Foot fungus is a widespread skin disease provoked by the multiplication of pathogenic spores in the surface layers of the epidermis. It was previously believed that the disease does not pose a particular threat to health. Let’s find out, is that so? We also consider the symptoms and treatment of foot fungus, a photo of which can be seen in the publication.
Causes of the disease
What factors cause the foot fungus, symptoms, treatment and photos of which are discussed in our article? Among the main reasons, it is worth noting the following:
- Visiting public places, such as baths and saunas, swimming pools, gyms.
- Infection from a sick person when using his personal belongings.
- A decrease in immunity, in which the body cannot resist the reproduction of pathogenic fungal spores in the tissues.
- Neglect of generally accepted rules of personal hygiene.
- Unauthorized taking of pharmacological preparations without the permission of a doctor.
- Traumatic effects on the skin in the area of the foot, which give access to infection in the body.
0Diseases
Dermatologists distinguish several forms in which the disease can develop:
- Scaly - severe skin irritation, redness, and peeling are noted. As a rule, these phenomena are accompanied by itching. However, not in all cases.
- Interdigital is one of the most common forms of foot fungus. It can develop as an independent disease or act as a consequence of the progress of the previous type of infection. With this course of the disease, pathogenic microorganisms parasitize on the skin between the toes. Symptoms of the foot fungus in this form are severe itching and the formation of numerous cracks in the structure of the epidermis.
- Inflammatory is a form of fungus in which infected skin is covered with an abundance of papules a few millimeters in size. Over time, painful sores form in their place.
- Sole - a symptom of foot fungus in this form is the formation of foci of redness, the edges of which are strewn with small papules. Such sites gradually acquire a dense structure. Hard-to-touch skin covers the entire foot, forming the so-called “shoe”.
- Onychomycosis - with the development of pathogenic spores, the nail plates suffer. A symptom of a foot fungus, a photo of which can be seen in the article, is fragility of keratinized tissues, a change in their shade. Subsequently, the nail begins to collapse, open wounds form under it.
What is dangerous foot fungus?
Lack of timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment for infection of the extremities with pathogenic spores is fraught with serious health consequences. First of all, the vital activity of mycotic organisms leads to tissue poisoning with all kinds of toxins. The result is an increased risk of developing other diseases. If a person refuses treatment for a long time, spores of the fungus become less susceptible to the action of active substances in pharmacological preparations.
Over time, the problem becomes extremely pronounced. Numerous sores and sores form on the skin. The latter can develop into dermatoses, psoriasis. Pathogens enter the body through damage on the surface of the epidermis.
The presence of a foot fungus in an advanced state can lead to the appearance of 0 plantar warts. Such neoplasms increase rapidly in size, which leads to discomfort during movement.
Diagnostics
So we examined the symptoms of foot fungus with a photo. Now let's find out how the disease is identified. An accurate diagnosis can be made by an experienced dermatologist already with a visual examination of the skin on the patient's legs. Confirm the assumption also allow typical human complaints.
If necessary, skin samples can be taken for examination. This decision makes it possible to determine the specific nature of the causative agent of fungal infection and choose the most effective course of treatment.
Prevention
In order not to have to perform the treatment of foot fungus, it is worth following a few simple rules:
- Observe hygiene, in particular, wash your feet regularly and change socks.
- Use only personal towels and slippers.
- When visiting public baths, saunas, pools, showers, do not walk without shoes.
- Before performing cosmetic procedures, thoroughly disinfect the instruments.
- Make sure that your legs sweat less.
- Dry wet shoes, periodically treat the insoles with disinfectants.
Lamisil
One of the best options for the treatment of foot fungus is the use of Lamisil. The drug contains an abundance of active substances, which have a devastating effect on the protein structure of pathogenic spores. The medicine will help get rid of the fungus in a neglected form, eliminate the infection between the toes, protect the nails from damage by mycosis.
The drug "Lamisil" is available in the following forms:
How to use symptom and foot fungus treatment? If tablets are preferred, adults take the drug 2 times a day. The course of therapy should be at least 14 days. Children are shown a reduced dosage in the amount of one tablet per day.
The use of drugs in the form of a cream and spray involves the application of such formulations directly to areas affected by the fungus. The tool is rubbed into the skin 2 times a day. Treatment is continued until the signs of the disease disappear. This usually takes several weeks.
Bifosin
Bifosin is another highly effective drug. Treatment of foot fungus with the help of the product allows you to eliminate the infection in a short time, and also get rid of excessive sweating of the feet and unpleasant odor.
How to apply the medicine? In this case, act as follows. Feet are washed and disinfected. The skin is wiped dry, and then treated with an impressive amount of ointment. Surfaces are covered with a clean cotton cloth or bandage. The procedure is performed before bedtime.
In the morning, the compress is removed. The skin is washed in warm water with soap. The areas affected by the fungus are again treated with Bifosin cream. A positive effect of such treatment is observed after a week.
Vishnevsky Balm
The tool belongs to the category of the most inexpensive drugs. The treatment of foot fungus in this case is due to the effect on the infection of the active substances of a number of natural components. Those are castor oil, birch tar, xeroform.
The tool is used to treat mycosis on the heels, palms, nails and other parts of the body. Thanks to its natural components, it can be used to eliminate skin diseases during pregnancy and lactation. It is worth noting that the product has a pronounced irritating effect on the skin. Therefore, when used, it can cause discomfort in the form of a rather noticeable burning sensation.
Pimafukort
Fungus of the foot and nails can be cured through the use of the drug "Pimafukort". The active substances in the composition of the drug have a devastating effect on the protein structures of organisms of mycotic nature. Available in the form of a cream and suspension. There are also pills. However, the latter are prescribed for fungal infection of the intestine.
How to treat foot fungus with Pimafucort? The medicine treats the affected areas several times a day. In order to completely eliminate the infection and prevent relapse of the disease, the drug is used daily for a month.
Exoderil
The components of the drug are active against pathogenic fungi of the genus Trichophytone and Candida, which cause foot infections. The use of the drug makes it possible not only to eliminate the main problem, but also helps prevent the development of inflammatory processes.
How is foot fungus treated, the photo of which is presented in the article? Exoderil cream is applied to clean, pre-disinfected skin. The feet are treated with a composition of 2-3 times a day. To completely eliminate the infection, the medicine is used for two months. If the fungus also develops simultaneously on the nails, therapy may be delayed for a while.
Miramistin
Effective treatment of foot fungus is possible due to the use of a broad spectrum antiseptic called Miramistin. Suitable means to eliminate superficial mycoses, which have not yet had time to go into a neglected form. The medicine is a disinfectant solution designed to treat skin affected by mycoses.
The active substances in the composition of the drug have a rather aggressive effect on the epidermis. For this reason, it is not recommended to use the product in order to treat fungus in babies under the age of 3 years. After application to the skin, the effect of an increase in temperature and a slight burning sensation is felt.
Tar soap
Tar soap will help cure a foot fungus at home. The tool perfectly fights the spread of pathogenic microorganisms and prevents the development of inflammatory processes. This action is due to the presence of birch tar in the composition.
How to eliminate foot fungus, a photo of which can be seen in the publication? It is enough to periodically treat the infected areas with soap suds. In this state, the skin is left for 5 minutes. Then the product is washed off under running water. To achieve maximum effect, the feet are lubricated with a cream containing zinc. To completely destroy the fungal infection, they resort to such treatment for 2 weeks.
Salt and soda
Slowing down the vital activity of fungal spores, as well as removing the sensation of itching, allows the treatment of the feet with a mixture of salt and soda. To prepare such a peculiar scrub, take a few tablespoons of these substances. The latter is combined with tea tree essential oil or wormwood. The resulting composition is rubbed into the skin on the feet, between the fingers.
Sour cream
To improve the overall health of the fungus of the feet, as well as to remove the feeling of severe itching, it is enough to use such a simple and affordable remedy as sour cream. The product contains lactic acid. The effect of the substance on the mycelium of pathogenic fungi leads to the coagulation of their protein structure.
How to use the tool? Sour cream is simply spread on previously cleansed skin of the feet. Then wait until the substance is completely absorbed. Alternatively, you can make a compress. To do this, put socks or plastic bags on your feet. This method is extremely effective if the development of the fungus has led to the formation of cracks in the feet.
Vinegar
Treatment of foot fungus with the use of the substance provides several solutions:
- Take half a liter of table 9% vinegar. The composition is heated to a temperature of 35-40 ° C. The liquid is poured into a deep basin and the feet are immersed here. It is advisable not to lower your legs in vinegar completely. The substance should cover only fungal infected areas. At the end of the procedure, the skin is not rinsed. Instead, the feet are treated with wine vinegar and put on socks.
- Apple cider vinegar and iodine are mixed in identical proportions. The tool is used to treat infected skin fungus twice a day. Treatment is continued until the traces of infection are eliminated and a new, healthy layer of the epidermis grows.
- Apple cider vinegar and vegetable oil are combined in equal amounts. The composition is impregnated with cotton swabs, which are applied to areas affected by the fungus. Compress strengthen with a bandage or plaster.
Potassium permanganate
Still how to cure a foot fungus, a photo of which is presented in the publication? When the first signs of infection occur, you should use baths based on potassium permanganate. Half a teaspoon of the substance is dissolved in 5-6 liters of warm water. This adds about 30 grams of shavings of laundry soap, as well as about 25 grams of soda. Content is poured into a deep basin. Legs are lowered here and held for 20-30 minutes. In order to get rid of the foot fungus, the procedure is recommended to be performed daily shortly before going to bed.
Coffee
Oddly enough, you can cope with the problem through the use of ordinary coffee. For these purposes, a strong drink is steamed. Liquid is poured into the pelvis and the feet are immersed in it. The procedure is performed before bedtime. After a week, the fungus will gradually begin to disappear. Moreover, the skin will stop itching painfully, and will also restore a smooth and even structure.
Celandine
The tool is used to treat foot fungus in the form of baths. About four tablespoons of dry-harvested plants are poured over a liter of boiled water. The resulting composition is heated on low heat for 3-5 minutes. The liquid is removed from the stove and cooled to a temperature that does not allow to burn the skin. Lower the legs into the solution for 20-30 minutes. The procedure is repeated daily for 3 weeks.
Healing infusion of medicinal herbs
In order to combat fungal infection, you can prepare an infusion of chamomile, burdock and wormwood. To do this, take a few tablespoons of dry collection of plants. The mixture is poured with boiling water, tightly covered with a lid, after which they wait until the liquid has cooled. The composition is poured into the basin and lower legs here. The procedure is repeated daily before bedtime. Treatment is stopped as soon as signs of infection develop. Usually, the course of therapy is no more than a month. To resort to such a decision is also useful for preventive purposes.
Finally
Treatment of foot fungus, as a rule, is a protracted process. To avoid unnecessary suffering and eliminate the problem as soon as possible, it is enough to combine effective medication and alternative methods of treatment. Naturally, before resorting to the use of certain methods of therapy, it is worth taking advantage of the advice of a dermatologist once again.