Not all diseases can be fatal, but some of them can seriously complicate life.Fungi affect the internal organs and the skin.Almost everyone has opportunistic microorganisms.Under some unfavorable circumstances, their number increases, and this leads to a number of problems.Toenail fungus is easily transmitted from person to person, which is why it is so common.
Fungi are widespread in the environment, but damage to human nails and skin develops only under favorable conditions.As we age, the acidic pH of the skin can change to alkaline, which is favorable for fungal growth.Infection is usually by contact;if personal hygiene standards are not followed, the source of infection can be a sick person or common objects.Contagion can occur in public places: swimming pools, bathrooms, gyms.And also in everyday life with the general use of slippers, socks, manicure accessories, towels and towels.
Routes of infection
Most often, the fungus is transmitted by a sick person through personal belongings and shoes.Therefore, in the zone of infection there are people who live in the same apartment with him.But in some cases, disputes are not felt.Provocative factors are considered to be:
- profuse sweating;
- sores and calluses on the feet;
- tight and uncomfortable shoes.
The ideal environment for fungus to grow is warm and moist.
Therefore, narrow shoes or boots made of low-quality materials are an excellent breeding ground for infection.Mycosis of the feet occurs due to low immunity.This can happen for various reasons: stress, long-term illnesses, and the like.Chronic infections and problems with the endocrine system affect a person's condition.
With long-term use of antibiotics, the internal organs suffer.The microflora changes and this affects the composition of opportunistic microorganisms.Lack of hygiene also affects its growth, as dirt and sweat are a favorable environment.
Children are most susceptible to the disease.Due to their age, they have delicate skin and weak immunity.For the same reason, elderly people are susceptible to mycosis.Dangerous public places include:
- swimming pools;
- saunas;
- bathrooms;
- fitness centers;
- beaches.
Places where you can walk barefoot are potential sources of spread of mycoses.
The humid environment and high temperature create an ideal environment for the spores to multiply.Even regular disinfection of the premises does not help.People who wear closed shoes at work are also at risk - military personnel, policemen, etc.Boots are not breathable and often injure the feet, opening the way for harmful microorganisms.
Basic shapes
The treatment of foot fungus depends on its form.The most common is interdigital or intertriginous: the lesion begins in the area of the thumb and index finger.After that, the fungus spreads on the leg.It is most often transmitted through contact with a sick person or failure to follow the rules of personal hygiene.
In the absence of appropriate treatment, the intertriginous form becomes squamous-hyperkeratotic.It manifests itself as deep cracks on the feet.
The disease does not produce any symptoms for a long time.At first, shallow furrows appear on the skin, which do not bring negative sensations.In severe cases, they move to the lower legs.
The dyshidrotic form is characterized by the appearance of erosions on the skin - this is a moist and weeping area.It rarely appears on the legs;most commonly affects the hands.The deleted form is the easiest to pass.The signs of athlete's foot are mild.There is slight peeling of the skin and itching.The causative agent of the disease is candida.Even without treatment, the condition goes away on its own.
Characteristic symptoms
The main manifestations of the fungus are the same for all forms.The first sign of the disease is peeling of the skin.Microorganisms feed on protein compounds and keratin, so the integrity of the skin is destroyed.
The human body tries to restore the skin and therefore enhances the regeneration.This causes itching.Sometimes the surface itches under the influence of candida.The activity of the fungus disrupts the functioning of the sebaceous glands and this leads to the appearance of an unpleasant odor.Even timely hygiene does not help to get rid of it.In some cases, instead of sweating, severe dryness is observed.
Another symptom of foot fungus is a change in skin color.Yellow or green spots appear.The very surface of the feet becomes thicker and is covered with keratinized calluses.Over time, it cracks and this can cause some discomfort when walking.
As the disease progresses, blisters with a clear liquid appear on the legs.They crack and in their place small wet sores appear.They provide access to secondary infections.
Fungus often affects not only the feet, but also the nails.Changes start at the free edge.Usually from the thumbs.Yellowing and thickening of the nail plate appears.It breaks apart to reveal pink skin.As the disease progresses, destruction of the nail is observed.
When affected by mold fungi, purulent inflammation of the nail ridges is observed.The plate itself is painted black or green.
Diagnostic methods
Before choosing how and how to treat skin fungus on the feet, you need to confirm the diagnosis.Itching and peeling of the skin do not always occur due to mycosis.A dermatologist deals with this disease.He conducts a visual examination of the feet and collects anamnesis.
To accurately determine the pathogen, scrapings are made from the skin.This is mandatory, otherwise drug therapy will not be effective.Standard microscopic examination can determine the presence of fungi.To do this, the material is stained with special preparations and examined under a microscope.
A more accurate test is bacterial culture.The samples taken are placed in a nutrient medium.After a while, colonies of fungi begin to grow.They are studied in detail.The disadvantage of this method is the duration.It takes up to four weeks to complete.
PCR analysis allows you to determine the exact pathogen.It requires scraping from the affected area.This is the most accurate and fastest diagnostic method.In some cases, the doctor may advise donating blood for enzyme immunoassay.Allows you to determine antibody titers.Such information helps to find the cause of the disease.
Types of treatment
In order to cure foot fungus, complex treatment is required.The standard scheme includes drugs for internal and external use.They are aimed at eliminating pathogenic organisms and healing the skin.
Creams and ointments should only be applied to clean surfaces.Apply a thin layer before going to bed.The standard course of treatment lasts four weeks.All medications must be prescribed by the attending physician.In severe cases, it is recommended to use glucocorticosteroids.They relieve inflammation and stop the progression of the disease.But they have many side effects and when using them, you need to follow the dosage.
For internal use, drugs with a fungistatic and fungicidal effect are prescribed.
They suppress the development of pathogenic flora and destroy fungal colonies.
Traditional medicine can mitigate some of the side effects of treatment.So, soda baths (1 tablespoon of baking soda per 10 liters of warm water) soften the skin and help remove exfoliated areas.A mixture of boiled onions and garlic is used for the compress.They are kneaded into a paste and applied to the keratinized skin.Put socks on top and leave overnight.In the morning, the feet are easily cleaned.