Mycoses of the feet are among the most common diseases caused by parasitic fungi.In medical practice there are several types of this pathology.It is important to recognize athlete's foot as soon as it develops.Then it will be possible to get rid of it faster and easier.In this case, no special treatment is required, let alone surgical intervention.With mild manifestations of fungal activity, the use of antifungal ointments or baths according to traditional recipes is sufficient.
Mushroom and its varieties
Despite the sufficient distribution of fungi that affect the feet, not everyone infected knows what athlete's foot looks like.
The main types of mycoses are listed below:
- Squamous cell carcinoma or scaling.
- Intertriginous.It is characterized by the type of diaper rash on the skin.
- Hypertrophic, atrophic and normotrophic onychomycosis.The difficulty in treating these diseases is that all varieties can be combined with each other.
- Dyshidrotic.Characterized by a disorder 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 stages, the fungus manifests itself as damage to one foot, but after a certain time the disease spreads to the other.
The skin turns red and then peels off.The area of redness varies from patient to patient and depends on the stage of development.Many people don't even mind the itching of the affected area;the skin must not peel off.That is why they only contact a dermatologist when the legs are affected in the final stages of the disease.
Dyshidrotic fungal infection
Anyone who suspects the occurrence of this disease should know what athlete's foot 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 unite to form large bubbles, the shell of which soon bursts and the superficial damage to the skin becomes visually visible.
The pathology can spread throughout the leg and form diaper rash.In this case, the patient begins to itch and feel pain.After everything has healed, the peeling begins.
The most unpleasant disease is the formation of bacterial fungi.In this case, cloudy fluid and pus flow from the ruptured blisters.At this stage of development of 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.Phases of improvement in the condition of the foot alternate with relapses.
Intertriginous fungus
This type of fungus on the skin of the feet is the most common.It appears independently or together with squamous cell carcinoma pathology.The disease is manifested by cracks in the skin, around which a white border forms, and then the skin begins to peel off.The space between the fingers becomes wet.The patient feels itching and burning.Superficial skin defects occur that are accompanied by severe pain.
The skin's protective functions are reduced and it becomes slack.This makes it easier for streptococcal infections to penetrate the skin.Purulent inflammation occurs, characterized by redness, itching, swelling and severe pain.
Intertriginous fungus is most often characterized by a long-term chronic course of the disease.The pain usually subsides in winter, but gets worse again in summer.
Onychomycosis or nail fungus
When the first signs of the disease appear, the patient's task is to contact a dermatologist in a timely manner, who will decide how to remove the fungus on the feet.
Onychomycosis of nails is a more dangerous disease than athlete's foot because it takes much longer to heal.
Types of fungal infections of the nail plate:
- Atrophic onychomycosis.The nail initially becomes thinner and then collapses.
- Hypertrophic onychomycosis.The nail becomes thicker and acquires a yellow color.The growth in length stops.The nail plate begins to crumble and peel off.
- Onychomycosis caused by molds.This pathology does not develop independently.The course usually occurs 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 is often inflamed.
In its advanced form, the disease affects the entire body and even penetrates the internal organs.Pathological changes often begin to develop at the edge of the nail plate.First, stripes, spots and other “patterns” appear.
Treatment methods
Not every patient knows how to remove fungus on the feet, but dermatologists know this. Treatment is primarily about preventing the development of a fungal infection.To prevent re-infection of the feet with fungi, complex treatment is used:
- External therapy course.Antifungal ointments, creams and sprays are used for treatment.
- A treatment with antifungal drugs.
- Use of antihistamines.They are taken for severe itching and increased sensitivity to allergy-causing irritants.
- A therapy with vitamins and minerals.
- Antibacterial drugs.They are used for bacterial infections of the body.
After visiting a doctor, you will learn how to treat fungus on your nails, heels and between your 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 legs at home, use the following folk recipes:
- Wine vinegar.Due to its antiseptic properties, wine vinegar is used for baths.
- salt and soda.They are dissolved in equal parts in water and made into baths that help remove athlete's foot.
- Oak bark, marigold inflorescences, blackberries.The affected areas of the feet are washed with a decoction of these medicinal herbs.
The most effective is complex treatment of fungi with ointments and drugs with different pharmacological effects.Treatment is never necessary if you listen to doctors' recommendations and regularly take preventive measures.
Antifungal medications
Fungi on the feet and between the toes are eliminated with effective fungicidal medications.
Since the fungus can manifest itself in any form, a specialist must select an effective means of combating this infection.Some medications are toxic and can cause side effects;They are taken under strict medical supervision.A quick positive result of treatment depends not only on the correct diagnosis of the disease, but also on the stage of its development.