If foot fungus is recognized at the initial stage and treatment is started on time, there is a high probability of rapid recovery using a minimum amount of antifungal drugs, which for the most part pose a danger to health (especially the liver) during long-term use.Unfortunately, not always and not everyone manages to react in time to the first signs of a fungal infection, since the symptoms at the initial stage are very similar to harmless skin manifestations.You know the feeling when you find a yellow spot on the nail plate of your toe and the first thoughts that come to mind are: nothing, I'll cut it, I'll grow a clean and healthy nail, or I hit myself somewhere, it will pass soon.Or slight peeling appears in the interdigital folds, which is 90% attributed to dry skin and begins to be treated with moisturizing creams.But behind all these "harmless" manifestations, most often the familiar and hated foot fungus is hidden.
Provoking factors and sources of infection.
Pregnancy can provoke the development of fungal diseases, since during this period a woman may experience a sharp decrease in immunity and hormonal imbalance.
Foot fungus, like many diseases, cannot develop on its own;A favorable environment is necessary for its appearance and progression.There are a series of factors and concomitant diseases that cause the appearance of this disease:
- a sharp decrease in immunity;
- lack or violation of personal hygiene;
- increased sweating;
- diabetes mellitus;
- obesity;
- flat feet;
- vascular diseases of the lower extremities;
- constant abrasions and wounds;
- surgical interventions, etc.
We have listed the most popular causes of foot fungus, but even a poor diet or prolonged use of antibiotics can also cause the development of mycosis.
Infection most often occurs after wearing a sick person's shoes or visiting public showers.In recent years there has also been a rapid increase in the spread of mycoses through manicure devices.Other sources of infection include:
- personal hygiene products for a sick person (loofah, pumice stone);
- things of an infected person (socks, tights, shoes, slippers, pants);
- floor (especially wooden) in bathrooms, showers, gyms.
The causative agents of foot fungus are very resistant to the environment and are distinguished by the fact that they can remain dormant for a long time in wood, towels and socks.The exacerbation period is spring and autumn.
How to recognize foot fungus at the initial stage?
In this case, experienced dermatologists recommend paying attention not only to external but also internal signs.Have you noticed that everyone goes to baths, swimming pools, sunbathing on the beach, but the fungus only affects certain people?The fact is that its development requires a favorable environment: reduced body resistance.This condition may occur in the presence of concomitant diseases or recent medical treatments during which antibiotics or hormonal medications were used.
Now let's talk about the manifestation of fungus on the skin of the feet.The main symptoms include:
- cracks in the interdigital folds;
- peel between fingers;
- hardening of the skin on the heels;
- the skin on the feet and fingers peels off;
- deformation of the nail plates (thickening or thinning);
- change in nail color (yellow, brown, black);
- redness and swelling of the feet;
- the appearance of red spots on the thighs and inside of the legs;
- scales over the entire surface of the foot;
- itching of varying intensity (depending on location and pathogen);
- bad odor (most often observed in people who suffer from excessive sweating).
In deep mycoses, the appearance of bubbles, scabs and cracks may appear, which are accompanied by severe itching and pain.In some cases, the lesions are located in such places that due to severe pain it is impossible to stand on the leg.This can cause temporary disability and mobility problems.
Varieties and classification.
As you already know, mycoses can be caused by different pathogens, based on this the location of the lesions can vary.Most often, foot fungus can be caused by:
- dermatomycosis;
- candida mycosis;
- Deep mycoses.
Today, all foot mycoses are considered independent diseases, caused by different pathogens and localized in different areas of the legs, but they are all united by one name: foot fungus.The most common of them:
- Rubrofitiya stop.It represents approximately 60% of all foot mycoses.It is very contagious and prevalent among certain segments of the population.The initial stage of rubromikoza of the feet is characterized by lesions between the fingers and folds of the fingers.Subsequently, the sole and inner surface of the foot are involved in the process.Damage to the nail plastics with rubrophytii is observed in one out of three patients.Very often it is combined with hand fungus, especially with generalized rubromikoze.
- Epidermomycosis.These include two different diseases: epidermophytia of the feet and epidermophytia of the inguinal-femoral folds.In both cases, the lesions are located on the legs.Epidermophytii of the feet is characterized by lesions of the folds between the toes, soles and dorsum of the foot.Less commonly, the process spreads to the nails (usually to the fifth and first fingers).The lesions are covered with scales and scabs.There is itching of varying intensity.In acute cases, general malaise and headache may occur.Inguinal epidermophytiya appears as large scaly patches on the groin, inner legs, thighs, and perianal area.The lesions can reach the size of a large plate and are accompanied by slight itching, peeling, and swelling.
- Onychomycosis.The prevalence of fungal nail infections is constantly increasing every year.Only now (according to statistics from mid-2016) 10-18% of Russians are diagnosed with nail onychomycosis of varying severity.Environmental and social factors play a great role in its development.Also at risk are people with problems with the vascular, immune and endocrine systems.Men get sick 1.3 times more often than women.Onychomycosis is very rare in children, with a maximum prevalence in people aged 50 to 70 years.
- Mycoses.Rarely, but there are still cases of foot damage from Candida fungus.In isolated cases, Candida balanoposthitis can extend from the genitals to the perianal area and the inguinal-femoral folds.A little more often, yeast-like fungi are found on the nails.In the initial stage, there is pain in the nail fold, and when pressed, pus may be released.Over time, its color acquires a brownish-brown tint.
There is also rubrophytiya of smooth skin, but lesions on the legs are rarely found.But rubromikozu in the groin is characterized by damage to the inside of the leg with red spots.
Treatment and prevention
Diagnosis of fungus on the legs includes examining the clinical picture, taking scrapings from the lesions, performing a microscopic examination (looking for threads of mycelium) and a bacterial culture to determine the culture of the fungus.Before visiting a doctor, do not treat injuries by any means!The differential diagnosis is made with eczema, skin rashes and contact dermatitis.
Treatment of Epidermophytii and rubrophytii in the groin is carried out with external medications (most often clotrimazole).The prognosis is positive and the duration of treatment rarely exceeds one month.As a preventive measure, it is recommended to treat lesions with alcohol-containing solutions;if itching is present, antihistamines may be prescribed.
The situation is more complicated with mycoses of the feet and onychomycosis, since even at the initial stage they are very difficult to treat and are subject to relapses.The most effective is considered to be a combination of external and systemic drugs, strict compliance with the rules of dosage, personal hygiene and disinfection.The effective combination of Diflucan in capsules and terbinafine in the form of ointment has proven to be effective (treatment of lesions twice a day for a month).When it comes to foot fungus, much attention is paid to treating shoes and socks, which can lead to a relapse.It is advisable to boil socks or wash them at a temperature of 90 degrees;Insoles and the inside of shoes should be treated with a chlorhexidine solution.
And most importantly, remember that today foot fungus, detected at the initial stage, can be successfully treated with the help of modern medications, but advanced onychomycosis and mycoses of the feet can take months and even years to treat.