The term "mycotic eczema" means a disease of a dermatological nature, the course of which is accompanied by weeping and severely itchy rashes. Pathology is a combination of an allergic reaction and a fungal infection. With a timely visit to a doctor, the prognosis is favorable, but it is important to understand that the treatment of the disease is long and involves an integrated approach.
Development mechanism
Mycotic eczema is not a common fungal infection. In the mechanism of its development, two processes are immediately embedded that occur simultaneously: the active vital activity of a pathogenic microorganism and an allergic reaction. It is their combination that leads to the disease, which is characterized by pronounced symptoms.
The causative agent of mycotic eczema is a fungus. In total there are more than 500 species. However, most often, mold fungi and the genus Candida, epidermophyton, trichophyton, as well as causative agents of nodular trichosporia and colorful lichen, are detected in patients.
According to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10), mycotic eczema is assigned the code L30.3 “Infectious Dermatitis”.
Causes
In order for the disease development process to start, the usual penetration of the fungus into the human body is not enough. Damage to the skin occurs only when a specific reaction of the protective system to infection appears. It can occur under the influence of many provoking factors.
The main ones are the following:
- Genetic predisposition.
- Diseases of the endocrine system. First of all, people suffering from diabetes are at risk.
- The tendency to develop atopic reactions.
- Various pathologies of a chronic nature.
- Frequent episodes of the common cold.
- Deficiency in the body of vitamins and other vital substances.
- Long-term use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunomodulators.
- Hormonal disorders.
In the presence of one or more provoking factors, there is an increase in the degree of sensitivity of the body to the pathogen and the development of antibodies. When the fungus penetrates, the process of forming a very strong immune response starts. In this case, the protective system attacks the pathogen and affects the cells of its own body.
Regardless of the cause, treatment for eczema on the hands, feet and other parts of the body should be started in a timely manner. The disease progresses rather quickly. Moreover, it is accompanied by pronounced symptoms, contributing to a decrease in the quality of human life. Even after recovery, episodes of relapse are often noted.
Symptoms
Fungal eczema is a disease during which the following stages are observed:
- Initially, the formation of red spots of rounded shape, with clear boundaries. Gradually, papules and vesicles filled with pathological contents form on them. For a short period of time, they open, and in their place there remains a weeping surface, cracks appear on the skin. During this period, patients complain of severe pain and itching.
- Gradually wetting areas dry out and become covered with pink or yellow crusts. Over time, they separate from the skin and disappear. In this case, new rashes arise, and lesions become increasingly large.
Most often, microbial mycotic eczema is found on the palms (mainly between the fingers) and feet. Less commonly, the disease affects the skin in the elbow and knee bends, lower legs. If the patient already has eczema of a different nature, when a secondary infection is attached, a pathological focus occurs in the place where the primary development of the disease occurred.
Diagnostics
When the first alarming signs appear, you need to contact a dermatologist. In the process of admission, the doctor must provide information on the existing symptoms, their severity, as well as on existing diseases. After the survey, a dermatologist performs a physical examination. Already at this stage, the doctor can establish the presence of mycotic eczema, which is due to specific signs of pathology.
In order to confirm the diagnosis, the specialist scrapes the skin cells from the affected focus. Analysis of the biomaterial allows you to identify a specific pathogen, which is important for the preparation of the most effective treatment regimen for mycotic eczema. If necessary, additional studies may be prescribed, based on the results of which it is possible to judge the presence of certain provoking factors.
Drug therapy
Regardless of the identified causes, the treatment of eczema on both the arms, legs, and other sites requires an integrated approach. It is necessary to simultaneously fight the disease, conduct symptomatic therapy, as well as carry out activities aimed at improving the whole body. Even after successful treatment with the aim of prevention, a person needs to make adjustments to the daily regimen and nutrition.
The drug regimen for the treatment of mycotic eczema includes the following items:
- Antifungal therapy. As a rule, doctors prescribe the following drugs: Ketoconazole, Itraconazole, Terbinafine. The disease can affect the skin, even in the scalp. In this case, dermatologists recommend the use of special therapeutic shampoos. If the size of the focus of the pathology is small, external preparations are prescribed. With mycotic eczema, doctors recommend treating the skin with Ketoconazole, Terbinafine and Clotrimazole. If the patient has candidiasis as the main disease, other antimycotic drugs are prescribed: Nystatin, Amphotericin B, Levorin.
- Antiallergic therapy. Reducing the degree of sensitivity of the body to the pathological process is an important stage in the treatment of mycotic eczema. The weaker the immune system will respond to the growth of the pathogen, the easier the person will suffer the disease. In order to reduce the severity of allergies, the following drugs are prescribed: Claritin, Erius, Suprastin, Zodak, Cetrin. If an undesirable reaction is manifested with high intensity, drugs are administered to the patient intramuscularly or intravenously. For this purpose, doctors use Calcium Gluconate and Tavegil.
- Anti-inflammatory therapy. It implies the use of creams and ointments. As a rule, dermatologists recommend using the following external agents: Hydrocortisone, Prednitop, Elokom, Sinaflan, Laticort, and Advantan. After stopping the acute inflammatory process, combined preparations are prescribed, for example, Pimafukort.
Against the background of drug therapy, the patient also needs to make adjustments to the diet.
Diet features
If you have any type of eczema, you need to completely review the daily menu. From the diet it is completely necessary to exclude:
- fatty meats;
- spicy and fried foods;
- coffee;
- garlic;
- nuts
- confectionery;
- Tomatoes
- baking;
- smoked products;
- citrus;
- honey;
- milk;
- beets;
- Strawberries
- wheat
- melon;
- Garnet.
In addition, you need to minimize the consumption of cranberries, apricots, buckwheat, rice, peas, rabbit meat, broccoli, peaches, fatty fish, duck, corn and lingonberries.
The following foods should be included in the diet for mycotic eczema:
- mutton;
- horsemeat;
- watermelon;
- plum;
- any greens;
- pumpkin;
- turnip;
- apples
- gooseberry;
- bananas
- lean fish;
- kefir;
- offal;
- cucumbers
- zucchini.
All dishes are recommended to be boiled or steamed. The duration of the diet is determined by the doctor. As a rule, the standard compliance period is a 3-week time span. It is important to understand that diet is not starvation. The patient's nutrition should be balanced so as not to cause even more harm to the body. After stopping the acute process, it is allowed to use a minimum amount of products that are potential allergens 2-3 times a week.
Folk remedies
The use of unconventional methods does not eliminate the need to consult a doctor. Only after its permission is it possible to use folk methods. This is due to the fact that most medicinal products are potential allergens and can worsen the course of the pathology.
The most effective recipes for mycotic eczema:
- If there are weeping rashes, chop the viburnum berries and prepare a decoction from them. With the help of the funds obtained, it is necessary to make lotions on the affected areas.
- For better healing, it is recommended to treat the skin with sea buckthorn oil. In addition, the tool helps to eliminate puffiness, peeling and itching.
- Take in equal amounts a series of yarrow and aloe. Pour them with water and boil for 20 minutes. Using the resulting broth, make compresses on the areas affected by the fungus.
The regular use of alternative methods reduces the duration of the disease and improves the quality of life.
Recommendations to patients
Mycotic eczema is an insidious disease, as relapses can occur even after recovery. Patients need to adhere to a therapeutic diet, avoid overeating and getting into stressful situations. If psycho-emotional instability occurs against the background of painful symptoms, the doctor selects sedatives of mild action.
Forecast
The outcome of the disease directly depends on the timeliness of seeking medical help. In most cases, the prognosis is favorable, but even after recovery, episodes of relapse are not excluded.
Prevention
To prevent the development of mycotic eczema, it is necessary to constantly protect the body from the appearance of provoking factors. To do this, you need to wash your hands regularly, treat the identified diseases in a timely manner, wear gloves when cleaning. In addition, it is recommended that vegetable and fruit juices do not get on the skin.
Finally
Mycotic eczema is a pathology that is based on two mechanisms at once: an allergic reaction and a fungal infection. If you have any warning signs, you should contact a dermatologist. The doctor will conduct diagnostic measures, based on the results of which will be an effective treatment regimen.