In medical circles, ringworm 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 photos, the pathologies are combined. Toe fungus develops due to the negative impact of anthropophilic and zooanthropophilic microorganisms. Infection with yeast-like fungi from the Candida family is somewhat less common. Let's look at what types of fungal diseases occur and how to cure fungus between your toes.
Types of fungi
Fungi are divided into several varieties - dermatophytes, molds and yeast-like parasites. They provoke the development of candidiasis, rubrophytosis, onychomycosis, epidermophytosis. Depending on the symptoms, further divisions into types are distinguished. There are membranous, vesicular and moccasin-like types of the disease.
For information, infection occurs directly - through contact with soil, vegetation, with a sick person or animal, or indirectly - through contact with household objects touched by a sick person.
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 films, mature men are sick;
- Rubrophytia. The disease progresses slowly and there are no symptoms in the early stages of infection. In the absence of adequate 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 thickens, there is intense peeling;
- Intertriginous form. Most often diagnosed in the summer. It usually affects the space between the third and fourth toes; a little less often, a fungus is found on the little toe;
- The erased form has a minimum number of symptoms. Patients complain of fissures in the interdigital space, slight burning and itching.
Treatment of interdigital fungus is prescribed after identifying the specific pathogen. To do this, the patient undergoes tests. Based on the results of laboratory diagnostics, a treatment regimen is recommended. It consists of medicines for external use, tablets taken internally (in neglected scenes).
Fungus causes and symptoms
Before we learn how to treat toe fungus, let's consider the reason for the activation of pathogenic microflora and the symptoms of the disease. Definitely, the main reason is the proliferation of fungi in the affected area.
You can become infected in public places, when using other people's personal hygiene items; Infection is often observed in the family circle when one of the family members becomes ill.
Worth knowing: 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 resist the effects of fungi.
The fungus between the fingers develops for the following reasons:
- High humidity. This condition is created by poor-quality shoes, socks made from synthetic materials, and hyperhidrosis of the lower extremities.
- Blood circulation disorder. This problem is observed in chronic pathologies - diabetes, hypertension. It is also detected in experienced smokers and those with alcohol dependence.
- Injury to the lower extremities. The fungus penetrates the wound and begins to multiply rapidly. Practice shows that even with good immunity, the body cannot cope with the situation 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. Initially, one toe is affected, but if the disease is not diagnosed in a timely manner and treatment is not started with remedies for foot fungus, the pathology progresses rapidly and spreads to other fingers, feet and ankles.
The fungus between the fingers manifests itself as symptoms:
- Peeling of the skin in the interdigital crease;
- The appearance of small cracks that cause discomfort;
- Itching and pain in the affected area;
- Sealing the sole of the foot.
If damage occurs to the nail plate, the color of the nail changes and its natural shine is lost. The nail becomes thicker, easily injured, crumbles and crumbles.
At first, clinical symptoms are not very pronounced, itching does not cause much concern. As the disease progresses, symptoms intensify. Most of the time, the treatment of interdigital fungus on the toes requires the use of two or more medications, as the condition is advanced due to the patient's late request for help.
Methods for treating fungus
If fungus appears between your toes, consult a dermatologist. The doctor performs a physical examination and sends you for laboratory diagnosis. Based on the results, remedies for foot fungus between the toes are 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 advisable to use for mild fungal infections.
If an advanced fungal infection is diagnosed and the problem area is large, oral tablets will be prescribed. They act from the inside, disrupting the cell membrane of the parasites, which leads to their death. The doctor independently determines the method of application and dosage; Side effects may occur if the recommended dose is exceeded.
You can treat fungus between your toes with the following medications:
- Tablet format.
- Local agents.
You can complement the medicinal treatment of 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 necessary - the analysis is carried out after 14 days of therapy and after 30 days. Only the receipt of negative results indicates the effectiveness of the course.
Antifungal agent
An antifungal agent is an antimycotic agent; helps remove fungi and acts quickly and effectively. The medicine is only used under the guidance of a doctor. The medicine has several forms of release - gel, spray, cream and tablets, solution.
The principle of action of the drug is to block the ability of fungi to reproduce, resulting in their death. When used externally, the product accumulates in the affected area, which contributes to its high effectiveness.
The tablet dosage for an adult is usually 250 mg per day. If a fungus is being treated in a child, the dose will be 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 1 month. On the doctor's recommendation, treatment can be extended for several weeks.
Side effects of tablets:
- Headache;
- Impaired taste perception;
- Dizziness;
- Allergic reactions;
- Decreased appetite;
- Disturbance of the digestive tract;
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Painful sensations in the abdomen.
Contraindications for use are organic intolerance to the drug, impaired liver and kidney function. Patient reviews note that the product quickly relieves unpleasant symptoms - after a few days of treatment, the severity of clinical manifestations decreases.
Antifungal medication for systemic use against fungi
Pharmaceutical forms - ointment, cream, spray and tablets. Often prescribed to treat a fungal infection located between the toes. The ointment/cream is applied in a thin layer to a dry, clean area of skin. Rubbing is not recommended. The application frequency is twice a day.
The dosage of tablets is determined individually. Reception is carried out over several weeks. For children, the dose is determined by weight and age. The drug has a detrimental effect on pathogenic microorganisms and is a powerful medicine. Tablets should not be prescribed in the following situations:
- Liver dysfunction;
- Lactose intolerance;
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- Hypersensitivity;
- Children under three years old;
- Patient weight up to 20 kg.
Important: with the simultaneous use of antifungal drugs and alcohol, the likelihood of toxic liver damage increases.
These creams are well tolerated. Only some patients experience allergic reactions. In this case, medication prescriptions must be adjusted. You cannot select analogues alone.
To prevent the appearance of fungi, it is recommended to treat shoes with antifungals; strictly follow all doctors' recommendations and do not cancel treatment; observe hygiene rules; After water procedures, dry your feet.