One of the most common problems that almost all people face is fungus on their toes. Such a prevalence of the disease is due to the fact that you can get infected anywhere, regularly visiting the gym, swimming pool or walking barefoot on the ground or grass. In this case, it does not matter whether a person follows the rules of personal hygiene or not.
Like other diseases, this infection requires proper and timely treatment. If you ignore this recommendation, the disease will progress, the symptoms will start to appear more intensely and the skin will become thin and will be covered with small but painful cracks.
What is a fungus and how does the infection appear?
Foot fungus or fungal infection is an infectious disease. Such skin lesions are also called dermatomycosis. Overall, there are a very large number of bacteria in nature, but not all of them can cause human health problems. Fungal infection is one of the most common diseases and is ranked second after purulent pathologies, ie boils, streptoderma, carbonyl and staphylococcus.
Regarding the groups of fungi that affect the skin of the feet, they are divided into 3 groups, namely:
- Candida. It belongs to the group of yeast-like fungi.
- Zoo anthropophilic. Infection can occur from both animals and humans.
- Anthropophilic. In this case, you can only be infected by other people.
How does the fungus manifest on the toes?
The first symptoms of toenail fungus have vague characteristics, so it is very difficult to recognize the disease from the first days of infection. Sometimes people do not go to the doctor right away, not because they do not want to, but because they do not understand what their condition is. To avoid such situations, doctors always recommend, even with the slightest symptoms, to seek help. In this case, the patient will get rid of the problem as soon as possible.
The main signs of infection on the toes are:
- spots with a yellowish tinge and seals on the skin.
- increased sweating;
- the gaps between the fingers begin to ache and itch.
- spots and flaking of the skin appear at the sites of infection.
The severity of the symptoms may also depend on the form of the disease, plaque or entanglement. In the latter case, the person will suffer from swelling of the feet, redness and constant moisture in areas affected by the infection. This form is characterized by locating between the last 4 fingers.
With a squamous form of pathology, white crusts appear on the feet, peeling, as well as increased lines of the skin. In the first days after the infection, the patient feels burning and itching. If treatment is absent, the symptoms will be complemented by an uncharacteristic glow of the skin of the feet and peeling of small gray or white scales.
How to deal with foot fungus?
Today, the patient can choose from a variety of medications that are equally effective in fighting fungus between the toes. To get rid of the disease as soon as possible, doctors recommend the use of combination therapy, which includes the following measures:
- Taking pills.
- The use of immunostimulants and vitamin complexes.
- Gels and creams.
Note!Almost all medications are extremely effective, but this does not mean that the treatment period will be short. Depending on the state of the body's protective functions, the patient should fight the fungus for at least 1 month.
Effective drugs for the treatment of foot fungus
Foot fungus is usually treated with varnishes, gels or tablets. The most suitable drug will be selected by a specialist.
How is foot fungus treated with folk remedies?
Along with medication to treat the fungus on the toes, experts advise the use of alternative therapies, but when using any medication, you should consult a doctor. This will prevent allergies and other side effects.
Traditional healers are advised to pay attention to the following methods:
- Using apple cider vinegar. This is necessary for the "acidification" of the body. Regardless of food intake, vinegar is dissolved in a glass of water and drunk once a day.
- Foot baths. In this case, it is worth pouring 9 percent vinegar into the basin in such an amount that it covers the foot. The liquid should be slightly warm. The process does not take more than 15 minutes.
- Vinegar and vegetable oil. From these two ingredients for the treatment of foot fungus, it is necessary to prepare an ointment, in a ratio of 1 to 1. It covers the affected areas overnight. To enhance the effect on the foot, it is worth wearing a sock.
Effects of fungal infections on the toes
If you do not treat foot fungus, this can cause the following discrepancies:
- When the fungus stays on the fingers for a long time, it can cause increased sensitivity to other types of fungi and also affect the development of bronchial asthma, allergic dermatitis or other skin conditions.
- fungal infections of the thumb can affect the development of diabetes or gangrene.
- if left untreated, the infection can spread throughout the body and affect the internal organs, so the patient will have to undergo prolonged and more complex treatment. It does not matter if it is a fungus on the little finger or on the other fingers.
How to avoid re-infection with fungal infection after treatment?
To prevent the appearance of the fungus on the toes, you must follow all the precautionary rules, which include the following:
- Use rubber slippers when visiting the pool or public shower.
- Compliance with personal hygiene.
- Taking vitamin complexes to enhance the body's protective functions.
- Feet should be washed daily before going to bed.
- You can not wear someone else's shoes.
- Good nutrition and active lifestyle.
- In special cases, it is advisable to have removable, wider shoes.
- Do not use other people's toiletries and do not give your own to anyone.
- Do not wear dirty socks.
- For preventive purposes, use foot baths.
Antifungal shoe treatment
A special product can be used to treat anti-fungal footwear on the skin of the toes. Not only will it help get rid of the infection, but it will also eliminate the unpleasant odor and rid the shoes of yeast and dermatitis.
Once the infection has healed, the shoes can be treated with antiseptic. You can buy it at a drugstore, the tool will allow you to clean shoes not only from fungus, but also from other bacteria, which pose a risk to human health.