Foot fungus infection occurs through contact with a sick person or animal, as well as through soil, water or plants.It is important to recognize and treat the disease in time.
There are different types of foot fungus and only a doctor can correctly identify the type by carrying out a series of tests.After that, the specialist will prescribe a course that will allow you to quickly cope with the disease.
Intertriginous (interdigital) form
This form of the disease is considered the most common.It is usually activated in summer.The development of the disease begins with lesions on the skin of the feet between the third and fourth, as well as between the fourth and fifth toes, and then gradually spreads to all folds.The main symptoms of this fungus are:
- the appearance of cracks in the skin;
- the presence of a white border, indicating detachment of the upper layer of the skin;
- the appearance of weeping wounds;
- burning and itching sensation;
- formation of erosions at the site of cracks;
- loosening of the skin as the disease progresses and disruption of its protective functions.
The interdigital form occurs in most cases against the background of the squamous form.This disease is treated with ointments.In the initial phase, you can do without the use of tablets.
An experienced specialist will tell you what fungi are and select effective therapy for your feet.Antifungal medications will alleviate the illness in one to three weeks.The main thing is not to forget to apply the prescribed medicine to your feet twice a day.
This form of the disease has a chronic course.It is not easy to determine at the initial stage.Therefore, patients often consult a doctor when the disease is present in all folds between the fingers.In this case, treatment may take longer.
Squamous-hyperkeratotic form
In most cases, this disease affects one foot and, in the absence of adequate treatment, spreads to the other.The skin in this form of the disease undergoes radical changes.Keratinized cells completely cover the foot.The skin on the feet begins to become rough and then crack.In hyperketarosis, the heels are also prone to cracking.The appearance of erosions is accompanied by burning and itching.The patient feels pain.
The main symptoms of the squamous-hyperkeratic form are:
- skin redness;
- itching and peeling;
- proliferation of keratinized cells;
- the appearance of rough calluses, including on the heels.
This disease can also affect the nail plate.Over time, it loses transparency, changes shade and shape.In advanced stages, the nail often begins to crumble.Treating the disease at this stage is not easy.In this case, in addition to external remedies, the doctor may prescribe a series of pills.Combination medicines are mainly used for treatment.The duration of the course is determined by a specialist.Medications are selected based on the type of foot fungus the patient has been exposed to.
Dyshidrotic form
This form is also called vesicular.It is extremely rare.The disease is accompanied by the appearance of blisters or blisters of small diameter.At first they are solitary, but gradually they grow and explode.After that, ulcers form.This disease is not easy to treat.It is complicated by the fact that viruses and bacteria easily penetrate the human body through cracks and erosions.Often, diseases such as eczema, lymphadenitis and others with similar symptoms develop in parallel with the fungus.
You should consult a specialist if the following signs of the disease are observed:
- pain and itching in the affected area of the feet;
- the appearance of erosions and fissures;
- severe peeling of the skin on the feet;
- the appearance of vesicles or blisters on the skin.
Often, in the absence of adequate treatment, this disease takes on a bacterial form.In this case, the transparent contents of the vesicles become purulent and cloudy.The patient develops severe headaches and an increase in body temperature.Treatment of this disease involves complex therapy.The doctor prescribes topical antifungal agents and tablets.
Form deleted
This type of disease is not immediately recognized.The fact is that the symptoms of the form are erased and practically do not bother the patient.An erased type of fungus is accompanied by flour-like peeling of the skin.It looks like the foot is covered in fine flour.Small cracks appear between the toes, almost invisible to the naked eye.The person feels a slight itch.There is no redness.
This form of the disease is difficult to treat.The patient seeks qualified help only if the erased form develops into onychomycosis.Precious time is lost and recovery can take a long time.
Onychomycosis
In this case, we mean a disease accompanied by fungal infection of the nail plates.There are several varieties of this form of the disease:
- damage by mold fungi;
- hypertrophic form;
- atrophic.
In the first case, the disease develops against the background of other nail lesions.Often the nail plate changes color, becoming black, green or brown.The nail bed becomes inflamed.
In the hypertrophic form of the disease, the plaque turns yellow and thickens.The nail breaks easily, revealing thickened, scaly skin.
In atrophic onychomycosis, the skin under the nail becomes rough and the plate becomes thinner.If treatment is not started on time, the disease can completely destroy the nail plate and nail bed.
Rubrophyte
This disease is also called rubromycosis.It is characterized by dryness and peeling of the skin, as well as blood vessels.The disease develops gradually, with virtually no symptoms.Therefore, the user does not notice this immediately.Burning sensation and itching appear only in the later stages.At this stage the symptoms are as follows:
- the appearance of blisters and blisters;
- plates spread throughout the sole;
- pain when walking, which appears as the number of blisters increases.
A specialist will only be able to prescribe treatment after carrying out a series of tests and studying the clinical picture.The microscopy carried out allows us to determine which types of fungi exist and how the feet are infected.The treatment is carried out with exfoliating agents (keratolytics).The specialist will prescribe an ointment or cream that contains salicylic acid.The course also includes the use of antifungals.In advanced cases, tablets are used in addition to therapy.If it is necessary to eliminate damage to the nail plates, special formulations are prescribed.
Candidiasis of the feet
This disease is quite rare.Fungi of the genus Candida, which contribute to the development of the disease, are present in everyone's body and are considered conditionally pathogenic.If they actively reproduce, unpleasant consequences are possible.The development of pathogenic fungi is often associated with a decrease in immunity, which develops against the background of regular stress and overwork of the body.Occupational or domestic injuries or frequent use of closed shoes in the summer can contribute to the onset of the disease.
Symptoms of candidiasis:
- hyperemia (overflow of blood vessels);
- separation of skin layers from each other;
- itching and peeling;
- the appearance of small flat blisters on the foot;
- pronounced swelling.
Medicines are prescribed individually, according to the stage of the disease.As a rule, this is complex therapy, which includes local and systemic medications.
It is important to take preventive measures to avoid developing one of the forms of the fungus.They are quite simple:
- do not wear someone else's shoes;
- do pedicures and manicures only with sterilized instruments;
- choose comfortable shoes that allow your skin to “breathe”.
By following these simple rules, it will not be difficult to prevent the disease.