Fungi on the skin of the feet are one of the most common infections. The fungus on the feet is distinguished for its vitality and ease of growth. If you rely on statistics, then 20% of the world's population suffers from the fungus.
What is a skin fungus?
Fungal diseases are infectious diseases that affect the skin. The most common type of fungus is fungal infection. In medicine, this skin disease is divided into several types.
The fungus can adapt to almost any habitat conditions. Fungal spores can live for a long time in ordinary clothes or shoes. In most cases, the fungus is exposed to the feet and toenail plates of a person.
How does fungal infection progress?
The causative agent of foot fungus is Trichophyton rubrum, T. Mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum. Fungal infections can be contracted through contact with infected skin or after using any personal hygiene items.
Fungal infection is characterized by the destruction of the skin in the form of exfoliation. This is due to the fact that the fungus penetrates deep under the skin, causing damage to the skin.
Yellow or white spots may appear on the nails. If the fungus affects the toes, then small bubbles form with fluid between them, which burst, healing is painful. Foot fungus is also accompanied by an unpleasant odor. The symptoms of fungal infections can vary depending on the type. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with each of them in more detail.
The main forms of fungal infections:
- Interfacial fungal infection.
- Squamous-hyperkeratotic form.
- Bubble form.
- Deleted form.
- Nail fungus.
Interfacial fungal infection
The most common localization of interdigital fungus is between 3, 4 and 5 fingers.
The main symptoms of interstitial fungus:
- The formation of a crack, which is covered with a white thin thick film.
- A small amount of fluid can be released from the crack.
- The appearance of a diaper rash between the toes.
- Mild itching between the fingers.
Initially, the fungus between the toes may be dormant without any symptoms. However, changes begin to be observed - the skin becomes dry and rough, acquires a grayish tinge, cracks appear in rough spots.
In addition, there is a so-called "liquid" fungus between the fingers. This form is characterized by the formation of bubbles filled with fluid. These bubbles burst, creating the effect of a "liquid" fungus. Such a fungus is most often formed after the use of tight non-ventilated shoes, as well as during periods of intense stress.
Squamous-hyperkeratotic form
The squamous-hyperkeratotic form of the fungus is characterized by intense peeling and keratinization of the skin. This form of fungal infection is very common, however, it most often affects people with atopic dermatitis.
The main symptoms of squamous cell carcinoma are:
- Weak itching.
- The formation of cracks in the skin of the feet.
- Pain.
- Dry skin.
- Exfoliation of the skin.
- Erythema with clear boundaries.
- Yellow scales.
- Onychomycosis - damage to the nail plates.
Bubble form
The vesicular form of the fungus is the rarest of all. Only 8% of all patients with fungal infections are exposed to this type of disease. The blistering form is characterized by the formation of rashes with a liquid content inside. When these vesicles burst, corrosion occurs, which can become infected.
The main symptoms of vesicular fungus:
- Formation of red or pink bubbles.
- Inside the formations there is a liquid of transparent color.
- The size of the bubbles can reach a maximum of 1 cm in diameter.
- The rash may be accompanied by mild itching.
- Wet blisters.
This form of fungal infection is dangerous, as there is a high probability of harmful bacteria and infections under the skin. To determine the vesicular form of the fungus, it is necessary to undergo special studies and skin scraping for analysis, as this disease can easily be confused with external symptoms with eczema or blistering psoriasis.
Deleted form
The deleted form of the fungus is almost always the beginning of the development of foot diseases - fungal infections.
With the deleted form of the fungus, there are practically no visible symptoms, however, some of them can still be distinguished:
- The skin peels slightly between the toes.
- The formation of small cracks between the fingers that affect only the upper layers of the skin.
All of these symptoms are not accompanied by itching or pain, so they do not cause any discomfort to a person.
Nail fungus
Toenail fungus is also a very common form of this disease. Such a fungus does not pose a particular threat to human health, but it can cause great inconvenience.
Nail fungus symptoms:
- The appearance of dryness and peeling of the skin of the feet.
- Itching.
- Redness.
- Change the shape of the nail.
- The color of the nails acquires a gray-yellow hue.
- Cracking of the nail plate.
- Fragility of the nail.
- The formation of a crushed mass under the nail.
- The formation of gaps under the nail plate.
- Bad smell.
If the fungus on the feet has become severe, then the patient's temperature begins to rise. Foot fungus, like any type of fungal infection, can cause psoriasis or eczema.
What does the fungus on the feet look like?
Although foot fungus is a very common disease right now, not everyone knows exactly what it looks like. Many infected people do not even pay much attention when the first signs of a fungal infection appear. As mentioned earlier, there are several types of fungi.
Each type has its own symptoms:
- In the initial stage of infection, redness, slight swelling and cracking appear on the skin.
- In the middle stage of fungal development, peeling of the skin occurs. The foot is covered with white, pink or white spots.
- If the disease has already reached its highest stage of development, then the nail plates on the toes begin to collapse and change their usual color. The skin on the feet begins to peel in large pieces. Deep and painful cracks appear.
A photograph
Foot fungus symptoms
To identify the fungus on the feet, it is necessary to identify the underlying symptoms:
- Redness of the affected areas of the skin.
- Exfoliation of the skin.
- Formation of bubbles with liquid content.
- The nails change their color and shape.
- Fragility and detachment of the nail plate.
Diagnostics
At the first signs of fungal symptoms, you should consult a dermatologist. Sometimes a visual examination is not enough to make an accurate diagnosis.
Some symptoms may indicate the presence of another skin condition. Therefore, a specialist in such cases should do scraping and microscopy. Only after such studies can we speak clearly about the presence and form of a fungal disease.
Treatment
It is necessary to start the treatment of a fungal disease only after a complete diagnosis by a specialist, who must prescribe various drugs for the treatment of this disease. The treatment of foot fungus can consist of various methods.
These methods include:
- systemic treatment.
- topical treatment.
- Folk remedies.
It is worth taking a closer look at each of them.
Systemic therapy
Systemic therapy refers to the use of various antifungal drugs. Such drugs penetrate the bloodstream and kill fungal infections. Such funds are able to penetrate the platinum of the nail, which can remain for several weeks, gradually killing the fungus.
Effective treatments for foot fungus
Terbinafine and itraconazole are considered to be effective antifungal agents. These systemic medications can cure the patient in two weeks.
It is important to note that systemic treatment is not prescribed for the following people:
- Pregnant woman.
- Breastfeeding mothers.
- People suffering from liver diseases.
- Elderly with comorbidities.
Ointments and creams
Systemic treatment of fungal diseases is recommended in combination with topical treatment. This method of treatment includes various creams and ointments, which can also have antifungal action. However, it is worth noting that if creams and ointments are used without the use of systemic medications, then the treatment may be ineffective.
Topical drugs to combat fungal infections are divided into 20 forms. In addition to creams and ointments, various sprays, gels, foams and varnishes are used to treat foot fungus.
When using topical fungus treatment, it is worth remembering that after applying any treatment to the skin, the feet do not need to be washed during the day.
Folk remedies
You can also cure foot fungus with the help of folk remedies. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with them in more detail.
Folk remedies for the treatment of nail fungus:
- In the evening, a piece of kombucha is applied to the affected nails.
- Attach a cut Kalanchoe leaf to the nails overnight.
Folk remedies for the treatment of fungus between the legs:
- Wash the skin between the fingers and lubricate with birch tar.
- Make a decoction of maple, wormwood, wormwood and chamomile. Take foot baths from the prepared broth.
Folk remedies for the treatment of foot fungus:
- Lubricate the affected areas of the skin with onion juice at night.
- Make a compress for the evening from 20% propolis tincture.
Folk remedies for the treatment of foot fungus:
- Take a foot bath with sea salt twice a day.
- Three times a day, take foot baths with a decoction of chamomile, oak bark and calendula.
Prevention
The fungus on the skin of the feet causes sweating more often. Even in the cold season, the causative agent of a fungal disease is well preserved. But high temperatures can kill the infection, so one of the prevention methods is boiling. Another method of prevention is to disinfect the shoes with formalin. With this action, the fungus dies after 20 minutes.
conclusion
In conclusion, it is worth noting that a fungal disease of the skin of the feet does not harm human health. The fungus only causes discomfort. However, this infection should not be ignored. If the disease becomes severe, it can lead to pain and the development of other infections.