Mycosis of the feet is one of the most common diseases caused by parasitic fungi.In medical practice, there are several types of this pathology.It is important to identify foot fungus early in its development.Then it will be possible to get rid of it faster and easier.In this case, no special treatment, much less surgery, will be necessary.For mild manifestations of fungal activity it is sufficient to use antifungal ointments or baths according to traditional recipes.
Mushroom and its varieties
Despite the sufficient prevalence of fungi affecting the feet, not all infected people know what foot fungi look like.
The main types of mycosis are listed below:
- Scaly or scaly.
- Intertriginous.It is characterized by the type of diaper rash of the skin.
- Hypertrophic, atrophic and normotrophic onychomycosis.The difficulty in treating these diseases lies in the fact that all varieties can be combined with each other.
- Dyshidrotic.Marked by ruptured sweat glands.
At different stages of development, this pathology appears different.Mycosis of the feet is the common name of two diseases: athlete's foot and rubromycosis, the development of which proceeds in the same way.
Scaly mycosis
In the initial stage, the fungus manifests itself as damage to one foot, and after a certain time the disease spreads to the other.
The skin turns red and then peels off.The reddened area varies from patient to patient and depends on the stage of development.Many people are not even bothered by itching in the affected area;the skin may not peel off.That is why they turn to a dermatologist only when the legs are affected by the last stage of the disease.
Dyshidrotic fungal infection
Every person who suspects the onset of this disease should know what foot fungus 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 coalesce, turning into large blisters, the shell of which soon breaks down and superficial damage to the skin becomes visually noticeable.
The pathology can spread to the entire leg with the appearance of areas of diaper rash.In this case, the patient begins to itch and feel pain.After everything has healed, peeling begins.
The most unpleasant disease is the formation of bacterial fungi.In this case, cloudy fluid and pus leak from the ruptured blisters.At this stage of development of the pathology, a slight increase in temperature and unbearable pain is observed.The skin on the feet swells.
The process of the dyshidrotic form of mycosis can last several months.Periods of improvement in the condition of the feet 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 the squamous form of the pathology.The disease manifests itself as cracks in the skin, around which a white border forms, and then the skin begins to peel off.The space between the toes gets wet.The patient feels itching and burning.Superficial skin defects appear, accompanied by severe pain.
The protective functions of the skin are reduced and loosened.This makes it easier for strep infections to penetrate the skin.Purulent inflammations appear, characterized by redness, itching, swelling and severe pain.
Intertriginous fungus is often characterized by a long-term chronic course of the pathological process.In winter the pain usually decreases, but in summer it gets worse again.
Onychomycosis or nail fungus
When the first signs of the disease appear, the patient's task is to promptly contact a dermatologist and he will determine how to remove the fungus from the feet.
Nail onychomycosis is a more dangerous disease than foot fungus, as it takes much longer to cure.
Types of fungal infection affecting the nail plate:
- Atrophic onychomycosis.First the nail thins and then collapses.
- Hypertrophic onychomycosis.The thickness of the nail increases, acquiring a yellow color.Length growth stops.The nail plate begins to crumble and peel.
- Onychomycosis caused by mold.This pathology does not develop independently.It usually progresses 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 often becomes inflamed.
In its advanced form, the disease affects the entire body and even penetrates the internal organs.Pathological changes often begin to develop from the edge of the nail plate.First, stripes, spots and other "patterns" appear.
Treatment methods
Not all patients know how to remove fungus from the feet, but dermatologists know.Treatment mainly involves stopping the development of a fungal infection.To prevent reinfection of the feet with fungi, a complex treatment is used:
- External therapy course.Antifungal ointments, creams and sprays are used in the treatment.
- A course of treatment with antifungal drugs.
- Use of antihistamines.They are taken in case of severe itching and increased sensitivity to irritants that cause allergies.
- A course of therapy with vitamins and minerals.
- Antibacterial drugs.They are used in case of bacterial infection of the body.
After visiting a doctor, a person will learn how to treat fungus on the nails, heels and between the 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 popular recipes:
- Wine vinegar.Due to its antiseptic properties, wine vinegar is used for baths.
- Salt and soda.They are dissolved in water in equal quantities and made into baths that help remove foot fungus.
- Oak bark, marigold inflorescences, blackberries.The affected areas of the feet are washed with a decoction of these medicinal herbs.
The most effective is the complex treatment of fungi using ointments and drugs with various pharmacological effects.Treatment will never be necessary if you listen to doctors' recommendations and periodically carry out preventive measures.
Antifungal drugs
Fungi on the feet and interdigital spaces are eliminated with effective fungicidal drugs.
Since the fungus can manifest itself in any form, a specialist must select an effective remedy to combat this infection.Some drugs are toxic and can cause adverse reactions;are taken under the strict supervision of a doctor.A quick positive result of treatment depends on the correct diagnosis of not only the disease, but also the stage of its development.