Foot fungus: causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Fungus on the feet is considered a fairly common disease. They are all prone to mycoses. Infection occurs by touching the infected area of skin or particles of the damaged nail. The doctor should treat the fungus on the feet. They will choose an effective remedy that will get rid of the disease quickly.

Causes of fungi

Fungus on the feet, which should be treated by an experienced specialist, can occur for the following reasons:

1. Pool water, shower or sauna are breeding grounds for various infections. You must bring personal shoes when visiting such places. Walking barefoot on the floor is not recommended.
2. The humid environment is ideal for rapid growth and reproduction of fungi.
3. Dried mushroom particles can exist for several years. As soon as they come to a favorable environment, they will begin to actively develop.
4. This disease is often caused by metabolic disorders or problems of the endocrine system.
5. The disease often manifests itself in those people whose foot is deformed or whose blood circulation is damaged.

Symptoms of fungus

The symptoms of the disease are determined by its type. There are several forms:

• squamous;
• dyshydrotic;
• intertrigue;
• onychomycosis of the feet;
• candidiasis.

Squamous form

Initially, the disease occurs on one leg. If you do not start treatment on time, move on to the other foot. The symptoms of the disease should be considered:

• appearance of redness on the skin;
• peeling the lid;
• itching (not always associated with the disease).

Often a person who is sick with a squamous infection does not mind anything. Therefore, in this form, the doctor is advised only when the infection has spread to both legs.

Dyshydrotic form

This disease is characterized by the appearance of small bubbles (2 to 8 mm in diameter) on the arch of the foot. They usually occur where the foot does not touch the floor while walking. After a while, the small foci merge into the large ones and open up. The result is erosion of the skin.

The process spreads from the arch to the inside of the foot. A large focus of erosion and then diaper rash occurs at the site of the bubble opening. Often a person feels itching and pain in places where blisters form.

Once the erosion has healed and dried, peeling will occur at this site. If you do not start treatment on time, then the dyshidrotic form of the disease will develop into a squamous.

Intertrigue form

This disease can occur alone or in the background of the squamous form of the fungus. Typically, the process begins with cracks in the skin between the fourth and fifth fingers.

The symptoms of the disease should be considered:

• the appearance of a white edge resulting from peeling of the epidermis;
• the appearance of weeping wounds between the fingers;
• burning sensation and pain;
• constant itching.

The intertrigious form of fungal infection of the feet has a chronic course. In winter the disease subsides, and in summer it worsens. Lack of proper treatment contributes to the loss of protective properties of the skin and the penetration of streptococcal infection into the body. As a result, pustular inflammatory processes developed.

Onychomycosis of the feet

This disease is a platinum lesion on the nails. The disease develops, starting from the free edge of the nail. Stains and yellow streaks appear on the board first.

With hypertrophic onychomycosis, the nail becomes thicker and becomes yellow. It is easily crushed and peeled. The skin beneath was thickened.

In the atrophic form of the disease, the nail plate becomes thinner and gradually collapses. A keratinized layer of skin forms beneath it.

Candidal lesion

In this form, the lesions are often located between the third and fourth, as well as between the fourth and fifth finger. The symptoms of the disease are as follows:

• the skin is edematous and red in color;
• abscesses or blisters appear near the focus;
• the edge of the red top layer of skin is created around the redness.

You should see your doctor as soon as you notice the first signs. They may be itchy, stinging, pain, or peeling skin. After the examination, the specialist will diagnose and prescribe treatment. If you ignore the symptoms, the infection will affect the entire foot, including the nail plate. In this case, it will be difficult to cure the fungus on the feet. Therefore, it is not worth starting the disease.

How to treat fungus on the feet

The doctor can choose an effective course. You need to consult a specialist and say the symptoms that are bothering you. An experienced specialist will quickly determine how to treat foot fungus.

Medications

You can find many different products in pharmacies.

Special drugs are antifungal agents that inhibit the growth of fungi. They are available in the form of tablets and capsules, ointments and gels, suspensions, syrups and solutions. The dosage, dosing regimen and duration of treatment are determined by the attending physician.

Folk remedies

Fungal diseases are chronic and do not pose a great danger to human health.

Traditional methods of treatment are effective only in the early stages. During this period, the symptoms of the disease are still not noticed, it can be difficult to recognize the fungus. That is why folk remedies are best used in addition to drug treatment.

The most common way to deal with fungus is a bath with vinegar. It has a striking antiseptic effect. The bath is done like this:

1. Wash your feet in warm water and towel dry.
2. Pour a solution of wine vinegar into the basin.
3. Lower your legs and hold in your pelvis for 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Take out your legs and put on socks dipped in vinegar solution.

The treatment is best done before bedtime. Then the socks should be removed in the morning.

Baking soda baths and sea salt are also effective for treating feet. They are finished like this:

1. Dissolve one tablespoon of salt and soda in a sufficient amount of water.
2. Put your feet in the solution.
3. After 15 minutes, wash your feet with warm water.

It is better to wash your feet with a decoction of herbs. Suitable for this are marigold, medicinal verbena, oak bark. The broth is made as follows:

1. The ingredients are mixed in equal amounts.
2. Pour 3 tablespoons of the mixture into a glass of water.
3. Put the container on low heat.
4. It heats up within 20 minutes.
5. The solution was filtered and cooled.
6. The broth is used for rinsing the feet and for lotions.

You can prepare ointment for the affected areas of the foot. For this, lard and sifted ash are taken. The ingredients are mixed until smooth. The ointment is applied to the clean skin of the feet in the morning and evening.

Disease prevention

Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Therefore, avoid wearing closed shoes all the time. Excessive foot sweating often leads to the development of fungal diseases.

It should be borne in mind that the fungus easily tolerates low temperatures. After entering a normal environment, it becomes active and begins to develop rapidly. Therefore, freezing is not a prophylaxis or a method of fighting bacteria.

Boiling can kill the fungus. To prevent the disease, it is necessary to wash clothes at a high temperature and then iron them.

To avoid fungal infections, you need to use only your belongings and shoes, carefully sterilize pedicure and manicure tools. By following simple rules, you can protect yourself from a disease that is so difficult to cure.