Fungi on the skin of the feet are one of the most common infections. Foot fungi are distinguished for vitality and ease of development. If you rely on statistics, then 20% of the world's population suffers from the fungus.
What is a skin fungus?
Fungal diseases are infectious diseases that affect the skin. The most common type of fungus is mycosis. In medicine, this skin disease is divided into several types.
Mushrooms can adapt to almost any habitat condition. Mushroom spores are able to live for a long time in ordinary clothes or shoes. In most cases, fungal infections are exposed to the feet and nail plates on a person's feet.
How does mycosis develop?
The cause of foot fungus is Trichophyton rubrum, T. Mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum. Mycosis can be infected through contact with infected skin or after using any personal hygiene items.
Mycosis is characterized by destruction of the skin in the form of skin. This is due to the fact that the fungus penetrates deep under the skin, resulting in damage to the epidermis.
Yellow or white spots may appear on the nails. If the mold touches the toes, then small fluid bubbles form between them, which burst, healing is painful. Foot fungus is also accompanied by an unpleasant odor. The symptoms of mycosis can be different, depending on the type. To do this, you need to get to know each of them in more detail.
The main forms of mycosis:
- Interdigital mycosis.
- Squamous-hyperkeratotic form.
- Vesicular form.
- Deleted form.
- Nail fungus.
Interdigital mycosis
The most common localization of interdigital fungi is the interval between 3, 4 and 5 fingers.
The main symptoms of interdigital mycosis:
- Formation of a crack, which is covered with a thick white film.
- A small amount of fluid can be released from the crack.
- The appearance of diaper rash between the fingers.
- Slight itching between the fingers.
Initially, the fungus between the toes may be dormant without any symptoms. However, the changes gradually begin to be noticed - the skin becomes dry and rough, acquires a gray tinge, cracks appear in thick places.
In addition, there is a so-called "wet" fungus between the toes. This shape is characterized by the formation of fluid-filled bubbles. These bubbles burst, creating the effect of a "wet" mold. Such a fungus most often forms after wearing tight non-ventilated shoes, as well as during periods of severe stress.
Squamous-hyperkeratotic form
The squamous-hyperkeratotic form of mycosis is characterized by severe peeling and keratinization of the skin. This form of mycosis is very common, however, it most often affects people with atopic dermatitis.
The main symptoms of the squamous-hyperkeratotic form of mycosis:
- Poor itching.
- Formation of cracks in the skin of the feet.
- Grief.
- Dry skin.
- Peeling of the skin.
- Erythema with clear borders.
- Yellow scales.
- Onychomycosis - damage to the nail plates.
Vesicular form
The vesicular shape of the fungus is the rarest of all. Only 8% of all mycosis patients are exposed to this type of disease. The vesicular form is characterized by the formation of rashes with liquid content inside. When these vesicles burst, erosions appear, which can become infected.
The main symptoms of vesicular fungus:
- Formation of red or pink bubbles.
- Inside the formations there is a transparent colored liquid.
- The size of the bubbles can reach a maximum of 1 cm in diameter.
- The rash may be accompanied by slight itching.
- Wet bubbles.
This form of fungal infection is dangerous, as there is a high probability that harmful bacteria and infections will get under the skin. To determine the vesicular form of mycosis, it is necessary to undergo special studies and make an itching of the skin for analysis, as this disease can be easily confused by external symptoms with eczema or pustular psoriasis.
Deleted form
The wiped form of the fungus is almost always the beginning of the development of foot diseases - fungal infections.
With the deleted form of the fungus, there are practically no obvious symptoms, however, some of them can still be distinguished:
- The skin is slightly peeled between the fingers.
- Formation of small cracks between the fingers that affect only the upper layers of the epidermis.
All of these symptoms are not accompanied by itching or pain, so they do not cause any discomfort to a person.
Nail fungus
Nail fungus is also a very common form of this disease. Such a fungus does not pose a particular threat to human health, but can bring many concerns.
Symptoms of nail fungus:
- The appearance of dryness and peeling of the skin of the feet.
- Itching.
- Redness.
- Changing the shape of the nail.
- The color of the nails takes on a gray-yellow hue.
- Cracking of the nail plate.
- The fragility of the nail.
- Formation of a crushed mass under the nail.
- Formation of gaps under the nail plate.
- Bad smell.
If the foot fungus has become severe, then the patient's temperature begins to rise. Foot fungus, like any fungal infection, can provoke the development of psoriasis or eczema.
What do foot fungus look like?
Despite the fact that foot fungus is a very common disease at the present time, not everyone knows exactly what it looks like. Many infected people do not even pay much attention when the first signs of a fungal infection appear. As mentioned earlier, there are several types of fungi.
Each type has its own symptoms:
- In the initial stage of the infection, redness, slight swelling and cracking appear on the skin.
- In the middle stage of fungal development, peeling of the skin appears. The foot is covered with white, pink or white spots.
- If the disease has already passed to the highest stage of its development, then the nail plates on the fingers begin to collapse and change their usual color. The skin of the feet begins to peel into large pieces. Deep and painful cracks appear.
A photo
Symptoms of foot fungus
To determine foot fungus, it is necessary to pay attention to the underlying symptoms:
- Redness of the affected areas of the skin.
- Peeling of the skin.
- Formation of bubbles with liquid content.
- Nails change their color and shape.
- Fragility and distortion of the nail plate.
Diagnosing
At the first manifestations of fungal symptoms, you should consult a dermatologist. Sometimes, a visual examination is not enough to establish an accurate diagnosis.
Some symptoms may indicate the presence of another skin condition. Therefore, a specialist in such cases should do an itch and do a microscope. Only after such studies can we speak clearly about the presence and form of a fungal disease.
Treatment
It is necessary to start treatment of a fungal disease only after a thorough diagnosis by a specialist, who should prescribe different drugs for the treatment of this disease. Treatment of foot fungus can consist of several methods.
These methods include:
- systemic therapy.
- local therapy.
- Folk remedies.
It is worth taking a closer look at each of them.
Systemic therapy
Systemic therapy refers to the use of various antifungal drugs. Such drugs penetrate the bloodstream and kill the fungal infection. Such funds are able to penetrate into the nail platinum, which can stay for several weeks, gradually killing the fungus.
Effective remedies for foot fungus
Terbinafine and itraconazole are considered to be effective antifungal agents. These systemic medications can cure the patient in two weeks.
It is important to note that systemic therapy is not prescribed for the following individuals:
- Pregnant women.
- Breastfeeding mothers.
- People suffering from liver diseases.
- The elderly with concomitant diseases.
Ointments and lotions
Systematic treatment of fungal diseases is recommended to be combined with local therapy. This method of treatment includes various creams and ointments, which can also have antifungal effect. However, it is worth paying attention to the fact that if creams and ointments are used without the use of systemic drugs, then the treatment may be ineffective.
Local medicines to fight fungal infections are divided into 20 forms. In addition to creams and ointments, various sprays, gels, foams and varnishes are used to treat foot mold.
When using topical fungus treatment, it is worth remembering that after applying any medicine to the skin, the feet do not need to be washed during the day.
Folk remedies
You can also cure toenail fungus with the help of folk remedies. To do this, you need to get acquainted with them in more detail.
Folk remedies for treating nail fungus:
- At night, a piece of kombucha is applied to the affected nails.
- Stick a cut Kalanchoe leaf on the nails overnight.
Folk remedies for treating fungus between the fingers:
- Wash the skin between the fingers and lubricate it with birch tar.
- Make a decoction of plantain, yarrow, wormwood and chamomile. Take foot baths from the prepared liquid.
Folk remedies for the treatment of foot fungus:
- Lubricate the affected areas of the skin with onion juice overnight.
- Make a compress for the night from 20% propolis tincture.
Folk remedies for the treatment of foot fungus:
- Take a sea bath with sea salt twice a day.
- Three times a day, take a foot bath from a decoction of chamomile, oak bark and calendula.
prevention
Foot fungus most often causes sweating. Even in the cold season, the causative agent of a fungal disease is well preserved. But high temperatures can kill the infection, so one of the methods of prevention is boiling. Another method of prevention is to disinfect shoes with formalin. With this action, the fungus dies after 20 minutes.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is worth noting that a fungal disease of the skin of the feet does not harm human health. Mushrooms only create discomfort. However, this infection should not be ignored. If the disease becomes severe, it can lead to pain and the development of other infections.