Ringworm is an infectious skin disease caused by a fungus. Usually, treatment with an antifungal cream is applied, which gives good results, but not in the long term. The tips below can help prevent fungus between the toes that reappear after treatment.
Who can get ringworm and how can it be prevented?
Ringworm is a fungal infection that affects the legs. This condition is very common - one in four people has an interdigital fungus on their feet. If this disease starts, its treatment can be very complicated. Fungal pathogens (fungi) are often found in small amounts on human skin, where they usually do not cause damage. However, under favorable conditions, they can penetrate the epidermis, multiply and cause infection. Favorable conditions for fungi are hot, moist, airless areas of skin, such as between the toes.
Almost anyone can get ringworm. But it's more common in people who sweat more, or who wear thick shoes and socks, which also causes excessive sweating on the feet. Ringworm can be spread from person to person. For example, it can take place in a public shower used by athletes or swimmers. Small flakes of fungus-infected skin may fall off during bathing. When a small patch of infection starts to develop, it tends to spread along the skin. Where else you can get the fungus is written here.
What are the symptoms of foot fungus?
The skin between the toes is usually the first to be affected. The first signs of a fungus, when the infection has just formed on the skin, are minor. The manifestation will become noticeable when the rash starts to spread, the skin starts to become itchy and scaly. Cracks and inflammation may appear on it. Large cracks (cracks) in the skin between the toes can enlarge and cause a lot of pain. Small scales of infected skin may peel off. If your interdigital ringworm is not treated, the rash may gradually spread all over your leg. In some cases, it extends to the sole. The infection often causes scaling of the entire sole and sides of the foot. Ringworm sometimes causes large rashes with blisters all over the sole. In this case, we are dealing with a foot fungus.
Is ringworm between the fingers serious?
As a rule, no. Most people successfully treat itchy toes before the infection spreads. Sometimes the infection spreads to the skin from other parts of the body. These are usually moist and airless areas, such as the groin. Normally, fungi, including foot fungus between the toes, do not spread deeper, but only on the surface of the skin. However, other microbes (bacteria) can get into cracks left over from neglected or untreated ringworm. It can sometimes cause more serious foot or leg infections.
It turns out that the infection spreads to the nail - it can be cured. But in this case, to get rid of the fungus, it will take several weeks of taking antifungal pills to clear the nail infection.
Therefore, the treatment of interdigital fungus in the legs must be done in a timely manner, as soon as the first symptoms start to appear.
Ringworm treatment
The treatment of fungus between the toes usually involves the application of various antifungal creams and sprays. You can buy topical antifungals at your nearest pharmacy or get one with a prescription. To treat the fungus between the toes, it is necessary to apply the antifungal directly to the affected area, that is, to the skin of the feet. There are different types and brands of medications. They are usually sold in the form of creams, but can also be sprays, liquids and powders. The preparations are very good for clearing the skin of fungal infections. However, there is no evidence that one remedy is better than the other.
It is necessary to use drugs as much as recommended. It depends on the different treatments, so read the instructions carefully before treating the fungus between your toes. It often happens that the inflammation seems to go away quickly, but you may need treatment for 1 to 2 weeks after the rash has disappeared. This is necessary to completely eliminate the fungus from the skin - which will prevent relapses.
If you have encountered this disease for the first time and do not know how to cure foot fungus and are not mistaken when choosing a drug for treatment, it is better to see a doctor.
For skin, especially inflamed skin, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream combined with a mild steroid ointment. They are generally used for no more than seven days. You may need to continue using just an antifungal cream for a while afterwards. Anabolic steroids reduce inflammation in a short period of time and can relieve itching and redness. However, the steroid does not completely eliminate the fungus between the toes and therefore the steroid cream alone should not be used for treatment.
Antifungal pills for fungus between the toes are sometimes prescribed for adults if the infection is severe and cannot be removed with creams. Pills are also needed if the infection is detected in many places on the skin besides the feet.
However, treating an interdigital fungus using the above procedures is not the same for everyone.
Antifungal pills are not always recommended for pregnant or nursing women, or for people with liver disease. Some people may be prescribed another drug that interacts with antifungal pills. Children are generally not given antifungal medications.
Although fungus on the skin between your toes can be spread from person to person, you don't need to stay away from work, school, or sports if you have fungus. However, in public places such as a swimming pool or sauna, try to keep your legs covered until the rash goes away. Also, try not to scratch damaged skin as this can spread the infection to other areas.
The following tips can prevent recurrent ringworm: