Foot fungus is an infectious disease that spreads from person to person. Foot fungus is the most common type of fungus in adults. Both women and men and even children are ill with it.
Mycosis (fungus) is a skin disease caused by parasitic fungi. It can easily be picked up by contact with an infected person or through objects and things with which the patient has had contact. Fungi are very fond of a warm and damp environment, so public places such as saunas, baths, water parks, beaches, and pools are considered potentially dangerous. English doctors call this disease "athlete's foot symptom", as athletes use closed, poorly breathing shoes, inside of which moisture accumulates.
Mycoses are very insidious, despite the apparent simplicity of the disease, they are difficult to cure and tend to relapse.
Recognize as early as possible
The treatment of mycosis is a rather lengthy and complex process, so it is important to determine as early as possible what the fungus looks like on the legs, the reasons for its appearance and begin to act. The fungus usually appears first between the toes. Then, if left untreated, the infection invades the nail plate, leading to the destruction of the nail. If the cause is an infection in a pedicure salon, the disease begins with the nail plates.
Often, after infection, the fungus makes itself felt soon enough, and you immediately understand that "something" is wrong. But the manifestations of the fungus on the legs can have a different character: hidden or pronounced. That is why it is necessary to figure out how the fungus on the legs begins, what it looks like and how to recognize it.
What are the early symptoms of toe fungus?
After contact with the skin, the fungus on the legs goes through an incubation period (depending on the person's immunity, 3-14 days), at which time the disease does not manifest itself.
The first symptoms that should make you think about a visit to a dermatologist may be:
- The skin on the legs looks reddened or covered with spots, itching, burning. This causes terrible discomfort, you constantly want to scratch your legs. This sign of foot fungus is noted in 99% of cases of the disease.
- Thickening or roughness of the skin of the feet. Often this sign of toe fungus is ignored as it looks like a callus or corns.
- Bubbles with liquid on the affected areas of the skin. If the patient combs them, an infection can get into them, and then the blisters burst, suppurate and erosion, ulcers, abscesses appear on the skin.
- Cracks appear between the toes. Most often, the defeat of the foot fungus begins in the spaces between the fingers (between the first and second or fourth and fifth). Cracks can cause discomfort or even pain.
- If timely treatment is not started, the skin of the legs becomes rough and takes on the appearance of scales, while excessively dry skin of the legs is observed - a sure sign that you have a fungus. Later, the affected areas of the skin (toes, heel, foot) look softened, covered with a whitish coating.
- Feet smell bad.
- The skin of the legs looks pathologically shiny.
- Edema appears. This suggests that you have a chronic fungus on your feet.
Interdigital infection
The onset of an interdigital infection begins with the skin between the toes looking too pale, soft, and wet, and may present with symptoms such as burning skin and faint foot odor. If the infection is not treated, then a bacterial infection is added to the fungal infection. And this, in turn, leads to the appearance of a bad smell of feet.
Interdigital infection can be complicated even with treatment. Cracks and peeling develop until the skin becomes very dense and thick.
If no measures were taken, then the infection passes to the nail plates, which contributes to their rejection and falling off.
Vesicular infection
A less common type of fungal infection of the legs. It usually begins with the fact that under the skin of the legs suddenly appear areas filled with liquid contents, resembling blisters. Most often, blisters develop on the back of the foot, although they can also appear between the toes or in the heel area, as well as on the sole of the foot.
This type of disease can develop after the primary infection. Moreover, a secondary infection can affect both the same areas as the primary one (on the skin of the legs), and other parts of the body. Integuments in these cases, as a rule, begin to be shelled.
moccasin-like fungus
This fungus begins with the manifestation of pain in the foot. Then, during the course of the disease, the skin on the sole gradually thickens, and then begins to crack.
Fungal diseases in this form often affect the nails, which subsequently thicken, begin to crumble, or even fall out altogether.
Manifestation of symptoms and type of fungus
Manifestations of symptoms of toenail fungus depend on the type, as well as the degree and depth of the fungal infection.
The symptoms of nail fungus include the following manifestations:
- the nail looks cloudy, loses its luster;
- the color of the nail changes from yellow to black;
- the surface looks rough, and the nail itself begins to crumble;
- the nail is pathologically thickened or, on the contrary, thinned to an extreme degree;
- there is a painful curvature of the nail plate;
- the cuticle around the diseased nail is either not affected by the fungus, or looks slightly inflamed.
With fungal diseases, it becomes very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to trim the nails without prior preparation, as they are too thick. If the thickened nail presses against the skin underneath, pain may occur.
A fungal infection is a very complex disease, it is not easy to remove it, especially if the disease is running. Therefore, if you notice that "something" is happening, you should immediately consult a doctor, because only the initial stages of this disease are easier and faster to treat.
Urgently to the doctor!
If you notice signs of foot fungus in yourself, do not expect everything to go away, by itself. The longer you have a fungus on your feet, the more difficult it is to cure and the worse it is for the whole body. Prolonged mycosis can cause weakened immunity, allergic reactions and exacerbation of chronic diseases. That is why at the first suspicions, contact a dermatologist or mycologist. The doctor will conduct an examination, determine the degree of the disease, the structure of the affected skin or nail, and make tissue scrapings for analysis. Thus, the doctor will determine the presence of a fungal infection on the legs, its type and prescribe the appropriate treatment, tablets, syrups or injections (in the most difficult cases).
So if you have a very sore sole of your feet, perhaps an old fungus has resumed, immediately seek medical help. It is very important to begin immediate treatment of the fungus in order to recover from an unpleasant disease yourself and to protect others.
The initial stage of nail fungus
Onychomycosis is a common pathology in which pathogenic microorganisms multiply in the depths of the nails and adjacent tissues. As a result, the nail plate is gradually deformed. The initial stage of nail fungus can be effectively treated.
Subject to the recommendations, patients recover within a few months. Further preventive measures will help keep your nails healthy.
How is the initial stage
Symptoms in the early stages of the disease look the same on both the arms and legs. At first, the nail plate changes shade. From pink, it becomes yellowish and dull, sometimes changing to a grayish color. It is possible to change the structure of the plate - tubercles or other bulges appear on it.
In the future, longitudinal stripes, yellow spots or stains are noticeable on the nails. The plate begins to expand and thicken, at the same time it becomes brittle. The skin next to the nail also suffers from fungi, becomes inflamed and reddens. Most often, spore infection occurs on the legs, first of all, onychomycosis develops on the big toe (but there are exceptions).
At the initial stage of the disease, the fungus affects only one side of the nail plate. There are the following types of lesions:
- distal form - the upper part of the nail is affected;
- lateral view - the fungus is located on the sides of the plate;
- superficial lesion - the surface of the plate suffers;
- proximal form - the periungual roller is affected.
In the photo you can see the appearance of the nails, at the initial stage of onychomycosis.
How is the treatment
If you suspect onychomycosis, you should seek help from a dermatologist. The doctor will examine the nails, if necessary, take a scraping for the presence of mycelial fungi. After making a diagnosis, the doctor will tell you how to treat the disease.
Local therapy is aimed at eliminating inflammation, restoring the blood supply to the diseased nail. Preparations can be in the form of varnishes, sprays, lotions. They are applied to the affected nail plates, to the skin around them.
The most famous antifungal agents:
- varnishes. They are applied several times a week. Active substances penetrate deep into the nail. They are among the most powerful anti-fungal agents;
- cream. Designed for the treatment of skin and periungual ridges. They are treated with healthy nails to protect them from the penetration of the fungus;
- drops. The drugs are applied to diseased nails. 1 - 2 drops;
- lotion kills fungi on the surface layers of the nail.
Sprays are used as a convenient prophylactic against onychomycosis. They process the soles of the feet, fingers and shoes.
In addition to local treatment, doctors conduct systemic therapy. The patient is taking antimycotic tablets or capsules. They kill the infection and help to quickly cope with the pathology.
Other treatments
- Laser therapy - the impact on microorganisms by laser beams. At the initial stages of the disease, it is enough for the patient to undergo only three to four procedures. The method not only kills pathogenic fungi, but also improves blood circulation.
- Ozone therapy - an injection of ozone is injected into the skin near the affected nail plates. Cells are saturated with ozone, resist infections. Immunity increases in the body. But this procedure is effective only in the initial stages of the disease.
Both methods only complement the traditional treatment at the initial stage. They are prescribed along with pills and topical treatments.
How traditional medicine can help
To cure the fungus in the early stages will help the advice of traditional healers. Their advantage is that natural products are used, without chemical additives.
The main methods of treatment include:
- Apple cider vinegar - dilute it in equal proportions with warm water. Take a bath, take it for 15 minutes. Do the procedure every day until the disappearance of all symptoms. But apple cider vinegar is only suitable for treating foot fungus.
- At the first stages of onychomycosis, ordinary hydrogen peroxide actively suppresses the fungus. Soak your fingers in water with the addition of soda (a tablespoon per two liters of hot water). Soak cotton pads in peroxide, place them on the affected nails and fix with a band-aid. Wear the compress for at least 40 minutes.
- Tea tree essential oil helps in the treatment. This antiseptic is used as an additional remedy at all degrees of the disease. Rub a few drops of the extract into the affected nail plates, do not wash off the oil. Carry out therapy from 2 weeks until complete cure. But this method is not suitable for children and women in an interesting position.
- Soda baths help in the fight against fungi. Dilute a tablespoon of soda and a few drops of liquid soap (or grated laundry soap) in two liters of hot water. Dip your hands or feet in the solution. Keep them on for 15-20 minutes. Then treat your nails with medicines or antiseptics.
- Regular treatment of nail plates with iodine helps to get rid of onychomycosis. Every day, lubricate the nail with a solution of iodine. You can make antiseptic baths - add a bottle of iodine to three liters of water, keep your feet or hands in it for 10 minutes.
After baths and other folk remedies, nails, fingers, and the skin between the fingers should be thoroughly dried. Then put on your socks.
What are the complications
If the problem is ignored, the fungus will not disappear on its own, microorganisms will constantly multiply.
This is fraught with consequences:
- complete deformation of the nail plate;
- the disease becomes chronic;
- the infection will spread to healthy nail plates;
- the immune system will decrease, a favorable environment will be created for the development of other viral or bacterial infections.
Prevention rules
Treatment of onychomycosis is lengthy and requires financial investments. Preventive measures will help protect yourself from the fungus, although they cannot be called a panacea for the disease.
These include:
- do not wear other people's things or shoes. As a last resort, treat them with antifungal drugs;
- use only personal hygiene products - towels, scissors, nail file;
- in public places (saunas, baths or swimming pools) walk only in rubber shoes;
- do not try on new shoes in a store or market on bare feet, wear socks.
Relapse is a common occurrence. It is observed in 6 - 8% of cases from the number of recovered people.
Conclusion
Fungal diseases affect people, regardless of age and gender. Not everyone knows what the fungus looks like in the early stages and do not attach importance to changes in the nails. Treatment at the initial stage of the disease is easy, new and healthy ones grow in place of the affected nails.
Therapy is prescribed by a dermatologist, in addition to local methods, a comprehensive course of treatment with antimycotic drugs is carried out. In the initial stages of onychomycosis, along with traditional medicines, folk recipes can also be used.