Intolerable itching and redness of the skin between the toes, cutting pain when walking are the first symptoms of the most common dermatological problem - fungal skin lesions. Germinating through the delicate epithelium of the skin, the mycelium of the fungus gradually "spreads" over the entire plantar surface of the legs, causing unpleasant wet and scaly areas, painful cracks and deformity of the nails.
Malignant fungus and related factors
The causative agent of the disease is the dermatomycete fungus, of which the genus Trichophyton is considered the most common. They live almost everywhere - in swimming pools and on beaches, in people's skin and on animal hair, but the disease is not always caused. An important factor is the creation of an infection portal through which the dermatomycete can penetrate to a sufficient depth.
The fungus between the toes appears when the barrier functions of the skin are weakened:
- When you wear tight and closed shoes. This is especially true for the hot season, when the released sweat creates the conditions for maceration of the skin, becomes the home of many microorganisms.
- Grains and scratches are ready doors for fungus entry. If you have them, you shouldn't risk trying on someone else's shoes barefoot, walking barefoot in the pool, sauna, and steam room.
- An effective remedy for the fungus on the feet between the toes should be sought after by lovers of cheap pedicures in salons of questionable fame. The procedure itself involves cutting the cuticles and rubbing the skin, and non-sterile instruments may very well be "enriched" with fungi.
Fungus between the toes: symptoms and complications
What the fungus looks like on the legs between the toes can not be unequivocally described, since the disease has several forms, each characterized by special manifestations:
- Dyshidrotic fungus of the foot is characterized by three stages: redness, the formation of bubbles with liquid and drying crusts, peeling. Typically, all three phases coexist on the same areas of the skin. The insidiousness of the dyshidrotic form of dermatomycosis lies in its strong similarity to eczema. For an accurate diagnosis, a laboratory smear test is necessary.
- The scaly form is characterized by redness and severe peeling of the skin.
- The squamous-hyperkeratotic lesion causes severe itching and burning, seals and flaking scales appear a little later.
- With the intertriginous form, the manifestations are so typical that you do not even need to look at what the fungus looks like between the toes in the photo: severe itching, burning is accompanied by peeling and the formation of crackspainful and fairly large foci of epidermal exfoliation often appear.
- Intertriginous and dyshridrotic forms of dermatomycosis require caution and delicate methods of treatment, since the secondary microflora can easily get into the weeping foci and cracks, which will lead to the appearance of abscesses. Despite the chronic course, they have pronounced inflammatory processes, which requires the use of emollient ointments and anti-inflammatory baths.
Medical treatment
In the arsenal of modern medicine there are a number of drugs for the treatment of fungus between the toes. Among them there are both topical ointments and tablets that destroy the fungus from the inside. As a rule, a specialist selects a drug based on an analysis of the degree of development of the disease, its form and coverage. Systemic therapy with the help of pills is used only in advanced cases, when the skin of the entire foot is involved in the process and characteristic changes in the nail plates are detected.
Antifungal ointments have been divided over several generations. But, it should be understood that even the most effective remedy for the fungus between the toes does not guarantee elimination if you neglect the rules of personal hygiene and a number of precautions.
Throughout the treatment, a gentle pedicure should be performed at least once a week. Thereafter, the frequency can be reduced to once every two weeks.
Since the fungus can survive on socks and shoes, they also need to be treated. To do this, use liquids that contain chlorine, such as bleach.
If you're thinking about getting rid of the fungus between your toes, don't forget to change your socks every day. For two or three days in a row, wearing clothes already leaves traces of sweat, in which the parasites live and multiply.
Only the combination of a treatment chosen by a specialist and a scrupulous observance of all the rules of hygiene can guarantee a rapid cure of the disease.
Treatment of the fungus between the toes with folk remedies
Traditional medicine has collected many recipes for combating fungus, including both kitchen cabinet products and very exotic herbs and medicines. The most accessible are:
- Iodine, daily lubrication of lesions with which brings visible results within a week.
- Hydrogen peroxide, which gained popularity thanks to the work of a famous doctor. Its ability to destroy the cell membranes of the fungus and form a film on the surface of the damaged skin ensures rapid relief from the disease.
If you've spent a lot of money and are thinking how to treat the fungus between your toes, you should also try the effect of vinegar. Despite the fungus living in a slightly acidic environment, it does not tolerate an increase in pH. Lubrication of the affected areas with a 9% solution of vinegar and water in a ratio of 1: 8 gives positive results in 2-3 weeks.
The most popular remedies in traditional medicine - onions and garlic - also have an antifungal effect. Oatmeal prepared from them is mixed with petroleum jelly in a 1: 1 ratio and applied to the affected skin before going to bed.
You have not decided how to treat the fungus on the feet between the toes, do not forget about its destruction on shoes and personal hygiene items. This is what guarantees the absence of relapses in the very near future.