Mycosis of the feet is one of the most common types of diseases caused by parasitic fungi.In medical practice, there are several types of this pathology.It is important to identify athlete's foot at the beginning of its development.Then it will be possible to get rid of it faster and easier.In this case, no special treatment will be required, much less surgical intervention.For mild manifestations of fungal activity, it is enough to use antifungal ointments or baths using traditional recipes.
Mushrooms and their varieties
Despite the sufficient prevalence of foot fungus, not every infected person knows what foot fungus looks like.
Below are the main types of mycoses:
- Squamous or scaly.
- Intertriginous.It is characterized by the type of diaper rash.
- Hypertrophic, atrophic and normotrophic onychomycosis.The difficulty of treating these diseases lies in the fact that all varieties can be combined with each other.
- Dyshidrotic.Marked by the destruction of the sweat glands.
At different stages of development, this pathology looks different.Mycosis of the feet is the common name for two diseases: athlete's foot and rubromycosis, the development of which proceeds in the same way.
Squamous mycosis
In the initial stage, the fungus manifests itself as damage to one leg, and after a certain time the disease spreads to the other.
The skin becomes red and then peels off.The rash area varies from patient to patient and depends on the stage of development.Many people are not even bothered by itching in the affected area;the skin may not peel off.For this reason, they turn to the dermatologist only when the feet are affected by the last stage of the disease.
Dyshidrotic fungal infection
Any person who suspects the occurrence of this disease should know what foot fungus of any form of development looks like.This pathology is characterized by the appearance of miniature blisters on the arch of the foot.Very little time passes and they coalesce, turning into large blisters, the shell of which quickly breaks and surface damage to the skin becomes visually visible.
The pathology can spread to the entire leg with the appearance of diaper rash areas.In this case, the patient begins to itch and feel pain.After everything heals, the peeling begins.
The most unpleasant disease is the formation of bacterial fungi.In this case, cloudy fluid and pus ooze from ruptured bladders.At this stage of the development of the pathology, there is a slight increase in temperature and unbearable pain.The skin of the feet swells.
The process of the dyshidrotic form of mycosis can last several months.Periods of improvement in the condition of the legs alternate with relapses.
Intertrigene fungi
This type of foot fungus is the most common.Appears independently or together with the squamous form of the pathology.The disease appears as cracks in the skin, around which a white rim forms and then the skin begins to peel.The space between the fingers becomes moist.The patient experiences itching and burning.Surface defects of the skin appear, accompanied by severe pain.
The protective functions of the skin are reduced and it becomes loose.This facilitates the penetration of streptococcal infections into the skin.Purulent inflammations appear, characterized by redness, itching, swelling and severe pain.
Intertriginous fungi are most often characterized by a long-term chronic course of the disease process.In winter, the pain usually subsides, but in summer it gets worse again.
Onychomycosis or nail fungus
When the first signs of the disease appear, the patient's task is to contact a dermatologist at the right time and he will determine how to remove the fungus on the leg.
Nail onychomycosis is a more dangerous disease than toenail fungus, as it takes much longer to cure.
Types of fungal infections that affect the nail plate:
- Atrophic onychomycosis.First of all, the nail becomes thinner and then collapses.
- Hypertrophic onychomycosis.The thickness of the nail increases, taking on a yellow color.Growth in length stops.The nail plate begins to crumble and peel off.
- Onychomycosis caused by mold.This pathology does not develop independently.It usually progresses against the background of other diseases.In this case, the nail plate can be painted in any color, from black to green.The periungual fold often becomes inflamed.
In its advanced form, the disease affects the whole body and even penetrates the internal organs.Pathological changes often begin to develop from the edge of the nail plate.First, lines, dots and other "patterns" appear.
Treatment methods
Not every patient knows how to remove the fungus from their feet, but dermatologists do.Treatment mainly involves blocking the development of a fungal infection.To prevent re-infection of the feet with fungi, complex treatment is used:
- Course of external therapy.Antifungal ointments, creams and sprays are used in the treatment.
- A course of treatment using antifungal drugs.
- Use of antihistamines.They are taken in case of severe itching and increased sensitivity to irritants that cause allergies.
- A course of therapy with vitamins and minerals.
- Antibacterial drugs.They are used in case of bacterial infection of the body.
After visiting the doctor, a person will learn how to treat the fungus on the nails, heels and between the toes.In advanced forms of the disease, the doctor usually prescribes complex treatment with taking pills and using ointments.Systemic drugs are prescribed to those patients who have already experienced a severe course of the process.
To treat a fungal infection on the feet at home, use the following popular recipes:
- Wine vinegar.Due to its antiseptic properties, wine vinegar is used for bathing.
- Salt and soda.They are dissolved in water in equal amounts and made into baths that help remove foot fungus.
- Oak bark, calendula blossom, berries.The affected areas of the feet are washed with a decoction of these medicinal plants.
The most effective is the complex treatment of fungi using ointments and medications with different pharmacological effects.Treatment will never be required if you listen to the recommendations of doctors and periodically carry out preventive measures.
Antifungal drugs
The fungi of the feet and interdigital spaces are eliminated with effective fungicidal drugs.
Since fungi can appear in any form, an effective remedy to fight this infection must be chosen by a specialist.Some drugs are toxic and can cause adverse reactions;they are taken under the strict supervision of a doctor.A quick positive result of the treatment depends on the correct diagnosis not only of the disease, but also on the stage of its development.