How to independently recognize foot fungus in the early stages

Skin mycoses are common.They develop as a result of infection with anthropophilic and zooanthropophilic fungi.You can become infected through personal contact by visiting public baths and saunas, swimming pools, and gyms.Fungal pathologies have characteristic clinical manifestations, but not everyone knows what foot fungus looks like, so few people seek medical help in the initial stages.This contributes to the spread of the infection.

Symptoms of skin lesions on the toes.

The initial changes caused by a fungal infection are difficult to notice: they do not cause pathological changes in the affected area and do not create discomfort.With a strong immune system, the infection at this stage may clear up on its own;With a decrease in the body's defenses, it will develop and move to the next stage.At this stage, floury detachments form in the interdigital area.The skin becomes red, dry and cracked.This process is accompanied by intense itching.Feet and heels look healthy.

Symptoms of toenail fungus infection.

Affected nails have a specific appearance, so it is not difficult to recognize the onset of an infection.The pathological process develops according to the following scenario:

1. The nail plates thicken, their color changes: the pale pink tint disappears and a yellowish-gray color appears.
2. A space appears between the cylinder head and the plate.
3. The nail plate gradually begins to peel off, and its edges become brittle.They gradually crumble and collapse.
4. Intense itching occurs in the affected area.It distracts you from everyday activities.
5. Irritation and redness forms on the skin between the fingers and then painful cracks.
6. The affected area has an unpleasant sour odor.

It is difficult to cut your nails with regular nail scissors.They cannot be processed with a nail file or special tweezers: the plates crumble.

Symptoms of fungus on the soles of the feet.

It is more difficult to determine the signs of foot fungus yourself.The development of the infection causes the appearance of formations on the sole that look like calluses.The appearance of other symptoms is associated with the form of disease progression.

It all starts with the scaly shape.At this stage, the infection spreads to the entire plant.The skin becomes rough and horny, begins to actively peel off and become very itchy.Externally, the foot looks like the result of a lack of regular pedicure (neglected).

Then the hyperkeratotic form develops.During its course, gray thickenings form on the arches.They are peeling off a lot at the edges.Deep cracks appear in place of old calluses.This process causes intense pain.Doctors call this phenomenon "moccasin foot."If you look at the sole of the affected foot from above, it appears that a thick, yellowish-gray insole is attached to it.The fungal infection spreads to the interdigital space and nails.They change color, come off and collapse.

Dyshidrotic form.It is characterized by the appearance of blisters filled with a cloudy liquid on the skin of the feet.This is only possible in advanced forms of infection.When the bubbles collapse, weeping erosions appear in their place, constantly oozing.Pathogenic bacteria easily penetrate open wounds.Secondary infection significantly worsens the patient's condition;In this case, it is very difficult to diagnose a fungal infection based on its external manifestations: the symptoms are similar to the clinical picture of eczema or psoriasis.

Clinical signs of fungus by stage of the disease.

It can take 3 to 14 days from the moment of infection until the first symptoms appear.The duration of the incubation period largely depends on the type of fungus that caused the formation of characteristic symptoms (yeast, mold or Candida) and the state of the immune system.

In its development, a fungal infection goes through three stages:

1. In the initial stage, redness of the affected area, dry skin and peeling are observed.The patient experiences a slight itching.
2. The intermediate stage is characterized by the spread of the infection to the entire foot.
3. In advanced forms, damage to the nail plates is observed, the skin of the feet becomes covered with cracks, and the stratum corneum separates into large layers.

If there is no etiotropic treatment, the infection passes into the chronic phase.It is characterized by alternating remissions and exacerbations.

Differential diagnosis

Diagnosis of the disease begins with an examination of the foot by a dermatologist and a history.Based on their results, the doctor prescribes additional laboratory tests.

Must be done:

1. Scraping of the affected area and subsequent microscopy (with its help the fungal nature of the infection is confirmed).
2. Sowing the extracted biological material in special nutrient media.Colonies of pathogenic microorganisms grown in this way make it possible to identify the causative agent of the disease and determine its sensitivity to modern antifungal drugs.From this laboratory test, a pharmacological treatment regimen is developed.

Fungal skin infections must be differentiated from vitiligo, seborrhea, psoriasis, syphilitic leukoderma and neurodermatitis.For these purposes, skin examination under Wood's lamp and PCR are used.

How to combat foot fungus

To combat fungal infection, the following are used:

• antifungal ointments;
• antifungal tablets;
• traditional medicine.

The ointments are applied to the affected areas twice a day;First, the skin of the feet must be steamed and the stratum corneum cleaned.The duration of taking tablets is determined by the treating doctor.As a rule, the course of treatment for the initial stages of infection lasts no more than a month;Advanced forms are treated within six months.Traditional medicine can significantly speed up the healing process.Doctors recommend that their patients take note of the following recipes.

Baths with vinegar and hydrogen peroxide.You need to pour water at a temperature of 37 degrees into a container, add 20 grams of table vinegar to it, then put your feet in the water and warm them there for twenty minutes.After this, you need to remove the stratum corneum with a pumice stone, dry your feet and cover the affected areas of the skin with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.At the end of the procedure, the affected areas are lubricated with an antifungal cream prescribed by the doctor.

Salt and celandine juice baths.The feet are pre-steamed in a saline solution (one teaspoon per liter of water) and then lubricated with celandine juice prepared from fresh leaves and stems of grass.The procedure ends with the application of an antifungal drug.

Soda baths (20 grams of powder per two liters of water) can relieve inflammation and stimulate ulcer healing.The feet are steamed for fifteen minutes, dried with a towel and treated with etiotropic ointment.

It is important throughout the treatment to thoroughly disinfect all surfaces that your sore feet come into contact with (shoes, clothing, bedding).After treating the affected areas of the skin, it is necessary to wash your hands thoroughly, and then treat them with any liquid antiseptic.Violation of the number of drugs taken and their dosage will lead to increased sensitivity of pathogenic microflora, the need to extend therapy and make some changes to tablets and ointments.

To prevent relapses, it is important to prevent reinfection.Wear only dry shoes, choose socks made of natural fabrics, and use only personal pedicure accessories.