Intolerable itching and redness of the skin between the toes, sharp pains when walking are the first symptoms of the most common dermatological problem: fungal skin lesions. Germinating through the delicate epithelium of the skin, the mycelium of the fungus gradually "spreads" over the entire plantar surface of the legs, causing unpleasant moist and scaly areas, painful cracks and deformation of the nails.
Malignant fungus and related factors
The causative agent of the disease is dermatomycetes fungi, among which the genus Trichophyton is considered the most common. They live almost everywhere: in swimming pools and on beaches, as people and on animal hair, but the disease is not always caused. An important factor is the creation of an infection gate through which the dermatomycete can penetrate to a sufficient depth.
Fungus between the toes appears when the skin's barrier functions are weakened:
- When wearing tight and closed shoes. This is especially true for the hot season, when the sweat released creates the conditions for the maceration of the skin, it becomes the home of many microorganisms.
- Abrasions and scratches are doors ready for the entry of fungi. If you have them, you shouldn't risk trying on someone else's shoes barefoot, walking barefoot in the pool, sauna and steam room.
- An effective remedy for the fungus on the feet between the toes must be sought by lovers of cheap pedicure in the salons of dubious reputation. The procedure itself involves cutting the cuticles and rubbing the skin, and non-sterile instruments may be "enriched" with fungus.
Fungus between the fingers: symptoms and complications
The appearance of the fungus on the legs between the toes cannot be described unambiguously, since the disease has several forms, each of which is characterized by special manifestations:
- Dyshidrotic foot fungus is characterized by three stages: redness, blistering with liquid and dry crusts, peeling. As a rule, all three stages coexist on the same areas of the skin. The insidiousness of the dyshidrotic form of dermatomycosis lies in its high resemblance to eczema. For an accurate diagnosis, a laboratory smear is required.
- The scaly form is characterized by redness and severe peeling of the skin.
- Scaly-hyperkeratotic lesion causes severe itching and burning, seals and peeling scales appear a little later.
- With the intertriginous form, the manifestations are so typical that you do not even have to look at what the fungus looks like between the toes in the photo: severe itching, burning are accompanied by peeling and the formation of painful cracks, and rather large foci of epidermal exfoliation often appear.
- Intertriginous and dyshrhidrotic forms of dermatomycosis require caution and gentle methods of treatment, since secondary microflora can easily penetrate into weeping foci and cracks, which will lead to the appearance of abscesses. Despite the chronic course, they have pronounced inflammatory processes, which require the use of emollient ointments and anti-inflammatory baths.
Pharmacological treatment
In the arsenal of modern medicine, there are a number of drugs for the treatment of the fungus between the toes. Among them are both topical and tablet ointments that destroy the fungus from the inside. As a rule, a specialist selects a drug on the basis of an analysis of the degree of development of the disease, its form and coverage. Systemic pill therapy is used only in advanced cases, when the skin of the entire foot is involved in the process and characteristic changes are found in the nails.
Antifungal ointments have been divided into several generations. But it should be understood that even the most effective remedy for the fungus between the toes does not guarantee disposal if the rules of personal hygiene and a number of precautions are neglected.
A gentle pedicure should be performed at least once a week throughout the treatment. Thereafter, the frequency can be reduced to once every two weeks.
Since the fungus can survive on socks and shoes, these also need to be treated. To do this, use liquids containing chlorine, such as bleach.
If you are thinking about how to get rid of the fungus between the toes, remember to change your socks every day. For two or three consecutive days, wearing clothes already retains traces of sweat, in which parasites live and multiply.
Only the combination of a course of therapy selected by a specialist and careful observance of all hygiene rules can ensure a quick recovery from the disease.
Treatment of the fungus between the toes with folk remedies
Traditional medicine has collected many recipes for fighting fungi, including both kitchen furniture products and very exotic herbs and medicines. The most accessible among them are:
- Iodine, daily lubrication of the lesions with which it brings visible results in a week.
- Hydrogen peroxide, which gained popularity thanks to the works of a famous doctor. Its ability to destroy the cell membranes of the fungus and form a film on the damaged skin surface ensures quick relief from the disease.
If you have accumulated a lot of funds and are thinking about how to treat fungus between the toes, you should also try the effect of vinegar. Despite the fact that the fungus lives in a slightly acidic environment, it does not tolerate an increase in pH. Lubrication of the affected areas with a 9% solution of vinegar and water in a ratio of 1: 8 gives positive results within 2-3 weeks.
The most popular remedies in folk medicine - onions and garlic - also have an antifungal effect. The gruel prepared by them is mixed with petroleum jelly in a 1: 1 ratio and applied to the affected skin before going to bed.
You have not decided how to treat the fungus on the feet between the toes, do not forget about its destruction on shoes and personal hygiene items. This is what guarantees the absence of relapses in the very near future.