Mycosis of the feet (ICD code 10 B35. 3) is a fungal infection of the skin of the legs caused by parasitic dermatophytes. It occurs in about 20% of adults. Infection occurs through microtrauma, scratches, abrasions, wounds. The development of the disease is promoted by damp feet, diabetes mellitus and weakened immunity.
Among people with endocrine diseases, says immunodeficiency, the prevalence reaches 50%. More often, the disease progresses chronically, with alternating periods of remission and exacerbations. In 40-50% of cases, mycosis of the feet causes onychomycosis or fungal nail infection.
Where and why does the infection occur?
Mycosis of the feet is a contagious disease that is easily transmitted by direct contact with a fungus carrier or by household utensils. For example, through shoes, socks, towel, manicure supplies, rubber mats in the shower. In 70 to 95% of cases, the causative agent of mycosis of the feet is Trichophyton red (Tr. Rubrum).
Usually, the infection occurs in public places with high humidity, where favorable conditions exist for the reproduction and dissemination of the pathogen. These locations include swimming pools, public showers, saunas, water parks, gym locker rooms. If a person infected with a fungus walks barefoot on the floor or with rugs in the shower, he will leave infectious particles behind. And if a healthy person enters this place with bare feet, the pathogen will fall on their skin. In this case, the fungus does not always manifest immediately and causes the characteristic symptoms of the disease. With strong immunity, absence of health problems, the person simply remains infected, but at the same time does not get sick.
The risks of contracting fungi and the development of mycosis of the feet increase:
- damage to the integrity of the skin;
- violation of the blood supply to the extremities, in which the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues worsens, the regeneration processes slow down, the local immunity is weakened;
- diabetes mellitus, high blood glucose levels create favorable conditions for the growth of the fungus, the progression of the infection;
- excessive sweating;
- dry skin, which leads to microcracks;
- old age;
- blood diseases;
- prolonged use of antibiotics, drugs that suppress immunity;
- vitamin deficiency;
- Wear shoes that are waterproof and create a "greenhouse effect".
Symptoms and types of the disease
Mycoses of the feet manifest in different ways, the type of pathogen and the severity of the lesion affect the symptoms. The first signs of the disease appear in the folds between the toes and from there spread to the sole of the foot, side, back and nails.
The appearance of feet with ringworm is shown in the photo.
When nails become infected, thickening, loss of shine and turbidity of the plaque are noted. The nail acquires a grayish yellow hue, becomes fragile, crumbles.
The first clinical symptoms of ringworm of the feet include dryness, scaling of the skin, painless cracks in the folds between the toes. This form of the disease is called erased. Peeling and cracking at the beginning do not cause pain, itching or discomfort. Only a doctor can notice the first unexpressed signs of a fungal infection. In addition to the off, other clinical forms of ringworm of the feet are also distinguished, each with its own symptoms.
Scaly
In the scaly form of the ringworm of the feet, there is flaking in the folds between the toes and the sides. As a rule, there are no signs of inflammation. Redness, damage to the nails, itching, thickening of the stratum corneum, which gives the skin shine, are possible. The papillary lines become more pronounced and the skin surface becomes dry, covered with lamellar scales. In this case, the patient does not experience itching or other unpleasant sensations.
Hyperkeratotic
Appears as an eruption in the vaults. The surface of the elements of the eruption is covered by scales in layers of gray-white color. There is a detachment of the epidermis, unique vesicles. When they fuse, the skin rashes form large, indistinct foci that spread throughout the sole of the foot, including the lateral and dorsal surfaces. Along with the flaking foci, there are areas of hyperkeratosis or thickening of the skin. They look like calluses with cracks at the top. With a hyperkeratotic form of ringworm of the feet, the affected area is similar to the manifestations of psoriasis or eczema. A person is concerned about dryness, itching and, sometimes, pain.
Intertriginous
The intertriginous form of mycosis of the feet is similar to the symptoms of diaper rash. Hence the name lat. intertrigo - "diaper rash". Most often, the skin is affected in the intervals between the third and fourth, fourth and fifth fingers. It becomes bright red, edematous. Deep wounds form, deep and painful cracks. In contrast to diaper rash, lesions in intertriginous ringworm are rounded with clear outlines, with a white outline separating along the edges of the epidermis. The person feels itching, burning, pain.
Dyshidrotic
Dyshidrotic forms of mycosis of the feet are characterized by multiple vesicles with a thick apex, located mainly in the arches. The rash spreads to large areas of the soles of the feet, as well as to the spaces between the toes and the skin of the toes. Merge to form large bubbles. In place of the bursting bubble, wet erosion appears. As the inflammation grows, the skin turns red and swells. During the gallbladder formation phase, the patient feels an unbearable itch.
Diagnosis
If you suspect ringworm in your feet, you need to go to a dermatologist. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will examine the legs, ask what symptoms have bothered the person, how long and after they appeared. Scrape the affected area for microscopic analysis, cultural research to identify a specific type of pathogen. In addition, your doctor may order blood tests.
How to treat ringworm of the feet?
Mycologist or dermatologist deals with the treatment of ringworm of the skin of the feet. Taking into account the clinical form of the disease, the severity of the injury, the visible changes, the doctor will choose the appropriate therapy.
Complications of a mycotic infection in the legs can cause a fungus infection on the hands. Ringworm of the feet sometimes leads to secondary bacterial infections, especially when there are watery wounds on the skin.
External fungicidal agents (ointments, creams), tablets for oral administration are prescribed to combat the fungus. Only local therapy is effective for the milder forms of ringworm of the feet. According to clinical guidelines, oral medications are prescribed in severe cases.
If necessary, the treatment is complemented with anti-inflammatory, drying, antiseptic and antiallergic drugs, agents that increase the regeneration of damaged tissues. If there are signs of bacterial infection, antibiotic therapy is prescribed.
With onychomycosis, the areas infected with the fungus are cleaned. For the subsequent processing of nails, local antifungal agents are prescribed: varnish, cream or ointment.
The duration of treatment is from two weeks to one month. If not only the skin is affected, but also the nails, the treatment is postponed. This is due to the fact that the nail grows slowly. To get rid of the infection, it is necessary for a completely healthy nail plate to grow back.
When the doctor's prescriptions are followed, ringworm can be successfully treated. But if, upon noticing an improvement, the patient stops taking the drugs, this causes the infection to return, its transition to the chronic form. It is necessary to complete the full course, even if the symptoms of the disease have already disappeared.
Very important in the treatment of ringworm of the feet, foot care, personal hygiene, food, selection of comfortable shoes that do not harm the affected areas.
What to do to prevent it?
To prevent mycosis in the feet and nails or to reduce the risks of their development, the following recommendations will help:
- to keep under control chronic diseases in which the blood circulation is inferiorthe extremities are impaired or the body's defenses are reduced;
- Wash your feet daily with soap and water and dry them with a towel, especially the folds between your toes;
- ventilate your shoes and change your socks daily;
- Wear closed rubber slippers when visiting showers, saunas, swimming pools and public baths;
- in case of excessive sweating, use antiperspirants for the feet, disinfectants for footwear, do not wear other people's shoes, socks, tights;
- do not use someone else's towel or cleaning cloth.
If you find even a slight peeling of the skin on the legs or cracks between the toes, it is worth doing the fungus test. Early diagnosis and timely treatment will help to avoid complications, extensive damage, discomfort, pain when walking and contracting a bacterial infection.