Not all diseases are fatal, but some of them can complicate life.Fungus affects internal organs and skin.Almost everyone has opportunistic microorganisms.In some unfavorable circumstances, their number increases, and this leads to some problems.Athlete's foot is easily spread from person to person, which is why it is so common.
Fungi are widely distributed in the environment, but damage to human nails and skin develops only under favorable conditions.As we age, the skin's acidic pH may change to alkaline, which is ideal for fungal growth.Infection usually occurs through contact;if personal hygiene standards are not observed, the source of infection can be a sick person or an ordinary object.Infection can occur in public places: swimming pools, showers, gyms.And also in everyday life with the general use of slippers, socks, manicure accessories, towels and washcloths.
Route of infection
The fungus is most often transmitted from a sick person through personal items and shoes.Therefore, in the infection zone there are people who live in the same apartment as him.But in certain cases, disputes do not make themselves felt.Provocative factors are considered:
- profuse sweating;
- wounds and calluses on the feet;
- tight and uncomfortable shoes.
The ideal environment for fungi to grow is warm and moist.
Therefore, tight shoes or boots made of low-quality materials are an excellent breeding ground for infections.Foot mycosis occurs due to low immunity.This can happen for various reasons: stress, long-term illness, etc.Chronic infections and problems with the endocrine system affect the human condition.
With long-term use of antibiotics, internal organs suffer.The microflora changes, and this affects the composition of opportunistic microorganisms.Lack of hygiene also affects its growth, because dirt and sweat are breeding grounds.
Children are most vulnerable to this disease.Due to their age, they have delicate skin and weak immunity.For the same reason, the elderly are prone to mycoses.Dangerous public places include:
- swimming pool;
- sauna;
- bath;
- fitness center;
- beach.
Places where you can walk barefoot are a potential source for the spread of mycoses.
A humid environment and high temperatures create an ideal environment for spores to multiply.Even regular disinfection of premises does not help.People who wear closed shoes at work are also at risk - military personnel, police officers and others.Shoes do not allow air to pass through and often injure the feet, which opens the way for harmful microorganisms.
Basic form
Treatment for toenail fungus depends on its form.The most common are interdigital or intertriginous: lesions start in the area of the thumb and index finger.After that the fungus spreads along the legs.Often it is transmitted through contact with sick people or failure to follow the rules of personal hygiene.
In the absence of proper treatment, the intertriginous form becomes squamous-hyperkeratotic.It manifests itself as deep cracks on the soles of the feet.
This disease does not produce any symptoms for a long time.At first, shallow grooves appear on the skin, which do not bring negative sensations.In severe cases, they move to the bottom of the leg.
The dyshidrotic form is characterized by the appearance of erosion on the skin - this is a moist and weeping area.Rarely occurs in the legs;often it affects the hands.Forms that are deleted through the simplest.Signs of foot fungus are mild.There is some peeling of the skin and itching.The causative agent of this disease is candida.Even without treatment, the condition goes away on its own.
Characteristic symptoms
The main manifestation of the fungus is the same for all forms.The first sign of this disease is peeling of the skin.Microorganisms eat protein and keratin compounds, so the integrity of the integument is destroyed.
The human body tries to restore the skin, and therefore increases regeneration.This causes itching.Sometimes the surface itches under the influence of candida.Fungal activity affects the function 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 athlete's foot is skin discoloration.Yellow or green spots appear.The surface of the foot becomes thicker and covered with keratinized calluses.Over time, it cracks, and this can cause discomfort when walking.
As the disease progresses, blisters with clear fluid appear on the legs.They burst, and small weeping sores appeared in their place.They provide access to secondary infections.
Often the fungus affects not only the feet, but also the nails.Change starts from the free edge.Usually from the thumb.Yellowing and thickening of the nail plate occurs.It crumbles and reveals pink skin.As the disease progresses, nail destruction is observed.
When affected by mold fungi, purulent inflammation of the periungual ridge is observed.The plate itself is painted black or green.
Diagnostic method
Before choosing a way and how to treat skin fungus on the feet, you need to confirm the diagnosis.Itching and peeling of the skin do not always appear due to mycosis.Dermatologists deal with this disease.He conducts a visual examination of the foot and collects anamnesis.
To accurately determine the pathogen, a scraping is made from the skin.It 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 a special preparation and studied under a microscope.
A more accurate study is bacterial culture.The collected samples are placed in nutrient medium.After some time, fungal colonies begin to grow.They are studied in detail.The disadvantage of this method is its 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.It allows you to determine the antibody titer.Such information helps to find the cause of the disease.
Type of treatment
To cure foot fungus, comprehensive treatment is required.The standard regimen includes drugs for internal and external use.They aim to get rid of pathogenic organisms and heal the skin.
Creams and ointments should be used only to clean the surface.Apply them in a thin layer before going to bed.A standard course of treatment takes four weeks.Any medication must be prescribed by the attending physician.In severe cases, it is advisable 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 fungistatic and fungicidal effects are prescribed.
They suppress the development of pathogenic flora and destroy fungal colonies.
Traditional medicine can reduce some of the side effects of treatment.So, a soda bath (1 tablespoon of baking soda per 10 liters of warm water) softens the skin and helps remove flaky areas.A mixture of boiled onion and garlic is used as a compress.They are kneaded into a paste and applied to keratinized skin.Place a sock on top and leave overnight.In the morning, the feet are easily cleaned.