In medical circles, mycosis 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 pictures, pathologies are combined. Toe fungus develops due to the negative impact of anthropophilic, zooanthropophilic microorganisms. Infection with yeast-like fungi of the Candida family is somewhat less common. Let's look at what types of fungal diseases occur and how to cure fungus between the 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, other 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. The 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 proper 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 severe peeling;
- Intertriginous form. More often diagnosed in the summer. It usually affects the space between the third and fourth toes; somewhat less frequently, a fungus is found on the little toe;
- The erased form has a minimal number of symptoms. Patients complain of cracks in the interdigital space, mild burning and itching.
Treatment of interdigital fungus is prescribed after the specific pathogen has been identified. To do this, the patient undergoes tests. Based on the results of laboratory diagnostics, a treatment regimen is recommended. Consists of medications for external use, tablets taken internally (in neglected scenes).
Causes of fungus 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 fungus in the affected area.
You can become infected in public places, when using other people's personal hygiene items; Infection is often observed within the family circle when one of the household members becomes ill.
It is 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.
Fungus between the fingers develops due to the following reasons:
- High humidity. This condition is created by poor-quality shoes, socks made of 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 alcohol dependence.
- Injury to the lower extremities. The fungus penetrates through the wound and begins to multiply quickly. Practice shows that even with good immunity, the body cannot cope 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 finger is affected, but if the disease is not diagnosed in a timely manner and treatment is not started using remedies for fungus on the feet, the pathology quickly progresses and spreads to other fingers, feet, and ankles.
Fungus between the fingers manifests itself as symptoms:
- Peeling of the skin in the interdigital fold;
- The appearance of small cracks that cause discomfort;
- Itching and pain in the affected area;
- Sealing the sole of the foot.
If damage to the nail plate occurs, the color of the nail changes and its natural shine is lost. The nail becomes thicker, easily injured, crumbles and collapses.
At first, the clinical symptoms are not very pronounced, itching does not cause much concern. As the disease progresses, the symptoms intensify. Most often, treatment of interdigital fungus on the toes requires the use of two or more drugs, since the picture is advanced due to the patient’s late request for help.
Methods for treating fungus
If fungus appears between your fingers, you should consult a dermatologist. The doctor conducts a physical examination and issues a referral for laboratory diagnostics. Based on the results, remedies for fungus on the feet 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 area of the problem area is large, then oral tablets are prescribed. They act from the inside, disrupting the cell membrane of parasites, which leads to their death. The doctor independently determines both the method of application and the dosage; Side effects may develop if the recommended dose is exceeded.
You can treat fungus between your toes with the following medications:
- Tablet form.
- Local agents.
You can supplement 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 the treatment, confirmation by laboratory methods is required - the analysis is done after 14 days of therapy and after 30 days. Only receiving negative results indicates the effectiveness of the course.
Antifungal agent
An antifungal agent is an antimycotic agent; it helps remove fungus and acts quickly and effectively. The use of the medication is carried out only on the advice of a doctor. The drug 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, as a result of which they die. When used externally, the product accumulates in the affected area, which contributes to its high effectiveness.
The dosage of the tablet form for an adult is usually 250 mg per day. If a fungus is being treated in a child, the dose is 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 for 1 month. On the doctor's recommendation, the treatment course may be extended by several weeks.
Side effects of the tablets:
- Headache;
- Impaired taste perception;
- Dizziness;
- Allergic reactions;
- Decreased appetite;
- Disruption 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. Reviews from patients note that the product quickly relieves unpleasant symptoms - after a few days of treatment, the severity of clinical manifestations decreases.
Antifungal drug for systemic use against fungus
Dosage forms - ointment, cream, spray and tablets. Often prescribed to treat a fungal infection that is localized between the toes. The ointment/cream is applied in a thin layer to a dried and cleansed area of the skin. Rubbing is not recommended. Frequency of application 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 remedy. Tablets should not be prescribed in the following situations:
- Liver dysfunction;
- Lactose intolerance;
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- Hypersensitivity;
- Children under three years of age;
- Patient weight up to 20 kg.
Important: with the simultaneous use of anti-fungal drugs and alcohol, the likelihood of toxic liver damage increases.
Such creams are well tolerated. Only some patients experience allergic reactions. In this case, medication prescriptions should be adjusted. You cannot select analogues yourself.
To prevent the appearance of fungus, it is recommended to treat shoes with antifungal agents; strictly follow all doctors’ recommendations and do not cancel treatment; observe the rules of hygiene; After water procedures, wipe your feet dry.