Not all diseases can be fatal, but some of them can seriously complicate life.The fungus affects internal organs and skin.Almost every person has opportunistic microorganisms.Under some unfavorable circumstances, their number increases, and this leads to a number 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 develops only under favorable conditions.As we age, the acidic pH of the skin may change to alkaline, which is favorable for fungal growth.Infection usually occurs through contact; if personal hygiene standards are not followed, the source of infection can be a sick person or common objects.Infection can occur in public places: swimming pools, baths, gyms.And also in everyday life with the general use of slippers, socks, manicure accessories, towels and washcloths.
Routes of infection
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 with him.But in certain cases, disputes do not make themselves felt.Provoking factors are considered:
- high sweating;
- sores and calluses on the feet;
- tight and uncomfortable shoes.
The ideal environment for fungus to grow is warm and humid.
Therefore, tight shoes or boots that are made from low-quality materials are an excellent breeding ground for infection.Foot mycosis occurs due to low immunity.This can happen for various reasons: stress, long-term illnesses, and the like.Chronic infections and problems with the endocrine system affect the human condition.
With long-term use of antibiotics, internal organs suffer.The microflora changes, and this affects the composition of opportunistic microorganisms.Lack of hygiene also affects its growth, since dirt and sweat are a breeding ground.
Children are most susceptible to the disease.Due to their age, they have delicate skin and weak immunity.For the same reason, older people are susceptible to mycoses.Dangerous public places include:
- swimming pools;
- saunas;
- baths;
- fitness centers;
- beaches.
Places where you can walk barefoot are potential sources for the spread of mycoses.
The humid environment and high temperature create an ideal environment for spores to multiply.Even regular disinfection of premises does not help.People who wear closed shoes at work are also at risk - 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 area of the thumb and index finger.After which the fungus spreads along the foot.Most often it is transmitted through contact with a sick person or failure to comply with personal hygiene rules.
In the absence of proper treatment, the intertriginous form becomes squamous-hyperkeratotic.It manifests itself as deep cracks on the soles.
The disease does not produce any symptoms for a long time.At first, shallow 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 - this is a moist and weeping area.Rarely occurs on the legs; most often it affects the hands.The erased form passes through most easily.Signs of fungus on the feet 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 enhances 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, and this leads to the appearance of an unpleasant odor.Even timely hygiene does not help get rid of 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 becomes covered with keratinized calluses.Over time, it cracks, and this can cause some discomfort when walking.
As the disease progresses further, blisters with clear liquid appear on the legs.They burst, and small weeping sores appear in their place.They provide access to secondary infections.
Often the fungus affects not only the feet, but also the nails.Changes start from the free edge.Usually from the thumbs.Yellowing and thickening of the nail plate occurs.It crumbles and reveals pinkish skin.As the disease progresses, destruction of the nail is observed.
When affected by mold fungi, purulent inflammation of the periungual ridges is observed.The plate itself is painted black or green.
Diagnostic methods
Before choosing how and how to treat skin fungus on the legs, you need to confirm the diagnosis.Itching and flaking of the skin do not always appear due to mycosis.A dermatologist deals with this disease.He conducts a visual examination of the legs and collects anamnesis.
To accurately determine the pathogen, scrapings are made from the skin.It is mandatory, otherwise drug therapy will not be effective.Standard microscopic examination can determine the presence of fungus.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 a nutrient medium.After some time, colonies of fungi 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.It requires scraping from the affected area.This is the most accurate and fastest diagnostic method.In some cases, the doctor may advise donating blood for enzyme immunoassay.It allows you to determine antibody titers.Such information helps to find the cause of the disease.
Types of treatment
In order to cure foot fungus, comprehensive treatment is required.The standard regimen includes drugs for internal and external use.They are aimed at getting rid of pathogenic organisms and healing the skin.
Creams and ointments should be applied only to clean surfaces.Apply them in a thin layer before going to bed.The standard course of treatment takes four weeks.Any medications must be prescribed by the attending physician.In severe cases, it is advisable to use glucocorticosteroids.They relieve inflammation and stop the progression of the disease.But they have many side effects, and when using them you need to follow 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.So, soda baths (1 tablespoon of baking soda per 10 liters of warm water) soften the skin and help remove exfoliated areas.A mixture of boiled onions and garlic is used as a compress.They are kneaded into a paste and applied to the keratinized skin.Put socks on top and leave overnight.In the morning, feet are easy to clean.