Foot mycosis is the most common fungal infection of the skin today. There are three main types of foot mycosis, or foot fungus, as it is also called. And each type is located on different parts of the foot and looks different.
How can you get foot fungus?
Foot mycosis is caused by a fungus that grows on or in the top layer of the skin. The fungus thrives best in warm, humid places. For example - in the area between the toes. Foot fungus spreads very easily. It is enough to touch the fingers or toes of an infected person to get sick even with a high probability. But more often than not, fungal infection occurs when people walk barefoot on contaminated surfaces near swimming pools or in the locker rooms of the same pool, gym, and other similar items. The fungus can therefore remain in the shoes, especially if the shoes are very tight and air cannot circulate around the feet.
If you touch an object that has a fungus on it, you can later also become a distributor of it and infect other people. Furthermore, even if you infect others, it does not mean that you will definitely be infected on your own. Doctors don't know why this happens, but everyone's predisposition to foot fungus infection is different. And if you've already had mycosis, there's a high chance you'll get the infection again.
2. Symptoms of the fungus
Symptoms of mycosis of the feet can be burning and itching in the skin between the toes. The skin can flake and crack. Other foot fungus symptoms may differ depending on the type of athlete's foot diagnosed.
The first type is an infection that most commonly causes symptoms between the fourth and fifth toes. The skin becomes scaly, flaky and cracked. In some cases, a bacterial infection can join the mycosis and the skin condition worsens further.
The second type of fungus is a disease that can begin with mild pain in the leg area. Then the skin on the heel or sole of the foot thickens and can crack. As the fungus on the feet progresses, it also affects the nails. With nail fungus, it can thicken, crack, or even fall off. As a rule, fungal infections on the nails and skin of the feet need to be treated differently.
Vesicular infection is the third type of athlete's foot. Typically, this type of foot fungus begins with fluid-filled blisters under the skin. Blisters usually form on the underside of the foot, but can be found anywhere else on the foot. A concomitant bacterial infection can also develop with this type of foot fungus.
3. Diagnosis of mycosis
To diagnose a foot fungus, a doctor, as a rule, only has to examine the patient and study the anamnesis (symptoms, previous diseases). If fungus on your feet is rare or doesn't respond to treatment, your doctor may take a sample of your skin or nail to test for the fungus.
Not all foot skin problems are mycosis or foot fungus. If you suspect you have a fungus, but have never had one before, it makes sense to see a good dermatologist.
4. Treatment of the disease
To treat a foot fungus, special lotions, creams or sprays are usually enough. In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe prescription pills or topical remedies to treat toenail fungus. You need to be treated for the fungus as much as your doctor says. This will be a guarantee that it was really possible to completely cure the fungus. In addition to the general treatment of foot fungus, it is imperative that the feet are clean and dry. The fungus needs warm, humid places to grow.
To prevent mycosis and foot fungus from returning, you should use your special shoes when you go to the gym, swimming pool and similar places. To keep your feet dry, you can use talcum powder or special products. Sandals or shoes that are not too tight will provide adequate air circulation and moisture absorption.