Fungal infections (mycosis) are among the skin diseases are considered to be the most common of them. The assault of pathogenic micro-organisms is possible in several ways, and one little signs of the disease in an early stage of its development, is not sick at all on time forcing to contact the doctor. Due to the disease process covers the whole of the large part of the limbs (most often the legs) and spread deep into the tissue. Launched the fungus on the feet, it is treatable, but completely defeat the infection, sometimes it takes a few months of hard therapy.
The causes of appearance of mold on your feet
Fungus on the feet develops due to penetration into the subcutaneous layer of spores of pathogens. Defeat is only skin feet are called dermatomycoses, destruction of the nail plate by fungus – onychomycosis.
The assault of pathogenic micro-organisms takes place in two ways – direct and indirect. In the first case, the mold spores may be present in the soil, on the tile, and wooden surfaces. In the second infection is transmitted through personal items – washcloths, slippers, towels, manicure tools.
Fungal microorganisms for a long time retain their viability in warm and damp places, this is the reason why the infection most often occurs in swimming pools, on beaches, in the spa, gym and saunas.
The risk of penetration of the micro-organism in the skin repeatedly increases, if the stops are hairline cracks – abrasions, chafing, corns. Susceptibility to the fungus rising under the influence of predisposing to the disease, factors, namely:
- the reduced resistance of the organism, i.e. the lack of the work of the immune system;
- non-compliance with sanitary standards;
- increased sweating;
- diseases of the endocrine system, taking place with the violation of metabolic processes. Fungal infection are characteristic for patients with diabetes;
- violation of blood circulation in the lower extremities, which may be associated with vascular pathology or deformation of the feet;
- wearing tight, poorly ventilated shoes. The legs, when in such conditions, they are constantly sweating, appears scuffed and scrapes, then it is created suitable for the reproduction of the fungus of environment;
- age. Fungal infection is characteristic for children and the elderly, for these categories of diseased skin is thin, and its protective properties are reduced, what creates the preconditions for beating to the infection.
- excessive dryness of the skin. Moisturized skin is on the surface of the fatty film that prevents the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms. When the increased dryness such protection, not, and allows the mold spores can easily penetrate inside.
The likelihood of developing fungal infections is much higher, if the organism causes several provoking disease factors.
Types of mold
Of the disease depending on the type of mold is classified into:
- athletes. Called flexible Trichophytonmcntagrophytes;
- .. Occurs in 70 % of cases of mycosis of the feet.
Depending on the localization of the defective process of excluding:
- fungal infection between the toes (dermatophytosis). The most commonly occurs in the form of intertriginous (acute) fungal infection;
- plantar mycosis. The basic signs – a peeling skin, which is when the progression of the disease will pass to the actinic;
- disgidroticheskaya in the pits. The disease process begins with the formation of a rash, similar in form with allergic manifestations;
- a deep form of mycosis. The infection affects the superficial and deeply located layers of the skin stop;
- onychomycosis – fungal defeat of the nail plate. Rarely flows isolated, in most cases is a complication of superficial plantar mycoses.
The symptoms of the pathology
In the initial stage of the disease is most often performed with the deleted symptoms. The emergence of the scaly spots, small redness and itching is often not taken seriously, and the use of various external medicines against itching and inflammation, reduces symptoms, but the sponge did not die. It is an infection is still evolving and gradually becoming chronic. Symptoms of the disease are dependent on the form of the disease and its duration.
- interdigital form of the mycosis is characterized by the appearance of redness and burning between the toes. The inflammatory process is not, the infection rarely spreads outside the interdigital sections. As usual, in the winter the symptoms calm down, and in the summer they have sharpened;
- fungal defeat takes place peeling of the epidermis and redness of the individual sites of the foot. Regularly arises intense itching;
- the hyperkeratotic form. It is characterized by the formation of watery papules or plaques cyanotic color with a rough surface. Individual areas may combine, on the heels of the cracks are formed;
- disgidroticheskaya form. The main symptoms – the emergence of a large number of watery bubbles, which over time reveal and in their place remain ulcers. In the running stage of this kind of disease is often confused with eczema.
- onychomycosis is manifested by changing the color of the nail plate, the advent of the on it dark or bright spots and strips, a bundle of nails and its thickening.
Upon the occurrence of a burning sensation, redness, flaking, itching to stop and the shins should be as soon as possible to seek medical help. In the early stage of the disease is easily treated by external means.
Diagnosis
With suspected fungal infection should consult a dermatologist. An experienced doctor has already on the basis of complaints from the patient and control exposes a diagnosis. But for its confirmation and determine the type of pathogen, laboratory tests are needed. Their organisation allows you to set the type of micro-organism, what is necessary for choosing the correct treatment.
Methods of treatment
Drug therapy is designed based on the stage of the disease, age of patient, associated diseases and complications. Treatment should be comprehensive, it is in the use of external and systemic medications, and folk methods.
In addition, your doctor may prescribe a multivitamin complexes, that improve the activity of the immune system. When expressed itching in the acute phase of the disease to alleviate the irritation of the help of antihistamines means. When you join secondary infection requires a course of therapy to antibacterial treatment.
Sponge to remove, and items of personal use. First of all it is necessary to handle the shoes, disinfectants, the best ever, and replace it with a new one.
Upon detection of the infection can not forget about what it is possible to mold infestation and other family members. So until the healing necessary to use only a individual personal hygiene items, towels and slippers. Mold spores well destroyed under the influence of high temperatures, and therefore it should be ironed wearable and linens, and even socks.
Local products
Local antifungal agents – ointments, gels, emulsions and solutions. Gaining external medications on the affected skin feet after their processing. For this you just need to do for the foot bath with potassium permanganate, baking soda or soap. Duration of procedure: 15 minutes, after no skin dried and cause the designated agent.
When onychomycosis before applying ointment or solution necessary to remove the upper part of the affected nail. Will the nail plate develop a yellowish softened using a special keratolytic remedies. If he does not, then the components of the ointment should not get into the lower layers of the nail plate, it is there, where they grow fungal colonies.
When damage to the nail system resources from the mold it is sometimes necessary to drink after a period of 12 months and more. The scheme of use of drugs to the patient prescribed by a doctor.
Folk remedies
How to get rid of fungus on your feet at home? You have to remember that the use of a variety of "recipes your grandma's", as the primary therapy contributes to the fact that the infection dies, but not completely through. This leads to the fact that the fungus will eventually be activated again. So people's anti-fungal remedies should be combined with retroviral treatment.
Beat fungal infection of the feet it is possible to use trays, self-boiled, ointments, rubbing.
- antifungal properties have baths with the addition of salt, soda, and homemade soap. To 5 liters of warm water, it is necessary to take 2 tablespoons of salt and soda, grate on a stone a quarter of a piece of homemade soap. In this water the legs will last half an hour, then dried and spread on the skin and nail antifungal medication;
- interdigital intervals and stacks of fungal infection to stop the can delete them birch tar. The procedure is better performed at night, on your feet wear clean socks;
- vinegar apple need to mix with the same amount of alcohol solution of iodine. In the resulting liquid to moisten the swab and well lubricate them affected foot;
- the garlic oil. Cloves of garlic should be crushed into a mash and put them together with a creamy oil or pig's grease. The resulting ointment is used for processing tracks.
Fungus treatment on legs folk ways is done several consecutive weeks. It is advisable to regularly change devices, this will increase the effectiveness of therapy.
Prevention of the disease
To prevent injection it is not always possible. But you can reduce the risk of infection fungal and micro-organisms to a minimum. It is necessary to observe the following rules.
- In public places, where they require a pair of shoes, only take your.
- Do not use foreign objects of personal hygiene.
- Arise on the cessation of abrasions, calluses and chafing in time to heal.
- Only wear good quality, well ventilated shoes.
- Constantly adhere to the rules of hygiene.
The likelihood of developing infection is reduced to a good job immunity. Improve the condition of the protective forces assists rational nutrition, vitamin therapy, hardening. Necessarily need and in a timely manner to treat all chronic diseases.
Conclusion
Nail fungus – is not dangerous, but very unpleasant on your manifestations and consequences of the pathology. To cope with the infection with the help of modern medicines can be literally in a couple of days, but under one condition – a timely appeal to the doctor.