Types of foot fungus: photos and names, treatment features of each type

In this article, we consider the main types of foot fungus.

All fungal lesions are called the general term mycosis. Specialists divide them into two main categories - onychomycosis and dermatomycosis. In the first case, microorganisms penetrate under the nail, in the second - the skin is affected. Further, absolutely all types of foot fungi are classified according to the causative agent of the disease and the main symptoms.

Main types

First of all, the type of fungus that affects the legs depends on the causative agent of the disease. Pathogenic microorganisms are divided into several groups: dermatophytes, yeast and mold. They are able to provoke such common lesions as:

• Onychomycosis;
• Candidiasis;
• Epidermophytosis;
• Rubrophytia.

The latter is the general name of the group of pathologies in which foot damage occurs. All diseases are also divided into groups according to clinical manifestations: membrane, moccasin-like, vesicular.

Types of foot fungus, photos and treatment with alternative methods are discussed below.

Rubrofitiya

The second name of this disease is rubromycosis. It is characterized by overcrowding of blood vessels, dryness and severe desquamation. Pathology develops very slowly and almost imperceptibly for a person who has become infected.

Very unpleasant foot fungus in the form of bubbles.

The first signs are itching and peeling, which become noticeable already in the late stages of the disease. Damage to nails also occurs at this stage. Outwardly, the disease is manifested by the appearance of blisters, crusts, plaques, pustules, which are localized over the entire surface of the sole. With the appearance of a large number of plaques and vesicles, a person begins to experience pain when walking.

Determining the type of foot fungus (pictured) in treatment plays a key role. Before prescribing rubrophytic therapy, it is necessary to conduct a microscopy and study the clinical picture. Elimination of lesions is carried out using exfoliating (keratolytic) agents. For the most part, these are ointments and creams, which are based on salicylic acid. Therapy is usually complex. In parallel with external funds, antifungal agents are prescribed, such as Triderm, Mykozolon, Nizoral, and Ketaconazole.

If the disease is in severe form, you should start taking drugs in the form of tablets. Lesions of the nail plates can be treated by removing them with emollients, such as Batrafen, Demikten, Loceryl, Exoderil.

This type of foot fungus (see photo above) is characterized by a high degree of infectivity. It’s enough to touch the things that the carrier of the infection uses. The likelihood of infection increases many times if a person suffers from excessive sweating, has weakened immunity and any damage to the feet.

The causative agent of the disease is the fungus Tr. Mentagrophytesvar. It is able to penetrate into the granular and horny layers of the skin, spread and cause pronounced reactions of an allergic and other type:

• soreness when walking, burning and itching;
• deformation and yellowing of nails;
• the appearance of crusts, scales, painful cracks;
• skin corrosion (maceration);
• the appearance of pustules, edema;
• rash of bubbles having a dense crust.

Diagnosis of this type of foot fungus is to study the external signs and clinical picture. If the causative agent of the pathology is not obvious, clinical studies may be required, for example, the study of scraping under a microscope.

Acute rubrophytherapy involves the use of medications based on silver nitrate 0.25%, calcium 10% and resorcinol 1%. If allergic reactions occur, antihistamines should be used, for example, Diphenhydramine, Suprastinum, or Diazolinum. The choice of antifungal agent depends entirely on the clinical course of the disease and the individual characteristics of the patient's body.

What other types of foot fungus exist?

Candidiasis of the feet

This type of fungus is found in patients much less frequently than epidermophytosis or rubromycosis. Pathology occurs under the influence of a fungus from the genus Candida. Such microorganisms live in the body of each person, however it is customary to consider them conditionally pathogenic. That is, they do not pose a threat in small quantities, but their rapid reproduction can cause the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and consequences. Uncontrolled propagation of the fungus begins if there is a decrease in immunity during hypothermia, from overwork or frequent stress. External factors include:

• wearing, in particular in summer, uncomfortable shoes;
• personal injuries or injuries;
• permanent maceration of the skin of the feet (stratification of the skin as a result of prolonged exposure to water).

There are two types of candidiasis of the feet: hyperkeratotic and vesicular-pustular. For the first form of candidiasis, a thickening of the stratum corneum is characteristic. On it quite wide furrows of light brown color begin to appear, which are constantly peeling. For the purpose of diagnosis, exfoliation is carried out, and further study of the particles in which Candida fungi are found.

The viscous-pustular form of candidiasis is manifested in the form of hyperemia (overflow of blood vessels), severe swelling, maceration. Areas of affected skin are covered with pustules and small bubbles of a flat shape. After the extinction of the inflammatory processes, peeling develops. The appointment of therapy is possible only after determining the exact diagnosis. The choice of medications for this type of foot fungus with blisters is carried out individually. Most often, medications of systemic and local effects are indicated: Itraconazole, Fluconazole.

Onychomycosis

This disease is a type of foot fungus characterized by fungal infection of the nail. You can get infected in public showers, saunas, baths, pools. Flakes containing a pathogenic microorganism are quite easily separated from the nail plate and can remain on the floors, carpets, bedding, unpainted benches. High humidity allows them not only to survive, but also contributes to active reproduction, and therefore the risk of infection increases significantly.

At the initial stage, the infection enters the epidermis of the feet, causing severe itching. In order to reduce discomfort, a person begins to comb the infected area, but the situation thereby only worsens. The areas of the skin affected by the fungus are covered with small scratches and cracks, microorganisms begin to spread, penetrate under the nail plate, after which they begin to multiply uncontrollably.

Severe diseases like diabetes mellitus or HIV, impaired blood circulation, and nail injuries greatly increase the risk of infection.

Onychomycosis is divided into 3 types.

1. Normotrophic. With this type of onychomycosis, a change in the color of the nail from normal to yellow-brown is observed. The natural shine, the shape of the nail and its thickness remain unchanged.
2. Hypertrophic. The final color change of the nail occurs, its luster disappears, the shape changes, thickening develops and partial destruction begins.
3. Onycholytic. The color of the affected nail changes to brown, it becomes thinner, begins to break. Its gradual separation from the bed begins. On the open part of the nail bed, uneven deposits may be observed.

Therapy of this type of fungus on the palms and feet with topical medications is ineffective due to the fact that the spores of the fungus are located under the nail. Before starting treatment, the nail should be removed. This is done with keratolytic drugs, plasters are also used. In some cases, there is the possibility of mechanical removal of the nail: particles of the nail that have died out are cut off with a nail file or nippers. It is important to remember that all instruments used must be sterile.

The complex use of mechanical removal and keratolytic patches is the most effective way to remove a diseased nail. Of keratolytic agents, you can use the ready-made set of "Mikospor". It contains a special ointment, nail files for scraping the nail, a patch. After the nail plate has been removed, you should start taking systemic antimycotics: Terbinafine, Intraconazole, Ketoconazole or Griseofulvin. Not everyone knows the name of these drugs.

From the photo, the type of foot fungus is quite difficult to determine.

Interdigital (intertriginous) form

The most common and unpleasant type of pathology is the intertriginous form of fungal infection. It often appears in the summer, it begins to develop between the third and fourth fingers. Over time, the lesion spreads to the areas between the other fingers.

At the very beginning, a small crack appears, a funnel or sore in the crease, which is located between the fingers. It is surrounded by diaper rash or flaky skin with a slightly greenish color. Most often, the damage becomes wet, sometimes pus oozes from it. The erased type of fungus is characterized by severe or flour-like peeling, as if flour is on the surface of the finger. A similar impression occurs due to the large number of affected scales that separate from the skin. There is a slight itching that does not cause severe discomfort.

With the advanced form of the disease, there is a stratification of the nails, severe coarsening, multiple cracks, corneal seals similar to corns, and pronounced yellowing.

In very rare cases, a weeping type of disease develops - an exudative fungus. Its main difference is that vesicles are poured into the affected areas - vesicles filled with liquid inside. Therapy should be carried out comprehensively. As topical agents, “Mycozoral”, “Lamisil”, “Clotrimazole” are used. It is necessary to process nails with Oflomil, Batrafen, and Lotseril. The advanced form of the disease involves the use of systemic antimycotics: Terbinafine, Fluconazole, Lamisil. The course of treatment should be continued until the fungus has completely disappeared.

Squamous-hyperkeratotic form

This type of foot fungus (pictured below) is not very common.

Squamosis is the process of penetration of pathogenic fungi into external skin cells. Hyperkeratosis is the formation of a stratum corneum, as a result of which the dermis is densified. In this regard, the squamous-hyperkeratotic form of mycosis has several more names, for example, “moccasin fungus” and “athlete's foot”.

Squamous-hyperkeratotic type of mycosis is characterized by the following symptoms.

1. The sole of the foot is covered with a densified keratinized dermis, resulting in the impression that moccasins are worn on the foot.
2. The coarsening of the sole occurs so much that it begins to be covered with wide and rather thick corns.
3. Painful cracks appear on the corns.
4. Peeling acquires a flour-like type, a picture on the skin is visible to the naked eye.
5. An unbearable itch appears.
6. Over time, nails begin to thin, break and crumble.

In the treatment of moccasin fungus, it is first of all very important to eliminate the stratum corneum of the skin. Do this using soap and soda baths for the feet, body wraps, salicylic compresses, ichthyol ointment. Salicylic ointment is used in a dosage of up to 10%. Effective creams based on petroleum jelly, ointments containing lactic acid. If you can’t cope with this task at home, you should seek help at the Podology Center. With the help of hardware manicure, the specialist will carefully remove the dead skin dermis.

Subsequent treatment of the type of foot fungus will depend on the type of pathogen. It should be started only after an accurate diagnosis is made. It is not recommended to treat moccasin mycosis without first removing the stratum corneum of the skin - the active components in the composition of the medicine will not be able to penetrate through it and reach the site of infection. As a result, all efforts will be nullified.

Photos of the types of foot fungus can not fully reflect all the unpleasant symptoms that a person experiences.

Dyshydratic form

A vesicular fungus, or, as it is also called, dyshidratic mycosis is the rarest type of disease. Its main manifestation is numerous vesicles combined into conglomerates. Vesicles are called vesicles inside filled with pus or nutrient fluid. When the turbidity of the liquid begins, the vesicles burst, ulcers remain in their place. They begin to merge in one line, forming pronounced scars on the skin. This is due to the drying and peeling of the skin layers.

About 70% of infections with a vesicular fungus are accompanied by allergic rashes. A variety of bacteria and viruses begin to penetrate ulcers. As a result, the disease becomes mixed, the definition of the initial pathogen becomes more difficult. Therefore, the doctor should be consulted immediately as soon as the primary symptoms appear (in the photo): he will be able to quickly identify and start the treatment of the type of foot fungus.

Moreover, this should be done immediately. First of all, before using antimycotic drugs, the acute process should be eliminated. It is better to entrust this task to a specialist: he will be able to gently pierce the vesicles, treat the remaining ulcers with two percent boric acid and spread with a brilliant green solution or methylene blue.

Treatment of the disease in neglect involves the use of corticosteroid ointments. After eliminating the inflammatory process, it is recommended to use local antimycotic agents. This will suppress the causative agent of the disease.

We continue to consider the names and types of foot fungi.

Worn out form

Mycosis of the erased form is almost imperceptible, its symptoms are minimal. These include: mild itching, burning, peeling of the flour-like type, microcracks located in the interdigital zones. If you do not consult a specialist when the first signs of the disease appear, the pathology can go into the form of onychomycosis, which is much more difficult to treat. In this case, the exfoliated nail will grow from one month to six.

They carry out the treatment of mycosis of the erased form with local preparations: ointments, creams, foams. They allow you to create a layer on the foot that protects against infection by other infections. Within a day after applying such a drug, foot washing is not recommended.

Only in extreme cases can systemic therapy be prescribed. The problem is that such drugs are toxic and negatively affect some internal organs, for example, the liver. Accordingly, if the effect of the use of local funds is observed, then it is better not to take pills.

Treatment of types of foot fungus folk methods

Photos of the pathology presented in large numbers in the article do not cancel the trip to the doctor.

The medicine is now quite simple to choose. However, many prefer to treat the fungus with folk remedies. We offer several proven recipes.

• Cleansing the feet. The legs are warmed up in a bowl of hot water, rubbed abundantly with household soap and treated with a stiff brush for the feet for five minutes. The foam is washed off. Actions are repeated 4-5 times. Then the feet are wiped dry and greased with cream.
• Trays of celandine. 50 g of grass is poured with 1.5 liters of boiling water, heated on a fire for 4-5 minutes, cooled. In a warm broth of the foot you need to keep 30 minutes. The duration of treatment is 14 days.
• Tea tree oil is a powerful antiseptic. Rub it repeatedly into the affected area.
• You can get rid of itching and cracks with sour cream. She lubricates her legs before going to bed. The duration of therapy is 1 week.
• Baking soda. Eliminates burning and itching of the skin. The powder is mixed with water so as to obtain a thick mass. It is applied to the affected area, wait until it dries, then rinse off.
• Calendula. Flowers (50 gr.) Are poured with boiling water (1: 2), insist 30 minutes, filtered. Foot infusion lubricated at night.

Prevention

The simplest preventive measures will significantly reduce the likelihood of infection. Use should be exclusively personal belongings, treat nails with sterile tools. When visiting public places, such as baths, saunas, pools, beaches, you should use your own shoes. By the way, try to choose her so that she is comfortable and allows her legs to breathe.

You should worry about prevention in advance, so that later you do not have to deal with various types of foot fungus. The photo shows not all the options for the development of the disease.