Mycoses are diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms (fungi). The disease is not life-threatening to a person, but it causes discomfort and is difficult to treat. In most cases, people with weak immunity, hormonal imbalance and non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene are the most susceptible to infection. Fungus treatment sometimes lasts 3-4 months using a wide range of medications. To enhance the therapeutic effect of drugs, doctors prescribe traditional medicine recipes. The key to successful treatment is early diagnosis of the disease. In the early stages, mycoses are more easily susceptible to the action of antifungal drugs.
Variety and symptoms of dermatomycosis
Science knows thousands of varieties of fungi, but only a few hundred of them are pathogenic for humans.
Types of microorganisms that cause athlete's foot:
- trichophytons;
- dermatophytes;
- candida
The first signs of mycosis are quite difficult to recognize. The appearance of the fungus on the legs depends on the type of microorganism that affects the soft tissues.
intertriginous form
The most common type of fungal infection. It occurs in the summer, when the sweating of the legs increases. The folds in the interdigital space are the first to suffer, then the infection captures nearby areas and the nail plate.
First signs:
- dry skin between the fingers;
- cracks and sores;
- severe itching and burning;
- peeling and discoloration of the epidermis.
scaly shape
This type of fungal infection affects the bottom of the foot. The skin looks rough, calluses, keratinized areas, deep cracks appear. When walking, a person experiences pain.
The disease progresses rapidly, captures the surrounding area and the nail plate. In advanced cases, the nail changes color, shape and begins to collapse.
Important!
At the first suspicion of a fungal infection, you should immediately consult a doctor for examination and treatment.
dyshidrotic form
This type of fungus is rare. The first symptoms are watery, multi-chambered vesicles with cloudy contents on the skin. Instead of burst formations, ulcers appear, which are combined into continuous erosion.
The main danger of this form of mycosis is the addition of concomitant infections. Pathogenic microorganisms penetrate wounds, causing other dermatological diseases. In the absence of timely therapy, large areas of the legs are affected. It becomes very difficult to cure mycosis.
Causes
The main route of infection transmission is contact. If you do not follow the basic rules of personal hygiene, you can get infected through household items used by the patient. Exfoliating particles of the epidermis, along with the causative agent of the disease, remain on shoes, towels, in infected places. Once on the surface of the skin of a healthy person, the fungus begins to multiply actively.
The spores of a pathogenic microorganism can survive in the environment for many months until they are found in favorable conditions. Public places (swimming pools, showers, baths, saunas, locker rooms in gyms) pose a great danger of infection.
To avoid infection, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene: change socks daily, wear comfortable shoes in which the feet do not sweat, after washing, thoroughly dry the interdigital space with a towel.
Treatment of the fungus with drugs
An important factor in getting rid of skin mycosis is the examination and timely treatment prescribed by the doctor.
Getting rid of the fungus is quite difficult. You will need a wide range of drugs for external and systemic action. First you need to determine the type of pathogen. This can only be done in a specialized laboratory.
ointments, creams
This type of drug has a high capacity for deep penetration into the affected tissues, reaching the mycelium.
Antifungal ointments are divided into 2 types:
- azole. Suppresses cell growth, destroys the mycelium. The course of treatment with azole ointments usually lasts about a month;
- allylamine. It has a detrimental effect on yeast and mold fungi. This type of ointment has an antifungal and anti-inflammatory effect. It refers to economic and effective means. The course of therapy is usually 3 months.
Benefits of ointments:
- no harmful effect on the gastrointestinal tract and liver;
- local use allows you to maximize the impact on the pathogen;
- Versatility of use for the treatment of skin and nail fungus.
Features of the use of antifungal ointments:
- before applying drugs, the feet should be thoroughly washed and dried with a towel;
- the drug is applied to the affected surface with a thin layer, rubbing movements;
- prevent the drug from getting on the mucous membranes: nose, eyes, mouth;
- follow the instructions for use and the recommendations of a dermatologist.
tablets
For more effective treatment of advanced mycoses, systemic therapy is prescribed together with external topical preparations.
Tablets for the treatment of severe forms differ in the active substance:
- based on ketoconazole. It is prescribed for the treatment of superficial mycosis, which is not amenable to treatment with topical agents. Destroys yeasts, dimorphic fungi and dermatophytes;
- Based on terbinafine. Acts on dermatophytes;
- Based on griseofulvin. It acts on dermatophytes. It prevents fungi from multiplying and destroys cell walls. This drug has increased toxicity, so modern medicine is gradually replacing it from the pharmacological market;
- based on fluconazole. The tablets belong to the group of azoles. Helps to quickly get rid of the disease.
Along with the treatment of a fungal infection on the feet, drugs that stimulate the immune system and vitamin-mineral complexes are prescribed to better combat the disease.
Treatment at home with folk remedies.
It is possible to eliminate the fungus with the help of alternative medicine recipes only in the early stages or in combination with pharmacy products.
Important!
Before starting self-treatment at home, you need to undergo an examination and consult with your doctor.
Iodine
A universal antiseptic has not only a bactericidal, but also an antifungal effect. It is recommended to lubricate the affected areas at night. Before the procedure, it is necessary to perform a sensitivity test. To do this, a small amount of iodine is applied to the crease of the elbow. If after a few hours there is no skin redness, burning or itching, you can use this method. Before going to bed, a foot bath is made, after which the skin is well wiped with a terry towel. In order not to cause a chemical burn, iodine must be diluted with medical alcohol 1: 1. Using a cotton swab, a thin layer of the solution is evenly applied to the places affected by the fungus. Cotton socks are worn on top. Also, for prevention, nail plates are processed.
You can make an effective "talker" on the basis of iodine:
- Grind to a powder 14 antifungal tablets;
- Mix with 100 ml of Dimexide 1% and leave in a dark place for one day;
- Add 10 ml of essence of iodine and vinegar.
Store the resulting mixture in the refrigerator and stir well before use. It should be applied to the affected areas of the skin with a cotton swab 1-2 times a day. The course of treatment is 1 month.
Hydrogen peroxide
Another well-known antiseptic that helps fight the manifestations of the fungus on the legs. The solution is used in the form of applications applied to problem areas. Ten minutes twice a day will be enough to overcome mycoses in the early stages in 5-10 days.
Baths for steaming the legs with the addition of peroxide are considered useful. It is diluted 1: 1 with water. The solution is not enough, but only that part of the foot that is affected needs to be placed in it. The procedure lasts from 30 to 40 minutes. The liquid must not come into contact with healthy skin, as it strongly dehydrates the soft tissues.
Celandine
The medicinal plant successfully treats many skin diseases, including mycoses. Decoctions are used for compresses and baths. If it is possible to get a freshly harvested plant, you can try to cure the fungus with fresh juice.
To do this, pull out the bush, wash it under running water. Prepare the legs: steam out, scales are removed. Yellow juice appears on the stem cut. They lubricate the affected surfaces. With self-treatment with celandine at home, you need to be very careful. This plant is poisonous. Its juice can cause severe skin burns.
For steaming, a decoction of 5 tbsp. herbs per 1 litre. boiling water. The solution is infused into a container with a tightly closed lid for 20 minutes. After that, a foot bath is performed.
Apple vinager
An acidic environment will help get rid of the fungus, in which it cannot multiply and exist. Apple cider vinegar is used in the form of foot baths and applications.
If the affected area is small, it is enough to soak a cotton ball or a piece of cotton cloth with an aggressive substance. In case of extensive spread, healthy skin areas are smeared with a greasy baby cream to protect them and a sock soaked in vinegar is put on.
With it, acidifies the water for foot baths. After such steaming, the skin is completely dried, and other drugs of natural origin or pharmaceutical preparations are applied.
Other home treatments
Traditional medicine offers a variety of tips to get rid of the fungus and its manifestations. Such funds are easily prepared independently of the components that are available in any household.
Homemade ointments:
- Mix equal proportions of yellow sulfur, copper sulfate, and goose fat in an enameled bowl. Bring to a boil over low heat and transfer to a glass jar. The ointment is stored in the refrigerator. Apply daily in the morning and at night on the affected areas of the skin;
- Add wood ash to goose fat. Stir until smooth. Lubricate problem areas with a mixture twice a day;
- Mix the butter with the minced garlic. The resulting mass is applied to the affected skin at night.
Ointments prepared according to the recipe of traditional medicine have a positive effect only in the case of the initial stage of the disease. With advanced mycoses, they are used in combination with tablet preparations.
Compresses:
- Garlic onion. A medium onion and 2 cloves of garlic are crushed into a pulp. The mixture is placed in a thick layer on the skin, covered with a plastic bag and fixed with a bandage. A cotton sock is put on. The procedure is carried out before bedtime. In the morning, the compress is removed and the feet are washed with warm soapy water. This method will help to cope with the disease in 7-10 days;
- Celandine with tea tree oil. 1stChopped herbs are mixed with oil until a pasty substance is obtained. It is abundantly applied to the area of localization of the fungus and isolated, as in the previous recipe;
- Herbal compress. In a saucepan, mix 400 ml of sunflower oil, 1 tbsp. Iherbs comfrey, peppermint, calendula and radiola. Heat the mixture over low heat to 50-60 degrees. Insist in a dark cool place during the day. Remove dry ingredients through a sieve or cheesecloth. With the oil mixture, compresses are made at night for 1-2 hours. The safe action of the recipe allows you to use it in childhood.
Important!
Before any medical procedure, you need to steam your legs for 15-20 minutes.
Trays:
- The most common and simple solution for steaming is 1 tbsp. table salt or sea salt, 1 tbsp. sodium bicarbonate and 1 liter. Water. The procedure lasts 15 minutes. Then the legs are washed under warm running water and dried;
- Brew strong coffee, cool and soak your feet in it for 5 minutes. After that, rinse with water;
- Pour two liters of boiling water over a mixture of herbs - 2 tbsp. chamomile flowers, horsetail, flax seeds. After cooling to a tolerable temperature, you need to soak your feet in the resulting broth for 15 minutes.
Prevention
Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Therefore, in order not to get sick, you need to take some precautions.
Tips to help avoid infections:
- wear high-quality natural shoes in which the foot does not sweat;
- in places of public visit (bathrooms, saunas, showers, swimming pools, changing rooms) the use of replaceable rubber slippers is mandatory;
- wear only personal shoes;
- maintain immunity.
Foot fungus is an insidious disease. It is quite easy to get infected, but it is difficult to get rid of it. Usually people start the disease due to the fact that mycosis does not appear immediately. You should be attentive to your body and seek medical help at the first suspicious symptoms.