Many people, watching TV ads about foot fungus remedies, change channels and think, "This is none of my business, I will never have fungus! " It would be nice if it were, but getting this infection is easier thanthat thinks and it is extremely difficult to get rid of it.
Sometimes, they don't see a dermatologist in time for a fungal foot infection, because they don't believe it is her. "It is not a fungus, my friend had a fungus and it was not like that", argue some. In fact, the symptoms of this infection can be different, and if you experience any discomfort in the area of the foot, go to the doctor immediately. He will do tests and only then will determine the diagnosis.
Or maybe not paying attention to itching, peeling skin, changing the condition of the toenails? Ultimately, this is not a disease of Organs internal organs and does not threaten something terrible. And it's a shame to go to the doctor, suddenly you think you're a kind of vagabond. This opinion is also widespread among the population. And this attitude towards health can be considered irresponsible. After all, it is easier to cure the fungus by capturing it at an early stage, otherwise the disease will disappear or get worse again. Most importantly, your family members can also become infected with the fungus. Therefore, there cannot be two opinions on this subject. Be treated, period!
How and where are they infected with the fungus?
The fungus can be lurking anywhere we walk barefoot: on the beach, in the pool, in the bathroom and even in a normal apartment. In general, this infection can affect any area of the skin, but the feet are most commonly affected due to several factors. This includes the constant use of shoes made of low quality materials, increased sweating in the feet, more frequent contact with surfaces where fungi can live. The mycelium spreads very quickly under the skin, causing itching and other discomfort.
Let's take a closer look at the infection pathways.
- The fungus can spread from person to person using the same shoes (for example, slippers), socks, using a towel, as well as through sex partners who go to bed.
- In public pools, baths, saunas, on the beaches when walking barefoot. For a fungus, a humid environment is the ideal condition for reproduction. Slates or shoe protectors can prevent you from becoming infected.
- In the manicure and pedicure room, if the instruments are not well sterilized, or simply when using other people's instruments at home. It is best to visit a well-established manicure specialist who does not have these excesses and use personal utensils at home and treat them with alcohol every time.
Strengthening the immune system will help to reduce risk factors, but no one has canceled personal hygiene rules. It is important to entrust the treatment of the fungus to doctors and not to use popular prescriptions.
How to recognize a fungus on the foot?
Many infections are suitable for the concept of fungus, their manifestations may be different. But there are a number of symptoms common to most of them.
First of all, itchiness. At first it gets weak, but over time it gets stronger, it becomes unbearable, especially at night. Succession footbath, sage and other herbs provide temporary relief, but the fungus does not go away and continues to cause itching and burning.
Nails take on a less presentable appearance. They turn yellow and darken, the color can be heterogeneous, break, exfoliate, its surface is rugged. Changes in the nail plate begin at the edge and gradually spread to the cuticle itself.
Over time, your feet start to sweat, even in sandals and slippers, and an unbearable smell develops.
The skin on the feet may not discolor or may turn slightly red and peel.
If you experience at least one of these symptoms, you need to see a doctor. Perhaps it excludes the diagnosis of fungus, and itching can be a common allergy. But you can only find out after passing the tests. The neglect with the disease can lead to total detachment of the nails, the constant scratching of the skin can damage it and the infection penetrates inside, causing ulcers.
How to treat a fungus on the foot?
Treat as the doctor prescribes! Tests will show which type of fungus you are infected with, and treatment will depend on it. 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 deeply into the skin, destroying the fungus's filament - the mycelium. The number of sessions is three to ten. Wave radiation is created by a special device. The fungus of such an effect is gradually destroyed. Sometimes, wave treatment can take up to three months with short breaks.
- Medical procedures.This includes treatment with wave radiation, cleaning the skin with a medical manicure or pedicure. The medical manicure or pedicure does not provide a deep treatment for the fungus, they are used already at the end of the disease to bring the nails of the hands or feet to a more or less normal appearance.
- Medicines.Only a doctor can prescribe this or that medicine. They can be tablets, ointments, creams, lotions, varnishes.
- Folk remedies.They are trays, infusions, oils with herbs and other parts of plants. They are used only in combination with medications. Baths can relieve itching, improve the appearance of the skin, but do not completely eliminate the fungus. The most popular are baths with oak bark or celandine, tincture of propolis with alcohol, tea tree oil.
It makes sense to repeat again: treating a fungus is not an easy task, and you should not start it without a doctor, otherwise you can deepen the disease, but it will remind you of yourself regularly.