Many people, watching TV commercials for foot fungus treatments, change the channel and think, "This does not concern me, I will never have fungus! "Infection is easier than you think, and getting rid of it is extremely difficult.
Sometimes they do not consult a dermatologist in time for a fungal infection of the feet because they do not believe it is. "It's not a fungus, my friend had a fungus and it didn't look like that, " some say. In fact, the symptoms of this infection can be different, and if you have any discomfort in the foot area, see a doctor right away. He will do tests and only after that he will determine the diagnosis.
Or do you not notice the itching, peeling of the skin, changes in the condition of the nails? In the end, it is not a disease of the internal organs and does not threaten anything terrible. And it is a pity to go to the doctor, he suddenly thinks it is somewhat true. And this opinion is also widespread in the population. And such an attitude towards one's health can be characterized as irresponsible. Ultimately, it is easier to cure the fungus by catching it at an early stage, otherwise the disease will disappear or worsen again. Most importantly, your family members can also be infected with the fungus. Therefore, there can be no two views on this issue. Heal yourself, period!
How and where are they infected with the fungus?
The fungus can lurk anywhere we go barefoot: on the beach, in the pool, in the bathroom and even in an ordinary apartment. In general, this infection can affect any area of the skin, but the feet are most often affected due to various factors. These include the constant wear of shoes made of low quality materials, increased sweating of the feet, more frequent contact with surfaces on which the fungus can live. The mycelium spreads very quickly under the skin, causing itching and other discomfort.
Let's take a closer look at the routes of infection.
- The fungus can be spread from person to person when wearing the same shoes (for example, room slippers), socks, using a towel, and from sexual partners going to bed.
- In public swimming pools, baths, saunas, on the beaches when you walk barefoot. For a fungus, a humid environment is ideal conditions for reproduction. Shoe covers or covers can prevent you from becoming infected.
- In the manicure and pedicure room, if the instruments are not sterilized well enough or simply when you use other people's instruments at home. It is better to visit an established specialist manicure that did not have such exaggerations and use personal tools at home and treat them with alcohol every time.
Strengthening the immune system will help reduce risk factors, but no one has repealed the rules of personal hygiene. It is important to trust the treatment of the fungus to doctors and not to use folk remedies.
How to identify a foot fungus?
Many infections are suitable for the concept of fungus, their manifestations may be different. But there are many symptoms that are common to most of them.
First of all, itching. At first it is weak, but over time it becomes stronger, it becomes unbearable, especially at night. Successive foot baths, sage and other herbs provide temporary relief, but the fungus does not go away and continues to cause itching and burning.
Nails show a non-representative appearance. They turn yellow and darken, the color may be heterogeneous, break, peeling, their surface is irregular. The changes in the nail plate start from the tip and gradually spread to the skin itself.
Over time, your feet start to sweat, even on sandals and flip flops, and an unbearable odor develops.
The skin on the feet may not discolor at all or may turn slightly red and then peel off.
If you experience at least one of these symptoms, you should see a doctor. It may rule out the diagnosis of a fungus and itching may be a common allergy. But you can only find out after passing the exam. Neglecting the disease can lead to complete detachment of the nails, the constant scratching of the skin can cause damage and the infection enters inside, causing ulcers.
How to treat a foot fungus?
Treat as prescribed by your doctor! Tests will show you what type of fungus you are infected with and treatment will depend on it. Sometimes your doctor may advise you to use folk remedies in combination with medicines and medical procedures. Let's take a closer look at all these methods.
- Laser treatment.During laser treatment, the bundle penetrates deep into the skin, destroying the fungal thread - mycelium. The number of sessions is from three to ten. Wave radiation is created by a special device. The fungus from such an effect is gradually destroyed. Sometimes wave therapy can last up to three months with short breaks.
- Medical procedures.These include wave therapy, skin cleansing with a medical manicure or pedicure. Medical manicures or pedicures do not provide a deep cure for the fungus, they are already used at the end of the disease to bring the nails on the hands or feet to a more or less normal appearance.
- Drugs.Only a doctor can prescribe this or that medicine. It can be tablets, ointments, creams, lotions, varnishes.
- Folk remedies.These are discs, infusions, herbal oils and other plant parts. They are used only in combination with medicines. Baths can relieve itching, improve the appearance of the skin, but will not completely get rid of the fungus. The most popular are the baths with oak bark or cicada, propolis tincture in alcohol, tea tree oil.
It makes sense to repeat again: treating a fungus is not an easy task and you should not start it without a doctor, otherwise you can put the disease deeper, but it will remind you regularly.