Quite often, humans form an interdigital fungus. This is due to the fact that in this area an ideal environment is formed for the development of various microorganisms. Under certain conditions, this should include numerous dermatophytes, as well as spores of yeast and mold fungi. The first sign of an interdigital fungus is a slight itching, which can also be accompanied by a burning sensation of various intensities. However, the disease is not so dangerous, it can be easily cured at home.
Reasons for the appearance
When walking, the space between the toes is actively working, intense sweating is observed in this zone, various microorganisms accumulate, and a warm and humid environment is formed for their development. An infection gets into this area, and there is also a threat of the development of mycotic pathology. During the normal state of the immune system, this is not scary, and regular care and hygiene will eliminate the threat of interdigital fungus. The reasons for the development of this ailment lie in the following:
- Dysbacteriosis
- The lack of vitamins in the body.
- Diabetes mellitus and endocrine system disorders.
- Varicose veins.
- Pathology of the lymphatic vessels.
- Hyperhidrosis.
A favorable background for interdigital fungus is lactation and pregnancy. In addition, the ailment can develop due to microtrauma of the skin, hypothermia of the extremities. Other provoking factors of the interdigital fungus on the legs are as follows:
- Small, cramped shoes made of leatherette or other synthetic materials.
- Long-term antibiotic treatment.
- Excessive exercise.
In these conditions, visiting public baths, swimming pools, and beaches is a great risk of contracting mycosis. You should also avoid close contact with an infected person, use elements of someone else’s wardrobe.
Symptoms of the interdigital fungus
This type of mycosis does not immediately manifest itself. At the initial stage of development, the infection develops asymptomatically, and mild itching in most cases is ignored by patients. If at this stage you do not start treatment of the interdigital fungus, then the pathology can acquire more pronounced signs:
- The formation of excessive seals on the sole of the feet.
- Increased sweating, accompanied by an unpleasant and strong odor.
- Amplification of itching, in which it begins to itch between the fingers more than usual.
- Peeling of the skin.
- The formation of cracks, bleeding wounds and sores in the interdigital zone.
- The formation of a spot or several spots of gray or yellow.
- Formation of vesicles, redness of adjacent areas.
If in time you do not start treatment of the interdigital fungus on the legs, then in a neglected form, this pathology can go into onychomycosis. Initially, the fungus appears on the little toe of the foot, can affect the big toe, after which it will switch to other fingers. In this case, the nail plates begin to deform and turn yellow. In parallel with this, the risk of fungus on the hands increases.
Drug treatment
How to treat interdigital fungus on the legs? First of all, you need to start with a diagnosis, an appropriate examination. Based on the results of these procedures, the most effective method of therapy should be selected. As a rule, treatment is carried out using medications for oral and external use. Also, experts recommend in combination to use folk remedies for interdigital fungus. Effective methods of treating this disease with medicines should be considered separately.
Ointments
When answering the question of how to treat the interdigital fungus, first of all, it is worth mentioning special ointments that are very effective at the initial stage of the development of the disease. They can be used if the skin is still weakly itchy, and there is slight peeling between the fingers. Regular application of such funds for a month helps to completely get rid of the pathogen of the fungus. To accelerate the positive effect, it is recommended that you first clean and steam your feet. The most effective ointments are:
- Mycoseptin.
- "Mykozolon".
- "Clotrimazole".
Solutions
Solutions are another type of agent that is applied locally in the fight against interdigital fungus. Such drugs are used in the form of compresses and lotions, which are placed between the toes on the affected area. Solutions diluted in water can also be used to take baths. The most effective of these solutions are the following:
- "Fetimin."
- Octicyl.
- Nitrofungin.
Tablets
Treatment with tablets is most often used when the interdigital fungus is already observed in a neglected form. Medications have a comprehensive healing and antimycotic effect on the human body as a whole. For these purposes, specialists most often prescribe the following drugs:
- "Fluconazole".
- "Terbinafine".
- "Irunin."
- Orungal.
- "Griseofulvin."
- Ketoconazole.
In most cases, the use of medications is combined in combination with the above external agents, as well as their analogues. The complex of drugs for systemic treatment should be selected exclusively by a specialist. Self-medication can cause complications, as well as severe side effects.
Folk remedies
Recipes of traditional medicine are used as adjuvants for complex therapy, as well as for preventive purposes. Alternative recipes will be effective with self-treatment if mycosis of the toes proceeds only at an early stage. Such funds can be prepared independently at home, using improvised ingredients. As a rule, this should include soda, salt, various herbal preparations from which solutions for baths are made.
Soda or salt baths
A very popular and affordable method for rapid healing and prevention of interdigital fungus are baths based on soda or salt. For the simplest recipe, you will need 1 liter of water, which should be warmed up to body temperature. 2 tablespoons of baking soda or salt are added to it. The liquid must be well mixed so that the powder is completely dissolved in water. After this, the feet should be lowered into a container, hold for half an hour. Next, the steamed legs must be cleaned of existing seals from the dead particles of the epidermis.
Such baths should be carried out at least 2 times a day, preferably one procedure should be organized before bedtime. If there is suspicion of interdigital mycosis, then you can combine this procedure with ointments, as well as other folk remedies, in order to fully recover.
Herb-based baths
For these purposes, you can apply dry or fresh fees of their own preparation. But at the pharmacy you can currently purchase any medicinal herbs. As a rule, a decoction for combating mycosis is prepared on the basis of plantain, chamomile and celandine. It is necessary to take 3 tablespoons of this mixture, pour 1 liter of boiled water. Wait until the water has cooled to an acceptable temperature, then lower the feet into it for 20 minutes. After this time, cleanse the skin of dead particles.
This procedure is also ideal for the prevention of mycosis. At the initial stage of the disease, with the help of herbal baths, you can completely overcome it.
Prevention
To prevent the development of fungus on the skin between the toes, it is necessary to observe some preventive measures:
- Wear removable shoes in pools, baths.
- Wear shoes made of natural materials to size.
- Constantly monitor your health, engage in physical activity.
- Regularly disinfect personal belongings and shoes, bedding, floor coverings, if someone in the family is sick with mycosis.
The interdigital fungus is a very unpleasant disease, however, you can get rid of it quite easily at home, with the help of medications and traditional medicine recipes.