Fungal lesions of the skin and stratum corneum are extremely unpleasant. But these infections are quite common: omniscient statistics claim that a fifth of humanity has experienced all the "delight" of meeting them. One type of pathology is a fungus between the toes, which without the necessary treatment will soon spread to the nails. It will not be easy to face it, but liberation is still possible. Complex therapy will help in the fight against the disease, but it must be carried out with patience and competence.
What are interdigital fungus on the feet and what do they look like?
Three types of fungi cause finger infections: molds, yeasts, and dermatophytes. Each of them has their own preferences. Microorganisms from the mold family settle in those areas of the legs where it is hot and humid, so they usually appear where a similar lesion already exists. Yeast fungi do not disdain neither nails nor skin. Dermatophytes are the most common culprits of mycosis; thumb fungus and interdigital pathology are his "specialization. "What all species have in common is a preference for heat and high humidity.
The symptoms of the fungus in the initial stage are quite mild. It can be suspected if the following signs are present:
- cracks that suddenly appear on the foot and toes, most often the medical history begins with the little toe;
- the skin around the cracks comes off;
- slight itching that disappears without a trace after hygiene procedures.
When the fungus begins to actively multiply, the symptoms can no longer be ignored: red spots appear, intense peeling, burning and itching are possible. The appearance of bubbles with transparent content cannot be ruled out. As the cracks deepen, they become erosions. The inflammatory process leads to tissue inflammation.
If this period is ignored, then the advanced stage of the fungus begins:
- clear blisters between the fingers turn into ulcers that burst and form wounds;
- itching, burning intensify, severe pain appears;
- The mycosis, spreading to the nails, begins to destroy them.
It is no longer possible to ignore these symptoms. Going to the doctor becomes the only option to regain health.
Causes of interdigital mycosis.
The fungus between the toes has no shortage of victims; On the contrary, the number of infected is increasing. The reason for this sad image is ignorance of hygiene rules. Since these pathogenic organisms love high humidity and heat, and their entry points are skin wounds, the risk increases if the following factors occur:
- visiting public places where a person walks barefoot or uses other people's shoes, towels or cloths;
- tight shoes that cause microtrauma;
- excessive sweating along with a careless attitude to hygiene procedures;
- decreased immunity;
- varicose veins;
- hormonal imbalance;
- dysbiosis.
Danger of fungal infection
Some people do not believe that foot fungus is a serious problem. But this opinion is wrong. The greatest danger is the chronic form of the disease, which causes damage to the nails, which in itself greatly affects the quality of life. A person with mycosis is a source of infection that can "reward" the whole family, and a fungus between the fingers of a child or an elderly person is fraught with major health problems.
If the disease is left to chance, the body will suffer from toxins that are formed as a result of fungal activity. Fungal infections in some cases cause severe allergic reactions. Against the background of mycosis, immunity is suppressed, which is especially dangerous for children and the elderly. As a result, a "non-serious" illness will lead to the penetration of many other infections, bacterial or viral, with consequences of varying degrees of severity.
How to treat toe fungus
Not everyone can get rid of fungus quickly, so it is better to prepare in advance for a long battle. Therapy is usually done at home, so it is first necessary to undergo an examination to discover the real culprit. Once determined, the doctor (dermatologist or mycologist) will prescribe a comprehensive treatment.
Tablets
An infection that has reached an advanced stage requires oral medications. For this type of therapy, effective antifungal tablets and capsules are used that help eliminate the scourge quite quickly.
- The most commonly prescribed medication is from the allylamine group. Cope with finger fungus in 3-4 weeks. The maximum daily dose is 250 mg.
- A triazole derivative is the next broad-spectrum drug. Its intake is limited to two tablets a day. It is required to take two two-week courses, with a 21-day break between them.
- The product of the triazole group are capsules that are used for various skin diseases. The medicine also helps against foot fungus between the toes. There are 2 options for taking it: once a day, 50 mg, or once a week, but immediately 150 mg. The course of therapy is 4 to 6 weeks.
Ointments
Oral medications should be supplemented with medications for external use: creams or ointments. They are the first answer to the question of how to get rid of toe fungus. Local remedies are numerous and their costs vary.
All ointments will be effective if one condition is met: the feet must first be steamed in a solution of soap and soda, and then dried well.
- The imidazole derivative is the leader of the sympathies of those who decided to destroy foot fungus at home. The reason is efficiency and reasonable price. The medicine is applied to clean fingers and nails 2-3 times a day. The duration of the course is individual, it is controlled by a doctor. Once symptoms disappear, it is recommended to continue treatment for 2 weeks or longer.
- A product from the imidazole group is used twice a day, the duration of therapy is 4-6 weeks, but in advanced cases it is necessary to apply the composition for several more days. When the fungus has spread to the nails, compresses with ointment are made.
- Cream from the allylamine group is also in the category of external products. The active ingredient is the substance that gives the cream its name. The cream is applied 1-2 times a day, if the feet are affected the application period is up to 4 weeks. If the nail plates are already affected by mycosis, it is recommended to treat the feet for 3 to 6 months.
The main rule is the regularity of procedures and compliance with the prescribed deadlines. In other cases, treatment may be ineffective.
Spa
This popular treatment for fungus between the toes at home will not take much time, but it will provide an effect if the stage of mycosis can be easily cured.
- Coffee.For the procedure you will need ground coffee: 10 tablespoons. l. pour 2 liters of boiling water. When the "drink" has cooled, put your feet down. It is allowed to take foot baths with coffee twice a day.
- Sagebrush.To prepare it, take a liter of boiling water and 150 g of herbs. Prepare the decoction in a water bath for 30 minutes. The duration of the procedure is at least half an hour.
- Boric acid- a well-known remedy for fungus between the fingers. For the bath, take 40 g of powder that is dissolved in water (50-60 °C). It is not necessary to abuse the procedure, do it 2-3 times a week.
- Salt and soda.Pour warm water into a container, add 1 tbsp. l. sodium chloride and carbonate. Keep your feet in the bathtub for at least 15 minutes and then rinse them with water.
- Celandine.2 tablespoons. l. pour the herbs with a liter of boiling water, cover with a lid and wait for it to cool to room temperature. The duration of the procedure should be at least a quarter of an hour.
These procedures do not always help and not all. This feature is inherent not only in popular methods. But this doesn't mean you should give up: there are many ways to cure toe fungus.
Compresses
This type of treatment is good because the medications remain in the affected areas for a long time, since many of them are recommended to be left overnight. In this category the following home remedies are recommended:
- Propolis.An alcohol tincture is used for the compress. Cotton is moistened in it, which is then fixed between the fingers. The procedures last a week and a half.
- Birch tar.Before applying the composition, the feet are well steamed and cleaned of dead skin. Dry feet are lubricated with tar, and the space between the toes is treated with special care. This compress is kept for at least an hour, then excess tar is removed with a napkin. Washing your feet is prohibited for 2 days. The total number of procedures is 4-5 times.
- Garliccrushed and then mixed with salt. Garlic compresses should not be left on for too long. The product is left for 1-2 hours.
- Ammonia.Take 1 tablespoon per glass of water. l. A piece of gauze is then soaked in the solution and wrapped around the foot. He puts a bag on top and a sock on top. It is necessary to carry out between 8 and 10 procedures.
- Onionas effective as garlic. Only in this case juice is used. The compresses are left overnight. If the skin between your fingers becomes wet and you are bothered by a strong burning sensation, you can mix the juice with Vaseline in equal proportions.
Physiotherapy
To achieve success, the complex treatment of interdigital fungus on the feet also includes physiotherapy procedures:
- Ozone therapy.This procedure significantly accelerates the growth of a healthy nail when the disease is very advanced. During the procedure, both the plate and the skin are saturated with ozone and oxygen, which stimulates nail growth and at the same time destroys the fungal infection. Not only fungus on the skin of the toes is successfully cured, but also absolutely all types of mycoses.
- Laser treatment.During this operation, only those cells in which the fungus has settled are destroyed. The course of therapy includes from 4 to 10 procedures. No prior preparation is required, but parallel pharmacological treatment is required.
Diet
To successfully overcome toe fungus, it is important to change your diet.
Some foods from the diet should be excluded completely or their consumption greatly limited. These include:
- alcoholic beverages;
- confectionery, flour products;
- fermented dairy products containing sugar;
- sweets;
- sausages;
- canned food;
- smoked meats;
- meat;
- semi-finished products.
The following are allowed:
- cereals (only semolina and rice are excluded);
- coffee;
- unsweetened dairy and fermented milk products;
- seafood;
- vegetables, vegetables;
- walnut seeds;
- boiled fish;
- butter and vegetable oil;
- tea;
- eggs.
How to prevent the disease from recurring.
In order for mycosis of the toes to disappear forever, it is necessary to adhere to the following rules:
- Wear shoes that fit your feet to avoid toe injuries. It is better to give preference to natural materials. Frequent disinfection of shoes is necessary.
- After public places, feet need preventive measures: they should be washed and lubricated with lemon juice, and close attention should be paid to the toes.
- It is essential to change your socks daily. It is better to opt for cotton products.
- It is prohibited to change shoes and bedding, or use other people's towels and pedicure items.
- Strengthening the immune system is a priority, so your diet should always include fruits, juices and vegetables.
To take care of your skin and toenails, it is recommended to have a pedicure every month and a half.