There are a huge number of fungi in the world, but only a few of them can infect the human body. Diseases caused by these microorganisms are called mycoses. People call these diseases fungi. The skin of the legs is most often affected. According to medical research, mycoses are the second most common skin disease. It is necessary to start fighting foot fungus as soon as possible. Seeking medical help in a timely manner, a person will not only quickly get rid of the problem, but also protect loved ones from infections.
Signs of foot fungus (symptoms)
At an early stage of the development of the disease, the patient may not be bothered by anything. People attribute slight discomfort in the skin of the legs to many other reasons and are in no hurry to seek medical attention. The first noticeable symptoms appear when the fungus has spread significantly. The patient experiences:
- redness of the skin of the feet;
- unpleasant odor from the feet;
- itching and burning;
- peeling of the skin.
The signs of the disease can vary greatly depending on its form. The most common is the intertriginous type. Causes the following symptoms of foot fungus:
- burning sensation in the feet;
- the appearance of cracks on the skin;
- desquamation of the epidermis.
At the site of deep cracks, erosive areas may appear. They bring severe discomfort to the patient, because when walking they cause pronounced pain. Subsequently, the skin of the legs becomes very relaxed, which leads to a significant decrease in local immunity. As a result, secondary infections are added to fungal infections, which cause:
- extensive inflammation of the skin of the feet;
- suppuration of the affected areas;
- swelling and pain in the legs.
The fungus can also affect the nails. This type of disease is called onychomycosis. Its appearance will be indicated by a change in the color of the plaque, its thickening or thinning. If left untreated, the fungus leads to damage to all nails or their complete loss.
Causes of the disease
The disease is caused by several types of parasitic fungi. Most often, the disease occurs when affected by dermatophytes or red trichophyton. It is possible to determine how to treat foot fungus only after identifying the causative agent. They all do very well and breed quickly in a moist, warm environment. In this regard, you can contract the infection by visiting the following public places:
- saunas;
- swimming pools;
- soul;
- bathrooms
Contagion can also occur through contact with a sick person or with their personal objects. For example, people who use strangers run the risk of developing foot fungus:
- towels;
- pumice stones;
- wipes;
- socks;
- manicure scissors.
Another factor that influences the rapid spread of the disease is the lack of adequate foot hygiene. People who wear wet shoes or socks often suffer from fungus. A high susceptibility to mycoses is observed in those who suffer from:
- increased sweating of the feet;
- endocrine diseases;
- decreased immunity;
- diabetes mellitus;
- varicose veins.
Which doctor should I contact?
It is very difficult to deal with the disease alone. A patient with such a problem requires the help of a qualified specialist. A dermatovenerologist will tell you how to cure foot fungus.
At the first appointment, specialists will carefully examine the affected areas of the foot. A doctor with extensive experience will only need a visual assessment of the skin to make a diagnosis. But the doctor must also know how the disease manifested itself. To do this, he will conduct a conversation with the patient. The patient will have to answer the following questions:
- How long ago did the first signs of foot fungus appear?
- Has this problem bothered you before?
- Are there chronic diseases?
- Has the person had contact with sick people?
- Have you visited saunas, steam rooms or swimming pools?
- Do your relatives have fungal foot infections?
Based on the information received from the patient, the doctor can determine the true causes of the disease. To understand how to deal with a disease, you need to know exactly what its causative agent is. An exam helps with this. The patient is prescribed a skin scraping from the affected area of the foot. After laboratory tests, specialists accurately determine the causative agent of the disease.
How to treat the disease?
The sooner a person seeks help, the faster therapy will be for him. The doctor determines how to treat foot fungus after receiving the results of a diagnostic test. Experts suggest fighting the disease with drugs. The patient is prescribed antifungal drugs that:
- stop the development of pathogens;
- destroy mushrooms;
- have an anti-inflammatory effect;
- relieve unpleasant symptoms.
Such products are offered in the form of ointment, gel, spray, tablets or suspension for oral administration. For fungus on toenails, you can use special paints or plasters that also have an antifungal effect. The specialist selects drugs for the patient on a strictly individual basis, since many of them have a number of contraindications. It is forbidden to take some drugs for:
- pregnant women;
- breastfeeding mothers;
- children.
To achieve rapid recovery it is very important to strengthen the immune system. For this, patients are prescribed taking vitamin-mineral complexes and immunostimulants. In advanced cases, when a secondary infection is associated with fungal infections, patients are prescribed antibiotics.
How to cure foot fungus forever?
Many patients complain that the disease returns some time after completing the course of therapy. The reason for this is an incompletely cured primary infection. A common mistake many people make is to stop treatment when improvements appear. It is very important to continue applying the drug for the entire period prescribed by the doctor. Even if the disease does not appear externally, it is not a fact that the entire infection has already been defeated. To prevent recurring leg damage you need:
- Strictly follow the recommendations of the specialist.
- Do not replace drugs with analogues yourself.
- Apply the products regularly, without interruptions.
During treatment the patient must wear closed slippers at home. You should not let other family members wear them, because infection can be transmitted through them. During the treatment of foot fungus it is also forbidden to walk barefoot on the floor or share wipes, pumice stones or other bathroom accessories with other people. It is very important during therapy:
- Wash the patient's clothing separately from other clothing.
- Carry out wet cleaning of the house daily.
- Treat the sick person's shoes with antifungal agents.
You also need to take foot hygiene seriously. They must be washed at least 2 times a day. At the same time, they should be treated with warm water. It is important to change socks frequently and wear comfortable, non-tight shoes. After recovery, it is necessary to permanently throw away the slippers, towels, washcloths and socks used by the person during the illness.
Prevention
By knowing what causes foot fungus, you can easily prevent it. To avoid this disease, you just need to adhere to the following prevention rules:
- When visiting baths, saunas or swimming pools, use only disposable or personal slippers.
- Do not wear wet or damp shoes.
- If there is a sick person in the house, use only personal bathroom accessories.
Some diseases also increase the risk of fungi. Therefore, by eliminating them promptly, the onset of the disease can be avoided. People suffering from:
- flat feet;
- seeds;
- hyperhidrosis of the foot.
It is important for people to know that at low temperatures the fungus persists for a long time. Therefore, frostbite is not scary for him. However, the pathogen dies when exposed to high temperatures. Therefore, boiling can be used for preventive purposes. If you treat the patient's clothes and shoes in this way, the fungus in them will die.