In medical circles, mycosis is a group of diseases caused by fungi. If the skin is damaged, dermatomycosis is diagnosed, and if the nail plate is damaged, onychomycosis is diagnosed. In most pictures, pathology is combined. Toe fungus develops as a result of the negative effects of anthropophilic, zooanthropophilic microorganisms. Fungal infections such as yeast from the Candida family are somewhat less common. Let's see what types of fungal diseases occur and how to cure fungus between the toes.
A type of fungus
Fungi are divided into several types - dermatophytes, molds, and parasites such as yeast. They provoke the development of candidiasis, rubrophytosis, onychomycosis, epidermophytosis. Depending on the symptoms, another division into types is distinguished. There are membranous, vesicular and moccasin types of disease.
For information, infection occurs directly - through contact with soil, plants, with sick people or animals, or indirectly - through contact with household objects touched by sick people.
Fungus on the skin between the toes can be of the following types:
- Athlete's foot. Pathology is accompanied by damage to the space between the toes, as well as the nail plate. In most movies, mature men are sick;
- Rubrophytia. The disease develops slowly and there are no symptoms in the early stages of infection. If there is no proper treatment, the nail plate will soon be affected;
- Candidiasis of the interdigital space is relatively rare. Divided into several types. The first is vesicular-pustular. Distinctive signs include severe hyperemia and swelling. The second - hyperkeratotic - the stratum corneum of the dermis is thickened, there is severe peeling;
- Intertriginous form. More often diagnosed in the summer. It usually affects the space between the third and fourth toes; somewhat less often, fungus is found on the little toe;
- The deleted form has a minimal number of symptoms. Patients complain of cracks in the interdigital space, mild burning and itching.
Treatment of interdigital fungus is prescribed after the specific pathogen has been identified. To do this, the patient undergoes a test. Based on the laboratory diagnostic results, a treatment regimen is recommended. Consists of drugs for external use, tablets taken internally (in neglected scenes).
Fungal causes and symptoms
Before we learn how to treat toe fungus, let's consider the cause of the activation of the pathogenic microflora and the symptoms of the disease. Of course, the main reason is the reproduction of fungi in the affected area.
You can get infected in public places, when using other people's personal hygiene items; Infection is often observed in the family circle when one of the household members is sick.
Be aware: factors that increase a person's susceptibility to fungi include age - children are more sensitive due to immature defense mechanisms and the state of the immune system - a weakened body cannot withstand the effects of fungi.
Fungus between the fingers develops for the following reasons:
- High humidity. This condition is caused by poor quality shoes, socks made of synthetic materials, and hyperhidrosis on the bottom of the feet.
- Blood circulation disorders. This problem is observed in chronic pathologies - diabetes, hypertension. It is also detected in experienced smokers and alcohol dependence.
- Injury to the lower leg. The fungus penetrates the wound and begins to multiply rapidly. Practice shows that even with good immunity, the body cannot cope on its own.
Other reasons include dermatological diseases - psoriasis, eczema, old age, metabolic disorders in the body, etc.
Fungus on the toes is accompanied by constant itching and burning, which significantly reduces the patient's quality of life. At first, one finger is affected, but if the disease is not diagnosed in time and treatment is not started using drugs for fungus on the feet, the pathology quickly develops and spreads to other fingers, feet, and ankles.
Fungus between the fingers manifests itself as symptoms:
- Peeling of the skin in the interdigital folds;
- The appearance of small cracks that cause discomfort;
- Itching and pain in the affected area;
- Sealing the soles of the feet.
If damage to the nail plate occurs, the color of the nail changes and its natural shine is lost. Nails become thicker, easily injured, broken and crumbled.
At first, clinical symptoms are not very noticeable, itching does not cause concern. As the disease progresses, the symptoms intensify. Often, the treatment of interdigital fungus on the toes requires the use of two or more drugs, because the picture is advanced due to the patient's late request for help.
Methods to treat fungus
If the fungus appears between your fingers, you should consult a dermatologist. The doctor conducts a physical examination and issues a referral for laboratory diagnostics. Based on the results, a remedy for foot fungus between the toes is recommended.
How to get rid of pathogenic microorganisms? Local agents will help with this - creams, gels and ointments, sprays, emulsions. They do not enter the bloodstream and are used several times a day. It is recommended to use for mild fungal infections.
If an advanced fungal infection is diagnosed and the area of the problem area is large, then oral tablets are prescribed. They act from the inside, disrupting the parasite's cell membrane, which leads to their death. The doctor independently determines both the method of application and the dosage; Side effects may occur if the recommended dose is exceeded.
You can treat fungus between your toes with the following remedies:
- Tablet form.
- Local agent.
You can supplement the medical treatment of the fungus between the toes with folk remedies - baths based on chamomile, baking soda, lotions with laundry soap, vinegar and other ingredients of natural origin.
Important: to ensure the effectiveness of treatment, confirmation by laboratory methods is required - analysis is performed after 14 days of therapy and after 30 days. Only receiving negative results shows the effectiveness of the course.
Antifungal agent
Antifungal agents are antimycotic agents; it helps get rid of fungus and acts quickly and effectively. The use of the drug is carried out only on the advice of a doctor. This medicine has several forms of release - gel, spray, cream and tablet, solution.
The principle of action of the drug is to block the ability of fungi to reproduce, as a result of which they die. When used externally, the product accumulates in the affected area, which contributes to its high effectiveness.
The tablet dosage for adults is usually 250 mg per day. If the fungus is being treated in children, the dose is determined by body weight. The duration of the therapeutic course varies from 2 to 6 weeks. Spray and ointment are used 1-2 times a day. Treatment lasts for 1 month. On the doctor's recommendation, the course of treatment can be extended for several weeks.
Side effects of tablets:
- Headache;
- Impaired taste perception;
- Dizziness;
- Allergic reactions;
- Reduce appetite;
- Digestive tract disorders;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- A painful sensation in the stomach.
Contraindications for use are organic intolerance to the drug, impaired liver and kidney function. Reviews from patients note that the product quickly relieves unpleasant symptoms - after a few days of treatment, the severity of clinical manifestations decreases.
Antifungal drug for systemic use against fungi
Dosage form - ointment, cream, spray and tablet. Often prescribed to treat localized fungal infections between the toes. Ointment/cream is applied in a thin layer to dry and cleansed skin. Rubbing is not recommended. The frequency of use is twice a day.
Tablet dosage is determined individually. Reception is carried out for several weeks. For children, the dose is determined according to weight and age. This drug has an adverse effect on pathogenic microorganisms and is a powerful drug. Tablets should not be prescribed in the following situations:
- Liver dysfunction;
- lactose intolerance;
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- Hypersensitivity;
- Children under the age of three;
- Patient weight up to 20 kg.
Important: with the simultaneous use of anti-fungal drugs and alcohol, the possibility of toxic liver damage increases.
Such creams are well tolerated. Only some patients experience an allergic reaction. In this case, the drug prescription should be adjusted. You can't choose an analog yourself.
To prevent the appearance of fungus, it is recommended to treat shoes with an antifungal agent; strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations and do not cancel the treatment; comply with hygiene regulations; After the water procedure, wipe your feet dry.