Mycosis of the feet is one of the most common fungal skin infections.The skin between the toes and the bottom of the foot often becomes infected.The cause of the disease are fungi of the genus Trichophyton and Candida.Upon contact with the epidermis they begin to multiply actively.The result of their activity is peeling of the skin, cracks between the fingers and diaper rash.At a later stage, the disease affects the nails, they become dull, thicken, the edges begin to crumble and yellow streaks are noticeable.The disease can spread to the hands and large skin folds on the body.
Scratching affected skin or minor injuries allows the fungi to penetrate deeper into the layers of the dermis.Therefore, the infection spreads through the bloodstream throughout the body.In children and the elderly, fungal skin damage occurs in a more acute form and is more difficult to treat.This is due to age-related characteristics of the immune system.
Stress is also a trigger for the development of mycosis.The fungal infection is resistant to adverse external factors and prefers heat and humidity.Showers with interrupted water flow, saunas, old house shoes, rented shoes (skates, skates, ski boots), soft carpets in bathrooms are the main breeding grounds for fungi.They penetrate the skin through scratches and calluses.
People with excessive sweating of the feet are at risk, because with prolonged exposure the sweat corrodes the skin and reduces its protective properties.People with an erased form of mycosis with slight peeling of the skin and painless microcracks that can only be noticed by a doctor pose a particular danger to others.
Chronic mycosis of the skin of the feet and nails often causes autoimmune allergic reactions, including the development of bronchial asthma.It is important to adequately treat mycosis without turning it into a stable chronic form.
Symptoms
The symptoms of mycosis of the feet are very different.Initial symptoms: appearance of cracks, painful or itchy blisters, diaper rash and roughening of the skin.Subsequently, the areas of skin affected by the fungus soften, turn white and begin to peel.A bacterial infection can be added, then the blisters turn into ulcers or ulcers.
Itching and burning are constant symptoms of mycosis, some patients complain of pain and unpleasant odor.
Reasons
Foot mycosis is caused by several types of parasitic fungi.These microorganisms are present in large numbers on the floors of swimming pools and bathrooms, as well as in public showers.A person can become infected by walking barefoot in such places.
Wearing someone else's shoes, sharing towels and other personal hygiene products are another common way of spreading the infection.
Immunity is not developed against fungal diseases, so reinfection occurs as easily as the initial one.
The growth of the fungus is stimulated by improper foot hygiene: putting socks and shoes on wet feet, not washing poor-quality socks daily, insufficient ventilation and drying of shoes.
The appearance of mycosis on the hands is mainly due to the action of fungal toxins circulating in the blood.In addition, when combing the soles, microorganisms remain under the nails, from where they can be transferred to other parts of the body, incl.on the scalp.People susceptible to mycosis should always remember this route of infection.
Risk factors
Despite its rapid spread, not everyone develops foot fungus.A strong and healthy body can cope with a fungal infection on its own.However, it often happens that the immune system restrains the development of the fungus for a long time, then stress, ARVI or any other internal failure occurs and the fungal infection begins to progress rapidly.
It has been observed that people get sick faster under the following circumstances:
- profuse sweating;
- failure to comply with personal hygiene rules;
- hormonal imbalances;
- take certain medications;
- frequent stress;
- chronic dermatological diseases.
Excessive sweating and neglect of personal hygiene rules create an ideal environment for the development of fungi.Sweat causes the rapid proliferation of fungal microflora.Insufficient foot hygiene, socks made of synthetic fabric, shoes that are too tight and closed accelerate the development and spread of fungal infections.
Hormonal imbalances are common in adolescents, so they are at risk of developing yeast infections.The restructuring of the hormonal system temporarily reduces immunity and can cause profuse sweating.These factors contribute to the growth and spread of pathogenic microflora.
A decrease in immunity can occur due to long-term use of antibiotics and corticosteroids.
Ringworm, eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis reduce cellular immunity and create favorable conditions for the addition of a secondary infection, especially fungal.Mycosis is often a complication of dermatological diseases.The following increase the risk of infection: shoes that are too tight;ingrown nails;abrasions and wounds on the feet;diabetes mellitus;vascular diseases.
Forms of the disease
Canceled form.Initial stage of the disease.Symptoms: slight peeling of the skin between the fingers, small cracks in the upper layer of the epidermis.The patient does not feel discomfort and may not suspect that he has a mycosis.
Scaly shape.The skin between the toes peels off and becomes covered with flat scales, with mild itching.
Hyperkeratotic form.Blue-red papules and flat plaques appear.The main site of the lesion is the arch of the foot.The formations are covered in scales.The formation of individual bubbles is possible.The rash can coalesce into groups, forming large lesions.Over time, the entire foot is affected.Yellow hyperkeratotic formations (calluses) covered with cracks may appear.The skin is dry, with mild pain and itching.
Intertriginous form.The inflammation is similar to normal diaper rash.The greatest damage is observed on the skin between the fingers.A reddish swelling appears.Existing symptoms include ulcers and wetting.If left untreated, deep cracks and painful erosions appear.Patients notice pain in the affected area, itching and severe burning.
Dyshidrotic form.Many compacted bubbles.The localization of the lesions is in the arches of the feet.The rash can spread, so prompt treatment is essential.If left untreated, blisters spread across the entire surface of the foot, including the toes.Small blisters can coalesce and develop into larger blisters that can burst.In their place remain reddish erosions.
Acute form.Increased susceptibility to fungal pathogens and rapid disease progression.Severe redness and swelling occurs on the surface of the feet, and large blisters and blisters appear.After opening, large erosions develop in their place;the sores extend beyond the creases between the toes.In some cases, weakness, fever and headache are noted.
Symptoms can vary from person to person.When the first alarming symptoms appear, you should consult a dermatologist.
Diagnosis of foot mycosis
Diagnosis and treatment of mycosis should be carried out by a dermatologist or mycologist.
Diagnostics include:
- detailed examination of the foot;
- take medical history;
- scraping from the affected areas of the skin or cutting off a piece of deformed nail;
- a test to detect fungal infections in the body as a whole;
- sow the material on a nutrient medium (if necessary);
- skin biopsy for microscopic analysis (in rare cases);
- General and biochemical blood test.
Treatment
Incorrect or late treatment can lead to the development of advanced mycosis.In this case, recovery can take up to six months or more.Therefore, it is necessary to seek help from a doctor at the first symptoms.First it is necessary to precisely determine the pathogen;for this, the doctor takes a scraping from the affected skin.Based on the results, the optimal course of antifungal therapy is selected.Modern antifungal drugs - creams, gels, ointments, sprays - effectively cope with the disease.They have a broad spectrum of action, are applied 1-2 times a day, do not stain the skin and linen and do not have a specific odor.
External means
The selection of drugs depends on the stage of mycosis.For mild forms only external agents are prescribed;for severe forms, systemic treatment is necessary.The most popular drugs for external use are Terbinafine and Naftifine.They act on a series of pathogenic fungi that cause mycosis of the feet.Do not cause side effects.Bifonazole and Clotrimazole have rapid action against yeast-like fungi.Thanks to their oily consistency, they effectively soften the skin and eliminate dryness, flaking and itching.These drugs accelerate the healing and restoration process of the affected skin.Bifonazole is a complex remedy aimed at treating foot and nail fungus.Eliminates itching, flaking, burning sensation and unpleasant odor.In addition to antifungal agents, it is important to regularly treat the skin with antiseptics.For this purpose, a solution of chlorhexidine or miramistin is fine.When a secondary infection occurs and suppuration appears, antibacterial ointments are prescribed.
Medicines in tablets
For the treatment of mycosis of the feet the following are used: Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Nystatin.For yeast-like fungi, fluconazole and nystatin are prescribed.The latter is considered an obsolete drug and is rarely prescribed.Polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride granules are specially designed to fight fungal infections of the feet.The regimen and duration of treatment are determined by the attending physician.
Recommendations
Foot mycosis is a fungal infection and fungi only reproduce in a moist environment.By eliminating moisture, you prevent the infection from spreading.
Try to protect people around you from infection.Explain that you cannot walk barefoot in the apartment, especially in the bathroom.Every time you take a shower, treat the tub or shower tray, as well as the bathroom floor, with a disinfectant.
Every day before going to bed, wash your feet with regular soap and warm water, making sure the skin does not become too soft.Dry your feet thoroughly with a paper towel or hair dryer, paying particular attention to the area between your toes.Don't forget to apply an antifungal cream or ointment.Continue treatment as recommended by your doctor, even if your symptoms have disappeared.Antifungal creams and ointments are applied only to dry skin.If your feet tend to sweat, you need to wait for the medicine to be absorbed.
Wear cotton socks and wash them every day.When washing, use a chlorine bleach solution (not soap) or boil the socks for 10 minutes.This will eliminate the fungi from your clothes and prevent reinfection.Shoes should be disinfected with antifungal sprays and dried for a couple of days (preferably in the sun).
Prevention of foot fungus
After being outside, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.After being in any of the risk areas, wash your feet thoroughly with soap, dry them with a towel and treat with any antifungal solution.If there is a person in the family suffering from mycosis, they should have separate towels for their face, hands and feet.The bathroom should then be treated thoroughly with a special bathroom cleaner.If your feet sweat a lot, you can apply baby powder or an antiperspirant deodorant.Don't wear someone else's shoes, especially slippers offered by guests, and don't offer your shoes to others.
Try not to let your feet sweat.In a room where you stay for more than an hour, try changing your shoes to replacement shoes.When visiting a sauna, public shower, swimming pool, wear rubber slippers and do not walk barefoot in public areas.After showering, swimming in a pond or pool, treat your feet with an antifungal cream.Wear clean socks and tights every day.Do not allow others to use sponges, wipes, manicure and pedicure accessories.They must be disinfected before use.
Clean the tub with a cleaning product and use a strong jet of water before using it.Remove wooden footstools, fabric and sponge mats from the bathroom.They retain moisture and can leave skin flakes and nail pieces infected with fungus.Use a special grill (coated with special enamel or plastic) or a rubber mat.
Moisture in the creases between the toes softens the skin and makes it easier for fungal infections to enter.Dry the creases between your toes with a separate towel or dry them with a hair dryer.According to statistics, mycosis is more common in people with flat feet.Therefore, wear comfortable, high-quality shoes with heels no higher than 4 cm with a special orthopedic insole or a soft protrusion that supports the arch of the foot.
No matter how comprehensive and competent the home foot care is, it is necessary to regularly carry out podiatric care for the skin of the feet and nails (medical pedicure).It will help maintain healthy feet and nails, and the doctor will give individual recommendations for home care and prevention.