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 suffer from it.
Ringworm (fungus) is a skin disease caused by parasitic fungi. It can be easily acquired through 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 humid environment, so public places such as saunas, baths, water parks, beaches and swimming pools are considered potentially dangerous. English doctors call this disease "symptom of athlete's foot", because athletes wear closed, poorly breathing shoes, inside which moisture accumulates.
Mycoses are very insidious, despite the apparent simplicity of the disease, they are difficult to cure and tend to recur.
Recognize as soon as possible
Treatment of mycosis is a rather time-consuming and complex process, so it is important to determine as soon as possible what the fungus on the legs looks like, the reasons for its appearance and start acting. The fungus usually first appears between the toes. Then, if left untreated, the infection invades the nail plate, leading to nail destruction. If the cause is an infection in a pedicure salon, then the disease begins in the nail plates.
Often, after infection, the fungus makes itself felt soon, and you immediately realize that "something" is wrong. But the manifestations of the fungus on the legs can be of a different character: hidden or pronounced. That is why it is necessary to find 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, from 3 to 14 days), at which time the disease does not manifest itself.
The first symptoms that should make you think about visiting a dermatologist could be:
- The skin on the legs looks reddened or covered with spots, itches, burns. It causes terrible discomfort, you always want to scratch your legs. This sign of foot fungus is observed in 99% of cases of the disease.
- Thickening or roughness of the skin on the feet. Often this sign of toe fungus is ignored as it looks like a callus or calluses.
- Blisters with fluid on the affected areas of the skin. If the patient combs them, an infection can get into them, and then bubbles burst, suppurate, and erosions, ulcers, abscesses appear on the skin.
- Cracks appear between the fingers. Most often, the defeat of foot fungus begins in the spaces between the toes (between the first and second or fourth and fifth). Cracks can cause discomfort or even pain.
- If timely treatment is not started, the skin on the legs becomes rough and takes on the appearance of scales, while excessively dry skin on the legs is observed - a sure sign that you have a fungus. Later, the affected areas of the skin (fingers, heel, foot) appear softened, covered with a whitish layer.
- Feet smell bad.
- The skin on the legs looks pathologically shiny.
- Edema appears. This suggests that you have chronic foot fungus.
interdigital infection
The onset of an interdigital infection starts with the skin between your toes looking very pale, tender and moist, and can show symptoms such as burning skin and mild foot odor. If the infection is left untreated, a bacterial infection is added to the fungal infection. And this, in turn, leads to the appearance of a bad smell on the feet.
Interdigital infection can be complicated even with treatment. Cracking and flaking develop until the skin becomes very dense and thick.
If no measures are taken, the infection moves 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 starts with the fact that areas filled with liquid content, similar to bubbles, suddenly appear under the skin of the legs. 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. Also, a secondary infection can affect both the same areas as the primary (in the skin of the legs) and other parts of the body. Integuments in these cases, as a rule, begin to be peeled.
moccasin fungus
This fungus begins with the manifestation of pain in the foot. So, during the course of the disease, the skin on the sole gradually thickens and begins to crack.
Fungal diseases in this form most often affect the nails, which subsequently thicken, begin to crumble or even completely fall off.
Manifestation of symptoms and type of fungus
Manifestations of toenail fungus symptoms depend on the type, as well as the degree and depth of the fungal infection.
Symptoms of nail fungus include the following manifestations:
- the nail becomes cloudy, loses its shine;
- nail color 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 unaffected by the fungus or appears slightly inflamed.
With fungal diseases, it becomes very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to trim the nails without prior preparation, as they are very thick. If the thick nail presses against the skin underneath, pain can 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 see that "something" is happening, you should immediately consult a doctor, since only the initial stages of this disease are easier and faster to treat.
Urgently to the doctor!
If you notice signs of toenail fungus on yourself, don't expect it all to go away by itself. The longer you have foot fungus, the harder it is to cure and the worse it is for your whole body. Prolonged mycosis can cause weakened immunity, allergic reactions and exacerbation of chronic diseases. Therefore, at the first suspicions, look for 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 take tissue scrapings for analysis. So, the doctor will determine the presence of mycosis on the legs, its type and prescribe the appropriate treatment, tablets, syrups or injections (in the most difficult cases).
Therefore, if you have a very painful sole of your feet, perhaps an old fungus has returned, seek medical help immediately. It is very important to start fungus treatment right away to recover from an unpleasant illness and 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 early stage of nail fungus can be treated effectively.
Subject to the recommendations, patients recover within a few months. Other preventative measures will help keep your nails healthy.
How is the initial phase
Symptoms in the early stages of the disease look the same on the arms and legs. At first, the nail plate changes its 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 bumps appear on it.
In the future, longitudinal stripes, yellow spots or spots are noticeable on the nails. The plaque begins to expand and thicken, at the same time becoming brittle. The skin near the nail also suffers from fungus, it becomes inflamed and reddened. 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 injuries:
- distal form - the upper part of the nail is affected;
- side view - the fungus is located on the sides of the plate;
- superficial injury - the surface of the plaque suffers;
- proximal form - the nail roller is affected.
In the photo you can see the appearance of the nails, in 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 to detect 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 blood supply to the diseased nail. Preparations can be in the form of varnishes, sprays, lotions. They are applied to the affected nail plates, 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 antifungal agents;
- cream. Designed for the treatment of skin and periungual folds. Are treated with healthy nails to protect them from fungus penetration;
- drops. Drugs are applied to diseased nails. 1 - 2 drops;
- lotion kills fungus in 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 carry out systemic therapy. The patient is taking antifungal pills or capsules. They kill the infection and help to quickly deal with the pathology.
Other treatments
- Laser therapy - the impact on microorganisms by laser beams. In the early 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 ozone injection 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 early stages of the disease.
Both methods only complement traditional treatment in the initial phase. They are prescribed along with pills and topical treatments.
How traditional medicine can help
To cure the fungus in the early stages, the advice of traditional healers will help. Its advantage is that natural products are used, without chemical additives.
The main treatment methods include:
- Apple cider vinegar - dilute in equal proportions with warm water. Take a shower, take it for 15 minutes. Do the procedure every day until all symptoms disappear. But apple cider vinegar is only suitable for treating foot fungus.
- In the early stages of onychomycosis, ordinary hydrogen peroxide actively suppresses the fungus. Soak your fingers in water with the addition of soda (one tablespoon per two liters of hot water). Soak cotton pads in hydrogen peroxide, place them on the affected nails and fix with a band-aid. Use the compress for at least 40 minutes.
- Tea tree essential oil helps with the treatment. This antiseptic is used as an additional remedy in all degrees of the disease. Rub a few drops of the extract on the affected nails, do not wash off the oil. Carry out 2-week therapy until complete healing. But this method is not suitable for children and women in an interesting position.
- Soda baths help fight fungus. Dilute a tablespoon of soda and a few drops of liquid soap (or grated washing powder) in two liters of hot water. Dip your hands or feet in the solution. Keep them for 15-20 minutes. Then treat the nails with medication or antiseptics.
- Regular treatment of nail plates with iodine helps to get rid of onychomycosis. Every day, lubricate the nail with an iodine solution. You can make antiseptic baths - add a bottle of iodine to three liters of water, hold your feet or hands for 10 minutes.
After baths and other folk remedies, nails, fingers and the skin between the fingers must be thoroughly dried. Then put on the socks.
What are the complications
If the problem is ignored, the fungus will not go away 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 time consuming 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 medications;
- 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 barefoot, wear socks.
Relapse is a common occurrence. It is observed in 6 - 8% of cases from the number of people recovered.
Conclusion
Fungal diseases affect people regardless of age and gender. Not everyone knows what the fungus looks like in the early stages and does 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 treatment with antimycotic drugs is carried out. In the early stages of onychomycosis, along with traditional remedies, folk recipes can also be used.