Among all fungal diseases, mycoses (fungal lesions) of the skin on the feet are the most common. They are also called ringworm or athlete's foot. Approximately 30% of the population has problems with diseases of a fungal nature. Almost half of the patients never go to the doctor with them, spreading the fungus among loved ones. Microscopic pathogens affect the dermis (skin) or nails. In the latter case, they speak of onychomycosis.
Why are the feet most commonly affected?
Various fungi are always present on the skin. Their reproduction is restrained by beneficial bacteria and skin secrets. In case of violations in the work of immunity, shifts in the composition of the skin microflora, a favorable time arises for fungi - they can multiply freely. Entrance gates for infection can serve as regular damage:
- scratches;
- cracks;
- chafing.
Another cause of mycoses is endocrine disorders. In case of malfunctions in the work of the endocrine glands, not only the balance of hormones changes, but also the work of the whole organism. Including, the composition of skin secrets changes, because of which they lose their bactericidal properties. Fungi can feed on them, which also promotes reproduction.
Other factors also contribute to the weakening of protective forces:
- alimentary exhaustion (malnutrition);
- avitaminosis;
- excessive physical and psycho-emotional stress;
- concussions;
- regular stress.
All these are non-specific causes of fungal skin lesions. Because of them, mycosis of the feet, smooth skin on the body or mucous membranes can develop.
In addition, there are special types of fungi (genus Trichophyton or Microsporum) - pathogenic (pathogenic). When in contact with the skin or on its surface, they cause disease. In the case of the feet, the disease is called rubromycosis. On the body, these pathogens form specific spots - lichen. You can get infected from a person or an animal.
The skin of the feet is a special place for fungi. There are always a lot of keratinized cells. Microbes are used as housing and food. "Rampant" fungus contributes to sweating of the feet. In closed shoes, a moist environment rich in nutrients is formed on the feet - the "dream" of every fungus. If a person neglects foot hygiene, does not dry and disinfect shoes, the infection first multiplies in it, and then it passes to the feet of the "owner". Poor hygiene products, dryness, synthetic socks also contribute to the spread of a fungal infection.
Signs of a fungus, noticeable visually
Treatment of dermatomycosis is easier, the earlier the disease is diagnosed. In advanced cases, therapy is long-term, it involves taking pills and using external agents. In the initial stages of mycosis, ointments can be dispensed with. It is important to be able to recognize the early symptoms of the fungus in order to see a doctor in time.
What the fungus looks like depends on the form of mycosis. Fungal infection of the feet can occur in 3 different variations, as well as in a mixed form - when signs of three main varieties are present on the legs at the same time.
Intertriginous form
A type of tinea pedis that primarily affects the skin between the toes. The first symptom of the disease is the appearance of a painful crack between the 3rd and 4th or 4th and 5th hoops of the foot. The damage is small, but it causes inconvenience while washing the feet and walking.
If you carefully examine the wound, a whitish fringe is noticeable around it (example in the photo). This is how the edges of the skin look around the crack that has peeled off. The wound can itch, ooze, increase, or vice versa - periodically heal, then reappear.
In some cases, the crack heals, but the skin continues to be shed, hyperkeratosis (thickening of the dermis) develops, corns and calluses appear. With the advanced intertriginous form, the cracks become larger (example in the photo), appear between other fingers, the skin constantly gets wet. It is difficult for the patient to move around, wear any shoes.
With the progress of this form, the crack increases in size. Similar signs appear on the second foot. Thick and large layers of skin exfoliate around the wound. The second (attached) end is not rejected and attempts to remove the keratinized part with the fingers end in additional damage to the foot.
This type of foot fungus is the most common. The manifestation of pathology at first is not accompanied by any symptoms. As a rule, the infection develops between the 3rd and 4th fingers and does not change the color and structure of the skin until a certain point. After that, wet cracks and layers of the skin appear.
The foot itself remains unharmed, however, if the fungus is affected, the feet may sweat more than usual. Therapy of the fungus of the intertriginous form is characterized by medium complexity.
Dyshidrotic form
With this form, the first signs of a fungus on the skin are bubbles on the arch of the foot. Most often - near the heel. The surface becomes dry, deep seals appear on it (feel like nodules). Later, they noticeably rise above the plane of the skin, as they are filled with liquid. Vesicles (vesicles) are usually small - from 2 to 5 mm in diameter. They can merge, forming larger ones - bullae. Other symptoms include pain and itching around the rash.
The progress of the dyshidrotic form of mycosis is manifested by the bursting of blisters. In their place, small or large erosions are formed. Often they become infected with bacteria and begin to boil. Erosions do not heal for a long time, making walking painful. In some cases, erosion disappears, and dryness appears in their place.
squamous form
With the progression of the disease, severe hyperkeratosis develops on the feet. The size and number of cracks increases. The largest ones may bleed. Such damage is the way for the invasion of other pathogenic microbes into the body. Therefore, the wounds periodically become inflamed, can abscess. The most common form of foot fungus is manifested by increased dryness of the skin on the plantar part of the limb. It may mean a recent accession of the fungus, or vice versa - be the result of the development of other forms.
On the arch of the foot and in the center, the dermis becomes dry, thin, shiny, covered with a mesh of furrows. In the area of the fingers and heels, hyperkeratosis is observed - rapid keratinization, in which dead particles do not have time to exfoliate. Calluses or corns form on the forefoot. There are small cracks on the heels. The entire surface is rough due to pronounced peeling. The patient may experience itching. With prolonged development of mycosis, this symptom is absent.
You can determine the fungus on the legs by excessive dryness, unpleasant odor, itching and constant peeling of the skin.
Onychomycosis
Onychomycosis is a type of fungus of the foot (or palms), which affects the appendages of the skin - the nails. Nail fungus can be caused by the same pathogens that provoke skin mycoses. Get infected with mold and other types of mono fungi in the manicure room, on the beach, when trying on new shoes on your bare feet, when going to the sauna or pool. An ingrown toenail may be a contributing factor. The thumb is most commonly affected.
When it hits the nail plate, the fungus begins to divide. It penetrates deep into the nail, spreads over its area. The first signs by which you can determine the fungus in the nails are the loss of shine, the appearance of spots (white, yellow, brown, greenish), a change in the shape of the nail plate.
As the disease progresses, the structure of the nail changes in the zone of discoloration (it thickens, becomes bumpy, loose).
Running fungus on the toenails looks like thick yellow growths. It is difficult to care for the affected nail plates. Before each trimming, you have to do hot foot baths. After contact with water, the nails become softer and easier to remove with manicure tools.
If the nail fungus is not treated, onycholysis begins - the plate completely or partially exfoliates. After removing its remnants, the nail does not always grow back. Sometimes the process of detachment ends with a complete loss of nails.
General principles of treatment
The fungus on the feet is treated with ointments, creams, solutions, special varnishes. In parallel, the patient is prescribed antifungal tablets.
For the entire duration of treatment, careful foot hygiene, weekly cutting and sawing of the damaged part are shown. Every day, the patient must remove the keratinized layer of cells from the surface of the feet, using a pedicure file.
It is also important to carefully care for shoes - treat them with antifungal drugs or disinfectants. Shoes are dried and aired daily in the open air.
External means
Only ointment or cream is prescribed in the initial stages of foot fungus. For treatment, a cream and other drugs are prescribed. They are applied to the skin 1-2 times a day, after thoroughly washing the feet with a simple soap. Before using creams, it is important to completely dry the feet. Do not apply medication to wet skin. After treatment, the patient should wear cotton socks.
Tablets
It is impossible to treat the fungus with pills on your own. All drugs adversely affect the functioning of the liver and kidneys, have a number of contraindications. Before prescribing a course of antifungal tablets, the specialist will recommend taking a general and biochemical blood test, which can be used to assess the condition of vital organs.
Preparations for nails
Useful in the treatment of onychomycosis and foot fungus. In the first case, they are used to eliminate the affected part of the nail, in the second - to prevent infection of the nail plates with fungi.
It is most convenient to be treated with varnishes - they are applied to the nails 1-2 times a week. The most affordable medicines for nail fungus are solutions, they are applied to the nails 2 times a day until complete recovery. Special gels are popular. They improve the condition of the affected nails visually, along the way, stop the reproduction of the fungus. Ointments are also prescribed for onychomycosis. They are applied in a thick layer on the affected plates, covered with a bandage, kept like that until the product is completely absorbed. The treatment is repeated twice a day.
Preventing foot fungus is much easier than treating it. To do this, you need to lead a healthy lifestyle, take your own slippers to the pool and sauna, regularly wash and air your shoes, wear socks made of natural fabric, and use anti-perspiration products. With regular visits to "wet" establishments, you should use antifungal creams prophylactically - treat the skin of the feet 1-2 times a week.