affected areas with a solution of 9% vinegar and water in a ratio of 1: 8 gives positive results within 2-3 weeks.
The most popular remedies in folk medicine - onions and garlic - also have antifungal effect. The woman prepared from them is mixed with Vaseline in a 1: 1 ratio and applied to the affected skin before going to bed.
You have not decided how to treat the fungus on the foot between the toes, do not forget about its destruction in shoes and personal hygiene items. This is what guarantees the lack of returns in the very near future.