Fungus between the toes: symptoms and treatment with different means

One of the common pathologies of the skin is a fungus between the toes.Treatment largely depends on the concomitant diseases and the degree of neglect.Most often, antifungal agents in various forms are prescribed to eliminate signs of mycosis.At the initial stage of the disease, folk methods are quite effective that can be used at home without harm to health.

Causes of the disease

The pathological state is based on the skin of a fungal infection, which provokes the fingertips fungus.With severe immunity, the human body rejects the infection and the disease does not develop.But in many people, the immune system is weakened, which becomes a favorable environment for the development of the disease.

You can get infected from a sick person with direct contact, as well as when using common hygiene items.Towels, domestic shoes and other things will become a source of infection.Predisposing factors are considered:

• Dermatological diseases of a chronic nature with periodic exacerbations - eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis.
• Wearing on an ongoing basis of close and uncomfortable shoes from artificial materials.
• Regular violation of personal hygiene rules.
• Deficiency in the body of vitamins and mineral compounds.
• The enhanced work of the sweat glands, leading to the fact that between the fingers it is wet.This provokes the development of infection and intensive reproduction of pathogens.
• Frequent trauma of the skin of the feet.
• Violation of metabolic processes.
• Vascular pathologies of the lower extremities.
• Trophic ulcers or non -healing wounds in the fingers and feet.
• The fungal infection of the nails passing to the space between the fingers.

At risk are people who on an ongoing basis visit saunas, baths or pools.In these places, the accumulation of the fungal infection is the largest, and for infection it is enough for a few minutes to be in the shower, where the infected person stood before.Especially often mycosis develops in children who are closely in contact with patients at school or preschool.

Symptoms of mycosis

Before treating the fungus on the legs between the fingers, you need to know how it looks and what symptoms appear.Most often, the disease is manifested as follows:

• The initial stage is not distinguished by pronounced symptoms and can pass without a trace for many people.Cracks appear on delicate skin between the fingers, because of which its appearance becomes unhealthy.The epidermis differs in dryness and exfoliates in small scales.The patient is worried about itching and a moderate burning sensation.This is especially felt at night, when the legs are freed from shoes. Active stage follows the initial and manifested by more intense signs.Red spots appear at the place of peeling.Itching accompanies a person constantly, which leads to irritation of the epidermis and strong scabies.
• The progressive stage is characterized by the appearance of small bubbles filled with transparent liquid.When in contact with the tissue of socks and shoes, the bubbles burst, a wet surface and wounds appear in their place, which often bleed.Over time, these areas are covered with brown or yellow crusts.
• The advanced stage is characterized by the spread of the pathological process to nearby tissues and nail plates.Nails turn yellow, relax and crumble.When trying to remove crusts in their place, open wounds are formed that are not longed for treatment for a long time.Bacteria on the wound surface develop rapidly and pass into deep layers.The pain accompanies a person constantly, prevents normal movement, the skin is hyperemic and swollen.New bubbles are constantly appearing, not filled with liquid, but pus.If therapy is absent, the disease can reach the muscle layer.It will be very difficult to get rid of it.

A characteristic sign of mycosis at any stage will be an unpleasant odor from the legs even after recent washing and handling shoes.Bacteria also accumulate in shoes, and it requires cleaning with chemicals with a disinfectant effect.The most dangerous complication of the pathological process will be the penetration of a fungal infection into the blood and the development of mycosis of internal organs.

Diagnostic methods

It is enough for an experienced dermatologist to carefully examine the skin between the fingers to determine mycosis.But to clarify the diagnosis, a special scraping is taken from the affected areas in order to study it on the type of infection.

In laboratory conditions, the bacteriological sowing of the resulting material is made and the exact type of pathogen is detected.After that, the specialist may prescribe appropriate therapy.

An important point in the diagnosis will be to identify the cause and method of transmitting infection.It is also necessary to determine the stage of the disease.If the patient contacted other people or family members before contacting a specialist, preventive treatment of all households should be carried out in order to prevent infection.

Drug therapy

The treatment of the fungus on the toes depends on the degree of the disease.The initial stage can only be cured by external means in the form of ointments or solutions.Enhanced cases are only amenable to a combination of tablet drugs with the external to achieve the maximum result in a short time.

Determine the best option in each case should only the attending physician.You can not treat mycosis at home with medicines, because they often have contraindications and side effects, often provoke allergic reactions.

If therapy is ineffective for 4 weeks, the patient's condition worsens, then the doctor again takes a scraping from the affected area.This is necessary to determine the sensitivity of bacteria to the medicine used.

Recipes of non -traditional medicine

At home, it is allowed to use some folk remedies that will help stop the progression of the disease.The initial stages of mycosis can be cured with such means:

1. Ordinary soda and table salt.They should be used in the form of baths, dissolving in 3 liters of water along a tablespoon of each agent.The duration of the home therapeutic session is at least 20 minutes.Water should be hot, but not burning.Repeat the procedure daily, the duration of the course is 2 weeks.The optimal time for treatment is before bedtime.
2. A grass decoction based on chamomile, dry celandine and plantain leaves will become the best home remedy with antimicrobial and anti -inflammatory effect.Preparing it is simple: separate 50 g of each ingredient, grind thoroughly and cook in 3 liters of water for at least 5 minutes.The filtered agent is ready for use after 20 minutes of insisting.In the decoction, it is necessary to lower the feet and hold until completely cooled.Conduct therapy before going to bed daily for 2-3 weeks.
3. Dining vinegar is allowed to be used for daily wiping problem areas between the fingers or as lotions.The second option is suitable at the initial stage, when the lesion section is small.Lotions are made from a cotton swab, previously moistened with 9% and attached to the place of damage for 20 minutes.Up to 3 procedures are allowed per day.The therapeutic effect is noticeable after 10 days of regular use.
4. An alcohol solution of iodine 5% allows you to get rid of the fungus in 2 weeks.Processing should be carried out in the morning and evening.Before the procedure, it is recommended to steam the legs in a hot bath and dry with a towel.When processing, attention should be paid not only to the skin, but also to the nail plates so that the infection does not spread.This method is allowed to use only at the initial stage.When iodine enters open wounds, the risk of burning and deterioration of the patient's condition increases significantly.

5. Plantings at the initial stage are allowed to be used to process the affected areas or steaming legs.To prepare the solution, add several crystals to hot water to get an unsaturated pinkish tint.In the resulting solution, you can steam your legs for 20 minutes a day or moisten a cotton swab and lubricate the inflammation areas several times a day.As a rule, 2 weeks of regular use of one or another method is enough to completely get rid of the fungus.
6. Birch tar can be purchased at a pharmacy.It should be applied in pure form to problem areas and nail plates.The layer should be thin, the exposure time is no more than 40 minutes, because it is a rather aggressive tool and often provokes allergic reactions.If it is impossible to get it, it is allowed to simply wash your feet every evening with a tar soap.The duration of tar treatment should not exceed 10 days.Soap as a prevention is allowed to be used on an ongoing basis.

The use of any folk remedy requires preliminary consultation with a specialist in order to prevent complications.

Prevention of infection

Simple preventive measures will help to avoid the disease.It is necessary to strictly observe the rules of hygiene, give preference to socks and shoes made of natural materials, timely treat any diseases of the skin on the legs or minor injuries.After visiting the pool or sauna, it is recommended to treat the legs with antiseptic solutions and prevent the use of personal hygiene products.

If the first signs of mycosis appear, it is recommended to immediately begin treatment.This will get rid of the problem in a short time and avoid complications.