Inguinal epidermophytosis is a chronic disease of fungal origin, affecting the epidermis in the groin area. This pathology manifests itself in the form of characteristic pink spots, which are accompanied by a pustular rash along the edges.
Affected areas of the skin can cause a person considerable discomfort, causing severe itching with pain, like all fungal diseases. In men, a pathology such as inguinal epidermophytosis can cause erectile dysfunction along with a decrease in libido. This disease is most often observed among men, but women can also suffer from it, though much less often. In childhood, this ailment never occurs.
What are the causes of the violation?
So, this fungal disease mainly develops in the male, much less often in women and never occurs among children or adolescents. This disease can spread if there is direct contact with the infection in everyday life. For example, through linen, towels, personal belongings of a sick person, as well as through cosmetics. After entering the body, this fungal infection is able to remain in an inactive form until the immune system weakens. After that, it appears in the penetration zone in the form of an oval spot having a pink color. Over time, this spot will begin to increase, affecting a large area of the skin. The fungus in men is localized, as a rule, in the area of inguinal folds; it is much less common on the penis, tissues of the buttocks, or in other places. As for women, their inguinal epidermophytosis affects in the armpits, mammary glands or under the knees.
Onset of symptoms
It should be emphasized that in case of infection with epidermophyton, the symptoms of infection do not immediately arise. This is due to the fact that these microorganisms have a low degree of pathogenicity, and therefore, people with strong immunity have a high probability that the disease will remain in an inactive form. Fungi of the epidermophyton family survive quite easily in environmental conditions, especially if there is increased humidity with a suitable temperature. This disease can even be transmitted through handshakes. Against this background, if a person has excessively active sweat glands, the risk of infection doubles.
In the event that neglected hygiene rules in places of general nutrition, hospitals, at school or a sanatorium, a whole fungal epidemic can occur.
Provocative factors
Among the factors that contribute to inguinal epidermophytosis in men and women, as a rule, the following reasons are distinguished:
- Hyperhidrosis along with stress and microtrauma of the skin.
- Man wearing tight clothing.
- The presence of excess weight.
- Low immunity.
- Hormonal malfunction and metabolic disorders.
Women and men who do not monitor personal hygiene, clean clothes and cleaning the house always run the risk of contracting mycosis much faster than tidy people. In addition, promiscuous sexual activity can increase the risk of infection, along with the abuse of alcohol and drugs. The presence of chronic diseases that constantly weaken the protective functions of the body can also provoke pathology. Next, we will understand what are the symptoms of this disease in men and women.
Symptoms in men
Treatment of such an ailment as inguinal epidermophytosis in men is carried out shortly after the appearance of a fungal infection on the skin. The main sign of mycosis is the appeared spot, which has a rounded shape, the diameter of which is approximately ten millimeters. It may turn out to be solitary, which most often happens in the presence of initial signs. Subsequently, the formation of inguinal epidermophytosis in men and women can grow to several spots, which will constantly cause itching, increase in size and peel off.
The appearance of bubbles
Soon, bubbles begin to appear on the affected skin around the perimeter of the spots, in which purulent exudate may be present. In addition, crusts form on this place. The unpleasant symptoms of a progressive infection often worsen while walking, as well as when swimming. Treatment of inguinal epidermophytosis in men will be discussed below.
When the inflammatory processes subside a little, clean, pale and slightly sunken skin appears in the central area of the spots. In their appearance, the areas of subsiding infection usually have the form of rings confirming the cause of the origin of the skin change. In addition to discomfort, against the background of any movement, spots in the groin area will be very painful when touched. During the development of this infection in men, dissection of pustules may occur, followed by the appearance of ulcers and erosion. In the event that another infection joins during this period, the consequences can be extremely serious.
Chronic form
If this disease is not cured in time, it will most likely become chronic and recur from time to time. The chronic form of this infection is extremely dangerous, since in the future, even despite a complete cure, it can become aggravated every time against the background of a weakening of the body's defense system.
Treatment of inguinal epidermophytosis in men and women should be timely.
Symptoms in women
In women, the symptoms are much like the manifestation of this disease in men. The defeat of the fungal microflora in women is also observed in the intimate area, and in addition, on the buttocks and in the armpit area. In this case, the focus of inguinal epidermophytosis in women can increase, capturing adjacent areas.
In women, with the appearance of spots in the armpit area, the pathology can even go into the fold zone under the breast. It is possible that the disease develops in the interdigital spaces, on the skin of the feet, hands, and in some situations even on the nails. Immediately after the infection occurs, the symptoms of dermatomycosis appear. Knowing the signs of this disease in women, it will not be difficult to determine that this pathology has arisen. So, the symptoms of inguinal epidermophytosis in women are as follows:
- The appearance on the skin of spots that gradually turn pink, and subsequently bright red.
- The surface of the stains may peel off.
- At first, the formation is small, but with the passage of time, spots increase to ten square centimeters. In some cases, they can reach even larger sizes.
- In the periphery, the appearance of inflammatory processes along with swelling can be observed.
- The formation of papules in which there is turbid exudate. In the event that you do not use funds for treatment, pustules can spread throughout the body.
- In the central part, the inflammatory process can stop spontaneously, but after some time there are foci of skin lesions in the form of rings.
- Additional symptoms are itching along with burning and discomfort during movement.
In the absence of proper therapy, this disease can develop over several years and only worsens over time. The severity of the pathology directly depends on the fungal microorganism that provoked it.
How to treat inguinal epidermophytosis is interesting to many patients.
Pathology Features
Treatment is based on the stage of the disease. The easiest way to deal with it at the initial stage, when the fungus is just starting to multiply and appears in the form of spots of a small pink color.
Following the initial stage, acute develops. At this time, the spots become wet in nature, they increase in size and itching occurs. Further, rings of various diameters appear at the site of the formations, and the intensity of inflammation is reduced. Against the background of the chronic stage, foci are clarified. In the event that a person experiences emotional stress, experiencing stress, then the foci begin to become very inflamed.
Complication
The advanced forms of the disease develop with a complication of mycotic pathology. In the event that adequate treatment is not timely performed, the skin may become covered with large blisters that will be permanently damaged or infected. In this case, as part of the therapy, the blisters will be opened with their subsequent processing. Now we find out how the treatment of inguinal epidermophytosis in women and men is carried out.
Treatment
After confirming this diagnosis through microscopic and bacteriological studies, patients are prescribed treatment for the disease. First of all, antimycotic drugs, often in the form of ointments or various creams. Ointments “Clotrimazole”, “Lamisil”, “Mikoseptin”, “Nystatin” (ointments and tablets of the drug are used), “Cyclopirox”, “Econazole” and others are prescribed for inguinal epidermophytosis.
Antifungal medications are often prescribed together with steroids to help cope with the complications of mycosis. Medications perfectly relieve itching, drying out the skin and acting as an antiseptic. Such therapy is necessarily carried out under the supervision of specialists in order to avoid the occurrence of adverse reactions.
Eliminate the unpleasant symptoms of a fungal infection during an exacerbation by using antihistamines such as Cetrin, Zodak, and Diazolin. The treatment of the inflamed areas is carried out by Fucorcin, and the lotions themselves are made by Resorcin, sulfur-tar and zinc ointment. Ointments are applied to damaged areas of the skin with a thin layer several times a day. The treatment itself lasts quite a long time - until the symptoms of the disease disappear completely.
Immunity drugs
In order for the treatment of inguinal epidermophytosis to be faster, doctors recommend taking medications that increase immunity, in particular, Immunal in combination with vitamin preparations. On top of that, you need to eat quality and healthy food. In the event that bacterial infection is also added to the fungal infection, antibacterial drugs are prescribed in the treatment of inguinal epidermophytosis in women and men.
It is very important to carefully monitor personal hygiene. For example, you need to wash daily, wear loose clothing made from natural fabrics, and monitor the cleanliness of the house. It is required to boil underwear and bed linen with towels. If possible, it is also recommended to change washcloths with cosmetics.
Inguinal epidermophytosis is treated using folk methods.
Conducting treatment using home medicine
Traditional medicine has long been known throughout the world for safe, and at the same time effective treatment of many diseases, including fungal infections. Alternative methods can be used only in combination with the main therapy to achieve the fastest, and most importantly - high-quality result. So, here are some recipes:
- Insist St. John's wort with chamomile and lingonberry leaves, after which they take half a glass daily. Since lingonberry leaves too much reduce pressure, this remedy is not suitable for hypotensives. What else is used in the treatment of inguinal epidermophytosis at home?
- Infected areas of the skin are treated with a decoction of a string, yarrow and oak bark. Further, immediately after wiping, you can use any drying ointment.
- Birch and poplar buds insist on alcohol and then treat the product with pathological spots.
- Celandine juice is very useful to lubricate inflamed skin. Decoctions should be made from this herb, adding them to the bath while bathing.
- Treatment can be carried out using gruel from onions.
- The use of thick pasta from baking soda perfectly helps with epidermophytosis.
Prophylaxis
As part of the prevention of the disease, you need to monitor your health, playing sports and strengthening immunity. Whenever possible, public places in which you can easily become infected should be avoided. It is always necessary to wash your hands thoroughly when coming home from work or from a store, and so on. In summer, it is recommended to wear only high-quality clothing made from natural material.