Many do not imagine what is mycosis of the feet. Nevertheless, people often encounter discomfort in this area. It is important to catch the development of a fungal infection in the initial stages and to prevent the progression of the disease on the skin. This will avoid various complications.
Mycosis of the feet is a skin lesion with a fungus in this area. Most often, the disease begins to spread from the interdigital region - exactly where the skin breathes the least and sweats profusely.
The main risk group includes people with weakened immunity and children. If you do not start treatment, mycosis will spread to the entire surface of the foot.
Kinds
There are several main forms of mycosis of the feet. It is important to consider this before starting treatment for the disease and identify the correct kind of pathology:
- Dyshidrotic form of mycosis of the feet. It is mainly localized in the interdigital zone. In a neglected state, it passes to the area of the feet, legs, knees, and thighs. The main signs are rashes, accompanied by pain and itching in the affected area. Over time, they develop into bubbles.
- Opreloidny (intertriginous). The form in which the fungus begins to actively multiply in the interdigital folds. It is accompanied by itching and burning, in places on the inflamed skin of the feet there is the appearance of bright red spots.
- Squamous form of mycosis of the feet. It is localized in the area of the sole of the foot. The places of inflammation turn red and flaky, then deep cracks appear on the feet. Symptoms are accompanied by itching.
- Erased. Distributed on the heels. Severe symptoms are practically not observed. You can only see the appearance of dry skin and cracks.
- Sharp. The skin in the area of the feet and lower legs first becomes edematous, after which the appearance of small vesicles with a yellowish liquid inside is observed. Often the bubbles burst, leaving erosion behind them. A person has an increase in temperature. In addition, difficulties may occur during walking, severe headaches.
- Hyperkeratotic. Red-bluish formations appear on the feet. The main localization is the arches of the feet. A large number of light scales appear on the formations, overlapping one another, and occasionally, small vesicles appear on the affected areas.
Causes
What is foot mycosis, not everyone knows. It is an infectious disease that spreads by getting fungal spores on the skin. Immunocompromised people and children are the first at risk. In addition to them, this group includes patients:
- neglecting the basic rules of personal hygiene;
- using other people's shoes, clothes, walking barefoot in public places;
- with diseases of the vascular system that significantly slow down blood circulation.
Also, factors contributing to the onset of foot mycoses are microcracks and irritations on the skin and mucous membranes, hormonal disruptions, and age.
People using low-quality shoes, in which the legs are very cramped and uncomfortable, are also at risk. This is a shoe that is made of cheap materials and does not allow fresh air. The legs in it are not able to breathe, and patients are very susceptible to the development of the fungus.
A person cannot immediately notice that he is sick, and sometimes he has no idea what mycosis of the feet is and what it looks like. As a rule, before the onset of the first expressed symptoms, he manages to infect all members of the family.
Symptoms
What is foot mycosis? The main symptoms of the disease include:
- itching
- burning;
- profuse peeling of the skin;
- erosion on the surface of the foot;
- symptoms of acute eczema can often be observed;
- the appearance of cracks in the skin of the feet;
- pain in the affected areas;
- the formation of unpleasant odors from the legs;
- heavy sweating of the legs;
- the appearance of problems on the skin of the feet (bubble formation, scaly, cracked);
- nails become thicker.
Diagnostics
If you experience unpleasant sensations, and especially itching or burning on the feet, you should immediately consult a doctor. Specialists in this field are a mycologist or dermatologist.
Diagnosis of the form of mycosis is detected by examination of pathology and microscopic examination. To do this, you need to pass a scraping for analysis. Only in this case, you can accurately determine the type of spreading fungi and prescribe the exact treatment.
To determine the complete lesion, in addition to microscopic examination of scraping, a number of the following tests are performed:
- study of the lesion using a specialized Wood lamp;
- blood sampling for biochemistry;
- conducting a general blood test;
- blood test for HIV.
Such analyzes must be carried out for the accuracy of the diagnosis, in order to know that it is mycosis of the feet, and not the symptoms of another disease or deficiency of any elements.
Treatment
Therapy of the disease is under the strict supervision of a physician. It is not recommended to engage in self-treatment, especially with the help of traditional medicine, if this is not agreed with a specialist.
For the treatment of foot mycosis, it is important to choose an individual method based on the results of the analyzes and the general condition of the patient.
Additional healing options and the use of alternative methods will be excellent helpers in complex therapy. The process of getting rid of the fungus is quite lengthy. Subject to all necessary requirements, the course of therapy lasts at least a month.
It is important to take a rehabilitation course without missing a single dose of drugs, otherwise the treatment will not be effective, and the toxic load on the body, especially the liver, will not pass by.
The doctor prescribes therapy based on the general condition of the patient, his immunity, and the presence of other diseases. The doctor takes into account whether the patient is taking any medications. It is important to know exactly the source of infection with the fungus, the form of the disease and the area of pathology.
Mycosis treatment is carried out using antifungal drugs. They are medicines for topical use, as well as for oral administration. In the mild condition of the patient, you can do with topical agents, with an abundant spread of the fungus, combined treatment is necessary.
The purpose of the initial stage is to get rid of existing inflammations and stratifications. If weeping wounds and erosion are observed on the skin, the use of warm foot baths with potassium permanganate, as well as lotions with boric acid, are prescribed. When the skin soaks, peels can be removed from it.
After using the baths, topical preparations with antibiotics or hormonal ointments are applied to the skin.
Canesten
The ointment, which contains a large amount of clotrimazole (the latter is effective against mold and yeast), is applied twice a day to cleansed and previously steamed skin. This is an inexpensive medicine, a good fighter with foot mycosis. The drug should be used 3-4 weeks.
Candide
A drug with a high content of clotrimazole in its composition effectively fights against fungal infections of the skin. Side effects are practically not observed. The term of use is at least three weeks. It is necessary to apply the medicine three times a day, applying it to the affected area on clean and dry skin.
Mycozoral
An effective remedy for foot mycosis, the action of which is aimed at combating the disease. The cream must be used once a day, applying it to the affected area. The course of treatment is 1-6 weeks, depending on the strength of the lesion.
This drug has practically no contraindications, but it does not affect every form of the disease.
Dermazole
Cream for the treatment of mycosis. It is applied externally in the morning and evening. The course of treatment lasts 3-5 weeks.
Triderm
Ointment "Triderm", the instructions for use of which are of interest to many, has gained popularity among consumers due to the effectiveness and speed of eliminating the main unpleasant symptoms of mycosis. Nevertheless, until complete recovery, the drug is used for at least 4 weeks.
It has not only an antifungal effect, but also anti-inflammatory. The drug is used by applying to the skin of the feet in the morning and evening. Allergic reactions are possible, therefore, before using the Triderm ointment, the instructions for use should be studied.
Akriderm
This ointment has proven itself due to a large spectrum of action. It has an antiallergic effect, fights itching, swelling, inflammation and fungus. Use twice a day, applying to affected areas of the skin. The course of treatment lasts at least 4 weeks.
Other drugs
In the case when the area of damage to the fungus is plentiful, it is necessary to proceed to a combined treatment, a combination of local drugs with oral medicines:
- Nizoral. The drug is for oral use. The course of administration is long, from two weeks to a month. Reception of tablets is carried out once a day for 1 piece, weighing more than 30 kilograms. If the weight is below this mark, only half the tablet is taken.
- Lamisil. Effective fungus control agent. Take 1 tablet three times a day for 2-4 months.
Folk remedies
Alternative methods of treatment are recommended to be used in consultation with a specialist. Even better, if the use will take place as a complex treatment in combination with prescribed medications.
These tools will help speed up the process of getting rid of foot mycosis:
- Calendula. Pour a glass of dried calendula flowers with boiling water (250 ml), let it brew. After this, it is necessary to strain the infusion. Use the product overnight. Dampen a cotton swab in it, apply to the feet before bedtime. Calendula is known as a good antibacterial and antifungal agent.
- Bow. It is the recommended anti-fungal agent. To do this, rub the affected areas with juice of onion. If the places are very sore and pain is present, you need to make gruel from onion and mix it with petroleum jelly in a one to one proportion. To smear the affected skin twice a day. The course of treatment is 15 procedures.
- Vinegar ointment with glycerin. For cooking, you need to mix 100 ml of vinegar (70%) with 50 g of glycerin, 50 g of baby powder, 750 ml of boiled water. Stir everything into a homogeneous mass and let it brew for three days. Shake the mass before use. Apply the resulting mixture to washed, dry skin of the feet with massage movements until completely absorbed. In one session, you need to rub about three tablespoons of the product into the skin of each foot. The first 14 days, use the drug three times a day, after which another 2 weeks, the use is reduced to 1 time per day. Symptoms of mycosis disappear within a week after use.
- A decoction of grass celandine. For the best effect, you need to steam the legs in a soda solution. It is enough to use one tablespoon of soda per basin of water. After the legs are steamed, you need to place them in a bath with a decoction of celandine: 5 tablespoons of dry celandine need to be poured with boiling water 1500 ml and boil for 5 minutes. It will take half an hour to steam your feet in such a decoction, after which, before going to bed, additionally make compresses with this decoction, pouring a little vinegar into it. The course of treatment with this method is 20 days.
Prevention
To avoid infection with a fungal infection, you will need to follow the basic rules that will help prevent the disease. Prevention of foot mycosis is as follows:
- It is important to take care of your shoes. First of all, it must fit the size, be free. It is advisable to buy natural materials from which it is sewn, especially if you have to walk for a long time in the same pair. It is important not to wear the same shoes daily throughout the day. If your feet are sweating, you need to change clothes and not let them sing.
- Observe personal hygiene. In public places do not walk barefoot, use slippers, do not use other people's shoes. It is important to wash your feet daily with soap, to prevent them from sweating.
- It is advisable to often use antibacterial foot creams.
- Engage in strengthening immunity, maintain your health, lead an active lifestyle.
- A humid environment is the best for developing mycosis of the feet, therefore it is important to maintain dry feet
Mycosis of the feet is a very unpleasant disease that can be accidentally acquired, as well as infect your family and friends. To avoid him, you don’t need much - just follow the simple rules of hygiene and watch your legs, then they will remain healthy and the diseases will not affect them.
But if the first symptoms appear, it is recommended to immediately contact a specialist for the appointment of complex therapy. Do not self-medicate in any case.