Mycosis of the feet is one of the most common diseases caused by parasitic fungi. In medical practice, there are several types of this pathology. It is important to identify the foot fungus early in its development. Then it will be faster and easier to get rid of it. In this case, you will not need any special treatment, and even more so, surgical intervention. With weak manifestations of fungal activity, it is enough to use antifungal ointments or baths with folk recipes.
Mushrooms and their varieties.
Despite the prevalence of foot fungus, not all infected people know what a foot fungus looks like.
The main types of mycosis are shown below:
- Scaly or flaky.
- Intertriginous. It is characterized by the type of intertrigo of the skin.
- Hypertrophic, atrophic, and normotrophic onychomycosis. The difficulty in treating these diseases lies in the fact that all varieties can be combined with each other.
- DyshidroticIt is marked by a violation of the work of the sweat glands.
At different stages of development, this pathology looks different. Mycosis of the feet is the common name for two diseases: epidermophytosis and rubromicosis, whose development process proceeds in the same way.
Squamous mycosis
At the initial stage, the fungus manifests itself by the defeat of one foot, and after a certain time the disease passes to the other.
The skin turns red and then flakes off. The area of areas of redness in all patients is different and depends on the stage of development. Many people are not bothered by even the itching in the affected area, the skin may not peel off. That is why they turn to a dermatologist only when the legs are affected by the last stage of the disease.
Dyshidrotic fungal infection
Anyone who suspects the onset of this disease should know what a foot fungus of any form of development looks like. This pathology is characterized by the appearance of miniature vesicles on the arch of the foot. Very little time passes and they coalesce, becoming large bubbles, the shell of which soon breaks open and the superficial skin lesion becomes visually visible.
The pathology can spread throughout the leg with the appearance of areas of diaper rash. In this case, the patient begins to itch, painful sensations appear. After everything is cured, peeling begins.
The most unpleasant ailment is the formation of a bacterial fungus. In this case, cloudy liquid and pus come out of the bursting bubbles. At this stage of the development of pathology, there is a slight increase in temperature and excruciating pain. The skin on the feet is swollen.
The process of the dyshidrotic form of mycosis can last several months. Periods of improvement in the condition of the feet alternate with relapses.
Intertriginous fungus
This type of fungus on the skin of the feet is the most common. Appears independently or together with the squamous form of pathology. The disease is manifested by cracks in the skin, around which a white border forms, and then the skin begins to peel off. The space between the fingers gets wet. The patient experiences itching and burning. Superficial skin defects appear, accompanied by severe pain.
The protective functions of the skin are reduced and loosened. This promotes the penetration of the strep infection into the skin. A purulent inflammation appears, characterized by redness, itching, swelling and severe pain.
Intertriginous fungus is most often characterized by a long chronic course of the disease process. In winter, the pain usually subsides and in summer it worsens again.
Onychomycosis or nail fungus
When the first signs of the disease appear, the patient's task is to contact a dermatologist in a timely manner, and he will determine how to remove the fungus on the legs.
Nail onychomycosis is a more dangerous disease than fungal foot infection, as it takes much longer to heal.
Varieties of fungal infection that affect the nail plate:
- Atrophic onychomycosis. First, the nail becomes thinner, then it collapses.
- Hypertrophic onychomycosis. The thickness of the nail increases, acquiring a yellow color. Growth in length stops. The nail plate begins to crumble and exfoliate.
- Onychomycosis caused by molds. This pathology does not develop on its own. It usually progresses against the background of other diseases. In this case, the nail plate can be painted in any color, from black to green. The periungual roller is usually inflamed.
In its neglected form, the disease affects the entire body and even penetrates the internal organs. Pathological changes often begin to develop from the edge of the nail plate. Stripes, spots, and other "patterns" appear first.
Treatment methods
Not all patients know how to get rid of foot fungus, but dermatologists do. Treatment consists mainly of blocking the development of a fungal infection. To prevent reinfection of the feet with a fungus, a complex treatment is used:
- External therapy course. Antifungal ointments, creams and sprays are used in the treatment.
- The course of treatment with the use of antifungal drugs.
- Use of antihistamines. They are taken in case of severe itching and hypersensitivity to irritants that cause allergies.
- The course of therapy with the intake of vitamins and mineral elements.
- Antibacterial drugs. They are used in case of bacterial infection of the body.
By visiting a doctor, a person will find out how to treat nail, heel and toe space fungus. With an advanced form of the disease, the doctor usually prescribes a complex treatment with the taking of pills and the use of ointments. Systemic drugs are prescribed to those patients who have already begun a severe course of the process.
For the treatment of a fungal infection of the legs at home, the following popular recipes are used:
- Vinegar. For its antiseptic properties, wine vinegar is used for baths.
- Salt and soda. They dissolve in water in equal amounts and make baths that help eliminate foot fungus.
- Oak bark, marigold inflorescences, blackberries. Wash the affected areas of the feet with a decoction of these medicinal herbs.
The most effective is the complex treatment of the fungus with the use of ointments and drugs of various pharmacological actions. Treatment will never be required if you listen to the recommendations of doctors and periodically carry out preventive measures.
Antifungal medications
The fungus of the feet and the interdigital space is eliminated with effective antifungal drugs.
Since the fungus can manifest itself in any form, a specialist must select an effective remedy to combat this infection. Some medications are toxic and can cause side reactions; are taken under the strict supervision of a physician. A quick positive result of treatment depends on the correct diagnosis not only of the disease, but also on the stage of its development.