Not all diseases can be fatal, but some of them can seriously complicate life.The fungus affects internal organs and skin.Almost everyone has opportunistic microorganisms.Under some unfavorable circumstances, their number increases and this leads to a series of problems.Foot fungus is easily transmitted from person to person, which is why it is very common.
Fungi are widely distributed in the environment, but damage to human nails and skin only develops under favorable conditions.As we age, the skin's acidic pH can change to alkaline, which is conducive to fungal growth.Infection usually occurs through contact;If personal hygiene standards are not followed, the source of infection may be a sick person or common objects.Infection can occur in public places: swimming pools, baths, gyms.And also in everyday life with the widespread use of slippers, socks, manicure accessories, towels and washcloths.
Infection routes
The fungus is most often transmitted from a sick person through personal belongings 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.Provoking factors are considered:
- intense sweating;
- wounds and calluses on the feet;
- tight and uncomfortable shoes.
The ideal environment for fungus growth is warm and moist.
Therefore, tight shoes or boots made from low-quality materials are an excellent breeding ground for infections.Foot mycosis occurs due to low immunity.This can happen for a variety of reasons: stress, prolonged illness, and so on.Chronic infections and problems with the endocrine system affect the human condition.
With prolonged use of antibiotics, internal organs suffer.The microflora changes and this affects the composition of opportunistic microorganisms.Lack of hygiene also harms their growth, as dirt and sweat are breeding grounds.
Children are more susceptible to the disease.Due to their age, they have delicate skin and weak immunity.For the same reason, the elderly are susceptible to mycoses.Dangerous public places include:
- swimming pools;
- saunas;
- baths;
- fitness centers;
- beaches.
Places where you can walk barefoot are potential sources of mycoses spreading.
The humid environment and high temperature create an ideal environment for spores to multiply.Even regular disinfection of the premises does not help.Also at risk are people who wear closed shoes at work - military personnel, police officers and others.Boots do not allow air to pass through and often injure the legs, which opens the way for harmful microorganisms.
Basic forms
Treatment for foot fungus depends on its form.The most common is interdigital or intertriginous: the lesion begins in the region of the thumb and index finger.After that, the fungus spreads throughout the foot.Most often, it is transmitted through contact with a sick person or non-compliance with personal hygiene rules.
In the absence of adequate treatment, the intertriginous form becomes squamous-hyperkeratotic.It manifests as deep cracks in the soles.
The disease does not produce symptoms for a long time.At first, superficial grooves appear on the skin, which do not bring negative sensations.In severe cases, they move to the lower legs.
The dyshidrotic form is characterized by the appearance of erosions on the skin - it is a moist, weeping area.It rarely occurs in the legs;most often it affects the hands.The erased form passes more easily.Signs of foot fungus are mild.There is slight peeling of the skin and itching.The causative agent of the disease is Candida.Even without treatment, the condition goes away on its own.
Characteristic symptoms
The main manifestations of the fungus are the same for all forms.The first sign of the disease is peeling of the skin.Microorganisms feed on protein compounds and keratin, so the integrity of the integument is destroyed.
The human body tries to restore the skin and therefore improves regeneration.This causes itching.Sometimes the surface itches under the influence of Candida.The activity of the fungus impairs the functioning of the sebaceous glands, which leads to the appearance of an unpleasant odor.Even timely hygiene does not help to eliminate it.In some cases, instead of sweating, severe dryness is observed.
Another symptom of foot fungus is a change in skin color.Yellow or green spots appear.The very surface of the feet becomes thicker and covered with keratinized calluses.Over time, it cracks and can cause some discomfort when walking.
As the disease progresses, blisters with clear fluid appear on the legs.They burst and small wounds appear in their place.They provide access to secondary infections.
Often the fungus affects not only the feet, but also the nails.The changes begin at the freeboard.Usually the thumbs.Yellowing and thickening of the nail plate occurs.It disintegrates and reveals pink skin.As the disease progresses, destruction of the nail is observed.
When affected by fungi, purulent inflammation of the periungual ridges is observed.The sign itself is painted black or green.
Diagnostic methods
Before choosing how and how to treat fungus on the skin of the legs, it is necessary to confirm the diagnosis.Itching and peeling of the skin do not always appear due to ringworm.A dermatologist deals with this disease.He performs a visual examination of the legs and collects an anamnesis.
To accurately determine the pathogen, scrapings are taken 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 special preparations and studied under a microscope.
A more accurate study is bacterial culture.The collected samples are placed in nutrient medium.After some time, the fungal colonies begin to grow.They are studied in detail.The disadvantage of this method is the duration.It takes up to four weeks to complete.
PCR analysis allows you to determine the exact pathogen.Requires scraping of the affected area.This is the most accurate and quickest diagnostic method.In some cases, the doctor may advise donating blood for enzyme immunoassay.It allows you to determine antibody titers.This information helps to find the cause of the disease.
Types of treatment
To cure foot fungus, comprehensive treatment is necessary.The standard regimen includes medicines for internal and external use.They aim to eliminate pathogenic organisms and heal the skin.
Creams and ointments should only be applied to clean surfaces.Apply them in a thin layer before bed.The standard course of treatment takes four weeks.Any medications must be prescribed by the attending physician.In severe cases, the use of glucocorticosteroids is advisable.They relieve inflammation and stop the progression of the disease.But they have many side effects, and when using them, you need to monitor 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 mitigate some of the side effects of treatment.Thus, soda baths (1 tablespoon of baking soda for every 10 liters of warm water) soften the skin and help remove exfoliated areas.A mixture of cooked onion and garlic is used as a compress.They are crushed into a paste and applied to keratinized skin.Place socks on top and leave overnight.In the morning, feet are easy to clean.