Methods for treating foot fungus

Toenail fungus is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms localized on the skin, in the spaces between the toes and nail plates.It brings significant discomfort and causes serious complications.Let's take a closer look at how to treat foot fungus to prevent the disease from becoming chronic and eliminate recurrences.

Causes and symptoms of athlete's foot

The disease is caused by spores of Trichophyton rubrum and other yeasts and molds..Under favorable conditions, they multiply quickly, quickly worsening the condition of the legs.

Doctors identify several factors that contribute to the development of pathogenic microflora:

• weakened immune system;
• excessive sweating of the feet;
• shoes that are not the right size;
• corns, calluses, scratches on the feet;
• chronic infectious and endocrine diseases;
• long-term use of antibiotics;
• lack of hygiene;
• wearing shoes made of artificial materials that do not allow air to pass through;
• flat feet.

Children are more susceptible to mycotic infections.Their immunity is not yet fully developed, the skin on the feet is too thin, so fungi easily penetrate the body and begin to multiply.

When the skin of the feet becomes infected, unpleasant symptoms quickly appear.Most often, the primary infection occurs in the spaces between the toes, gradually spreading to the foot.Many pathogens also affect the nail plates, causing the development of onychomycosis - nail fungus.

The pathology has several stages, which are characterized by certain signs.

1. The initial stage is hidden, which is felt by a slight peeling between the fingers, which a person rarely attaches importance to.
2. Then small cracks appear, peeling intensifies and smoothly covers the side of the foot.The skin becomes covered with small scaly plates and squamous mycosis develops.
3. Symptoms gradually worsen.There is itching, burning, the affected area thickens and becomes rough.When the fungus becomes hyperkeratotic, the epidermis loses its elasticity and a skin pattern clearly appears on it.The burning between the fingers intensifies.
4. If the intertriginous stage begins, the disease often affects the nails.Yellow-brown spots appear on them, they are deformed and crumble.The patient is constantly tormented by an unpleasant smell coming from his feet.The skin peels off, small ulcers and deep cracks form, which cause pain when walking.

The advanced form of the disease leads to the appearance of a rash between the toes and on the feet.Small dense bubbles often merge with each other.When they burst, the weeping sores stay in place and itch very much.

Routes of infection

Fungal spores remain viable in the environment for a long time, so you can easily contract the disease in the most unexpected places.But the most favorable conditions for their development are warmth and high humidity. 

Therefore, people who visit the following are at risk:

• swimming pools;
• baths;
• saunas;
• fitness centers;
• beaches.

Fungi can appear on all things that are there, even if regular disinfection is carried out.Therefore, avoid common items in such places and be sure to bring a spare pair of shoes with you.

Military personnel are at risk.Soldiers in the army usually wear uncomfortable shoes that do not allow air to pass through.Because of this, the feet sweat, microtraumas appear, into which fungi penetrate.

There are two types of infection.The first is a direct way through direct contact with the causative agent of infection during communication with a sick person, caring for an animal or walking barefoot on the ground and sand.The second - indirect way leads to infection through objects belonging to infected people or pets.

Diagnostics

In order for the treatment of fungi to be successful, a consultation with a dermatologist is necessary.The specialist will conduct a visual examination, carefully examining the lesions.

In order to establish a correct diagnosis, it is important to inform the doctor about all alarming symptoms and to report previously suffering from mycosis and other diseases.

In order to accurately determine the presence of infection and the type of pathogen, the doctor must take blood, nail scrapings or skin for analysis.Laboratory tests must be performed without error.There are more than 500 species of fungi that have different drug resistance thresholds and require different treatment tactics.

1. Microscopic examination reveals the presence of fungi.The sample is treated with special preparations and examined under a microscope, trying to find spores.This test allows you to determine the presence of the fungus and its concentration.
2. Bacterial culture gives more accurate results.The biological material is placed in the nutrient medium.If pathogenic cells are present in the scraping, fungal colonies begin to grow from them, which are carefully examined.The analysis lasts from 2 days to 4 weeks.The time depends on the type of infection.
3. PCR - polymerase chain reaction - is necessary to identify a specific type of fungus by identifying the DNA of the pathogen.This requires scraping from the affected area.Test performance is around 100%.
4. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is taken from a vein and allows you to identify the titer of antibodies to a specific pathogen and find out the exact cause of the disease.

You should go to the hospital if there are any changes in the condition of the skin.Even minor peeling and itching between the toes cannot be ignored.Otherwise, the disease will affect the foot and nails, and it will be more difficult to cure.

Treatment

Foot fungus requires an integrated approach.The intensity of treatment depends on the type of infection and the extent of damage to the skin and nails.

Therapy includes medications for internal and external use and careful hygiene.The use of traditional medicine recipes is suitable as an auxiliary method.

Medicines

The treatment regimen should be prescribed by the doctor based on the patient's clinical picture.Medicines in capsules or tablets, antifungal creams and ointments are used to treat adults.Control methods are aimed at eliminating pathological microorganisms and healing the skin.Medicines should not be stopped until complete recovery..

Creams

Productive treatment of fungi is provided by creams.They have a light texture and are quickly absorbed.When choosing a product, you must take into account contraindications for use and follow the recommendations of experts.

The cream should be applied regularly, after washing the skin thoroughly with laundry soap and drying it.

Fats

The choice of antifungal ointments is very wide.Allergic reactions and other side effects should be ruled out before starting treatment. 

If the fungal infection of the foot is complicated by a secondary infection, and other drugs do not give the expected result, the dermatologist prescribes ointments based on glucocorticosteroids.

Medicines quickly relieve inflammation and stop the disease at any stage, but they have many contraindications.They must be taken strictly according to the instructions, without exceeding the dose. 

An effective remedy for removing all signs of fungus is an ointment with salicylic acid.This is a simple and inexpensive remedy that can be used in two ways:

• treat the affected area 3 times a day;
• Before going to bed, apply the product under the bandage and leave it overnight.

After wraps, the skin can become very flaky and flaky.You can easily get rid of such manifestations with soda baths (1 tablespoon of soda per 1 liter of warm water).The procedure should be done every other day during the entire treatment.

Pills

To improve the effectiveness of therapy, the use of external means is often combined with internal drugs.Tablets can have a strong effect on the body as a whole, so they should not be taken uncontrollably.

It is recommended to treat nail fungus with fungistatic and fungicidal drugs that suppress the growth of the fungal colony and destroy the pathogenic flora.

The list of antifungal drugs is diverse.A dermatologist may recommend different medications based on your medical history and symptoms.The doctor determines the admission rules.You must strictly follow his instructions.

Folk remedies

You can achieve faster recovery using traditional methods as additional therapy.To get rid of mycosis of the feet, use:

• hot baths;
• Domestic fats;
• compresses;
• herbal lotions.

Before treatment, it is important to ensure that there is no individual intolerance to the components of traditional recipes.

Ointments for fungi

Homemade ointments help in the fight against pathogenic flora.

1. Copper sulfate, yellow sulfur and goose fat are mixed in equal proportions in an enameled container and mixed well.Put on a low heat, boil and turn off.The mixture should be cooled and transferred to a glass jar.Store in a cool and dark place.Apply to the affected areas in the morning and evening until all symptoms disappear.
2. You can prepare a simpler recipe.You will need to take goose fat and wood ash in equal proportions.Mix the ingredients until smooth.Use twice daily, apply liberally to affected areas.

Compresses and masks

1. A good remedy for fungus is an onion and garlic mask.It is necessary to peel 2-3 cloves of garlic and a small onion.Grind and spread the pulp in a thick layer on the affected skin.Cover with cellophane, wrap and put on socks.It is recommended to perform the procedure in the evening, and leave the mask on until morning.After waking up, the bandage should be removed and the body should be washed with water.The treatment should be carried out daily until recovery.
2. A mixture of celandine and tea tree oil is useful for poultices.Oil is added to a spoonful of crushed dry herbal raw materials.You should get a thick paste.It is necessary to apply it to the places where the fungus is located, wrap the leg in polyethylene and isolate it.Apply the compress regularly at night for at least 2 weeks.
3. An effective base for dressings is obtained from medicinal herbs.Pour 400 ml of sunflower or olive oil into the pan.Add 1 tablespoon each of calendula flowers, peppermint, comfrey, and radiole rose.Put it on the fire and heat it to 60 degrees.Turn off and put in a dark place for a day.Then filter.Use the oil mixture as compresses for 1 hour, 2 times a day.The method has a mild effect, so it can be used to treat a child, provided that he is not allergic to plants.

Baths

1. The simplest bath for foot fungus is made with salt and baking soda.The ingredients must be dissolved in warm water in the amount of 1 tablespoon of soda and 1 tablespoon of salt per 1 liter of water.Immerse your feet in the liquid and keep them for 15 minutes.Finally, rinse the limbs under water and dry.
2. Milkweed is suitable for preparing a bath.Measure 3 tablespoons of dry grass and pour 3 liters of boiling water over them.Wrap in a towel and leave for 4 hours.Strain, heat a little and pour into a bowl.Keep your feet in the liquid for about half an hour.The frequency of the procedure is 1 time in 2 days.Duration 1 month.
3. Strong coffee inhibits the development of pathogenic spores.You need to brew a drink (1 tablespoon of ground coffee per 250 ml of water).When it has cooled to a comfortable temperature, pour it into a bowl and put your feet on it for 20 minutes.It is important that the areas affected by the fungus are covered with water.The treatment can be carried out daily for a long time.

Herbal washing preparations and lotions

Many medicinal plants have a pronounced antifungal effect.For the treatment of mycosis of the feet, it is useful to use medicinal herbs.

you will need:

• marigold flowers;
• oak bark;
• dried blackberries;
• verbena herb.

The components must be mixed in equal proportions.Take 3 tablespoons of the mixture, add 500 ml of water and put it in a water bath.Simmer for 20 minutes, cool and strain through a filter.You should wash your feet and toes with herbal decoction 2-3 times a day and massage the affected areas for half an hour.

Alcohol tincture of propolis helps in the fight against diseases.It can be bought at a pharmacy.The gauze is soaked in liquid and applied to the feet for 30 minutes or the affected areas are wiped with a cotton ball 3 times a day.

Prevention

Fungus on the feet is an insidious disease that requires serious treatment.In order to reduce the likelihood of infection, proper prevention is necessary.It is recommended to follow simple rules:

• avoid high humidity;
• don't try on other people's shoes;
• maintain foot hygiene.

It is important to control sweating.You can use regular talcum powder for that.In order for your skin to be healthy and not cracked, it is necessary to apply moisturizing cream regularly and take baths with baking soda once a week.

During the treatment, bed linen should be boiled, socks should be changed daily and washed well in hot water.Manicure accessories must be systematically disinfected.To prevent re-infection, it is necessary to treat the inside of the shoes with table vinegar or medical alcohol.