Athlete's foot is a contagious disease that is transmitted from person to person. Fungus on the feet is the most common type of fungus in adults. Women and men, and even children, are sick from it.
Mycosis (fungus) is a skin disease caused by parasitic fungi. It can be easily acquired through contact with an infected person or through objects and things with which the patient had contact. Fungi love warm and humid environments, so public places such as saunas, baths, water parks, beaches and swimming pools are considered potentially dangerous. English doctors call this disease "symptom of athlete's foot", because athletes use closed shoes that breathe poorly, inside which moisture accumulates.
Mycoses are very insidious, despite the apparent simplicity of the disease, they are difficult to cure and have a tendency to relapse.
Recognize as soon as possible
The treatment of mycosis is a rather long and complex process, therefore it is important to determine as early as possible how the fungus looks on the legs, the reasons for its appearance and start acting. Fungus usually first appears between the toes. Then, if left untreated, the infection penetrates the nail plate, leading to the destruction of the nail. If the cause is an infection in the pedicure salon, the disease begins with the nail plates.
Often, after infection, the fungus is quickly felt and you immediately understand that "something" is wrong. But the manifestations of fungus on the legs can have a different character: hidden or expressed. That is why it is necessary to understand how foot fungus occurs, what they look like and how to recognize them.
What are the early symptoms of toenail fungus?
After contact with the skin, foot fungus goes through an incubation period (depending on the person's immunity, 3-14 days), at which time the disease does not manifest itself.
The first symptoms that should prompt you to consider visiting a dermatologist may be:
- The skin on the legs looks reddened or covered with spots, itching, burning. It causes terrible discomfort, you constantly want to scratch your legs. This sign of foot fungus is noted in 99% of cases of the disease.
- Thickening or roughness of the skin of the feet. Often this sign of toe fungus is overlooked because it looks like a callus or corn.
- Blisters with fluid on the affected areas of the skin. If the patient combs them, an infection can enter them, and then blisters burst, erosions fester, ulcers and abscesses form on the skin.
- Cracks appear between the toes. Most often, the defeat of foot fungus begins in the spaces between the toes (between the first and second or fourth and fifth). Cracks can cause discomfort or even pain.
- If treatment is not started in time, the skin of the legs becomes rough and takes on the appearance of scales, and excessively dry skin of the legs is observed - a sure sign that you have fungus. Later, the affected skin areas (toes, heel, foot) appear softened, covered with a whitish coating.
- Feet smell bad.
- Leg skin looks pathologically shiny.
- Edema occurs. This suggests that you have chronic toenail fungus.
Interdigital infection
The onset of interdigital infection begins with the skin between the toes looking too pale, soft and wet, and can manifest itself with symptoms such as burning skin and a faint foot odor. If the infection is not treated, then a bacterial infection is added to the fungal infection. And this, in turn, leads to the appearance of bad foot odor.
Interdigital infection can be complicated even with treatment. Cracks and peeling develop until the skin becomes very thick and thick.
If no measures are taken, then the infection moves to the nail plates, which contributes to their rejection and falling off.
Vesicular infection
A less common type of fungal foot infection. It usually begins with the fact that under the skin of the legs suddenly appear areas filled with liquid content, similar to blisters. Most often, blisters develop on the back of the foot, although they can also appear between the toes or in the heel area, as well as on the sole.
This type of disease can develop after a primary infection. Moreover, secondary infection can affect both the same areas as the primary one (on the skin of the legs) and other parts of the body. Integuments in these cases, as a rule, begin to shell.
moccasin-like fungus
This fungus starts with pain in the foot. Then, during the course of the disease, the skin on the sole gradually thickens and then begins to crack.
Fungal diseases in this form often affect the nails, which subsequently thicken, begin to fall apart or even fall out completely.
Manifestation of symptoms and types of fungi
Manifestations of toenail fungus symptoms depend on the type, as well as the degree and depth of the fungal infection.
Symptoms of nail fungus include the following manifestations:
- the nail looks cloudy, loses its shine;
- the color of the nail changes from yellow to black;
- the surface looks rough, and the nail itself begins to crumble;
- the nail is pathologically thickened or, on the contrary, thin to an extreme degree;
- there is a painful curvature of the nail plate;
- the cuticle around the affected nail is either not affected by the fungus, or appears slightly inflamed.
With fungal diseases, it becomes very difficult, and sometimes impossible, to trim the nails without prior preparation, because they are too thick. If the thickened nail presses on the skin underneath, it can cause pain.
Fungal infection is a very complex disease, it is not easy to remove it, especially if the disease is ongoing. Therefore, if you notice that "something" is happening, immediately consult a doctor, because only the initial stage of this disease is easier and faster to treat.
Urgent at the doctor!
If you notice signs of foot fungus, don't expect it to go away on its own. The longer you have foot fungus, the harder it is to cure and the worse it is for the whole organism. Long-term mycosis can cause weakened immunity, allergic reactions and worsening of chronic diseases. That's why, when in doubt, consult a dermatologist or mycologist. The doctor will perform an examination, determine the degree of the disease, the structure of the affected skin or nail and make a tissue scraping for analysis. Thus, the doctor will determine the presence of a fungal infection on the legs, its type and prescribe the appropriate treatment, tablets, syrups or injections (in the most severe cases).
So, if your sole hurts a lot, maybe an old fungus has reappeared, seek medical help right away. It is very important to start treating the fungus right away in order to recover from the unpleasant disease yourself and protect others.
Initial stage of nail fungus
Onychomycosis is a common pathology in which pathogenic microorganisms multiply in the depths of the nails and adjacent tissues. As a result, the nail plate is gradually deformed. The initial stage of nail fungus can be effectively treated.
In accordance with the recommendations, patients recover within a few months. Further preventive measures will help keep your nails healthy.
How is the initial phase
Symptoms in the early stages of the disease look the same on the hands and feet. Initially, the nail plate changes shade. From pink, it becomes yellowish and dull, sometimes turning grayish. It is possible to change the structure of the plate - tubercles or other protrusions appear on it.
In the future, longitudinal stripes, yellow spots or spots are visible on the nails. The plate begins to expand and thicken, and at the same time becomes brittle. The skin next to the nail also suffers from fungus, becoming inflamed and reddened. Most often, infection with spores occurs on the feet, first of all, onychomycosis develops on the big toe (but there are exceptions).
In the initial stage of the disease, the fungus affects only one side of the nail plate. There are the following types of lesions:
- distal form - the upper part of the nail is affected;
- side view - the mushroom is located on the sides of the plate;
- superficial lesion - the surface of the plate is affected;
- proximal form - the periungual roller is affected.
In the photo you can see the appearance of the nails, in the initial stage of onychomycosis.
How is the treatment
If you suspect onychomycosis, you should seek help from a dermatologist. The doctor will examine the nails, if necessary, take a scraping for the presence of mycelial fungi. After the diagnosis, the doctor will tell you how to treat the disease.
Local therapy is aimed at removing inflammation, restoring blood supply to the affected nail. Preparations can be in the form of varnishes, sprays, lotions. They are applied to the affected nail plates, to the skin around them.
The most famous antifungal agents:
- varnishes. They are applied several times a week. Active substances penetrate deep into the nail. They are among the most powerful anti-fungal agents;
- cream. Designed for the treatment of skin and periungual ridges. They are treated with healthy nails to protect them from the penetration of fungi;
- drops. Medicines are applied to the affected nails. 1 - 2 drops;
- the lotion kills the fungus on the surface layers of the nails.
Sprays are used as a convenient prophylaxis against onychomycosis. They process soles, toes and shoes.
In addition to local treatment, doctors carry out systemic therapy. The patient takes antimycotic tablets or capsules. They kill the infection and help to quickly deal with the pathology.
Other treatments
- Laser therapy - action on microorganisms with laser beams. In the initial stages of the disease, it is enough for the patient to undergo only three to four procedures. The method not only kills pathogenic fungi, but also improves blood circulation.
- Ozone therapy - ozone injection is injected into the skin near the affected nail plates. Cells are saturated with ozone, they resist infections. The immunity in the body increases. But this procedure is effective only in the initial stages of the disease.
Both methods only supplement traditional treatment in the initial phase. They are prescribed along with pills and topical treatments.
How traditional medicine can help
The advice of traditional healers will help to cure fungus in the early stages. Their advantage is that they use natural products, without chemical additives.
The main methods of treatment include:
- Apple cider vinegar - dilute it in equal proportions with warm water. Take a bath, take 15 minutes. Do the procedure every day until all symptoms disappear. But apple cider vinegar is only suitable for treating foot fungus.
- In the first stages of onychomycosis, ordinary hydrogen peroxide actively suppresses the fungus. Soak your fingers in water with added soda (a spoonful per two liters of hot water). Soak cotton pads in peroxide, place them on the affected nails and fix with a patch. Wear the wrap for at least 40 minutes.
- Tea tree essential oil helps in healing. This antiseptic is used as an additional medicine at all stages of the disease. Rub a few drops of the extract into the affected nail plates, do not rinse off the oil. The therapy should be carried out for 2 weeks until complete healing. But this method is not suitable for children and women in an interesting position.
- Soda baths help fight fungus. Dilute a tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of liquid soap (or grated laundry soap) in two liters of hot water. Dip your hands or feet in the solution. Keep them for 15-20 minutes. Then treat the nails with medicines or antiseptics.
- Regular treatment of nail plates with iodine helps to solve onychomycosis. Rub the nail with iodine solution every day. You can make antiseptic baths - add a bottle of iodine to three liters of water, keep your feet or hands in it for 10 minutes.
After bathing and other folk remedies, nails, fingers and the skin between the fingers should be well dried. Then put on your socks.
What are the complications
If the problem is ignored, the fungus will not disappear by itself, the microorganisms will multiply constantly.
This is fraught with consequences:
- complete deformation of the nail plate;
- the disease becomes chronic;
- the infection will spread to healthy nail plates;
- the immune system will decrease, a favorable environment will be created for the development of other viral or bacterial infections.
Prevention rules
Treatment of onychomycosis is long-term and requires financial investment. Preventive measures will help protect you from fungi, although they cannot be called a cure for the disease.
This includes:
- don't wear other people's things or shoes. As a last resort, treat them with antifungal drugs;
- use only personal hygiene products - towels, scissors, nail files;
- in public places (saunas, baths or swimming pools) walk only in rubber shoes;
- don't try on new shoes in a store or market barefoot, wear socks.
Relapse is common. It is observed in 6-8% of cases out of the number of recoveries.
Conclusion
Fungal diseases affect people, regardless of age and gender. Not everyone knows what the fungus looks like in the early stages and does not attach importance to the changes on the nails. Treatment in the initial stage of the disease is simple, new and healthy ones grow in place of the affected nails.
Therapy is prescribed by a dermatologist, in addition to local methods, a comprehensive course of treatment with antimycotic drugs is carried out. In the initial stages of onychomycosis, along with traditional medicines, folk recipes can also be used.