Mycosis is an unpleasant disease that requires immediate action as soon as you see the first signs.Usually the fungus first appears between the toes, then affects the nails and the rest of the foot.According to statistics, every fifth person has faced such a problem.
Causes of mycosis
We are always exposed to various pathogens, but as long as our immunity is good, we do not need to worry about our health.With a decrease in the protective function, there is a risk of fungal infection.Violation of the integrity of the skin can also cause the entry of pathogenic microorganisms.The infection, penetrating deep into the epidermis, begins to multiply rapidly and covers an increasingly large area of the foot.
The main causes of interdigital fungus:
- Poor personal hygiene, sweaty feet;
- Wearing tight and non-breathable shoes;
- Wounds, wounds and scratches on the skin of the feet;
- Vascular disease (varicose veins);
- Metabolic problems (diabetes mellitus);
- Excess body weight.
Important!
Many people get infected when visiting public places: baths, saunas, swimming pools.In addition, the fungus is easily spread through household contacts.Shoes, socks, even bedding can cause infection.
Symptoms of mycosis
Usually, mycosis first occurs on one foot and then moves to the second.The initial stages can pass almost unnoticed;itching, redness and peeling appear between the toes.Small cracks may form and deepen over time.If no steps are taken to remove the infection, the fungus can affect the nail and the rest of the foot.
If these signs appear, be sure to see a doctor:
- Painful sensation between the fingers, itching and burning;
- exfoliate;
- Unpleasant foot odor;
- Increased sweating of the feet;
- Thickening of the skin, the appearance of calluses for no apparent reason;
- Skin discoloration in the damaged area.
These symptoms indicate that you have interdigital mycosis.It causes a lot of inconvenience, and the treatment will take a lot of effort and time, so consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Disease progression stage
Like most diseases, toe fungus has several stages of development, each of which is characterized by different symptoms.The easiest way to fight this disease is at a very early stage, but advanced forms cannot be cured quickly - the duration of therapy will be 5-12 months.Let's see what fungus between the toes looks like at different stages:
- At first, mycosis on the toes does not bother at all.Some people pay attention to itching and peeling.Often, the fungus first appears on the toes.Meanwhile, fungal spores are actively multiplying, covering an increasingly large area.
- In the next stage, all the signs of the initial stage intensify: peeling becomes noticeable, itching and burning intensify, the color of the integument changes.The skin becomes rough, calluses and corns appear.At this stage, the fungus between the toes in the photo can be easily distinguished from other diseases.
- As the disease progresses, the patient's condition also worsens.The dryness gets worse, the cracks get deeper, and small blisters filled with a clear liquid appear.And when this bubble starts to burst, it brings more discomfort.Wet fungus develops.Inflammation increases in the affected area and swelling is added to it.
- In advanced stages of mycosis, all symptoms become more pronounced, pain increases, and problems with walking may occur.Toenail fungus on the whole foot involves the nails, the skin under the toes and the entire sole of the foot.A white coating may appear on the affected area.
Treatment
Treatment of fungus between the toes is carried out under the supervision of a doctor.You can contact a dermatologist, dermatovenerologist, mycologist or infectious disease specialist for advice.Any of them will be able to make an individual therapy plan, and the patient will have to throw away wipes and slippers, as well as disinfect all shoes.
Pharmaceutical drugs
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, treatment should begin immediately.There are inexpensive but effective drugs to eliminate fungal infections.Admission should be carried out only after consultation with a doctor.
Preparation for oral administration
Tablets and capsules for fungus on the toes between the toes help eliminate the disease even in advanced cases.Medicines affect the condition of the whole body, so you need to be careful when taking them;before taking, be sure to read the list of contraindications and study the instructions.It is not recommended to take systemic drugs for pregnant and lactating women, as well as people suffering from liver and kidney diseases.
Important!
To quickly get rid of fungus, it is recommended to combine topical products and oral tablets.But the doctor must prescribe these drugs.
Medicines for application to the skin
Ointment is most effective to eliminate mycoses in the early stages of development.Then, if you strictly follow all the recommendations of experts, you will soon forget about the fungus.Surface application products have almost no contraindications and can be used to treat infections in adults and children.
Alternative medicine
There are various folk recipes that can be used for fungus on the feet between the toes.All of them have been tested for many years, but it is advised to treat infections with caution - improperly selected therapy can cause accelerated proliferation of mycotic microorganisms.
Note!
For maximum effectiveness, doctors recommend preparing the skin before using ointments, both homemade and pharmaceutical.To do this, just steam your feet in a soapy bath for 15 minutes.
The recipe for the most effective ointment that can be prepared at home:
- Mix iodine, glycerin and vinegar in equal proportions, pour into water in a ratio of 1:2.Apply the solution to the area of your finger with the fungus and leave it overnight.This product disinfects, softens and reduces the size of cracks.Treatment consists of 10-15 sessions.
- Rubbing with onion juice helps destroy fungal spores and prevent further spread of infection.Wipe the damaged area of the skin daily with a swab soaked in onion juice.After the procedure, rinse your feet thoroughly with warm running water.Treatment is carried out daily until recovery is complete.
- Chop a few cloves of garlic and add them to 100 g of butter.Apply the resulting mixture to the damaged area every day for 2-3 weeks.
Treatment of fungus in children
Medicines to treat fungus can be used in children over 2 years old.Use natural products that have a minimal risk of allergies.
Important!
Treatment of fungal infections in children is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.The duration of medication and dosage is calculated individually by a specialist.
Prevention
It will take a lot of effort, time and money to cure the fungus between the toes, so it is better to prevent the infection.Basic rules for the prevention of mycosis:
- Compliance with personal hygiene rules: wash your feet every day, use special deodorants for excessive sweating, and emollient creams for dryness;
- Be sure to wear slippers in public, don't wear other people's shoes;
- Choose shoes that are comfortable and do not squeeze;
- Take care of your health and strengthen your immune system.
First of all, the fungus appears in the interdigital space.If you experience itching, redness, cracks and inflammation on your feet, then do not delay, immediately make an appointment with a doctor, he will tell you how and how to treat mycosis.After examination and tests, if the diagnosis is confirmed, the doctor will write an individual treatment plan, which will depend on the stage of the disease and contraindications.The most effective therapies include both medications and home remedies.