Mycosis, or fungus, is an unpleasant disease caused by parasitic microorganisms - fungi. It is quite common and can occur in adults and children. The fungus can appear on different parts of the body, but most often affects the skin of the feet and hands, as well as the nails. This causes physical discomfort and the affected areas look extremely unattractive.
The fungus is not a "trivial" disease. Its waste is toxic, can weaken the immune system and even cause allergies. Therefore, he needs timely treatment, which must be prescribed by a doctor. Many are worried about the questions of how to get rid of the fungus on the legs, what treatment can be used to deal with the problem at home.
Why does the fungus appear
The appearance and development of a skin fungus is associated with the presence of pathogens in the skin, which multiply very quickly. The fungus is most often located between the fingers and can also affect the heels, feet, palms and nails. There can be several reasons why it appears. The fungus likes a moist and warm environment. The increase in leg sweating creates all the conditions for an infection to "settle" into the skin.
Visiting public places such as a swimming pool, sauna, gym, changing rooms and communal showers is the main way to contract yeast infection. At the same time, direct contact with a person or with other people's things is not even necessary: the spores of the fungus are volatile and are present in the air. Also, the fungus occurs due to the lack of proper personal care and personal hygiene.
Poor quality shoes that do not allow the skin of the feet to breathe can also be a factor in the occurrence of the disease. The disease can also develop in people whose professional activity is associated with constant contact with a yeast fungus (confectioner, cook, winemaker). The fungus can also appear against the background of weakened immunity, due to chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis).
The fungus starts on the skin of the feet between the toes. There are symptoms such as itching, redness of the skin, peeling. Then cracks form, the skin thickens, scales appear. There may also be fluid blisters on the skin that burst and heal poorly. If left untreated, the infection multiplies rapidly and can spread to fingernails and hands. The skin of the hands affected by the fungus becomes very dry and covered with scales.
Between the fingers, the skin may change color, crack and peel off. In general, the symptoms of fungus on hands and feet are the same. Symptoms that indicate the appearance of a fungus on the nails: the infection begins to affect the nail from the edge and then reaches the base. The nail plate becomes cloudy, thickens, the nail changes shape, deforms. There are also symptoms such as the appearance of scratches on the nail and a change in its color: from white, yellow to brown or even black.
Fungi are a problem that the body begins to struggle with. For this reason, allergic symptoms are possible in the form of blisters and erosions on the skin.
Causes of fungus in children
Fungus on the feet and hands is a fairly common problem in children. First of all, this is due to the fact that the immune system of children is not yet sufficiently developed, and therefore can be subject to various influences, including fungal infection. In addition, the predisposition of children to various fungal diseases is also determined by the characteristics of their skin: low bactericidal activity of sweat and sebaceous glands, increased ability to absorb water.
In the process of learning about the world, the child is in close contact with the environment, in which the pathogens of fungal diseases are widespread (for example, the disease can manifest itself after contact with a diseased animal or soil). In addition, in kindergarten or school, the child comes into contact with a large number of other children who may also be carriers of the skin disease.
Infection in children can occur both through direct contact and after using household items that contain fungal spores: toys, towels, someone else's shoes. It is enough to run barefoot or try someone else's trick - and the disease can already manifest itself. Symptoms of the disease are no different from those of adults.
The factors provoking the appearance of fungal diseases in children are beriberi, poor ecology, lack of culture of personal hygiene. Parents should listen to the complaints of the child, regularly examine the skin. It is imperative to treat the fungus, because it is this disease that can cause allergies and weaken the immune system in children.
Prevention and preventive measures will prevent your child from getting sick. Therefore, you need to consult a dermatologist as soon as possible. The doctor will be able to diagnose and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
fungus treatment
If you notice in yourself or your children signs or symptoms of the appearance of a fungus on the legs or arms, you should urgently contact a specialist. Only a doctor will be able to make a correct diagnosis and determine the methods of eliminating the fungus on the feet and hands. A correct diagnosis is essential because the outward symptoms of the infection can overlap with those of other diseases (such as psoriasis).
Depending on the causative agent of the disease, the neglect of the disease and the state of health of the patient himself, the doctor prescribes local, systemic (taking pills) or mixed treatment. Topical application involves the use of a special ointment, varnish or spray. If the patient has no contraindications, the doctor prescribes a course of antifungal tablets that will help destroy the fungus "from the inside". Of course, it is better to use combination therapy when the treatment of the problem is carried out in all directions.
In some cases of fungal infection, a doctor may recommend removing the nail. But simply removing the toenail will not solve the problem, as the fungus will still be present in the body and will show up over time. This procedure makes treatment more effective because antifungal drugs can penetrate the lesion more easily. Today, this procedure is painless and does not require surgery.
There are special products that stick to the nail and "dissolve" it in 3-4 days. Treating fungus on the legs and arms is quite difficult. The treatment itself can last up to 1 year. In addition to the therapy prescribed by the doctor, the treatment of the fungus at home should also be carried out following certain recommendations.
- Complete disinfection of the living space. Do a general cleaning of where you live. Pay particular attention to the bathroom. Wash the bathtub, as well as the floor and walls, with a cleaner. Rinse the container with hot water after each wash. The bathroom floor mat should be made of rubber so that no fungus can settle there.
- It is necessary to wash the feet with Marseille soap or tar. These types of soaps have antifungal and disinfectant properties. In addition, they will help slightly dry out any sores that may appear due to the fungus.
- After water procedures, dry your feet with a hair dryer or dry them thoroughly with a paper towel, as the fungus can remain on the usual.
- Do not walk around the house barefoot or sit with your feet on upholstered furniture.
- Throw away your old slippers. Walk around the house either with socks made of natural materials or with open rubber slippers.
- Treat the rest of the shoes with apple cider vinegar or formalin.
- Manicure kit items should be individual and not be used by a family member. After each use, wipe scissors and nail files with alcohol.
- Sleep in cotton socks, which should be changed daily.
- Bed linen should be changed at least once a week.
- Socks, stockings or tights - change every day. They should be washed in hot water. Socks after washing can be ironed well with an iron.
Of course, it is better to prevent the disease than to treat it later. Therefore, prevention is necessary in order to protect yourself as much as possible from the disease. When visiting swimming pools, saunas and other public places, use only your personal belongings (towel, washcloth). Never go barefoot. Even if you use a shower in a public place, do not take off your slippers. They should be rubber, not sponge.
After visiting the pool, at home you need to wash the slippers well with laundry soap and dry them. For everyday use, choose quality shoes made from natural and breathable materials. Wearing non-breathable shoes will cause your feet to sweat, which creates a favorable environment for the development of a fungal disease.
Prevention of fungal infections includes careful personal care, regular water procedures, timely change of underwear and bed linen.
Get rid of fungus at home
Among other things, at home you can use traditional medicine. In combination with the treatment prescribed by your doctor, this will help eliminate the fungus quickly.
- Apple cider vinegar is a remedy that has disinfectant and antifungal properties. Apply vinegar to a cotton swab and apply to affected areas. If there are open wounds and wounds on the skin, you should not make such lotions. In this case, make a foot bath with a diluted solution of apple cider vinegar.
- Foot baths can also be done with sea salt. For this you need 3 tbsp. I. salt per liter of lukewarm water. It is best to use salt, which does not contain dyes and flavors. Soak your feet in this solution for 10 to 15 minutes. It can be applied to the affected areas as a compress.
- Traditional healers know how to get rid of the fungus on the legs and arms at home using an ordinary onion. Grate the onion and squeeze out the juice. Moisten a cotton ball with juice and apply to affected areas. Do not rinse, but leave until the juice dries. The procedure should be carried out daily.
- Clay is another way to fight fungus. Take pharmacy clay (sold in powder form) and dilute it with cold water until the consistency of thick sour cream is obtained. Apply the product to the affected areas until completely dry. Then rinse with water.
- Celandine juice is a universal remedy for the treatment of many skin diseases at home. If you break off a branch of celandine, orange juice will begin to come out of it. With this juice it is necessary to lubricate the places affected by the fungus. The procedure should be carried out twice a day.
- The pharmacy sells another effective remedy - birch tar. After the shower, apply it on the painful points and leave it with clean socks. The procedure is best done at night.
- You can also get rid of the fungus using regular soda. Take a small amount of soda, dilute it with water until a muddy state is obtained. It is necessary to daily make an application from this porridge, keep it for 15 minutes.
- Among the recommendations on how to cure foot fungus at home, there are tricks using ammonia. 1st. I. dilute the ammonia in a glass of water. Dampen a handkerchief with the solution and wrap the affected limb with it. Put the bag on top and secure it with a sock. The procedure is best done at night.
Prevention can protect you from a fungal infection. But if you still notice alarming symptoms in yourself or your children, contact your doctor immediately. Only a doctor knows how to get rid of the fungus in the shortest possible time and without harming the body, he will be able to make the correct diagnosis.
Don't self-medicate. Self-treatment at home can not only harm, but also aggravate the problem. Traditional medicine can be effective, but only if treatment with alternative methods is allowed and approved by the doctor.