Not all diseases are fatal, but some can seriously complicate life.The fungus affects the internal organs and skin.Almost everyone has access to microorganisms.Under some unfavorable circumstances, their number increases, which can cause problems.Foot fungus spreads easily from person to person, which is why it's so common.
Fungi are widely distributed in the environment, but damage to human nails and skin occurs only under favorable conditions.As you age, your skin's acidic pH may become alkaline, which favors fungal growth.Infection usually occurs through contact; if personal hygiene standards are not followed, the source of infection may be a sick person or an ordinary object.Infection can occur in public places: swimming pools, bathrooms, gyms.There are also slippers, socks, manicure accessories, towels and facecloths that are commonly used in daily life.
route of infection
The fungus is most commonly spread through a sick person's personal belongings and shoes.Therefore, there are people living in the same apartment as him in the infected area.But in some cases, the dispute goes unnoticed.Consider motivating factors:
- high sweating;
- Sores and calluses on feet;
- The shoes are tight and uncomfortable.
The ideal environment for fungi to grow is warm and moist.
Therefore, tight-fitting shoes or boots made of low-quality materials are an excellent breeding ground for infection.Foot fungus occurs due to low immunity.This can happen for a variety of reasons: stress, long-term illness, etc.Chronic infections and endocrine system problems can affect the body's condition.
With long-term antibiotic use, internal organs can be damaged.The microflora changes, which affects the composition of opportunistic microorganisms.Lack of hygiene can also affect its growth, as dirt and sweat are breeding grounds.
Children are most susceptible to this disease.Due to their age, their skin is delicate and their immunity is weak.For the same reason, older adults are also susceptible to fungal diseases.Dangerous public places include:
- swimming pool;
- sauna;
- bathroom;
- fitness center;
- beach.
Places where you can walk barefoot are potential sources for the spread of fungal diseases.
Moist conditions and high temperatures create an ideal environment for spores to multiply.Even regular disinfection of the premises does not help.People who wear closed shoes at work (military, police and others) are also at risk.Boots often injure the legs by not allowing air to pass through, opening the way for harmful microorganisms.
basic form
Treatment for foot fungus depends on its form.The most common are interdigital or interdigital rubs: lesions begin in the thumb and index finger area.The fungus then spreads along the feet.Most often, it is spread through contact with sick people or failure to observe personal hygiene rules.
Without proper treatment, the intertriginous form can turn into squamous hyperkeratosis.It manifests itself as deep cracks on the soles of the shoes.
The disease does not produce any symptoms for a long time.Initially, shallow grooves will appear on the skin, causing no negative sensation.In severe cases, they can metastasize to the lower legs.
Dyshidrosis is characterized by an erosion of the skin - an area that is moist and weeping.Rarely it occurs in the legs; most commonly it affects the hands.Erased forms are easiest to pass.Signs of fungus on feet are minimal.There is slight peeling and itching of the skin.The causative agent of the disease is Candida.This condition will go away on its own even without treatment.
Characteristic symptoms
The main manifestations of all forms of fungi are the same.The first symptom of this disease is peeling skin.Microorganisms feed on protein compounds and keratin, so the integrity of the integument is destroyed.
The body attempts to repair the skin, thereby increasing its regeneration capabilities.This can cause itching.Sometimes, under the influence of candida, the surface becomes itchy.Fungal activity impairs the function of the sebaceous glands, resulting in an unpleasant odor.Even prompt hygiene will not help eliminate it.In some cases, instead of sweating, severe dryness is observed.
Another symptom of foot fungus is changes in skin color.Yellow or green spots appear.The surface of the feet becomes thicker and covered with keratinized calluses.Over time, it can crack, which can cause some discomfort while walking.
As the disease progresses, blisters with clear fluid appear on the legs.They burst and were replaced by small, oozing sores.They provide opportunities for secondary infections.
Often, fungus affects not only the feet, but also the nails.Change begins at the edge of freedom.Usually it starts with the thumb.The nail plate turns yellow and thickens.It crumbles and reveals pink skin.As the disease progresses, destruction of the nails can be observed.
When affected by fungi, purulent inflammation of the periungual ridge is observed.The plate itself is painted black or green.
diagnostic methods
Before choosing how and how to treat skin fungus on the legs, you need to confirm the diagnosis.Itching and flaking of the skin does not always occur due to fungal diseases.Dermatologists treat this disease.He performed a visual examination of the leg and took a medical history.
To accurately identify the pathogen, fragments need to be scraped from the skin.This is necessary otherwise medication will not be effective.Standard microscopic examination can confirm the presence of fungi.To do this, the material needs to be stained with special preparations and studied under a microscope.
A more accurate study is bacterial culture.Place the collected samples in nutrient media.After some time, fungal colonies begin to grow.They are studied in detail.The disadvantage of this method is its long duration.It can take up to four weeks to complete.
PCR analysis can help you identify the exact pathogen.It needs to be scraped off the affected area.This is the most accurate and fastest diagnostic method.In some cases, your doctor may recommend donating blood for enzyme immunoassay.It allows you to determine antibody titers.This information can help find the cause of the disease.
treatment type
If you want to cure foot fungus, you need comprehensive treatment.Standard treatment options include internal and external medications.Their purpose is to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms and heal the skin.
Creams and ointments should only be applied to clean surfaces.Apply a thin layer before going to bed.A standard course of treatment takes four weeks.Any medication must be prescribed by the treating physician.In severe cases, corticosteroids are recommended.They can relieve inflammation and halt the progression of the disease.But they have many side effects and the dosage needs to be observed when using them.
For internal use, drugs with fungistatic and fungicidal action are prescribed.
They inhibit the development of pathogenic flora and destroy fungal colonies.
Traditional medicine can alleviate some of the side effects of treatment.Therefore, a soda bath (1 tablespoon baking soda per 10 liters of warm water) can soften the skin and help exfoliate it.Use a mixture of cooked onions and garlic as dressing.Knead them into a paste and apply to exfoliated skin.Place the socks on top and leave overnight.In the morning, feet are easy to clean.