Foot mycosis (ICD code 10 B35. 3) is a fungal infection of the skin of the legs caused by parasitic dermatophytes. It occurs in about 20% of adults. Infection occurs through microtrauma, scratches, abrasions, wounds. The development of the disease is favored by wet feet, diabetes mellitus and weakened immunity.
Among people with endocrine disorders, immunodeficiency states, the prevalence reaches 50%. More often, the disease proceeds in a chronic form with alternating periods of remission and exacerbations. In 40-50% of cases, mycosis of the feet causes onychomycosis or a fungal infection of the nails.
Where and why does the infection occur?
Foot mycosis is a contagious disease that is easily transmitted through direct contact with a fungus carrier or through household items. For example, through shoes, socks, a towel, manicure supplies, rubber mats in the shower. In 70-95% of cases, the causative agent of mycosis of the feet is Trichophyton red (Tr. Rubrum).
Usually, infection occurs in public places with high humidity, where favorable conditions exist for the reproduction and spread of the pathogen. Such places include swimming pools, public showers, saunas, water parks, gym locker rooms. If a person infected with a fungus walks barefoot on the floor or rugs in the shower, he will leave infectious particles behind. And if a healthy person then enters this place barefoot, the pathogen will fall on his skin. In this case, the fungus does not always manifest itself immediately and provokes the characteristic symptoms of the disease. With strong immunity, the absence of health problems, a person simply remains a carrier of the infection, but at the same time he does not get sick.
The risks of contracting fungi and the development of mycosis of the feet increase:
- damage to the integrity of the skin;
- violation of the blood supply to the extremities, in which the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues worsens, regeneration processes slow down, local immunity is weakened;
- diabetes mellitus, high blood glucose levels create favorable conditions for the growth of the fungus, the progression of infection;
- excessive sweating;
- dry skin, which leads to micro cracks;
- old age;
- blood diseases;
- long-term use of antibiotics, drugs that suppress immunity;
- vitamin deficiency;
- Wear shoes that are impermeable to air and create a "greenhouse effect".
Symptoms and types of disease
Foot mycosis manifests itself in different ways, the type of pathogen and the severity of the injury influence the symptoms. The first signs of the disease appear in the folds between the fingers and from there spread to the orthotics, sides, back sides and nails.
The appearance of the feet with mycosis is shown in the photo.
When the nails become infected, thickening, loss of luster, dull plaque are noted. The nail acquires a yellow and gray tint, becomes brittle, crumbles.
Early clinical symptoms of mycosis of the feet include dryness, peeling of the skin, painless cracks in the creases between the toes. This form of the disease is called erased. The flaking and cracks at first cause no pain, itchiness, or discomfort. Only a doctor can notice the first unspoken signs of a fungal infection. In addition to the erased one, other clinical forms of mycosis of the feet are also distinguished, each of which has its own symptoms.
Scaly
In the scaly form of mycosis of the feet, there is flaking in the creases between the toes and on the sides. As a rule, there are no signs of inflammation. It is possible redness, nail damage, itching, thickening of the stratum corneum, which gives the skin a shine. Papillary lines become more pronounced, and the surface of the skin becomes dry, covered with lamellar scales. In this case, the patient does not experience itching or other unpleasant sensations.
Hyperkeratotic
It looks like an eruption in the vaults. The surface of the elements of the rash is covered with layered scales of gray-white color. There is a detachment of the epidermis, single vesicles. When they merge with each other, the rashes form large indistinct foci that spread throughout the sole, including the lateral and dorsal surfaces. Along with the foci of peeling, there are areas of hyperkeratosis or thickening of the skin. They look like corns with cracks on top. With a hyperkeratotic form of mycosis of the feet, the affected area is similar to the manifestations of psoriasis or eczema. A person is worried about dryness, itching, and sometimes pain.
Intertriginous
The intertriginous form of mycosis of the feet is similar to the symptoms of diaper rash. Hence the name from Lat. intertrigo - "diaper rash". Most often, the skin is affected in the intervals between the third and fourth, fourth and fifth toes. It becomes bright red, edematous. Weeping wounds, deep painful cracks are formed. In contrast to diaper rash, lesions in intertriginous mycosis are round with clear outlines, with a white outline separating along the edges of the epidermis. The person feels itching, burning, pain.
Dyshidrotic
Dyshidrotic forms of mycosis of the feet are characterized by multiple vesicles with a thick apex, located mainly on the arches. The rash spreads to large areas of the soles of the feet, as well as the spaces between the toes and the skin of the toes. Merge to form large bubbles. In place of the bursting bubble, wet erosion appears. As inflammation grows, the skin turns red and swells. At the stage of blistering, the patient feels an unbearable itch.
Diagnostics
If you suspect mycosis of the feet, you must go to a dermatologist. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will examine the legs, ask what symptoms bother the person, how long ago and after which they appeared. Do a scraping from the affected area for microscopic analysis, cultural research to identify a specific type of pathogen. In addition, your doctor may order blood tests for you.
How to treat mycosis of the feet?
Mycologist or dermatologist deals with the treatment of mycosis of the skin of the feet. Taking into account the clinical form of the disease, the severity of the lesion, visible changes, the doctor will select an appropriate therapy.
Complications of a fungal leg infection can lead to infections with a fungus of the hands. Foot mycosis sometimes leads to secondary bacterial infections, especially when there are weeping wounds on the skin.
External fungicidal agents (ointments, creams), tablets for oral administration are prescribed to combat the fungus. Only local therapy is effective for milder forms of foot mycosis. According to clinical guidelines, oral medications are prescribed in severe cases.
If necessary, the treatment is supplemented with anti-inflammatory, drying, antiseptic, antiallergic drugs, agents that improve the regeneration of damaged tissues. If there are signs of a bacterial infection, antibiotic therapy is prescribed.
With onychomycosis, hardware cleaning of the areas infected with the fungus is performed. For subsequent nail processing, local antifungal agents are prescribed - varnish, cream or ointment.
The duration of treatment ranges from two weeks to one month. If not only the skin is affected, but also the nails, the treatment is delayed. This is due to the fact that the nail grows slowly. To get rid of the infection, a completely healthy nail plate needs to grow back.
If you follow your doctor's prescriptions, mycosis can be successfully treated. But if, noticing an improvement, the patient stops taking drugs, this leads to a return of the infection, its transition to a chronic form. It is necessary to complete the entire course, even if the symptoms of the disease have already disappeared.
Very important in the treatment of mycosis of the feet foot care, personal hygiene, diet, choice of comfortable shoes that do not damage the affected areas.
What to do to prevent?
To avoid mycosis of feet and nails or reduce the risks of their development, the following recommendations will help:
- keep under control chronic diseases in which blood circulation in the lower partthe extremities are compromised or the body's defenses are reduced;
- Wash your feet daily with soap and water, then dry them with a towel, especially the folds between the toes;
- air your shoes and change your socks every day;
- Wear closed rubber slippers when visiting public showers, saunas, swimming pools, baths;
- in case of excessive sweating, use antiperspirants for the feet, disinfectants for shoes, do not wear other people's shoes, socks, tights;
- do not use someone else's towel or washcloth.
If you find even slight peeling of the skin on the legs or cracks between the toes, it is worth taking the fungus test. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment will help avoid complications, extensive damage, discomfort, pain when walking, and contracting a bacterial infection.