Types of foot fungus and treatment methods

The most common disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms from the dermatomycosis group is foot fungus.The parasite affects not only the phalanges of the fingers and the nails of the lower extremities, but also the folds between the toes and the sole of the foot.The disease is accompanied by characteristic symptoms and requires a long course of therapy with antifungals.How to treat foot fungus and how to recognize it, we will consider in this article.

Causes

The parasites reach the skin and, in the presence of a favorable environment, mainly heat and high humidity, they multiply quickly, causing damage to the epithelium and impairing its functionality.Treatment of fungus on the skin of the legs is most effective in the initial stages of the pathological process.

It's worth knowing: in most clinical conditions, the causative agent of foot mycosis is fungi from the Candida family and trichophytons of certain varieties.

Against the background of a prolonged course of the disease, the risk of damage to the deeper layers of the skin increases significantly.In advanced cases, parasites manage to penetrate the circulatory system, which leads to disruption of the functioning of internal organs.In this situation, treatment is very long and difficult, and powerful drugs are used.

You can catch the fungus in saunas and bathhouses, as well as other similar places where there is a lot of humidity and heat.People often become infected in pedicure and manicure rooms where instruments are not disinfected.Wearing someone else's shoes is another factor that leads to infection.

Factors leading to the activation of fungi:

• Metabolic disorders in the body, excess weight;
• Type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus;
• Varicose veins of the lower extremities;
• Vascular disorders;
• Pathologies of an autoimmune nature (for example, Raynaud's disease);
• Flat feet, poor quality shoes;
• Lack of a balanced diet, which leads to a serious lack of vitamins and minerals;
• Violation of the immune system, etc.

Infection also occurs under the influence of such circumstances: poor hygiene, sharing washcloths, towels, etc.

Types and symptoms

In medical practice, foot and nail fungi are classified according to the specific pathogen that is present on the skin.Mixed infections are often diagnosed, caused by the simultaneous parasitism of two or more types of fungi.The type of pathogen must be taken into account when prescribing subsequent treatment.

Types of pathogenic microorganisms:

1. Trichophyton rubrum.The parasite's favorite location is the folds of the skin, the spaces between the toes and the cracks in the heels.The symptoms of this type of foot fungus are as follows: deep cracks and erosions are observed, the integrity of the skin is compromised and the stratum corneum actively grows.
2. Trichophyton mentagrophytes, in most cases, leads to the development of allergies, which are manifested by severe itching and burning sensations.How to identify this type of fungus?Separation of the skin appears on the foot, there are many small fissures that hurt.
3. Trichophyton interdigitele.This parasite settles between the fingers, the interdigital space itches and itches.If there is no treatment, over time cracks and erosions appear and the nail plate is affected.
4. Candida is quite common.Signs of foot fungus: areas of the feet turn white, sometimes gray, spots appear that tend to enlarge.In this case, patients always complain of itching and pain resulting from cracks in the skin.

Note: pathogenic microorganisms are divided into several types - molds, yeasts and dermatophytes.They cause foot diseases such as rubrophytosis, epidermophytosis, candidiasis and onychomycosis of the feet.In turn, the pathologies that are grouped into a group called “rubromycosis” mean foot diseases.They are classified into subtypes depending on clinical manifestations - vesicular, membranous, moccasin-like.

Fungal infection of the feet is accompanied by symptoms determined by the stage of the foot disease:

• The initial stage of development of pathology occurs against the background of itching of the feet, hyperemia of the skin and slight swelling.Sometimes small surface cracks are observed;
• The intermediate phase is characterized by the appearance of spots that tend to grow, the skin peels, itches and there is a burning sensation;
• Extensive damage is detected in these photos when left untreated.Fungus from the skin of the feet spreads to the nails.The nail plate loses its healthy shine, quickly crumbles and crumbles.

In the absence of timely treatment, the disease goes into the chronic stage, periodically the patient improves, but at the slightest stress or decreased immunity, the disease manifests itself again.Often the condition is complicated by the addition of a bacterial infection, which requires the use of antibacterial therapy.

Foot fungus treatment

Symptoms of foot fungus and treatment are interconnected, since a therapeutic course is prescribed based on clinical manifestations and the type of parasite.To level inflammatory processes, swelling and eliminate excess stratum corneum, the following medications are used:

1. The affected area is lubricated with salicylic petroleum jelly every day.The manipulation is carried out twice a day, the duration of treatment is 7 days.
2. Fungal infections on the feet are treated with lotions based on salicylic alcohol and lactic acid.They must be mixed with petroleum jelly.Apply a compress for two days, after which you can easily remove the keratinized areas.
3. To reduce the severity of the inflammatory process, tar or sulfur ointment is applied to the feet.These products have antiseptic properties and help relieve inflammation and swelling.
4. If slight peeling is observed, it is allowed to use baths with the addition of soda.
5. When ulcers itch, glucocorticosteroid creams are used.These medications contain hormones and should not be used alone or for a long time.The application is carried out according to the principle of pulse therapy: use it for several days, take a break to evaluate the effect, if there is no effect, repeat it, etc.

Important: if the nail is damaged, it is preferable to use keratolytic tape or antimycotic varnish.

When asked how to cure foot fungus, doctors recommend medicines that have several dosage forms - ointment, emulsion, gel, cream, tablets.

How to treat advanced stage fungi?If the pathological process covers a large area and pronounced symptoms appear, systemic treatment with antifungal drugs will be required.

During treatment, it is necessary to follow all the doctor's recommendations, treat your feet every day and take pills in the required dosage.Therapy continues until negative laboratory results are obtained.With nail fungus, it lasts until a new nail plate grows.

Preventing foot fungus

It is easy to get infected by a fungus, but it is extremely difficult to cure.The patient will have to be patient as the process is relatively time-consuming.To prevent the fungus or its recurrence after treatment, you must adhere to the following rules:

1. When visiting a bathhouse or sauna, you should always take your personal slippers with you so as not to be left barefoot on the floor.You can only use a personal towel, washcloth, etc.
2. At home, it is necessary to regularly clean the bathtub and footrest hygienically with products that contain chlorine.
3. Fungi love heat and moisture, so it is necessary to combat hyperhidrosis of the lower extremities - use baths with chamomile, celandine, potassium permanganate and onion husks.
4. Specialized talcum powder will help prevent fungus.It can be placed in a sock or shoe and treated periodically with a foot product.
5. Systematically treat the skin of the lower extremities with geranium and tea tree oil.These essential oils moisturize the skin and have an antimycotic effect.
6. Disinfecting shoes - first clean with a cotton pad soaked in a 25% formaldehyde or 70% vinegar solution.Then place it in a sealed bag and seal tightly.After a day, take off your shoes and air them out.

If the focus of the fungal infection is small, using antifungal creams and prevention methods, the disease can be overcome quickly.Without treatment, the disease will progress and spread quickly to healthy areas.

The fungus treatment process is always long.The sooner treatment is started, the faster the patient will recover.In neglected paintings, restoration takes not months, but years.