Foot fungus is one of the most common fungal skin infections.The skin between the toes and the bottom of the foot is often infected.The cause of the disease is fungi of the genus Trichophyton and Candida.Upon contact with the epidermis, they begin to actively multiply.The result of their activity is peeling of the skin, cracks between the fingers and diaper rash.At a later stage, the disease affects the nails, they become dull, thicken, the edges begin to crumble and yellow stripes appear.The disease can spread to the hands and large skin folds of the body.
Scratching affected skin or minor wounds allows fungi to penetrate deeper into the layers of the dermis.Thus, the infection spreads through the bloodstream throughout the body.In children and the elderly, fungal skin lesions manifest themselves in a more acute form and are more difficult to treat.This is due to age-related characteristics of the immune system.
Stress is also a trigger for the development of fungal infections.The fungal infection is resistant to adverse external factors and prefers heat and humidity.Showers with disturbed water flow, saunas, old house shoes, rental shoes (skates, rollers, ski boots), fluffy carpets in the bathrooms are the main breeding grounds for fungi.They penetrate the skin through scratches and calluses.
People suffering from excessive foot sweating are at risk, because with prolonged exposure, sweat corrodes the skin and reduces its protective properties.People with an erased form of mycosis with slight peeling of the skin and painless microcracks that can only be noticed by a doctor pose a particular danger to others.
Chronic fungal infections of the skin of the feet and nail plates often cause autoimmune allergic reactions, including the development of bronchial asthma.It is important to properly treat mycosis without transforming it into a stable chronic form.
Symptoms
The symptoms of foot fungus are very diverse.First symptoms: appearance of cracks, painful or itchy blisters, diaper rash and roughness of the skin.Subsequently, the areas of skin affected by the fungus soften, turn white, and begin to peel off.A bacterial infection can be added, and then the blisters turn into sores or sores.
Itching and burning are constant symptoms of mycosis, some patients complain of pain and an unpleasant odor.
Reasons
Foot fungus is caused by several types of parasitic fungi.These microorganisms are present in large numbers on the floors of swimming pools and baths, as well as in public showers.A person can become infected by walking barefoot in such places.
Wearing someone else's shoes, sharing towels and other personal hygiene products is another common way to spread infection.
Immunity is not developed against fungal diseases, so reinfection occurs as easily as the first.
The growth of the fungus is stimulated by poor foot hygiene: putting socks and shoes on wet feet, not washing socks daily and poor quality, insufficient ventilation and drying of shoes.
The appearance of fungal infections on the hands is mainly due to the action of fungal toxins circulating in the blood.In addition, when combing the soles, microorganisms remain under the nails, from where they can be transferred to other parts of the body, incl.on the scalp.People susceptible to mycoses should always remember this route of infection.
Risk factors
Despite its rapid spread, not everyone develops foot fungus.A strong and healthy body can cope with a fungal infection on its own.However, it often happens that the immune system slows down the development of the fungus for a long time, then stress, ARVI or other internal failure occurs and the fungal infection begins to progress rapidly.
It has been observed that people get sick more quickly under the following circumstances:
- profuse sweating;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene rules;
- hormonal imbalances;
- take certain medications;
- frequent stress;
- chronic dermatological diseases.
Excessive sweating and non-compliance with personal hygiene rules create an ideal environment for the development of fungi.Sweat causes the rapid proliferation of fungal microflora.Insufficient foot hygiene, socks made of synthetic fabric, shoes that are too narrow and closed accelerate the development and spread of fungal infections.
Hormonal imbalances are common among adolescents, so they are at risk of developing yeast infections.Restructuring of the hormonal system temporarily reduces immunity and can cause profuse sweating.These factors contribute to the growth and spread of pathogenic microflora.
A decrease in immunity may occur due to long-term use of antibiotics and corticosteroids.
Ringworm, eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis reduce cellular immunity and create favorable conditions for the addition of a secondary infection, especially fungal.Mycosis is often a complication of dermatological diseases.Increase the risk of infection: shoes that are too narrow;ingrown toenails;abrasions and injuries to the feet;diabetes mellitus;vascular diseases.
Forms of the disease
Shape erased.Initial stage of the disease.Symptoms: slight peeling of the skin between the fingers, small cracks in the upper layer of the epidermis.The patient does not feel any discomfort and may not suspect that he is suffering from mycosis.
Scaly form.The skin between the fingers peels off and becomes covered with flat scales, accompanied by slight itching.
Hyperkeratotic form.Papules and flat blue-red plaques appear.The main location of the lesion is the arch of the foot.The formations are covered with scales.The formation of individual bubbles is possible.The rash may merge into groups, forming large lesions.Over time, the entire foot is affected.Yellow hyperkeratotic formations (calluses) covered with cracks may appear.The skin is dry, with slight pain and itching.
Intertriginous form.The inflammation is similar to regular diaper rash.The greatest damage is seen on the skin between the fingers.A reddish swelling appears.Existing symptoms include ulcers and wetting.If left untreated, deep, painful cracks and erosions appear.Patients notice pain in the affected area, itching and severe burning.
Dyshidrotic form.Lots of compacted bubbles.The location of the lesions is the arch of the foot.The rash can spread, so prompt treatment is essential.If left untreated, blisters spread to the entire surface of the foot, including the toes.Small blisters may merge and grow into larger blisters that may burst.Reddish erosions remain in their place.
Acute form.Increased susceptibility to fungal pathogens and rapid disease progression.There is severe redness and swelling on the surface of the feet, and large vesicles and blisters appear.After opening, large erosions develop in their place;the sores extend beyond the folds between the fingers.In some cases, weakness, fever and headache are noted.
Symptoms may vary from person to person.As soon as the first alarming symptoms appear, you should consult a dermatologist.
Diagnosis of foot fungus
Diagnosis and treatment of mycosis should be carried out by a dermatologist or mycologist.
Diagnoses include:
- detailed examination of the foot;
- take the history;
- scratch the affected areas of the skin or cut off a deformed piece of nail;
- a test to detect fungal infections throughout the body;
- sow the material on a nutrient medium (if necessary);
- skin biopsy for microscopic analysis (in rare cases);
- General and biochemical blood test.
Treatment
Incorrect or late treatment can lead to the development of mycosis into an advanced form.In this case, recovery may take up to six months or more.Therefore, you should seek help from a doctor at the first symptoms.First of all, it is necessary to accurately determine the pathogen;for this, the doctor takes a scraping from the affected skin.Based on the results, the optimal antimycotic treatment is selected.Modern antifungal drugs - creams, gels, ointments, sprays - effectively fight the disease.They have a wide spectrum of action, apply 1-2 times a day, do not stain the skin and linen and have no specific odor.
External means
The choice of medications depends on the stage of the mycosis.For mild forms, only external agents are prescribed;for severe forms, systemic treatment is necessary.The most popular drugs for external use are Terbinafine and Naftifine.They act on a certain number of pathogenic fungi responsible for foot fungus.Does not cause side effects.Bifonazole and clotrimazole have rapid action against yeast-like fungi.Thanks to their oily consistency, they effectively soften the skin and eliminate dryness, flaking and itching.These medications speed up the healing and restoration process of the affected skin.Bifonazole is a complex remedy intended for the treatment of foot fungus and nail plates.Eliminates itching, flaking, burning sensation and unpleasant odors.In addition to antifungal agents, it is important to regularly treat the skin with antiseptics.A solution of chlorhexidine or miramistin is good for this.When a secondary infection occurs and suppuration appears, antibacterial ointments are prescribed.
Medicines in tablets
For the treatment of foot fungus, we use: Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Nystatin.For yeast-like fungi, fluconazole and nystatin are prescribed.The latter is considered an obsolete drug and is rarely prescribed.Polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride granules are specially designed to combat fungal foot infections.The treatment regimen and duration of treatment are determined by the attending physician.
Recommendations
Foot fungus is a fungal infection and fungi only reproduce in a moist environment.By eliminating moisture, you prevent the spread of infection.
Try to protect people around you from infection.Explain to him that you cannot walk barefoot in the apartment, especially in the bathroom.Every time after taking a shower, treat the bathtub or shower tray, as well as the bathroom floor, with a disinfectant.
Every day before going to bed, wash your feet with plain soap and lukewarm water, making sure the skin does not become too soft.Dry your feet thoroughly with a paper towel or hair dryer, paying particular attention to the area between the toes.Don't forget to apply an antifungal cream or ointment.Continue treatment as recommended by your doctor, even if your symptoms have disappeared.Antifungal creams and ointments are applied only to dry skin.If your feet are prone to sweating, you should wait until the medicine is absorbed.
Wear cotton socks and wash them every day.When washing, use bleach solution (not soap) or boil the socks for 10 minutes.This way you will remove fungus from your clothes and avoid reinfection.Shoes should be disinfected with antifungal sprays and dried for a few days (preferably in the sun).
Foot fungus prevention
After going out, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.After being in any of the risk areas, wash your feet thoroughly with soap, dry them with a towel and treat with any antifungal solution.If there is a person in the family with yeast infection, they should have separate towels for their face, hands and feet.Then the bath should be carefully treated with a special bath cleaner.If your feet sweat a lot, you can apply talcum powder or an antiperspirant deodorant to them.Do not wear someone else's shoes, especially slippers given by guests, and, therefore, do not give your shoes to others.
Try not to let your feet sweat.In a room where you stay for more than an hour, try changing your shoes into replacement shoes.When visiting a sauna, public shower, swimming pool, wear rubber slippers and do not walk barefoot in public areas.After a shower, swimming in a pond or swimming pool, treat your feet with an antifungal cream.Wear clean socks and tights every day.Do not let anyone use your sponges, washcloths, manicure and pedicure accessories.They must be disinfected before use.
Clean the bathtub with a cleaning product and use a strong jet of water before using it.Remove wooden footstools and fabric and sponge rugs from the bathroom.They retain moisture and can leave behind flaky skin and pieces of nails infected with fungus.Use either a special grill (covered with special enamel or plastic) or a rubber mat.
The moisture present in the folds between the fingers softens the skin and makes it easier for fungal infections to enter.Wipe the creases between your toes with a separate foot towel or dry them with a hairdryer.According to statistics, fungal infections are more common in people with flat feet.Therefore, wear high-quality, comfortable shoes with heels no higher than 4 cm with a special orthopedic insole or soft protrusion that supports the arch.
Even if foot care at home is comprehensive and competent, it is necessary to regularly provide podiatric care for the skin of the feet and nail plates (medical pedicure).This will help maintain healthy feet and nails, and the doctor will give individual recommendations for home care and prevention.