There are a huge number of fungi in the world, but only a few can infect the human body. Diseases caused by these microorganisms are called mycoses. People call these diseases fungi. The skin of the legs is the most affected. According to medical research, mycoses are the second most common skin disease. It is necessary to start fighting foot fungus as soon as possible. By seeking medical help in a timely manner, a person will not only quickly get rid of the problem, but also protect loved ones from infections.
Signs of foot fungus (symptoms)
At an early stage of the development of the disease, nothing may bother the patient. People attribute slight discomfort on the skin of the legs to many other reasons and are in no hurry to seek medical help. The first obvious symptoms appear when the fungus has spread significantly. The patient experiences:
- redness of the skin of the feet;
- unpleasant foot odor;
- itching and burning;
- peeling of the skin.
The signs of the disease can vary greatly depending on its form. The most common is the intertriginous type. It causes the following symptoms of foot fungus:
- burning sensation in the feet;
- the appearance of cracks on the skin;
- peeling of the epidermis.
At the site of deep cracks, erosive areas may appear. They bring serious discomfort to the patient, because when walking they cause pronounced pain. Subsequently, the skin on the legs becomes very loose, which leads to a significant decrease in local immunity. As a result, secondary infections are added to the fungal infection, which cause:
- extensive inflammation of the skin of the feet;
- suppuration of the affected areas;
- swelling and pain in the legs.
The fungus can also affect the nails. This type of disease is called onychomycosis. Its appearance will be indicated by a change in the color of the plate, its thickening or thinning. If left untreated, the fungus causes damage to all of the nails or their complete loss.
Causes of the disease
The disease is caused by several types of parasitic fungi. Most often, the disease occurs when affected by dermatophytes or trichophyton red. It is possible to determine how to treat foot fungus only after identifying the causative agent. They all do very well and reproduce quickly in a warm, humid environment. In this sense, you can become infected by visiting the following public places:
- saunas;
- swimming pools;
- soul;
- Spa
Infection can also occur through contact with a sick person or their personal belongings. For example, people who turn to strangers are at risk of developing foot fungus:
- towels;
- pumice stones;
- wipes;
- socks;
- manicure scissors.
Another factor that influences the rapid spread of the disease is the lack of proper foot hygiene. People who wear wet shoes or socks often suffer from fungus. A high susceptibility to mycoses is observed in those who suffer from:
- increased sweating of the feet;
- endocrine diseases;
- decreased immunity;
- Mellitus diabetes;
- varicose veins.
Which doctor should I contact?
It is very difficult to cope with the disease on your own. A patient with such a problem requires the help of a qualified specialist. A dermatovenerologist will tell you how to cure foot fungus.
At the first appointment, specialists will carefully examine the affected areas of the foot. A doctor with extensive experience will only need a visual assessment of the skin to make a diagnosis. But the doctor also needs to know how the disease appeared. To do this, he will have a conversation with the patient. The patient must answer the following questions:
- How long ago did the first signs of foot fungus appear?
- Has this problem bothered you before?
- Are there chronic diseases?
- Has the person had contact with sick people?
- Have you visited saunas, steam baths or swimming pools?
- Do your family members have foot fungal infections?
Based on the information received from the patient, the doctor can determine the true causes of the disease. To understand how to combat a disease, it is necessary to know exactly what its causative agent is. An exam helps with this. The patient is prescribed a skin scraping of the affected area of the foot. After laboratory tests, specialists accurately determine the causative agent of the disease.
How to treat the disease?
The sooner a person seeks help, the quicker therapy will be for them. The doctor determines how to treat foot fungus after receiving the results of a diagnostic exam. Experts suggest fighting the disease with medications. The patient is prescribed antifungal medications that:
- stop the development of pathogens;
- destroy fungi;
- have an anti-inflammatory effect;
- relieve unpleasant symptoms.
These products are offered in the form of ointment, gel, spray, tablets or suspension for oral administration. For toenail fungus, special varnishes or plasters can be used, which also have an antifungal effect. The specialist selects medications for the patient strictly individually, since many of them have various contraindications. It is prohibited to take certain medications to:
- pregnant women;
- breastfeeding mothers;
- children.
To achieve a quick recovery, it is very important to strengthen the immune system. To do this, patients are prescribed to take vitamin-mineral complexes and immunostimulants. In advanced cases, when a secondary infection is associated with fungal infections, patients are prescribed antibiotics.
How to cure foot fungus forever?
Many patients complain that the disease returns some time after completing treatment. The reason for this is a primary infection not completely cured. A common mistake that many people make is to stop therapy when improvements appear. It is very important to continue applying the medication for the entire period prescribed by your doctor. Even if the disease does not appear externally, it is not a fact that the entire infection has already been defeated. To avoid recurring damage to the legs it is necessary:
- Strictly follow the specialist's recommendations.
- Do not replace medications with analogues yourself.
- Apply the products regularly, without interruptions.
During treatment, the patient must wear closed slippers at home. You should not allow other family members to use them, because infections can be transmitted through them. When treating foot fungus, it is also prohibited to walk barefoot on the floor or share washcloths, pumice stones or other bathroom accessories with other people. It is very important during therapy:
- Wash the patient's clothing separately from others.
- Carry out wet cleaning of the house daily.
- Treat the patient's shoes with antifungal agents.
It is also necessary to take foot hygiene seriously. They should be washed at least 2 times a day. At the same time, it is advisable to treat them with hot water. It is important to change your socks frequently and wear comfortable, non-constrictive shoes. After recovery, it is imperative to throw away the slippers, towels, wipes and socks that the person wore during the illness.
Prevention
By knowing what causes foot fungus, you can easily prevent it. To avoid this disease, it is enough to follow the following prevention rules:
- When visiting baths, saunas or swimming pools, use only disposable or personal slippers.
- Do not wear wet or damp shoes.
- If there is a sick person in the house, use only personal bathroom accessories.
Some diseases also increase the risk of fungus. Therefore, by eliminating them in time, the onset of the disease can be avoided. People who suffer from:
- flatfoot;
- calluses;
- foot hyperhidrosis.
It is important for people to know that at low temperatures the fungus persists for a long time. Therefore, freezing is not scary. However, the pathogen dies when exposed to high temperatures. Therefore, boiling can be used for preventive purposes. If you treat the patient's clothes and shoes in this way, the fungus on them will die.