Regardless of the pathogen, the disease has similar symptoms, mechanism of occurrence and treatment tactics. Foot fungus is a common and contagious disease. It is characterized by a high frequency of occurrence of concomitant conditions and diseases, for example, foci of chronic inflammation, endocrine diseases, a decrease in the immune system and other diseases. As a rule, the disease is chronic in nature with exacerbations in summer and attenuation of the process (remission) in winter.
Signs of fungus
- Color change
- Inflammation
- Appearance of spots
- Erosion
- Deformation and thickening
Types of fungal foot diseases
Depending on the types of fungi that cause the disease, foot mycoses are divided into:
Yeast-type mycoses: caused by fungi of the Candida genus.
Mold mycoses: caused by the fungi Scytalidium spp. , Onychocola canadensis, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Alternaria, Penicillium.
Dermatomycosis: caused by dermatomycetes of the genera Trichophyton, Epidermophyton. Mushrooms of this species need keratin to function, rich in the stratum corneum of the skin, nails and hair. The group of dermatomycosis with predominant nail damage includes rubrophytosis (the causative agent isTrichophyton rubrum) and athlete's foot (causative agent - Trichophyton interdigitale). Trichophyton rubrum accounts for approximately 80 to 90% of cases of athlete's foot.
Mixed mycoses: caused by several types of fungi at the same time.
Each type of yeast infection is described in detail below.
Yeast-type mycoses
Recently, foot fungus caused by fungi of the genus Candida has become more widespread. It is assumed that this is due to the widespread use of various drugs, the action of which is associated with interaction with the immune system.
Dermatomycosis
Athlete's foot is a chronic disease localized on the skin of the arch and interdigital folds of the feet, with frequent lesions of the nail plates.
Mold mycoses
Mold fungus is mainly common in countries where people traditionally walk barefoot (Eastern countries and subtropical and tropical countries). In regions with temperate climates, this type of mycosis also occurs, but as a rule, in patients with immunodeficiency and in people who often come into contact with soil and plants.
Forms of foot fungus
There are several forms of mycosis:
Scaly
It is characterized by peeling of the skin at the arch of the foot, which can extend to the surface of the toes. Areas of skin thickening and lamellar scaling may also appear.
Intertriginous
Similar to interdigital diaper rash. The inflammatory process is generally located between the 3rd and 4th finger. The stratum corneum softens, detaches and flakes. Cracks and a whitish layer appear. Itching and burning begins. The addition of pyococcal flora (pustular infection) and yeast is possible, then the affected areas become covered with purulent and bloody crusts.
Dyshidrotic
It is characterized by the appearance on the lateral side of the feet and on the surfaces of the fingers in contact with it, of bubbles filled with a clear liquid and covered with a thick horny layer. Sago grains (vesicles) may be single or coalesce into multi-chambered bubbles. As the pyococci join together, the contents of the vesicles become cloudy, then they open and erosions are formed, covered with purulent-hemorrhagic crusts. Some patients experience inflammation of the lymph nodes and a deterioration in general health.
In 2/3 of patients with intertriginous and dyshidrotic forms of epidermophytosis, mycidal (allergic skin rash) is observed.
Of course, the identification of clinical forms of epidermophytosis is conditional, since their combination often occurs, one form can transform into another. It all depends on the reaction of the body, physical activity and treatment methods of the patient.
In addition, with foot fungus, nails are often affected, mainly in the area of the first and fifth toes. The nail plate acquires yellowish spots or stripes, the surface becomes dull and uneven, and a horny thickening begins to appear under the nail, which subsequently leads to the destruction of the nail plate.
By watching the corresponding video on the Internet, you will find out that foot fungus can be caused by various factors and to choose treatment tactics for this disease, it is necessary to determine the type of fungus and establish the cause of itsappearance.
Causes of foot fungus
The main causes of foot fungus are:
- Excessive sweating or, conversely, increased dryness and peeling of the feet. These processes disrupt the protective function of skin cells.
- Anatomical characteristics: narrow spaces between the toes and their deformation, flat feet.
- Problems with thermoregulation (maintaining a certain body temperature) and microcirculation (transport of biological fluids).
- Wounds, injuries that violate the integrity of the skin. These injuries often lead to infections.
- The presence of diseases that reduce immunity or lead to metabolic disorders (for example, endocrinopathies, blood diseases, oncology, etc. ).
- Taking certain medications (antibacterials, cytostatics, corticosteroids).
Often, fungal infections of the feet are associated with pustular rashes, therefore assumptions are made about the relationship between them: thanks to pyococci, dermatophytes penetrate deep into the subcutaneous tissue and prolonged mycoses due to the formationcracks, scratches and erosions contribute to increased susceptibility to infections.
Often with foot fungus a viral infection occurs. For example, the causative agent of rubromycosis activates papillomaviruses and herpes viruses. This is manifested by an increase in the concentration of viruses on the surface of cells infected with fungi.
People suffering from mycosis are the cause of the spread of the disease: during the peeling process, the skin scales containing the pathogens of the fungal infection break off. These infected scales often end up on the floor and on swimming pool and bath equipment, but also on pedicure instruments.
An interesting fact is that mushrooms are very resistant and can be kept in thermal springs, chlorinated and ozonated water for 12-18 days. Water with a high salt or hydrogen sulfide content is harmful to fungi.
Therefore, we must remember that the general mechanisms contributing to the development of fungal foot infections are caused by a violation of the body's natural resistance and changes in immune and metabolic processes.
Diagnosis of foot fungus
Diagnosis of foot fungus includes:
- Assess patient complaints and the presence of chronic illnesses.
- Microscopic examination of affected skin and nail particles.
- Cultural seeding is the placement of pathogenic microorganisms in a nutrient medium for their reproduction and subsequent accurate identification, as well as to assess the activity of antifungal drugs and determine the sensitivity of fungi to them.
To correctly select treatment, it is important to determine whether the changes in the skin of the foot are a fungal infection or dyshidrotic eczema, keratoderma, psoriasis or other skin diseases.
Antifungal drugs, agents, antimycotics
Antifungal agents: classification and types of dosage forms. Methods for using antimycotics.
Treatment of foot fungus
Treatment of foot fungus should be carried out comprehensively; it is important not only to suppress the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms and eliminate symptoms, but also to destroy pathogens and eliminate the cause of their appearance (increase immunity, immediately treat small wounds on the feet, etc. ). It is imperative to treat concomitant diseases that provoke the development of fungal infections.
Additionally, some people may have allergic reactions to certain mushrooms (like mykids). In such cases, antihistamine (antiallergic) medications may be necessary.
To treat mycoses, topical preparations are usually used, that is, those that are applied directly to the affected area of the skin. These products are produced in the form of ointments, creams, sprays, solutions and varnishes (for nails).
Depending on the mechanism of action, antifungal agents can have a fungistatic effect, inhibiting the growth and reproduction of fungi, or have a fungicidal effect and promote the death of fungi.
Since foot fungus is most often caused by mixed fungal flora, it is more effective to use broad-spectrum agents. These include drugs that have their own anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects.
The use of special products in the treatment of foot fungus
Modern antimycotic drugs are very effective against pathogenic fungi of the genus Candida, dermatophytes (Trichophyton, Microsporum) and other causative agents of skin infections, gram-positive strains of staphylococci and streptococci. They block the growth and reproduction of fungi (fungistatic effect), destroy fungi (fungicidal effect) when used in therapeutic doses, they have their own anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effect.