Fungal infections (mycoses) are among the dermatological diseases are the most common. Infection of pathogenic microorganisms is possible in several ways, and minor symptoms of the disease at an early stage of its development, not all forces patients to promptly contact their 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. Launched a foot fungus is treatable, but in order to fully fight off the infection, sometimes it takes months of hard therapy.
Causes of foot fungus
The fungus develops as a result of penetration into the subcutaneous layers of spores of pathogenic microorganisms. Lose only the skin is called dermatomycoses, destruction of the nail plates under the action of the fungus is onychomycosis.
Infection of pathogenic microorganisms occurs in two ways – direct and indirect. In the first case, the fungus spores can remain in the soil on the tiles, 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, damp places that is why the infection often occurs in swimming pools, on beaches, in bathhouses, gyms and saunas.
The risk of penetration of the microorganism in the skin is greatly increased if the feet have hairline fractures – abrasions, scrapes, blisters. Susceptibility to the fungus increased under the influence of predisposing disease factors:
- reduced the body's resistance, there is insufficient immune system;
- failure to comply with hygienic norms;
- sweating;
- diseases of the endocrine system that take place with violation of metabolic processes. Fungal infection is characteristic for patients with diabetes;
- violation of blood circulation in the lower extremities, which may be associated with vascular pathologies or deformities of the feet;
- wearing tight, poorly ventilated shoes. Foot, being in such circumstances, constantly sweating, there are scuffs and abrasions, that is suitable for 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 the preconditions for the infection inside.
- excessive dryness of the skin. Hydrated skin has a surface fatty film that prevents the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms. For increased dryness no such protection, which allows fungal spores to penetrate easily inside.
The likelihood of developing a fungal infection is much higher if the body is exposed to several predisposing disease factors.
Types of fungus
Of the disease depending on the type of fungus is classified into:
- the athlete's foot. Called flexible Trichophytonmcntagrophytes;
- the rubrofitii. Found in 70% of cases of athlete's foot.
Depending on localization of pathologic process there are:
- fungal infection between the toes (dermatophytosis). This files most often takes the form of intertriginous (acute) fungal infection;
- plantar athlete's foot. The main symptoms – peeling of the skin, which if the disease goes into actinic;
- skin stop. The pathological process begins with the formation of lesions, similar in shape with 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 isolated, in most cases is a complication of superficial plantar mycosis.
Symptoms of pathology
The initial stage 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 various topical treatments of itching and inflammation reduces the symptoms, but the fungus does not die. That is, 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 rule, the symptoms subside 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. Characterized by the formation of watery papules or plaques of blue color with rough surface. Individual lesions may merge among themselves, on the heels of cracks;
- disgidroticheskaya form. The main signs – the emergence of a large number of liquid bubbles, which will eventually reveal, and in their place remain ulcers. In advanced stages, this disease is often confused with eczema.
- onychomycosis is manifested by color change of the nail plate, the appearance on it of dark or bright spots and stripes and stratification of the nail and thickening.
With the appearance of burning, redness, peeling, itching on the feet and legs should as soon as possible to consult a doctor. At an early stage the disease is easily treated by external means.
Diagnosis
With suspected fungal infection, you must consult a dermatologist. Experienced physician on the basis of patient's complaints and examination sets the diagnosis. But to confirm and determine the type of pathogen necessary laboratory tests. Their implementation allows to set the type of microorganism that requires the correct treatment regimen.
Treatments
Drug therapy is chosen based on the stage of the disease, patient age, comorbidities and complications. Treatment should be complex, it is to use external and systemic medications, traditional methods.
Additionally, your doctor may prescribe a multivitamin complexes, they improve the immune system. In severe itching in the acute stage of the disease to relieve irritation help antihistamines. When you join secondary infection requires treatment with antibiotics.
The fungus must be removed and personal items. First need to treat the shoes with disinfectant, and it is better to completely replace it with a new one.
Upon detection of infection, we must not forget that infection with fungus and other family members. So to recover you need to use your own personal hygiene items, towels and Slippers. The fungus spores are destroyed well under high temperatures, so need to iron underwear and bed linens and even socks.
Local agents
Local antifungal agents – ointments, gels, emulsions and solutions. Cause external medications on the affected the skin of the feet after processing. It's enough to do foot bath with potassium permanganate, soda or soap. Procedure time – 15 minutes, after which dry the skin and cause intended means.
Onychomycosis before applying the ointment or solution is to remove the top part of the affected nail. The nail plate is softened using a special keratolytic remedies. If this is not done, then the components of the ointments will not fall into the lower layers of the nail, i.e. where growing fungal colony.
With the defeat of the nail system of the fungus is sometimes required to drink for 12 months or more. Scheme of medication to the patient as prescribed by the physician.
Folk remedies
How to get rid of foot fungus at home? You need to remember that the use of all kinds of "grandma's recipes" as the main therapy ensures that the infection is subsiding, but not completely goes away. This leads to the fact that the fungus eventually again aktiviziruyutsya. So traditional antifungal agents should be combined with drug therapy.
To defeat a fungal infection you can stop using trays, prepare ointments, rubbing.
- antifungal properties have baths with salt, soda and soap. 5 liters of hot water 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 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, on your feet wear clean socks;
- the Apple cider vinegar must be mixed with an equal quantity of an alcoholic solution of iodine. In the resulting fluid moisten the swab and well they lubricate the affected areas of the feet;
- the garlic oil. The garlic cloves should be crushed into pulp and combine with butter or pork fat. The resulting ointment is used for treatment stop.
Fungus treatment on legs folk ways is a few weeks in a row. It is desirable to periodically change the funds, it will increase the effectiveness of therapy.
Prevention of infection
To prevent infection it is not always possible. But you can reduce the risk of infection fungal pathogens to a minimum. You must observe the following rules.
- In public places where need indoor shoes, to take only his.
- Do not use other people's personal hygiene items.
- Formed on the feet, bruises, blisters and scrapes time to heal.
- Wear only high-quality, well-ventilated shoes.
- Always observe the rules of hygiene.
The likelihood of any infection is reduced when the good work of the immune system. To improve the condition of protective forces assists rational nutrition, vitamin therapy, hardening. Need and treat all chronic diseases.
Conclusion
Nail fungus is not dangerous, but very unpleasant in its manifestations and consequences of the pathology. To cope with the infection with the help of modern pharmaceutical drugs can be just a few days, but under one condition – timely treatment to the doctor.