Methods for treating foot fungus

Toenail fungus is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms localized on the skin, in the spaces between the toes and nail plates.It brings significant discomfort and provokes serious complications.Let's take a closer look at how to treat foot fungus in order to prevent the disease from becoming chronic and eliminate relapses.

Causes and symptoms of foot fungus

The disease is caused by Trichophyton rubrum spores and other yeasts and molds..Under favorable conditions, they multiply quickly, rapidly worsening the condition of the legs.

Doctors identify several factors that contribute to the development of pathogenic microflora:

• weakened immune system;
• excessive sweating of the feet;
• shoes that are not the right size;
• corns, calluses, scratches on the feet;
• chronic infectious and endocrine diseases;
• long-term use of antibiotics;
• lack of hygiene;
• wearing shoes made of artificial materials that do not allow air to pass through;
• flat feet.

Children are more susceptible to mycotic infections.Their immunity is not yet fully developed, the skin on their feet is too thin, so fungi easily penetrate the body and begin to multiply.

When the skin of the feet becomes infected, unpleasant symptoms quickly appear.Most often, primary infection occurs in the spaces between the toes, gradually spreading to the foot.Many pathogens also affect the nail plates, causing the development of onychomycosis - nail fungus.

The pathology has several stages, which are characterized by certain signs.

1. The initial stage is hidden, making itself felt by slight peeling between the fingers, to which a person rarely attaches importance.
2. Then small cracks form, peeling intensifies and smoothly covers the side of the foot.The skin becomes covered with small scaly plates, and squamous mycosis develops.
3. Gradually the symptoms worsen.Itching, burning appears, the affected area thickens and becomes rough.When the fungus becomes hyperkeratotic, the epidermis loses its elasticity and a skin pattern clearly appears on it.The burning between the fingers intensifies.
4. If the intertriginous stage begins, the disease often affects the nails.Yellow-brown spots appear on them, they become deformed and crumble.The patient is constantly bothered by an unpleasant odor emanating from his feet.The skin peels off, small ulcers and deep cracks form, causing pain when walking.

The advanced form of the disease leads to a rash appearing between the fingers and on the feet.Small dense bubbles often merge with each other.When they burst, weeping wounds remain in their place and are very itchy.

Routes of infection

Fungal spores remain viable in the environment for a long time, so it is easy to become infected with the disease in the most unexpected places.But the most favorable conditions for their development are warmth and high humidity. 

Due to this, people visiting the following are at risk:

• swimming pools;
• baths;
• saunas;
• fitness centers;
• beaches.

Fungus can appear on any things located there, even if regular disinfection is carried out.Therefore, in such places you should avoid common objects and be sure to take replacement shoes with you.

Military personnel are at risk.Most often, soldiers in the army wear uncomfortable shoes that do not allow air to pass through.Because of this, the feet sweat, microtraumas appear, into which the fungus penetrates.

There are two types of infection.The first is the direct path through direct contact with the infectious agent while communicating with a sick person, caring for an animal, or walking barefoot on the ground and sand.The second - the indirect route leads to infection through objects belonging to infected people or pets.

Diagnostics

For fungal treatment to be successful, consultation with a dermatologist is necessary.The specialist will conduct a visual inspection, carefully examining the lesions.

To make a correct diagnosis, it is important to tell the doctor about all alarming symptoms and report previously suffered mycoses and other diseases.

To accurately determine the presence of infection and the type of pathogen, the doctor must take blood, a nail or skin scraping for analysis.Laboratory tests must be carried out without fail.There are more than 500 species of fungi that have different thresholds for drug resistance and require different treatment tactics.

1. Microscopic examination reveals the presence of fungi.The sample is treated with special preparations and examined under a microscope, trying to find spores.This test allows you to determine the presence of fungus and its concentration.
2. More accurate results are provided by bacterial culture.Biological material is placed in a nutrient medium.If pathogenic cells are present in the scraping, fungal colonies begin to grow from them, which are subject to careful examination.The analysis takes from 2 days to 4 weeks.The time depends on the type of infection.
3. PCR - polymerase chain reaction - is necessary to identify the specific type of fungus by identifying the DNA of the pathogen.This requires scraping from the affected area.The test performance is about 100%.
4. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA) is taken from a vein and allows you to identify the titer of antibodies to a specific pathogen and find out the exact cause of the disease.

You should go to the hospital if there are any changes in your skin condition.Even minor flaking and itching between the fingers cannot be ignored.Otherwise, the disease will affect the foot and nails, and it will be more difficult to cure.

Treatment

Fungus on the feet requires an integrated approach.The intensity of treatment depends on the type of infection and the extent of damage to the skin and nails.

Therapy includes medications for internal and external use and careful hygiene.The use of traditional medicine recipes is suitable as an auxiliary method.

Medicines

The treatment regimen should be prescribed by a doctor based on the patient’s clinical picture.For the treatment of adults, medications in capsules or tablets, antifungal creams and ointments are used.Control methods are aimed at eliminating pathological microorganisms and healing the skin.Medications should not be stopped until complete recovery..

Creams

Productive treatment of fungus is provided by creams.They have a light texture and are quickly absorbed.When choosing a product, you need to take into account contraindications for use and follow the recommendations of a specialist.

The cream should be applied regularly, after thoroughly washing the skin with laundry soap and drying it.

Ointments

The choice of antifungal ointments is very wide.Before starting treatment, allergic reactions and other side effects should be excluded. 

If fungal infection of the feet is complicated by a secondary infection and other remedies do not bring the expected result, the dermatologist prescribes ointments based on glucocorticosteroids.

Medicines quickly relieve inflammation and stop the disease at any stage, but have many contraindications.They must be taken strictly according to the instructions, without exceeding the dosage. 

An effective remedy to remove all signs of fungus is an ointment with salicylic acid.This is a simple and inexpensive drug that can be used in two ways:

• treat the affected area 3 times a day;
• Before going to bed, apply the product under the bandage and leave overnight.

After compresses, the skin may peel and peel a lot.You can easily get rid of such manifestations with soda baths (1 tablespoon of soda per 1 liter of hot water).The procedure should be done every other day throughout the entire treatment.

Pills

To enhance the effectiveness of therapy, the use of external agents is often combined with internal medication.Tablets can have a strong effect on the body as a whole, so they should not be taken uncontrollably.

It is recommended to treat nail fungus with fungistatic and fungicidal drugs that suppress the growth of the fungal colony and destroy pathogenic flora.

The list of antifungal drugs is varied.A dermatologist may recommend various medications based on your medical history and symptoms.The doctor sets the rules for admission.You must strictly follow his instructions.

Folk remedies

You can achieve recovery faster by using traditional methods as additional therapy.To get rid of mycosis of the feet, use:

• warm baths;
• homemade ointments;
• compresses;
• lotions from medicinal herbs.

Before treatment, it is important to make sure that there is no individual intolerance to the components of traditional recipes.

Ointments for fungus

Homemade ointments help combat pathogenic flora.

1. Copper sulfate, yellow sulfur and goose fat are combined in equal proportions in an enamel container and stirred thoroughly.Place on low heat, bring to a boil and turn off.The mixture needs to be cooled and transferred to a glass jar.Store in a cool, dark place.Apply to affected areas morning and evening until all symptoms disappear.
2. You can prepare a simpler recipe.You will need to take goose fat and wood ash in equal proportions.Knead the ingredients together until smooth.Use twice daily, applying generously to affected areas.

Compresses and masks

1. A good remedy for fungus is an onion-garlic mask.You need to peel 2-3 cloves of garlic and a small onion.Grind and spread the pulp in a thick layer on the affected skin.Cover with cellophane, bandage and put on socks.It is advisable to carry out the procedure in the evening and leave the mask on until the morning.After waking up, the bandage should be removed and the body washed with water.Treatment should be carried out daily until recovery.
2. A mixture of celandine and tea tree oil is useful for a compress.Oil is added to a tablespoon of crushed dry vegetable raw materials.You should get a thick paste.It needs to be applied to the places where the fungus is located, wrap the leg in polyethylene and insulate it.Apply the compress at night regularly for at least 2 weeks.
3. An effective base for a compress is obtained from medicinal herbs.You need to pour 400 ml of sunflower or olive oil into the pan.Add 1 tablespoon each of calendula flowers, peppermint, comfrey and rose radiola.Put on fire and warm up to 60 degrees.Turn off and place in a dark place for a day.Then filter.Use the oil mixture as a compress for 1 hour, 2 times a day.The method has a gentle effect, so it can be used to treat a child, provided there is no allergy to herbs.

Baths

1. The simplest bath for foot fungus is made from salt and baking soda.You need to dissolve the ingredients in warm water at the rate of 1 spoon of soda and 1 spoon of salt per 1 liter of water.Immerse your feet in the liquid and hold for 15 minutes.Finally, rinse the limbs under the tap and dry.
2. The herb milkweed is suitable for preparing a bath.You need to measure out 3 tablespoons of dry grass and pour 3 liters of boiling water over them.Wrap in a towel and leave for 4 hours.Strain, warm slightly and pour into a bowl.Keep your feet in the liquid for about half an hour.The frequency of the procedure is 1 time every 2 days.Duration 1 month.
3. Strong coffee inhibits the development of pathogenic spores.You need to brew a drink (1 tablespoon of ground coffee per 250 ml of water).When it has cooled to a comfortable temperature, pour it into a basin and place your feet there for 20 minutes.It is important that the areas affected by the fungus are covered with water.Treatment can be carried out daily for a long time.

Herbal washes and lotions

Many medicinal herbs have a pronounced antifungal effect.To treat mycosis of the feet, it is useful to use a healing herb.

You will need:

• calendula flowers;
• oak bark;
• dried blackberries;
• verbena herb.

The components must be mixed in equal proportions.Take 3 spoons of the mixture, add 500 ml of water and place in a water bath.Simmer for 20 minutes, cool and pass through a filter.You need to wash your feet and toes with the herbal decoction 2-3 times a day and apply lotions to the affected areas for half an hour.

Alcohol tincture of propolis helps fight disease.It can be purchased at a pharmacy.Gauze is soaked in the liquid and applied to the feet for 30 minutes or the affected areas are wiped with a cotton swab 3 times a day.

Prevention

Foot fungus is an insidious disease that requires serious treatment.To reduce the likelihood of infection, proper prevention is necessary.It is recommended to follow simple rules:

• avoid high humidity;
• do not try on someone else's shoes;
• maintain foot hygiene.

It is important to control sweating.For this you can use regular talc.To keep your skin healthy and not cracked, you need to regularly lubricate it with moisturizer and take baking soda baths once a week.

During treatment, bedding should be boiled, socks should be changed daily and washed thoroughly in hot water.Manicure accessories must be systematically disinfected.To prevent re-infection, it is necessary to treat the inside of the shoes with table vinegar or medical alcohol.