About 80% of the population is affected by skin fungus. Due to the increased density and sweating, mycoses are more affected by the skin of the feet. Fungal infection is manifested by peeling and itching, but it can also be asymptomatic, causing only the appearance of seals (corns, calluses - hyperkeratosis on the heels and arches of the feet). If left untreated, the infection spreads. The patient can infect others, spread germs throughout his body.
Where does the mushroom come from?
Fungal microorganisms love a humid, warm environment and an abundance of nutrients. As a "refuge" they use dense skin, subject to increased secretion of fat and sweat.
Human feet: Always serve as a favorable breeding ground for mycobacteria, and poor quality socks and shoes contribute to this.
You can get infected in a public place: on the beach, in the sauna, in the pool. You can carry the infection when you try on new shoes, because the day before a person with foot fungus could measure it.
Some internal factors also increase susceptibility to fungi:
- weakness of immunity - fungi repel the body's defenses, when weakened, it is easier for microorganisms to penetrate the skin;
- endocrine disorders: diabetes mellitus and hormonal imbalances modify the composition of skin secretions, turning them into a breeding ground for bacteria;
- persistent injuries - cracks, chafing, scratches and punctures can be the gateway to fungi;
- lack of hygiene: poor-quality washing of feet, the use of dirty socks and airtight shoes contribute to fungal invasions of the limbs.
Infection is possible even from a loved one - if there is a patient in the house or a carrier of the fungus with an asymptomatic course of the disease. Disputes about pathogenic microorganisms spread to household appliances, personal items, gender (if the patient moves barefoot). When washing the personal belongings of all residents of the house, mycobacteria get on the clothes of healthy family members, they can provoke mycosis not only on the feet, but also on other parts of the body (in the folds, in the groin, on the areas hairy body).
Why does the fungus appear between the fingers?
Interdigital fungus is a special clinical form of foot mycosis. Doctors call it intertriginous. With this course, the skin is affected between 3 and 4 or 4 and 5 fingers. Often, the pathological process begins on one limb, eventually spreads to a healthy one.
Mycosis begins with cracking of the skin between the toes or at the base of the foot phalanx. The size of the lesion can vary from 2-3 mm to 1 cm. The intensity of the symptoms depends on the wound area: the larger the lesion, the stronger the pain. At the time of the appearance of the crack, the person feels a slight discomfort when walking, which increases with hygienic procedures.
Unlike other injuries, the crack does not heal on its own. It becomes inflamed, exudes exudate. The surface between the fingers gets wet, which further contributes to the spread of the fungus to larger areas of the skin. A "fringe" appears around the wound: it is steamed peeled skin. The detachment is quite thick, attempts to remove it with the fingers result in injury to healthy areas of the skin. A persistent peeling appears around the lesion. It can be lamellar or floury. The scales are silvery, white, yellowish. These characteristics depend on the strain of the fungus that infects the skin. After the crack heals, the intriguing form of mycosis changes to scaly - it manifests itself as large dry areas on the foot, with an abundance of exfoliated scales. The surface can be shiny or fabric-like.
What to do with fungal symptoms
If you have a crack between your fingers surrounded by loose skin, you should definitely see a dermatologist. The specialist will conduct an examination, determine the symptoms not only at the injury site, but also on other parts of the limb.
Diagnosis cannot be made on the basis of symptoms alone. A microscopic examination of the skin scraped from the foot will be needed to confirm the fungus. In case of resistant mycosis, it is integrated with PCR analysis or culture inoculation to determine the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to fungicidal drugs.
In advanced cases of fungus or extensive lesions of the dermis, systemic medications will be needed. Due to the likelihood of hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of such drugs, the patient should undergo blood and urine tests. Based on their results, the specialist assesses the function of vital organs, selects a treatment regimen with systemic antifungals.
Self-medication for fungal infections of the feet is allowed only in the early stages. You can get by with topical medications that don't give systemic side effects.
Effective remedies against interdigital fungus
The characteristics of therapy depend on the individual data of the patient, the degree of mycosis, the area of the lesion, the presence of a secondary infection or the resistance of the pathogen.
Systemic drugs
To speed up the treatment and make it complete, doctors prescribe antifungal agents in the form of tablets or capsules.
When treating drugs of systemic action, it is undesirable to consume alcohol, fatty foods and other foods that create a load on the liver. If the infection has spread to the nails from the interdigital space, longer use of antifungals will be required.
Local remedies
For the treatment of interdigital fungus, drugs are prescribed on a moderately oily or non-oily basis (creams, solutions). Ointments can only be used in the initial stage when it is necessary to soften the skin for rapid healing of lesions. Along the way, healing antifungal drugs and antiseptic agents may be prescribed. They accelerate the regeneration process and further soften rough skin.
For the treatment of foot fungus, external agents with broad-spectrum fungicidal components are prescribed. Ideal for products based on:
- terbinafine;
- clotrimazole;
- ketoconazole;
- econazole;
- naftifina.
The price does not affect the success of the treatment, it is important to choose the correct active ingredient of the drug.
Creams and solutions are applied to the skin 1-2 times a day after hygiene procedures. After processing, the product can fully absorb and wear cotton socks. In parallel, it is necessary to disinfect the shoes every 3-7 days. For this, fungicidal sprays are used. Regular replacement of socks, underwear, towels is required. It is necessary to wash used things at high temperatures separately from other accessories of the patient and his family.
With ringworm and microsporia, doctors recommend special treatment regimens. For example, treatment with iodine solution in the morning and sulfuric, sulfur tar or salicylic ointment in the evening.
Folk remedies
You cannot be treated for a mushroom only by folk methods. Baths are allowed in addition to medications. If the doctor recommended the application of homemade ointments or formulations, they should be used separately from pharmaceutical preparations. For example, in the morning and in the evening, use ready-made medicine, and in the afternoon - homemade ointment. The most popular methods of treating a fungus among the people:
- oak bark baths- make a large amount of broth from oak bark (6 tablespoons per 1 liter), dilute in half with clean water, bathe for 15 minutes a day;
- with sea salt- prepare a strong solution of sea salt, take a bath for 10 minutes, do not wash off the salt, put on cotton socks immediately after the procedure;
- with soda- dilute a spoonful of soda on 1 liter of water, take a bath for 15 minutes, after drying, apply pharmaceutical antifungal agents;
- egg ointment- 1 chicken egg is mixed with a tablespoon of oil and vinegar, mixed until smooth, applied for 3-4 hours under the bag, washed off with water;
- tea tree- the areas affected by the fungus are abundantly lubricated with tea tree essential oil, washed off after 3 hours, with sensitivity, the oil is diluted in half with neutral fats.
Quick cure of the fungus is facilitated by the refusal of sweets, alcohol, fatty foods. The patient's diet should contain a lot of vegetables, fermented milk products, whole grains.
To prevent the formation of fungus on the feet and between the toes, you should take care of the hygiene of your feet. When visiting public places, avoid walking barefoot, use means to prevent fungus - any antifungal ointments or sprays are applied after a shower. New shoes should only be measured with new socks; you shouldn't give your slippers to anyone.