Mycosis of the feet is one of the most common types of diseases caused by parasitic fungi.In medical practice, there are several types of this pathology.It is important to identify foot fungus early in its development.Then it will be possible to get rid of it faster and easier.In this case, no special treatment is required, let alone surgical intervention.For mild manifestations of fungal activity, it is enough to use antifungal ointment or take a bath using a traditional recipe.
Fungi and their types
Despite the sufficient prevalence of fungi that affect the feet, not every infected person knows what foot fungus looks like.
Here are the main types of mycoses:
- Squamous or scaly.
- Intertriginous.It is characterized by a type of diaper rash on the skin.
- Hypertrophic, atrophic, and normotrophic onychomycosis.The difficulty of treating this disease lies in the fact that all types can be combined with each other.
- Dyshidrotic.Marked by sweat gland disorders.
At different stages of development, this pathology looks different.Mycosis of the feet is a common name for two diseases: athlete's foot and rubromycosis, the development of which proceeds in the same way.
Squamous mycosis
At the initial stage, the fungus manifests itself as damage to one leg, and after a certain time the disease spreads to the other.
The skin becomes red and then peels.The area of redness varies from patient to patient and depends on the stage of development.Many people are not bothered by itching in the affected area;the skin may not peel.That is why they turn to dermatologists only when the feet are affected by the last stage of the disease.
Dyshidrotic fungal infection
Everyone who suspects the occurrence of this disease should know what foot fungus looks like in any form of development.This pathology is characterized by the appearance of small bubbles on the arch of the foot.Very little time passes, and they coalesce, turning into large blisters, the shell soon breaks and superficial damage to the skin becomes visually noticeable.
Pathology can spread to the entire leg with the appearance of areas of diaper rash.In this case, the patient begins to itch and feel pain.After everything is cured, the exfoliation begins.
The most unpleasant disease is the formation of bacterial fungi.In this case, cloudy fluid and pus flow out of the ruptured blister.At the stage of the development of this pathology, there is a slight increase in temperature and unbearable pain.Swollen feet.
The process of the form of dyshidrotic mycosis can last several months.Periods of improvement in the condition of the legs alternate with relapses.
Intertriginous fungi
This type of fungus on the skin of the feet is the most common.It appears independently or together with the pathological form of squamous.This disease manifests itself as cracks in the skin, around which a white rim forms, and then the skin begins to peel.The space between the fingers becomes wet.Patients experience itching and burning.Superficial skin defects appear, accompanied by severe pain.
The protective function of the skin decreases and it becomes loose.This facilitates the penetration of streptococcal infection into the skin.Purulent inflammation appears, characterized by redness, itching, swelling and severe pain.
Intertriginous fungi are most often characterized by a long-term chronic course of the disease process.In the winter, the pain usually subsides, but in the summer it gets worse.
Onychomycosis or nail fungus
When the first signs of the disease appear, the patient's task is to contact a dermatologist in time, and he will determine how to remove the fungus on the feet.
Onychomycosis on the nails is a more dangerous disease than toenail fungus, because it takes longer to heal.
Types of fungal infections that affect the nail plate:
- Atrophic onychomycosis.First of all, the nails become thinner and then collapse.
- Hypertrophic onychomycosis.The thickness of the nail increases, acquires a yellow color.Length growth stops.The nail plate begins to crumble and peel off.
- Onychomycosis is caused by a mold fungus.This pathology does not develop independently.It usually develops against the background of other diseases.In this case, the nail plate can be painted in any color, from black to green.Periungual folds often become inflamed.
In its advanced form, this disease affects the whole body and even penetrates the internal organs.Pathological changes often begin to develop from the edge of the nail plate.First, stripes, spots and other "patterns" appear.
Treatment methods
Not every patient knows how to remove fungus from their feet, but dermatologists do.Treatment mainly involves preventing the development of fungal infections.To prevent re-infection of the foot with fungus, complex treatment is used:
- External therapy course.Antifungal ointments, creams, and sprays are used in treatment.
- A course of treatment using antifungal drugs.
- Use of antihistamines.They are taken in cases of severe itching and increased sensitivity to irritants that cause allergies.
- A course of therapy with vitamins and minerals.
- Antibacterial drugs.They are used in case of bacterial infection in the body.
After visiting the doctor, one will learn how to treat the fungus on the nails, heels and between the toes.In the advanced form of the disease, doctors usually prescribe complex treatment by taking pills and using ointments.Systemic drugs are prescribed to patients who have experienced a severe process.
To treat fungal infections of the feet at home, use the following folk recipes:
- Wine vinegar.Due to its antiseptic properties, wine vinegar is used for bathing.
- Salt and soda.They are dissolved in water in the same quantity and made into a bath that helps get rid of foot fungus.
- Oak bark, calendula blossom, blackberry.The affected leg is washed with a decoction of this medicinal herb.
The most effective is the complex treatment of the fungus using ointments and drugs of various pharmacological effects.Treatment will not be necessary if you listen to the doctor's recommendations and regularly carry out preventive measures.
Antifungal medicine
Foot fungus and interdigital spaces are eliminated with effective antifungal drugs.
Since the fungus can manifest itself in any form, an effective drug to combat this infection must be chosen by a specialist.Some drugs are toxic and can cause adverse reactions;they are taken under the strict supervision of a doctor.Fast positive treatment results depend on the correct diagnosis of not only the disease, but also the stage of its development.