One of the most common infectious diseases is athlete's foot.As it can cause quite serious consequences, it is necessary to carry out appropriate treatment as soon as possible.It should be based on the type of disease, the time of onset of symptoms and the presence of other pathological processes in the body.
Factors affecting fungal infection
Athlete's foot is the most common fungal infection on Earth.This is due to the fact that there are quite a few factors that have a positive effect on the development of the disease:
- Endocrinological diseases, including diabetes;
- Immune deficiency of various etiologies;
- Poor blood circulation in the lower extremities;
- Some pathologies of the structure of the foot (deformation, narrow spaces between the phalanges, diabetic form, etc.);
- Wearing low-quality or ill-fitting shoes;
- Non-observance of sanitary-hygiene rules.
The above factors do not cause fungal disease, but greatly increase the risk of infection. First of all, this applies to people who visit places with a high risk of transmission of foot fungus.These are the following institutions:
- Swimming pools;
- saunas;
- baths;
- Sports halls;
- Fitness centers;
- Beaches etc.
When the symptoms are severe, the risk of contracting a fungal infection increases greatly when living in the same room with a person who ignores the treatment process of this disease.It is strictly forbidden to use general hygiene products (towels, toothbrushes, etc.), as this almost guarantees the transmission of fungal spores.
Symptoms of athlete's foot
The symptoms of the fungus of the lower extremities directly depend on the form of the disease, but in general we can define a certain standard list of the most common symptoms:
- Itching of the skin;
- Inflammatory process on the surface of the epidermis;
- Drying and peeling of the upper layers of the skin;
- The appearance of certain formations on the skin of the legs (blisters, papules, vesicles);
- Brittleness and gradual destruction of nail plates;
- Thickening of the skin, mainly on the soles of the feet;
- The appearance of cracks in places of solidification;
- The formation of scales that gradually fall from the surface of the foot.
Often, the symptoms of foot fungus appear gradually rather than all at once, so it is very important to pay attention to the problem at the first sign, make a diagnosis and start appropriate treatment.
Types and forms of fungi on the feet
In medical practice, there are only four forms of the spread of foot fungus:
- interdigital (intertriginous);
- Squamous-hyperkeratotic;
- vesicular (dyshidrotic);
- Deleted.
The most common type of athlete's foot is the interdigital form, which is most active in the summer. The folds between the 3rd and 4th as well as the 4th and 5th toes are often affected. However, as the disease progresses, skin manifestations spread to all areas between the phalanges of the foot.At the beginning, only a small ulcer or crack appears.It can be dry or wet.White or greenish skin folds along the perimeter, gradually turning into scales.At the same time, the disease is localized only in the front part and does not spread to the back of the leg.
The squamous-hyperkeratotic form of nail fungus is a two-process disease.Squamous is damage to the upper layer of the skin only, while hyperkeratosis is an overgrowth of the stratum corneum that occurs after the initial proliferation of the fungus.The lesion is localized on the sole of the foot, hitting directly along the rib.First, scales form on it, after which a thick layer of changed skin gradually grows.
After the keratinized part gets a certain thickness, cracks often appear in the heel area.They bring not only discomfort, but also severe pain during walking.Almost always, if left untreated, this form of athlete's foot also affects the nails, causing onychomycosis.Thus, not only the foot itself, but other parts of the feet are also affected.
The vesicular form of athlete's foot is the rarest and least common form.It is distinguished by the appearance of vesicles on the lower extremities - various bubbles and blisters with a certain liquid inside.As the disease progresses, the fullness of the formations becomes cloudy, after which they burst.After that, pink-red ulcers are formed, which can even merge with each other.This causes extensive erosive phenomena occurring on the feet.The biggest problem is that bacteria and other pathogens can easily enter these wounds.Therefore, a sick person can often get infected with other diseases in addition to fungus.This, in turn, affects not only general health, but also the duration and complexity of treatment.
The deleted form of athlete's foot has the mildest symptoms, which is manifested only by the appearance of a small, almost invisible "flour" on the surface of the extremities.In some cases, microcracks are visible only with long-term examination or magnification.These symptoms are accompanied by mild itching or burning.As in other stages, foot fungus can also affect the nails, after which a person begins to notice changes in the appearance of the feet.
Diagnosis and treatment of athlete's foot
The diagnosis of mycosis of the legs should be made by a qualified mycologist. If there is no such specialist, you should contact a dermatologist.The following methods are used for diagnosis:
- Scrap removal and microscopic analysis;
- Cultural Studies;
- DNA research.
Treatment of athlete's foot is often carried out with drugs with a broad spectrum of action, so it is not necessary to determine which pathogen is the causative agent.It is only important to determine that the lesion is fungal in nature.
Doctors often recommend both external treatment and systemic therapy for the fungus. In the early stages, in most cases, external antimycotic agents are used in their existing forms.All creams, sprays and varnishes should not be applied to dirty skin.Studies have shown that it is not worth doing this, because in this case they do not give the desired effect.
The simplest course of treatment is the interdigital form of the fungus.It can be treated in a week or two.To do this, apply external antifungal agents to the affected skin areas once a day.It is better to start therapy at this stage than to treat advanced forms of the disease.
In squamous-hyperkeratotic form, first of all, you need to get rid of keratinization under the foot.This can be done with a device or at home using a special procedure with salicylic ointment.After exposure to a thick layer of changed tissue, it should be scraped off gradually.After removing the top layer, you can start treating the fungus on your feet with ointments.
The vesicular form should not be treated immediately with antifungal drugs until the acute form is eliminated.In some cases, corticosteroid ointments are prescribed, and only after them antimycotics.
Fungicidal foams, creams, and ointments are used to treat severe forms of athlete's foot.In this case, you can wash your feet immediately before the next application of the drug.
Since the foot fungus can even penetrate the body itself and does not develop only on the surface, systemic therapy should also be carried out.This is especially important when the disease is widespread and severe.Doctors often recommend taking antimycotic tablets along with external remedies in such cases.Thus, the treatment of foot fungus will have a comprehensive effect and help to cope with the disease faster.
Traditional treatment methods
Often, the fungus of the foot skin does not pose a great threat to human life and health, but it brings some concerns.Therefore, infected people try to fight this disease by all possible means.This also applies to traditional methods of treatment, which are quite effective in some stages of the disease.
Baths with wine vinegar have a beneficial effect in the treatment of foot fungus. This is due to the fact that this substance has an antiseptic effect. Before taking such baths, you should wash and dry your feet well.Only then can it be placed in a basin with vinegar solution for 3-5 minutes.After the procedure, you should wear socks soaked in the same solution on your feet, they cannot be removed until the morning.
Washing the affected areas of the foot with a decoction of medicinal plants is one of the oldest methods used in the treatment of foot fungus.To do this, mix equal amounts of calendula inflorescences, oak bark, verbena grass and dried blackberries.Add 3 tablespoons of this mixture to water and cook on low heat for 15-20 minutes.After that, the liquid must be filtered and the resulting broth is used for lotions.
In some cases, special home-made anti-fungal ointments help.Wood ash and pork fat are used to prepare them.These components should be mixed until a homogeneous mass of thick consistency is obtained.It should be applied to the affected areas twice a day.
Prevention of athlete's foot
To prevent infection with foot fungus, you must follow certain rules to prevent this disease:
- It is necessary to limit walking barefoot in places with a high risk of infection, where infection occurs more often;
- Certain professions (military, athletes, factory workers and miners) must use protective creams;
- Once a month, it is necessary to disinfect both the inner and outer surfaces of the shoes;
- It is important to eat right and take the right amount of vitamins;
- Stop drinking alcohol and smoking;
- Bathroom surfaces should be thoroughly disinfected and wiped;
- Bedding should be thoroughly washed and ironed at high temperatures;
- There is no need to wear other people's clothes and use non-personal personal hygiene products;
- It is also important to have a pedicure every six months, as this is aimed at eliminating the environment in which fungal spores like to penetrate and multiply.
By following all preventive measures, you can virtually eliminate the chance of possible infection.If the fungus penetrates the skin of a person, these rules should also be ignored in order not to aggravate the existing situation.
The result
It is important to remember that preventing athlete's foot is easier than treating it.If the moment of infection is missed, therapy should be started as soon as possible, before the symptoms develop strongly and lead to serious consequences. If the treatment is carried out comprehensively and completely, after a while the patient will not even remember the unpleasant appearance of his legs at the beginning.