Flexibility of the foot (mycosis) is a fairly common disease, a sign of which is damage to the skin.
Infection occurs during contact of healthy skin with a spore carrier, as well as through the household route: through shoes, a shared bathroom, and contaminated items. The fungal infection easily penetrates the interdigital folds (under favorable conditions), where it begins its path and the growth of the population over the entire surface of the foot.
What is a fungus?
Mycosis of the feet is the most common type of dermatomycosis, which is characterized by chronic relapses. It includes both the damage to the layers of the skin and nails. The upper layer of the skin, which is constantly peeling, contains a mass of fungi, as well as their spores.
Fungus is a contagious disease that is transmitted from person to person through household items. The interdigital folds are the first to be affected, due to which itching appears. After that, the infection covers the entire area of the foot. The disease develops rapidly, and is characterized by the presence of itching, burning, pain, dry skin, peeling and even diaper rash.
Reasons for the appearance
The main cause of the disease is microorganisms of the Trichophyton genus, as well as molds. Infection with them occurs under the following conditions:
- wearing tight shoes (when the feet are squeezed, cracks and bedsores form, in which infection easily develops);
- excessive sweating of the legs (this is an excellent environment for the development of the fungal population);
- with high humidity in the room (shower, bathroom) - favorable conditions for all types of fungus;
- frequent visits to saunas, swimming pools (the risk of contact with carriers of infection increases);
- the presence of a sick person in the family (you can get infected through household items: slippers, socks and a shared bath).
There are also a number of diseases in which a person is susceptible to infection with a fungus:
- immunodeficiency (a weakened immune system is more susceptible to infectious and bacterial diseases);
- taking hormonal drugs (violate hormonal levels);
- flat feet (with this disease it is difficult to choose shoes with the correct rise, often the legs are squeezed);
- varicose veins (poor circulation causes dry skin);
- atherosclerosis;
- diabetes mellitus (there is an increase in capillary permeability, a change in their barrier function).
Symptoms
The main symptoms of mycosis of the feet are:
- burning and itching between the toes of the lower extremities (in the initial form) and over the entire surface of the feet (in later stages);
- painful sensations (with varying intensity: pain can either increase or disappear completely for a short time);
- redness of the skin (from a slight pink tint to purple);
- dryness and profuse flaking (separation of scales and crusts from plaques);
- cracks in the skin of the feet (which do not go away with conventional moisturizers);
- changes in the color and structure of nails (they become thick and exfoliate);
- the presence of an unpleasant odor of feet (if it was not previously observed).
Important!
With a fungal infection, the usual hygiene procedures (washing the feet, pumice and steaming) do not give any result, the symptoms do not go away!
Why does fungus need to be treated?
The success of therapy depends on the correctness of the diagnosis and the identification of the exact type of the causative agent of mycosis of the feet. Regardless of the form and stage of the fungal infection, an integrated approach is used in the treatment.
Without a competent approach to treatment, the fungus will not go anywhere, this is not a disease that goes away by itself.
After all, the waste products of the parasitic fungus will spread to the surrounding tissues and enter the bloodstream, poisoning it, and this is an allergen for the human body (eczema may even develop).
In addition, a person infected with a fungus is a source of infection and is a danger to others. After all, infection occurs through household items and through contact with the skin of the carrier of the infection.
Fungus forms
In total, 6 forms of this fungal lesion of the feet are distinguished:
- The erased form. This is the initial form, it differs in the following manifestations: slight peeling in the interdigital folds and small superficial cracks, which do not cause concern.
- Squamous form. The presence of small scales between the toes and on the surface of the sole. No signs of inflammation other than mild itching.
- Hyperkeratotic form. The appearance of blue-red plaques (papules), which are located on the arches of the feet. Dry skin, moderate pain and itching are noted.
- Intertriginous form. It looks similar to diaper rash. The skin in the interdigital folds becomes bright red, swelling and weeping cracks appear, and even erosion may be present. Soreness, burning and itching complete the picture.
- Dyshidrotic form. The appearance of bubbles is noted, which are closed from above with a dense lid. They are localized on the arches of the feet and are characterized by severe itching.
- Acute form. The skin of the feet is covered with vesicles and blisters with purulent-serous contents, their opening leads to multiple erosions and deep cracks. The body temperature rises significantly, the skin of the legs is bright red, there is severe pain, difficulty in walking, headache and general weakness. Inguinal lymphadenitis develops.
Virus diagnostics
Diagnosis of the disease is carried out by a dermatologist or mycologist (it depends on the zone and degree of fungal infection), and is based on the detection of a fungus when examining skin scales under a microscope.
The skin is taken from the affected area of the foot by scraping, after which it is treated with special reagents. In the process of examining it under a microscope, a specialist determines the type of pathogen, or grows the fungus in a nutrient medium (it is easier to determine its type by an increasing population).
Treatment methods
The basic rule in the treatment of mycoses of the legs is an integrated approach, which includes not only the use of medications, the use of alternative methods of treatment, but also careful care of the affected skin.
Before starting drug therapy, you should consult a doctor who will identify the pathogen using laboratory tests. Mycosis of the foot should be treated under the close supervision of a doctor, or in a hospital setting. The therapy is carried out in 2 stages: preparatory and basic.
The first includes the elimination of inflammation, as well as the removal of the stratum corneum using preliminary steaming of the legs in a solution of potassium permanganate and boric acid.
The second stage involves drug treatment.
Treatment with drugs (ointments, creams, tablets, other medicines)
After removing the upper keratinized cells, a special cream with antibiotics and corticosteroid hormones is applied to the entire affected surface. After elimination of the inflammation, the foot baths are canceled. Further treatment consists in deep removal of horny layers using salicylic petroleum jelly.
It is applied in a thin layer to the site of the lesion until the corneous particles are completely detached. Also effective is therapy for strengthening immunity: taking immunomodulators and vitamin complexes, because the stronger the body's defense system, the faster the disease passes.
Important!
It is prohibited to use ointments! They can cause weeping erosion.
Treatment with folk remedies for this disease can only be an auxiliary therapy, and not the main method of treatment.
Folk remedies
Treatment should be systematic and include not only medications, but also folk remedies:
- Apple cider vinegar is considered the best such recipe, because the fungus does not like an acidic environment. The method of application is quite simple - apply a vinegar solution to the affected area (the concentration is selected individually), put on socks and go to bed.
- Laundry soap and baking soda is another effective method. You need to grate 3 tablespoons of soap and add the same amount of baking soda. Pour this mixture with hot water (at least 5 liters), lower your feet there for 15–20 minutes. After the procedure, clean the feet with a nail file or pumice stone.
- Also, significant results are shown by glycerin with vodka. It is necessary to top up the bottle of purchased glycerin with alcohol to the brim, shake it and moisten the peeling with this composition daily (before bedtime).
- Coffee is effective in the fight against mycosis. You should brew strong coffee, dip your feet in the drink until it cools. It is recommended to do this procedure for at least a week.
- Celandine is also a good helper for fungal infections. You need to pour 1 liter of water into the kettle, put it on the stove, boil and add 4 tbsp. l. herbs (boil for 5 minutes). In the resulting infusion, you need to soar your legs for 3 weeks daily.
How to cure a fungus in a child?
Treatment of mycosis in children occurs in several stages:
- steaming feet (in a solution of soda and laundry soap, or with the addition of apple cider vinegar, you can also use chamomile broth - an excellent antiseptic);
- removal of keratinized particles (with a pumice stone or a rough washcloth, rub the flaky surface until the upper layer of the epidermis peels off);
- treatment with 2% iodine of the affected area promotes healing and disinfects well (you can apply an iodine mesh to the infected skin);
- before going to bed, apply a cream based on miconazole and nystatin (they are safe for children and quite effective) and wear cotton socks (or special antibacterial ones).
Disease prevention
Preventive measures are fairly simple and include the following points:
- Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene (especially when visiting public pools, baths and saunas). It is necessary to move around in slippers, do not become barefoot on the floor and do not wear someone else's shoes.
- When visiting, you should also give up slippers and walk indoors in socks.
- Wash your feet with antimicrobial soap and washcloth daily before bed.
- Be sure to dry your feet after washing (especially between the toes).
- When keratinized cells appear, they need to be treated with a pumice stone and scissors or nippers.
- You need to trim your nails in time, preventing them from delamination.
- If there are cracks in the feet, you must use special gels and creams.
- Wearing tight shoes is not allowed, because it impairs blood circulation.
- In case of wounds and scratches of the skin of the feet, it is necessary to treat them with brilliant green.
- With increased sweating of the feet, it is necessary to use special sprays and gels (not sold in any pharmacy).
Conclusion
Mycosis of the feet is an insidious disease that not only causes uncomfortable sensations and spoils the appearance of the skin and nails, but can also cause eczema, as well as a decrease in immunity. In order not to become infected with the fungus, it is necessary to observe basic hygiene standards.
Well, in case of infection - urgently run for advice from a specialist who will diagnose and prescribe effective treatment. Mycosis is easy to defeat if treatment is started on time.