Infection with foot fungus occurs through contact with a sick person or animal, as well as through soil, water or plants.It is important to recognize and treat the disease in time.
There are different types of foot fungus, and only a doctor can correctly identify the type through a series of examinations.After that, the specialist will prescribe a course that will allow you to quickly cope with the disease.
Intertriginous (interdigital) form
This form of the disease is considered the most common.It is usually activated in the summer.The development of the disease begins with lesions of the skin of the feet between the third and fourth, as well as the fourth and fifth toes, and then gradually spreads to all folds.The main symptoms of this fungus are:
- the appearance of cracks on the skin;
- the presence of a white border, which indicates the separation of the upper layer of the skin;
- appearance of weeping sores;
- burning and itching sensation;
- creation of erosions at the place of cracks;
- relaxation of the skin as the disease progresses and impairment of its protective functions.
The interdigital form occurs in most cases on the background of the squamous form.This disease is treated with ointments.In the initial phase, you can do without using pills.
An experienced specialist will tell you what the fungi are and choose an effective therapy for your feet.Antifungal medications will relieve the disease in one to three weeks.The most important thing is not to forget to anoint your feet with the prescribed medicine twice a day.
This form of the disease has a chronic course.It is not easy to determine in the initial stage.Therefore, patients often turn to the doctor when the disease is present in all the folds between the fingers.In this case, the treatment may take longer.
Squamous-hyperkeratotic form
In most cases, this disease affects one foot and, in the absence of proper treatment, spreads to the other.The skin undergoes radical changes in this form of the disease.Keratinized cells completely cover the foot.The skin of the feet starts to become rough and then cracks.In hyperketosis, the heels are also susceptible to cracking.The appearance of erosions is accompanied by burning and itching.The patient feels pain.
The main symptoms of the squamous-hyperkeratic form are:
- skin redness;
- itching and peeling;
- proliferation of keratinized cells;
- the appearance of rough blisters, including on the heels.
This disease can also affect the nail plate.Over time, it loses transparency, changes shade and shape.In advanced stages, the nail often begins to crumble.Treatment of the disease at this stage is not easy.In this case, in addition to external drugs, the doctor can also prescribe a course of tablets.Combined drugs are mainly used for treatment.The duration of the course is determined by the specialist.Medicines are chosen based on the type of foot fungus the patient has been exposed to.
Dyshidrotic form
This form is also called vesicular.It is extremely rare.The disease is accompanied by the appearance of blisters or bubbles of small diameter.At first they are lonely, but gradually they grow and burst.After which ulcers form.This disease is not easy to treat.It is complicated by the fact that viruses and bacteria easily penetrate the human body through cracks and erosions.Diseases such as eczema, lymphadenitis and others with similar symptoms often develop in parallel with the fungus.
You should contact a specialist if the following signs of the disease are observed:
- pain and itching in the affected area of the foot;
- appearance of erosions and cracks;
- severe peeling of the skin of the feet;
- appearance of vesicles or blisters on the skin.
Often, in the absence of proper treatment, this disease takes a bacterial form.In this case, the transparent contents of the vesicles become purulent and cloudy.The patient develops severe headaches and elevated body temperature.Treatment of this disease includes complex therapy.The doctor prescribes local antifungal agents and tablets.
Deleted form
This type of disease is not recognized immediately.The fact is that the symptoms of the form are erased and practically do not bother the patient.The cleared type of fungus is followed by peeling of the skin like flour.The foot appears to be covered with fine flour.Small cracks appear between the toes that are almost invisible to the eye.The person feels a slight itch.No redness.
This form of the disease is difficult to treat.Because the patient seeks qualified help only if the deleted form develops into onychomycosis.Valuable time is lost and recovery can take time.
Onychomycosis
In this case, we mean a disease accompanied by a fungal infection of the nail plates.There are several variants of this form of the disease:
- mold damage;
- hypertrophic form;
- atrophic.
In the first case, the disease develops against the background of other nail lesions.Often the nail plate changes color, becoming black, green or brown.The nail bed becomes inflamed.
In the hypertrophic form of the disease, the plaque becomes yellow and thickens.The nail breaks easily, revealing thickened skin that peels off.
In atrophic onychomycosis, the skin under the nail becomes rough and the plate becomes thinner.If treatment is not started on time, the disease can completely destroy the plate and nail.
Rubrophytia
This disease is also called rubromycosis.It is characterized by dryness and flaking of the skin and blood vessels.The disease develops gradually, without any symptoms.So the wearer doesn't notice it right away.The sensation of burning and itching appears only in the later stages.At this stage, the symptoms are as follows:
- appearance of blisters and blisters;
- plaques spreading throughout the sole;
- pain when walking, which occurs as the number of blisters increases.
The specialist will be able to prescribe treatment only after conducting a series of examinations and studying the clinical picture.Microscopy allows us to determine what types of fungi exist and how the feet are infected.The treatment is carried out using peeling (keratolytic) agents.The specialist will prescribe an ointment or cream containing salicylic acid.The course also includes the use of antifungal drugs.In advanced cases, tablets are used along with therapy.If it is necessary to remove damage to the nail plates, then special formulations are prescribed.
Candidiasis of the feet
This disease is quite rare.Fungi from the genus Candida, which contribute to the development of diseases, are present in the body of every person and are considered conditional pathogens.If they actively reproduce, unpleasant consequences are possible.The development of pathogenic fungi is often associated with a decrease in immunity, which develops against the background of regular stress and overwork of the body.Occupational or domestic injuries or frequent wearing of closed shoes in the summer can contribute to the development of the disease.
Symptoms of candidiasis:
- hyperemia (overflow of blood vessels);
- separation of skin layers from each other;
- itching and peeling;
- the appearance of small flat blisters on the foot;
- pronounced swelling.
Medicines are prescribed individually, based on the stage of the disease.As a rule, it is a complex therapy, including local and systemic drugs.
It is important to take preventive measures to avoid developing one form of fungus.They are quite simple:
- don't use other people's shoes;
- perform pedicure and manicure only with sterile instruments;
- choose comfortable shoes that allow your skin to "breathe".
By following these simple rules, preventing the disease will not be difficult.