Foot fungus is a seasonal disease and especially occurs in the closed shoe season. Fungal infections of the feet don't attract the same attention as other types of fungus, such as toenail fungus. This is because the foot is not visible unless you specifically look at it. And the first manifestations, not strong, are attributed to everyday reasons.
The easiest way to test for foot fungus is to smell your shoes! A bad smell is a sign of a fungal infection. Although the mushrooms themselves do not smell, but their waste products. . . Plus the waste products of microorganisms that have lodged in the wounds formed by a fungal disease. And mainly these are staphylococci. All of this taken together is what causes unpleasant odors from shoes and feet.
Combing the skin on the affected area leads to the spread of infection!
When the feet are in warm, closed shoes for a long time, they sweat profusely. The fungus, which under normal conditions does not activate, once in an ideal environment for itself, begins to actively develop. So, the second name of this disease appeared - "athlete's foot". Fungal disease of the feet is caused by different types of fungi. And since athletes spend most of their time in tight, closed shoes, they mostly suffer from this mycosis.
Athlete's foot is quite common. With it, a fungal infection of the sole of the foot or the areas of the skin between the toes occurs.
Such mycoses can be caused by the appearance at the foot of one of the varieties of a parasitic colony of an infectious and highly contagious disease called foot fungus.
Fungal diseases that cause extensive skin lesions are provoked by various types of fungi, the nature of which is discovered in the study of analyzes.
How the fungus manifests itself
On the skin of the legs, the pathology initially manifests itself in small areas that are prone to peeling, then the spot spreads with uneven edges, and mycosis becomes more pronounced.
The activity of the manifestation of the symptoms of the fungus on the legs can be both lightning fast and rather slow. Because it all depends on how strong a person's immunity is and the type of microorganism that brought this ailment.
Types of foot fungus are quite diverse and manifest in their own way, but if a person has pathological changes on the feet, then you should find out from specialists what the reason is. Mycologists will explain what a fungus is and teach you how to fight it.
What does foot fungus look like?
Foot fungus is accompanied, in most cases, by "athlete's foot": it looks like a barely perceptible scaly skin. As the disease spreads, the skin color turns red and the changes become more noticeable. In addition, foot disease resembles large areas with large scales of dry skin, sometimes the marks are found on one side, sometimes on both sides of the foot. The localization of the foot fungus is usually found in the lower limbs, and the appearance of the limb depends on the degree of development of the pathology.
Species differences are considered as:
- a very dense stratum corneum on the sole;
- the flakes begin to peel off the honey with your fingers;
- the skin is inflamed;
- the foot injury also looks like blisters.
The formed fungus on the legs looks quite expressive, so a person should notice specific manifestations and consult a doctor.
Causes of foot fungus
What to do if a fungus appears? To begin with, it is worth finding out the reasons for its appearance and thinking about where exactly the spores could be collected and why the body did not respond correctly.
About how the formation of an athlete's foot begins, about the reasons that precede the development of pathogenic flora, mycologists say the following: a fungus on the feet of the feet can develop if a person uses socks or shoes of an infected person, and also notwear slippers in places of passage of masses of people, that is, in public bathrooms, saunas and swimming pools, because that is where the most favorable ground for the bacterial front.
How to identify the fungus on the feet
The development of mycosis, a fungal disease, provokes at a fairly high rate and, especially quickly, such manifestations develop if there are concomitant chronic diseases. Diseases of the feet can be determined independently, but in order not to confuse each skin abrasion with signs of fungus on the legs, it is worthwhile to carefully consider the condition of the cover and the appearance of the skin under the toes.
Leg fungus is quite different in its symptoms, since the types of fungus on the legs are also not limited to just one, and each of them has its own characteristic manifestation.
What does a fungus look like on the foot
And how the skin fungus on the legs may appear will determine what its species is. So to speak, the mycelium will leave its "business card" upon arrival.
Sometimes people with a history of such a pathology do not even know, they just see too dry coverage on the legs, but they mean that it should be.
General symptoms usually look like this:
- the appearance of microcracks;
- slight itching, especially between the toes;
- severe peeling;
- sometimes swelling and pain in places where erosion occurs;
- rarely, but bleeding occurs.
- deep cracks may appear.
How to cure foot fungus
Treatment of the fungus on the feet is a long process, but if the preparatory stage is carried out correctly, that is, when diagnosing it is found out which parasitic pathogen in the body, the therapy can be faster.
It is necessary to treat skin fungi comprehensively, using both drugs that are taken internally and external medical pharmacological agents.
Athlete's foot is treatable with a careful study of all affected areas, this should be facilitated by a course of treatment.
On how to treat the fungus, it is necessary to consult with mycologists. They will be able to talk in detail about which drugs are able to cope well with the disease.
Foot disease treatment can be divided into several parts. An important priority task is to strengthen the most vulnerable areas and rehabilitate the areas affected by the disease. It is important to know that your feet must always be dry and clean:
- and shoes should also be made of materials that breathe;
- replaceable cotton socks should become a good absorbent that collects moisture;
- after the feet have been in the shoes all day, it is necessary to rinse them thoroughly and lubricate them with a special agent prescribed by a doctor.
It is also good to use special powders that help keep the feet dry.
The next part of the treatment involves the use of antifungal drugs, such as:
- ointments with a special composition;
- a cream with a lighter consistency than an ointment, which means with a deeper angle of penetration inside;
- aerosols, the smallest particles of which penetrate the most difficult to reach places.
And although almost all drug preparations intended for the removal of pathogens are sold in the retail pharmacy network without a special prescription, nevertheless, the consultation of an experienced specialist will not only not be superfluous, but, on the contrary, will help to have an effectcomplex about this disease.
The most common reasons why the treatment does not give effect are, first of all, a disturbed treatment regimen and irregular use of funds.
There are also the following reasons:
- many patients do not understand the severity of the disease and do not accept the proposed treatment;
- about a third of the sick do not go to specialists at all and from time to time use self-medication, which, for obvious reasons, does not bring relief;
- many patients do not believe that it is necessary to accurately diagnose a type of pathogen;
- many, as soon as the first positive results are achieved, stop the treatment on their own.
How foot fungus is treated with folk remedies
You can also treat fungus on the feet with folk remedies at home.
There is a good tool, you can do it yourself.
Ointment that well destroys mycosis of the feet:
- vinegar essence - 110 grams;
- a raw egg;
- butter - 200 grams (it is better to take the natural one from the farmer).
Scrub with absorbents from the kitchen counter:
- drink;
- coffee drunk;
- ground oat flakes;
- Rice flour.
These components, introduced into the foam, can be excellent helpers in smoothing the skin of the feet. They are great for exfoliating skin particles and freeing those areas that need to be treated from unnecessary layers.
Compress with anesthetic solution.
A gauze compress is dipped in an anesthetic solution and strengthened on the leg at night. In the morning, the bandage is removed and the affected areas are treated with a decoction of chamomile. Repeat for 7 days.
If you study the topic well, the disease of the feet can be treated with folk remedies, and the skin fungus on the legs will pass without a trace, without the possibility of relapse.
Consequences of advanced mycosis of the skin of the legs
Treatment of skin fungus on the legs must be comprehensive and timely, otherwise the following complications may occur:
- the same parasitic elements, as well as the products that remain after their vital activity, increase the risk of allergies in patients;
- the course of dermatitis can be complicated by the occurrence of eczema and psoriasis;
- since the skin is severely injured, the infection penetrates unhindered into the lower layers of the epidermis and causes the onset of lymphostasis.
With athlete's foot, warts appear much more often and hyperkeratosis can form.
Preventive measures
Foot fungus, or rather its appearance, can be prevented.
First, ointments and folk remedies can be used as additional protection, then the treatment of the fungus, even if it does occur, will take place according to a simplified scheme.
Also you need to perform the following steps:
- eat as prescribed by a healthy lifestyle;
- observe hygiene procedures;
- strengthen the body's immune defenses;
- apply preventive precautions.