Regardless of the pathogen, the disease has similar symptoms, mechanism of occurrence and treatment tactics. Foot fungus is a common and contagious disease. It is characterized by a high frequency of occurrence in the presence of concomitant conditions and diseases, for example, foci of chronic inflammation, endocrine diseases, decreased immune system and other diseases. As a rule, the disease is chronic in nature with exacerbations in the summer and attenuation of the process (remission) by winter.
Signs of mycoses
- Color change
- Inflammation
- Appearance of spots
- Erosion
- Deformation and thickening
Types of fungal foot diseases
Depending on what types of fungi cause the disease, mycoses of the feet are divided into:
Yeast-like mycoses: caused by fungi of the genus Candida.
Mold mycoses: provoked by the fungi Scytalidium spp. , Onychocola canadensis, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Alternaria, Penicillium.
Dermatomycosis: caused by dermatomycetes of the genera Trichophyton, Epidermophyton. Fungi of this species require keratin to function, which is rich in the stratum corneum of the skin, nails and hair. The group of dermatomycosis with predominant damage to the nails includes rubrophytosis (the causative agent isTrichophyton rubrum) and athlete's foot (causative agent - Trichophyton interdigitale). Trichophyton rubrum accounts for approximately 80-90% of cases of athlete's foot.
Mixed mycoses: caused by several types of fungi at once.
Each type of mycosis is described in detail below.
Yeast-like mycoses
Recently, mycoses of the feet caused by fungi of the genus Candida have become widespread. It is assumed that this is due to the widespread use of various drugs, whose action is associated with interaction with the immune system.
Dermatomycoses
Athlete's foot is a chronic disease that is localized on the skin of the arches and interdigital folds of the feet, with frequent damage to the nail plates.
Mold mycoses
Mold mycoses are mainly common in countries where people traditionally go barefoot (east and subtropical and tropical countries). In regions with temperate climates, this type of mycosis also occurs, but, as a rule, in patients with immunodeficiency conditions and in people who often come into contact with soil and plants.
Forms of mycosis of the feet
There are several forms of mycosis:
Squamous
It is characterized by peeling of the skin on the arches of the feet, possibly spreading to the surface of the toes. Areas of thickening of the skin and lamellar peeling may also appear.
Intertriginous
Similar to interdigital diaper rash. The inflammatory process is usually localized between the 3rd and 4th fingers. The stratum corneum softens, becomes loose and flakes off. Cracks and a whitish coating appear. Itching and burning begin. The addition of pyococcal (pustular infection) and yeast flora is possible, then the affected areas become covered with purulent-bloody crusts.
Dyshidrotic
It is characterized by the appearance on the lateral surface of the feet and on the surfaces of the fingers in contact with it, bubbles filled with a clear liquid and covered with a thick stratum corneum. Sago grains (vesicles) can be single or merge into multi-chambered bubbles. As the pyococci join, the contents of the vesicles become cloudy, then they open, and erosions are formed, covered with purulent-hemorrhagic crusts. Some patients note inflammation of the lymph nodes and a deterioration in general health.
In 2/3 of patients with intertriginous and dyshidrotic forms of epidermophytosis, mycids (allergic rash) are observed.
Of course, the identification of clinical forms of epidermophytosis is conditional, since their combination often occurs; one form can transform into another. It all depends on the body’s reaction, physical activity and treatment methods of the patient.
Also, with mycosis of the feet, the nails are often affected, mainly on the first and fifth toes. The nail plate acquires yellowish spots or stripes, the surface becomes dull and uneven, and a horny thickening begins to appear under the nail, which subsequently leads to the destruction of the nail plate.
By watching the corresponding video on the Internet, you can find out that foot fungus can be caused by various factors, and to choose treatment tactics for this disease, it is necessary to determine the type of fungus and establish the cause of its appearance.
Causes of foot fungus
The main causes of foot fungus are:
- Excessive sweating or, conversely, increased dryness and flaking of the feet. These processes disrupt the protective function of skin cells.
- Anatomical features: narrow spaces between the toes and their deformation, flat feet.
- Problems with thermoregulation (maintaining a certain body temperature) and microcirculation (transporting biological fluids).
- Wounds, injuries that violate the integrity of the skin. Through these injuries, infections often occur.
- The presence of diseases that reduce immunity or lead to metabolic disorders (for example, endocrinopathies, blood diseases, oncology, etc. ).
- Taking certain medications (antibacterial, cytostatic, corticosteroid).
Often, fungal infections of the feet are combined with pustular rashes, so assumptions are made about the relationship between them: thanks to pyococci, dermatophytes penetrate deeply into the subcutaneous tissue, and prolonged mycoses due to the formation of cracks, scratching, and erosions contribute to increased susceptibility to infection.
Often, with foot fungus, a viral infection occurs. For example, the causative agent of rubromycosis activates papillomaviruses and herpes viruses. This manifests itself in an increase in the concentration of viruses on the surface of cells infected by fungi.
The source of the spread of the disease is people suffering from mycosis: during the peeling process, the skin flakes containing the pathogens of the fungal infection are detached. These infected scales often end up on the floor and on equipment in swimming pools, baths, and also on pedicure instruments.
An interesting fact is that mushrooms are highly resistant and can be stored in thermal springs, chlorinated and ozonated water for 12-18 days. Water with a high content of salt or hydrogen sulfide is detrimental to fungi.
So, we must remember that the general mechanisms that contribute to the development of fungal foot infections are caused by a violation of the body’s natural resistance, changes in immune and metabolic processes.
Diagnosis of foot fungus
Diagnosis of foot fungus includes:
- Assessing patient complaints and the presence of chronic diseases.
- Microscopic examination of the affected skin and nail particles.
- Cultural seeding is the placement of pathogenic microorganisms in a nutrient medium for their reproduction and subsequent accurate identification, as well as for assessing the activity of antifungal drugs and determining the sensitivity of fungi to them.
To properly select therapy, it is important to determine whether changes in the skin of the foot are a fungal infection or dyshidrotic eczema, keratoderma, psoriasis and other skin diseases.
Antifungal drugs, agents, antimycotics
Antifungal agents: classification and types of dosage forms. Methods of using antimycotics.
Treatment of foot fungus
Treatment of foot fungus must be carried out comprehensively; it is important not only to suppress the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms and eliminate symptoms, but also to destroy pathogens and eliminate the cause of their occurrence (increase immunity, immediately treat small wounds on the feet, etc. ). It is imperative to treat concomitant diseases that cause the development of fungal infections.
Additionally, some people may have allergic reactions to certain mushrooms (such as mykids). In such cases, antihistamines (antiallergic) drugs may be needed.
To treat mycoses, as a rule, topical preparations are used, that is, those that are applied directly to the affected area of the skin. Such products are produced in the form of ointments, creams, sprays, solutions, and varnishes (for nails).
Depending on the mechanism of action, antifungal agents can have a fungistatic effect, inhibit the growth and reproduction of fungi, or they can have a fungicidal effect and promote the death of fungi.
Since mycoses of the feet are most often provoked by mixed fungal flora, it is most effective to use broad-spectrum agents. These include drugs that have their own anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects.
The use of special-purpose products in the treatment of foot fungus
Modern antimycotic drugs are highly effective against pathogenic fungi of the genus Candida, dermatophytes (Trichophyton, Microsporum) and other causative agents of skin infections, gram-positive strains of staphylococci and streptococci. They block the growth and reproduction of fungi (fungistatic effect), destroy fungi (fungicidal effect) when used in therapeutic doses, they have their own anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effect