Dermatophytosis is a common skin disease in adults and children. Moreover, the definition of the disease is complicated by the fact that the symptoms of the disease are similar to the external manifestations of other epidermal pathologies. Doctors share the disease at the place of localization. Allocate dermatophytosis of the inguinal, scalp, hands, feet. The treatment of the disease is complex and long. You can not start with medical intervention. Otherwise, the ailment will quickly turn into a chronic form, and getting rid of the problem will become much more difficult.
Risk group
In general, people of both sexes and all ages are susceptible to fungal skin pathology. However, it is among men that inguinal dermatophytosis is much more common. The causes of the disease are many. These include frequent physical exertion, visiting a bath or sauna, increased sweating, as a result of which ideal conditions are created for the reproduction of the fungus.
Doctors at risk additionally include people with overweight and various endocrine diseases. In women, inguinal dermatophytosis is much less common. Of the total number of patients, they account for no more than 25%. Children practically do not suffer from an illness, but sometimes the disease affects them.
In people over the age of 65, the disease is more common. In this case, about 50% of men and women are susceptible to fungal infection.
Causes
The main cause of the disease is the action of fungal microorganisms of the Microsporum canis group. Doctors distinguish about 30 types of pathogenic mycoses. Depending on the habitat, they are divided into bestial, geophilic and anthropophilic.
In the first case, a person is infected only after contact with a sick animal.
The second types of mycoses live in the soil, therefore summer residents often include summer residents at risk.
Anthropophilic microorganisms are transmitted from person to person. Often, they lead to the emergence of an epidemic of fungal diseases, including inguinal dermatophytosis.
Different types
Three different types of illness are now distinguished. Depending on the variation, the doctor prescribes a specific course of treatment.
A typical variety has severe symptoms. The skin on the scrotum and inner thighs is covered with outlined rashes of a brownish tint. In this case, peeling, itching may begin over time. The edges of the rash slightly increase in size when compared with areas of the skin that are not affected by the fungus. There are times when the disease fades on its own. There are no reasons for joy in this case. The fact is that under certain conditions, the rate of propagation of the fungus will increase significantly, resulting in a severe exacerbation.
Complicated inguinal dermatophytosis is difficult to treat. In this case, problems arise due to the fact that the patient is taking hormonal drugs. That is why many classic methods of eliminating the disease are powerless.
The lichenoid type of fungal infection is distinguished. It is often accompanied by intolerable itching. As a result, the area of the affected areas of the body increases many times. Visually, this disease strongly resembles psoriasis.
Diagnostics
The doctor can determine the cause of the disease and begin treatment only after a full range of diagnostic procedures. In this case, visual inspection alone is not enough. Laboratory studies will help identify the type of fungus that caused the damage to a part of the body.
To determine the type of pathogen, culture, a Wood lamp or microscopy are used. In the first case, the doctor takes a skin sample from the affected area of the body and places it in a special environment. During diagnosis, with the help of a Wood lamp, the patient is placed in a dark office and the glow from a certain wavelength is turned on. If the symptoms are caused precisely by the fungus, the infected area will glow green. Microscopy undergoes a more detailed examination of a tissue sample. Most often, three presented methods are used to identify the causes of dermatophytosis of the inguinal region .
Symptoms
As mentioned above, the main symptoms are a change in skin color and severe itching. The appearance of small blisters is also characteristic of inguinal dermatophytosis. However, this symptom appears only in the complete absence of adequate treatment. The fact is that such symptomatology is also characteristic of erythrasma. The treatment methods for the disease are different. Therefore, you cannot diagnose yourself.
Treatment
Diagnosis and treatment of inguinal dermatophytosis can only be prescribed by a doctor of the appropriate qualifications. The medical method of eliminating the ailment is divided into two types: general and local. The first class includes a variety of oral medications. For example, patients are often prescribed the use of antihistamines. Ointments containing a small amount of sulfur or tar will help speed up the healing process of affected areas of the skin.
They have a complex effect.
- First, the compounds destroy the fungus. Ointments can quickly remove severe itching of the skin (a symptom of inguinal dermatophytosis).
- Secondly, local preparations prevent the growth of the population of microorganisms. They create an environment that is impossible for further propagation of the fungus, and minimize the risks of infection of other areas of the skin.
- Thirdly, the substances contribute to the rapid necrosis of the affected epidermal tissue. The skin begins to peel off, in its place there are already areas not affected by the fungus.
The use of ointments in medical treatment should take place with the alternation of drugs. This condition must be observed without fail. Some types of fungi are resistant to ointments. As a result, the environment, which should limit their growth, becomes almost ideal for the formation of new disputes. The recommended course of therapy with each agent for external use is not more than 1 week.
Folk remedies
Although time-tested, but outdated methods of treating the disease should not be used, many people prefer just folk remedies. This ailment occurs in intimate areas of the body, so many patients are simply embarrassed to seek medical help. Therefore, sometimes resort to a variety of methods of traditional medicine. In this case, it is customary to use different lotions based on medicinal herbs. In particular, aloe juice and celandine are used. Often make compresses with mustard.
It is extremely undesirable to use folk remedies in this situation. The fact is that the disease is often confused with other ailments. In some cases, the use of herbs and decoctions will help remove the symptoms of the disease, but it is impossible to completely recover from a fungal infection with these methods.
Forecasts
In most cases, after diagnosis and initiation of treatment, favorable prognoses are given. Inguinal dermatophytosis in women can occur with certain complications. Often in a neglected form, the infection spreads to the labia minora. As a result, therapy is only becoming more complicated. The appearance of characteristic blisters (for advanced stages of the disease) can lead to scarring of the skin.
Hygiene for illness
For a speedy recovery, it is necessary to correlate the treatment of the disease with methods of personal hygiene. This will localize the affected areas and eliminate the risk of the spread of fungal infection to other areas. The tips in this case are simple.
- Firstly, you can not use hygiene products with a high content of any phosphates. This also concerns the use of fragrance deodorants.
- Secondly, for affected areas of the body, it is recommended to use only a mild baby soap with a neutral pH. It will have a drying effect, increase the healing rate.
- Thirdly, it is important to carefully choose clothing. The fact is that it is better to use only natural fabrics (linen or cotton). They pass air well, allowing the skin to breathe. Naturally, this reduces overheating and humidity.
- Fourth, you often need to wash your personal towel.
- Fifth, it is better to clean underwear from pollution by boiling. Heat treatment will destroy the fungus.
As you can see, there are many measures, but they must be strictly observed. This will increase the speed of recovery. Under no circumstances should infected people wear tight pants. Such clothes can locally increase the temperature of the human body and create favorable conditions for the reproduction of fungi.
Often, the disease after treatment worsens again. In the case of frequent relapses on an ongoing basis, a variety of antifungal powders should be used. Of course, you won’t be able to do them every day, but at least once a week it’s worth using.
Prevention
This fungal disease is easier to prevent at the root than to cure. Therefore, it is enough to follow certain preventive measures. For example, it is highly discouraged to frequent public baths and saunas. The quality of the processing of the premises there often leaves much to be desired, so it is easy to become infected with a fungus. For men and women involved in the gym, it is recommended to take a shower as often as possible.
Summary
Inguinal dermatophytosis is a complex disease in the treatment and diagnosis. Following personal hygiene measures will minimize the risks of infection.