Intolerable itching and redness of the skin between the fingers, cutting the pain when walking, are the first symptoms of the most common dermatological problem - fungal skin lesions. Germinating through the delicate skin epithelium, the fungus mycelium gradually "spreads" across the plantar surface of the legs, causing unpleasant moist and scaly areas, painful cracks and nail deformation.
Malignant fungus and related factors
The causative agent of the disease is dermatomycetes fungi, among which the genus Trichophyton is considered the most common. They live almost everywhere - in swimming pools and on the beach, in people's shoes and in animal hair, but the disease is not always caused. An important factor is the creation of an infection port through which the dermatomycete can penetrate deep enough.
The fungus between the toes appears when the skin's barrier functions are weakened:
- When wearing tight, closed shoes. This is especially true for the hot season, when the released sweat creates conditions for skin maceration, it becomes home to many microorganisms.
- Abrasions and scratches are doors ready for fungi to enter. If you have them, you shouldn't run the risk of trying someone else's shoes barefoot when walking barefoot in the pool, sauna and Turkish bath.
- An effective remedy for fungus of the feet between the toes has to be sought by lovers of cheap pedicure in salons of dubious fame. The procedure itself involves cutting the cuticles and rubbing the skin, and non-sterile instruments can be "enriched" with fungi.
Fungus between the toes: symptoms and complications
The appearance of the fungus on the legs between the toes cannot be described unambiguously, since the disease has several forms, each of which is characterized by special manifestations:
- Dyshidrotic foot fungus is characterized by three stages - redness, blistering with liquid and drying crusts, flaking. As a rule, all three phases coexist in the same areas of the skin. The insidious character of the dyshidrotic form of dermatomycosis lies in its high similarity to eczema. For an accurate diagnosis, a laboratory smear test is required.
- The scaly shape is characterized by redness and intense peeling of the skin.
- The scaly hyperkeratotic lesion causes intense itching and burning, seals and scales appear a little later.
- With the intertriginous shape, the manifestations are so typical that you don't even have to look at the appearance of the fungus between your toes in the photo: strong itching, burning accompanied by flaking and the formation of painful cracks and rather large outbreaks of epidermal exfoliation frequently appear.
- The intertriginous and dyshridrotic forms of dermatomycosis require caution and delicate methods of treatment, as the secondary microflora can easily penetrate watery and cracking foci, which will lead to the appearance of abscesses. Despite the chronic course, they have pronounced inflammatory processes, which requires the use of emollient ointments and anti-inflammatory baths.
Drug treatment
In the arsenal of modern medicine, there are several drugs for the treatment of fungi between the toes. Among them, there are ointments and pills that destroy the fungus from the inside. As a rule, the specialist selects a drug based on the analysis of the degree of development of the disease, its form and coverage. Systemic pill therapy is used only in advanced cases, when the skin of the entire foot is involved in the process and characteristic changes are found in the nail plates.
Antifungal ointments have been divided over several generations. But, it must be understood that even the most effective remedy for the fungus between the toes does not guarantee disposal if you neglect the rules of personal hygiene and some care.
During the treatment, a delicate pedicure should be performed at least once a week. Thereafter, the frequency can be reduced to once every two weeks.
Since the fungus can survive with socks and shoes, they also need to be treated. To do this, use fluids containing chlorine as a bleach.
If you are thinking about how to get rid of the fungus between your toes, remember to change your socks every day. For two or three days in a row, the use of clothes already retains traces of sweat, in which the parasites live and multiply.
Only the combination of a therapy course selected by a specialist and the careful observance of all hygiene rules can guarantee a quick recovery from the disease.
Treatment of fungus between the toes with folk remedies
Traditional medicine has collected many recipes to combat fungi, including kitchen cabinet products and very exotic herbs and remedies. The most accessible among them are:
- Iodine, daily lubrication of the lesions with which it brings visible results in a week.
- Hydrogen peroxide, which gained popularity thanks to the work of a famous doctor. Its ability to destroy the fungal cell membranes and form a film on the damaged skin's surface ensures rapid relief from the disease.
If you have spent a lot of funds and are thinking about how to treat the fungus between your toes, try the effect of vinegar as well. Although the fungus lives in a slightly acidic environment, it does not tolerate an increase in pH. Lubricating the affected areas with a 9% vinegar solution and 1: 8 water gives positive results in 2-3 weeks.
The most popular remedies in folk medicine - onion and garlic - also have an antifungal effect. The porridge prepared from them is mixed with petroleum jelly in a 1: 1 ratio and applied to the affected skin before going to bed.
You have not yet decided how to treat the fungus of the feet between the toes, do not forget its destruction in shoes and personal hygiene items. This is what guarantees the absence of relapse in the very near future.