Not all illnesses can be fatal, but some can seriously complicate life.The fungus affects internal organs and skin.Almost everyone has opportunistic microorganisms.Under certain unfavorable circumstances, their number increases, which leads to a number of problems.Foot fungus is easily passed from person to person, which is why it is very common.
Fungi are widely distributed in the environment, but damage to nails and human skin develops only under favorable conditions.As we age, the skin's acidic pH can become alkaline, which encourages fungal growth.Infection usually occurs through contact;if personal hygiene standards are not observed, the source of infection may be a sick person or common objects.Infection can occur in public places: swimming pools, baths, gyms.And also in everyday life with the widespread use of slippers, socks, manicure accessories, towels and washcloths.
Routes of infection
The fungus is most often transmitted by a sick person through personal belongings and shoes.Therefore, in the infection zone there are people who live in the same apartment as him.But in some cases, the protests are not felt.The provoking factors are taken into account:
- high sweating;
- sores and calluses on the feet;
- tight and uncomfortable shoes.
The ideal environment for mushroom growth is warm and humid.
Therefore, tight shoes or boots made from poor quality materials provide an excellent breeding ground for infection.Foot fungus is caused by low immunity.This can happen for various reasons: stress, long-term illnesses, etc.Chronic infections and endocrine system problems affect the human condition.
With long-term use of antibiotics, internal organs suffer.The microflora changes, which affects the composition of opportunistic microorganisms.Lack of hygiene also affects its growth, since dirt and sweat provide fertile ground.
Children are most susceptible to the disease.Due to their age, they have delicate skin and low immunity.For the same reason, older people are susceptible to fungal infections.Unsafe public places include:
- swimming pools;
- saunas;
- thermal baths;
- fitness centers;
- beaches.
Places where you can walk barefoot are potential sources of spread of fungus.
The humid environment and high temperatures create an ideal environment for spores to multiply.Even regular disinfection of the premises does not help.People who wear closed shoes at work are also at risk: military personnel, police officers and others.Boots do not allow air to pass through and often injure the legs, which opens the way for harmful microorganisms.
Basic forms
Treatment for foot fungus depends on its form.The most common is interdigital or intertriginous: the lesion begins at the level of the thumb and index finger.After which the fungus spreads along the foot.Most often, it is transmitted by contact with a sick person or by non-compliance with personal hygiene rules.
In the absence of appropriate treatment, the intertriginous form becomes squamous-hyperkeratotic.It manifests itself by deep cracks in the soles.
The disease does not produce any symptoms for a long time.At first, shallow grooves appear on the skin, which do not bring negative sensations.In severe cases, they move to the lower legs.
The dyshidrotic form is characterized by the appearance of erosions on the skin, it is a moist and oozing area.Rarely occurs on legs;most often it affects the hands.The erased form passes most easily.Signs of fungus on the feet are mild.There is slight peeling of the skin and itching.The causative agent of the disease is candida.Even without treatment, the disease goes away on its own.
Characteristic symptoms
The main manifestations of the fungus are the same for all forms.The first sign of the disease is peeling of the skin.Microorganisms feed on protein compounds and keratin, which destroys the integrity of the integument.
The human body tries to restore the skin and thus improves its regeneration.This causes itching.Sometimes the surface itches under the influence of candida.The activity of the fungus impairs the functioning of the sebaceous glands, which leads to the appearance of an unpleasant odor.Even timely hygiene cannot get rid of them.In some cases, instead of sweating, severe dryness is observed.
Another symptom of foot fungus is a change in skin color.Yellow or green spots appear.The very surface of the feet becomes thicker and becomes covered with keratinized calluses.Over time, it cracks, which can cause some discomfort when walking.
As the disease progresses, blisters containing clear fluid appear on the legs.They burst and small oozing sores appear in their place.They provide access to secondary infections.
Often the fungus affects not only the feet, but also the nails.Changes start from the free edge.Usually inches.Yellowing and thickening of the nail plate occurs.It crumbles and reveals dewy skin.As the disease progresses, destruction of the nail is observed.
When affected by mold, purulent inflammation of the periungual ridges is observed.The plate itself is painted black or green.
Diagnostic methods
Before choosing how and how to treat skin fungus on the legs, you need to confirm the diagnosis.Itching and peeling of the skin do not always appear due to a yeast infection.A dermatologist deals with this disease.He performs a visual examination of the legs and takes a history.
To accurately determine the pathogen, scrapings are carried out on the skin.This is mandatory, otherwise the drug treatment will not be effective.A standard microscopic examination can determine the presence of fungus.To do this, the material is colored with special preparations and studied under a microscope.
A more precise study is bacterial culture.The collected samples are placed in a nutrient medium.After a while, colonies of fungi begin to grow.They are studied in detail.The disadvantage of this method is the duration.It takes up to four weeks.
PCR analysis allows you to determine the exact pathogen.The affected area must be scratched.This is the most accurate and quickest diagnostic method.In some cases, the doctor may advise donating blood for an enzyme immunoassay.It allows you to determine antibody titers.This information helps find the cause of the disease.
Types of treatment
In order to cure foot fungus, comprehensive treatment is necessary.The standard diet includes medications for internal and external use.They aim to eliminate pathogenic organisms and heal the skin.
Creams and ointments should only be applied to clean surfaces.Apply them in a thin layer before going to bed.Standard treatment lasts four weeks.Any medication must be prescribed by the attending physician.In severe cases, it is advisable to use glucocorticoids.They relieve inflammation and stop the progression of the disease.But they have many side effects, and when using them you need to follow the dosage.
For internal use, drugs with fungistatic and fungicidal effects are prescribed.
They suppress the development of pathogenic flora and destroy fungal colonies.
Traditional medicine can alleviate some side effects of treatment.So, soda baths (1 tablespoon of baking soda per 10 liters of warm water) soften the skin and help eliminate exfoliated areas.A mixture of boiled onions and garlic is used as a compress.They are kneaded into a paste and applied to keratinized skin.Put socks on it and let it sit overnight.In the morning, feet are easy to clean.