Fungus on the feet between the toes

Fungal pathology is a common disease of all age categories of the population. It is necessary to treat foot fungus between the toes because of the high risk of infection to others, including your family members. Mycosis is easily treated if its symptoms are recognized in the initial stage. In chronic cases, it can take from several months to a year to resolve the disease.

Etiology

Fungal spores can be found on clothes, shoes and household items for several years.

The appearance of fungus on the legs is a sign of a failure in the protective functions of the body. Avitaminosis, exacerbation of chronic infections, seasonal viral diseases - all this can lead to a drop in immunity, and then to a fungal disease. A healthy body will not allow pathogenic microbes to multiply. Risk factors:

1. presence of one of the diseases:
   • pathology of the gastrointestinal tract;
   • tuberculosis;
   • ENT infections;
   • diabetes;
   • HIV.
2. changes in metabolism;
3. hormonal surges:
   • adolescence puberty;
   • pregnancy;
   • menopause;
   • menopause.
4. wearing ill-fitting shoes;
5. the presence of corns, scratches on the foot;
6. put on someone else's shoes;
7. using poorly disinfected pedicure tools;
8. walking barefoot in saunas, baths, swimming pool complexes;
9. excessive sweating;
10. bad habits:
    • alcoholism;
    • smoking.
11. using products with mold;
12. hereditary predisposition to fungal infections (violation of acid-base balance in the skin).

Signs of illness

Signs of fungus between the toes:

• itching between the toes;
• peeling and peeling of the skin between the fingers;
• blisters appear on the skin between the fingers that burst and create oozing erosion;
• on the feet, the skin thickens, cracks (it often happens under the little toe);
• the nail on the big toe looks dull, changes color and structure;
• the appearance of rashes, redness of the skin of the feet;
• bad foot odor.

Diagnostic methods

It is not enough just to detect the disease. We need a detailed diagnosis that will help identify the specific strain of the fungus and its sensitivity to antifungal drugs. For this, the dermatologist, after the examination, instructs the patient to scrape the affected areas of the feet. As a result of these studies, it is possible to prescribe a treatment that is effective in a particular case.

You can identify the fungus at home. Potassium permanganate will help in this. If you dip your feet in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, the healthy skin will turn pink, while the diseased areas will remain white.

What to treat?

To cure interdigital foot fungus, you need to be patient - therapy in some cases lasts from a month to a year. Treatment of mycosis includes the use of local (to relieve symptoms) and systemic fungicides, antibacterial and medicinal drugs and vitamin complexes. It is important to treat the disease with a full course of medication. After the symptoms disappear, it is important to continue using the medication for another 10 days.

Medicines

Medicines of synthetic origin against foot fungus can be divided into local and systemic. Topical ones are aimed at relieving symptoms and treating the initial fungal infection. While the systemic use of antimycotics has a complex effect on the body. Such drugs are very toxic, so their use is contraindicated in children, pregnant women, and during breastfeeding.

Form of release of local preparations:

• grease;
• cream;
• spray;
• nail polish.

Topical remedies are good for fungus:

• Castellani liquid;
• Chlornitrophenol;
• cationic antiseptic;
• ammonia;
• potassium permanganate;
• iodine;
• aluminum acetate solution;
• solution of iodine in an aqueous solution of potassium iodide.

Active substances that have a systemic effect on fungi are available in the form of tablets and solutions for intravenous administration.

Treatment with folk remedies

Fungus between the toes can be cured with the help of traditional medicine recipes. However, the use of such methods should be agreed with the attending physician. It is also important to ensure that there are no allergic reactions of the body to natural medicinal components. To check it, you need to apply a small amount to the inner bend of the elbow and wait a few hours. If there is no redness or rash at the site, a folk remedy for fungus between the toes is suitable.

Vinegar for fungi

Ordinary table vinegar (wine or apple cider vinegar is best) has an acidic environment that is harmful to yeast infection. You can quickly cure a toe fungus by applying a vinegar compress to it every day. It is recommended to wrap the legs with polyethylene and leave for 5 minutes. After that, the feet are washed well with running water and an antifungal medicine is applied.

Another recipe with vinegar:

1. Pour a bottle of glycerin into a half liter jar.
2. Fill the jar to the brim with 70% vinegar and mix well.
3. Soak a tampon in the solution and apply between your fingers every day.

Sea salt for toe fungus

The most effective treatment with folk remedies is possible with the use of sea salt. If it is not possible to get sea salt, then ordinary table salt can be used. To prepare a foot bath solution, add 5 tablespoons of salt to hot water. Do foot baths several times a day until stable recovery from toe fungus.

How does baking soda help?

Violation of the acid-base balance leads to the fact that fungus appears between the fingers. Soda restores the balance of the skin and actively fights foot fungus. Recipes with soda:

• You can prepare foot baths with soda if you add 2 tablespoons to 2 liters of water at a temperature of 40 degrees. l. soda.
• Mushroom paste based on soda is prepared from 2 tablespoons of the component, a tablespoon of water and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix all the ingredients. A chemical reaction will follow with the release of gas bubbles. After they disappear, you can spread the paste on the damaged areas of the skin.

Use of onions

Preparing a remedy for a fungal infection from common onions is very simple. You can chop an onion into a pulp and apply this remedy to the affected areas. It is possible to add garlic mash (1: 1). It is also useful to squeeze onion juice and apply the juice to the flaky feet with a cotton swab. Apply daily.

Hygiene and care of feet and shoes

While the fungus on the fingers is being treated, it is important that the patient separates underwear, socks, hygiene items - pumice stone, scissors. All footwear must be thoroughly washed and dried. If possible, shoes should be treated with a 1% water-methanol solution of formaldehyde - the fungi in it die within 15 minutes.Hygiene procedures for the feet should be carried out at least twice a day, shoes should be kept dry and clean, and blisters and scratches should be avoided. Laundry is best done at the highest allowed temperatures.

Surgical intervention

If the fungal sore does not disappear after the use of local and systemic drugs, and folk remedies do not give the desired effect, an operation against foot fungus is possible. The procedure is performed in a medical facility under local anesthesia with the use of a local anesthetic. The damaged skin is cut off with a scalpel, the place is treated with antiseptics. This method guarantees complete recovery.

How to treat a child?

Fungi in a child are rarer than in an adult. However, due to non-observance of hygiene rules, it is possible for children to become infected with fungus. Fungus occurs in children mainly on the thumb and little finger due to frequent injuries. Treatment includes the use of local preparations - ointments and creams.

Characteristics in pregnant women

Fungus between the toes during pregnancy is a common occurrence due to a decrease in immunity in a pregnant woman. The disease is not dangerous for the fetus in the womb, but it is possible and necessary to treat the disease during pregnancy so that the already born baby is not infected later. The choice of drug for pregnant women should be in favor of the most non-toxic, easy-to-use drug with a short course of treatment. Perhaps folk treatment of fungal disease. Systemic therapy is contraindicated.

Prevention methods

In order to make sure that the fungal disease does not penetrate the body, it is necessary to increase the body's protective functions in every possible way - to toughen up, eat well, give up bad habits. It is important to follow the rules of personal hygiene: washing your hands after visiting public places, wearing changeable shoes in swimming pools and bathrooms, washing your feet daily. You cannot wear someone else's shoes and let others wear theirs. When buying shoes and clothes, choose items made from natural fabrics.