Today, foot epidermophytosis is considered one of the most common fungal diseases on the planet. Such a disease can manifest itself in different forms and lead to completely different complications. Statistics show that the adult population is more susceptible to this disease, and in rural areas it is much less common than among urban residents.
Epidermophytosis of the feet and the causes of their occurrence
As already mentioned, the cause of the development of the disease is a fungal infection, namely a microorganism called Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The pathogen can be "caught" in contact with an infected person. In addition, spores of the fungus are contained in dead particles of the patient’s skin epithelium. Therefore, a household transmission route is also possible here, for example, with the general use of towels, shoes and bed linen, as well as when visiting pools, saunas and other public places.
In fact, not every person in contact with the pathogen develops epidermophytosis of the feet. Other factors are of great importance here. For example, it has been proven that people with the following problems are more susceptible to the disease:
- diabetes mellitus;
- immunocompromised;
- excessive sweating of the legs ;
- chronic venous insufficiency;
- deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins;
- flat feet or narrowed spaces between the toes.
In addition, statistics confirm that workers in certain professions, including athletes, cooks, miners, bathhouse maintenance personnel, etc., are also affected.
Symptoms
Epidermophytosis of the feet (the photo shows the external manifestation of the disease) is expressed by completely different symptoms. To date, it is customary to distinguish five forms of the disease, each of which has its own symptoms:
- When squamous, small plaques of red color often appear on the lateral surfaces and the arch of the foot, which slightly resemble a rash with psoriasis. At the same time, the skin on the affected areas is peeling off, which causes a lot of discomfort. Often patients complain of mild itching.
- Intertriginous epidermophytosis of the feet is accompanied by the presence of redness between the toes. At the same time, the skin peels off, often small cracks, erosion and even ulcers appear on it. Patients complain of severe itching and pain.
- The dyshidrotic form of the disease is characterized by the appearance of a vesicular rash on the arch of the foot, sole and interdigital folds.
- Epidermophytosis can also affect the legs, while the nail plate thickens, exfoliates and acquires a yellowish tint.
- The most difficult to diagnose epidermophytosis of the feet with an erased clinical picture. This form of the disease can develop asymptomatically, only occasionally reminding yourself of an invisible rash or the appearance of cracks between the fingers.
Epidermophytosis of the feet: treatment
Although the therapy is selected individually by the doctor, it usually consists of two stages. First you need to remove the scales and dead tissue (if any), and also remove the inflammation. If it is a damaged nail, then surgical removal may be necessary. Only after this, the doctor will prescribe antifungal drugs. In most cases, it is enough to use a special gel or ointment. In especially severe cases, an additional intake of oral antimycotic drugs is possible.