Mycosis is an infectious skin disease caused by a fungus. Usually, treatment with an antifungal cream is applied, which gives good results, but not in the long run. The tips below can help prevent fungus from recurring between the toes after treatment.
Who can get mycosis and how can it be prevented?
Mycosis is a fungal infection that affects the feet. This condition is very common - one in four people has an interdigital fungus on their feet. If this disease starts, its treatment can be very severe. Fungal pathogens (fungi) are often found in small amounts on human skin, where they usually do no harm. However, under favorable conditions, they can penetrate the epidermis, multiply and cause infection. Favorable conditions for the fungus are warm, moist and airless areas of the skin, such as between the toes.
Almost everyone can be affected by mycosis. But it is more common in people who sweat more, or in those who wear thick shoes and socks, which also causes excessive sweating of the feet. Mycosis can spread from person to person. For example, it can happen in a public shower used by athletes or swimmers. Small flakes of fungus-infected skin may fall off during the shower. Once a small piece of infection begins to develop, it tends to spread along the skin. About where else you can get the fungus is written here.
What are the symptoms of foot fungus?
The skin between the little fingers will usually be touched first. The first signs of a fungus, when the infection has just formed on the skin, are small. The manifestation will become noticeable when the rash starts to spread, the skin starts to become itchy and scaly. Cracks and inflammation may appear in it. Large cracks (cracks) in the skin between the toes can enlarge and can be very painful. Small scales on infected skin may peel off. If your interdigital mycosis is left untreated, the rash may gradually spread throughout the foot. In some cases, it extends to the sole. Often, the infection causes peeling all over the foot and sides of the foot. Sometimes mycosis causes large blisters all over the foot. In this case, we are dealing with a foot fungus.
Is mycosis between the toes serious?
As a rule, no. Most people successfully treat their toes before the infection spreads. Sometimes the infection spreads to the skin of other parts of the body. These are usually wet, airless areas, such as the groin. Usually, the fungus, including the fungus on the foot between the toes, does not spread deeper, but only to the surface of the skin. However, other microbes (bacteria) can enter the cracks left by neglected or untreated mycoses. It can sometimes cause more serious foot or ankle infections.
It happens that the infection spreads to the nail - it can be cured. But in this case, to get rid of the fungus, it will take several weeks of taking antifungal pills to clear the infection from the nails.
Therefore, treatment of interdigital foot fungus is best done in a timely manner as soon as the first symptoms begin to appear.
Treatment of mycosis
Treatment of fungus between the fingers usually involves the application of creams and various antifungal sprays. You can buy local antifungals at your nearest pharmacy, or get one with a prescription. To treat the fungus between the toes, it is necessary to apply the antifungal agent directly to the affected area, namely the skin of the feet. There are different types and brands of medicines. They are usually sold in the form of creams, but can also be sprays, juices and powders. The preparations are very good at cleansing the skin from fungal infections. However, there is no evidence that one medicine is better than another.
It is necessary to use medication as recommended. It depends on the different treatments, so read the instructions carefully before treating the fungus between your toes. It often happens that the inflammation seems to go away very quickly, but you may need to be treated for 1 to 2 weeks after the rash has cleared. This is necessary in order to completely eliminate the fungus on the skin - which will prevent recurrence.
If this is the first time you have encountered this disease and you do not know how to cure foot fungus and do not make a mistake in choosing a medicine for treatment, it is better to consult a doctor.
For skin, especially inflamed skin, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream combined with a mild steroid oil. Usually used no more than seven days. You will probably need to continue using only one antifungal cream for a while. Anabolic steroids reduce inflammation in a short period of time and can relieve itching and redness. However, the steroid does not completely eliminate the fungus between the fingers and so steroid cream alone should not be used for treatment.
Antifungal tablets for fungus between the fingers are sometimes prescribed to adults if the infection is severe and cannot be cleared with cream. Tablets are also needed if the infection is found in many areas of the skin except the feet.
However, treating an interdigital fungus using the above procedures is not the same for everyone.
Antifungal pills are not always recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or for people with liver disease. Some people may be prescribed another medicine that interacts with antifungal pills. Children are not usually given antifungal medicine.
While fungus on the skin between the toes can spread from person to person, you do not need to stay away from work, school or sports if you have fungus. However, in public places like the pool or sauna, try to keep your feet covered until the redness disappears. Also, try not to scratch the damaged skin, as this can spread the infection to other areas.
The following tips can prevent recurrent mycosis:
- You should wash your feet daily and dry the skin between your toes completely after washing. This is probably the most important point. Wear socks if your feet are not completely dry. Wet skin between the toes is an ideal breeding ground for the fungus.
- Do not use other people's towels in public locker rooms! Towels should be washed as often as possible.
- Change your socks every day. The fungus can grow on skin flakes in unwashed socks. Cotton socks and leather shoes are in many ways better than nylon socks and shoes made from artificial materials that increase sweating.
- Try to alternate between different shoes every 2-3 days, this will allow each pair to dry completely after dressing.
- Wear plastic flip flops or sandals in locker rooms and public showers. This prevents your feet from touching the floor, which may have skin peeling from other people.
- When you are at home, walk barefoot as long as possible - without shoes or socks so that air can reach your feet. However, this may not be practical for some people.
- If mycosis persists, you can prevent recurrence by regularly applying one of the antifungal sprays or creams as a preventative measure. For a preventative measure, it can be used daily.