Mycosis of the feet is one of the most common types of diseases caused by parasitic fungi.In medical practice, there are several types of this pathology.It is important to recognize foot fungus at the very beginning of its development.Then it will be possible to get rid of it faster and easier.In that case, no special treatment will be needed, much less surgical intervention.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 representation of fungi that affect the feet, not every infected person knows what a fungus on the feet looks like.
Below are the main types of mycoses:
- Squamous or scaly.
- Intertriginous.It is characterized by a type of diaper rash on the skin.
- Hypertrophic, atrophic and normotrophic onychomycosis.The difficulty of treating these diseases lies in the fact that all types can be combined with each other.
- Dyshidrotic.Characterized by a disorder of the sweat glands.
In different stages of development, this pathology looks different.Mycosis of the foot is a common name for two diseases: athlete's foot and rubromycosis, the development of which proceeds in the same way.
Squamous 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 becomes red and then peels off.The area of redness varies from patient to patient and depends on the degree 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 appearance of this disease should know what foot fungus looks like in any form of development.This pathology is characterized by the appearance of miniature bubbles on the arch of the foot.Very little time passes, and they unite, turning into large blisters, the shell of which soon breaks and surface damage to the skin becomes visually noticeable.
The pathology can spread over the entire leg with the appearance of areas of diaper rash.In this case, the patient begins to itch and feel pain.After everything heals, the peeling begins.
The most unpleasant disease is the formation of bacterial fungi.In this case, cloudy fluid and pus come out of the ruptured blisters.In this stage of the development of the 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.Periods of improvement in the condition of the feet alternate with relapses.
Intertriginous fungus
This type of foot fungus is the most common.It appears independently or together with the squamous form of the pathology.The disease manifests itself as cracks on the skin around which a white border forms, and then the skin begins to peel.The space between the fingers becomes moist.The patient feels itching and burning.Surface defects of the skin appear, accompanied by severe pain.
The protective functions of the skin are reduced and it becomes loose.This facilitates the penetration of streptococcal infections into the skin.Purulent inflammations appear, characterized by redness, itching, swelling and severe pain.
Intertriginous fungus is most often characterized by a long-term chronic course of the disease process.In winter the pain usually subsides, 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 consult a dermatologist in a timely manner, who will determine how to remove foot fungus.
Nail onychomycosis is a more dangerous disease than foot fungus, because it takes much longer to heal.
Types of fungal infection affecting the nail plate:
- Atrophic onychomycosis.First of all, the nail becomes thinner and then collapses.
- Hypertrophic onychomycosis.The thickness of the nail increases, it acquires a yellow color.Growth in length 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 is often inflamed.
In an advanced form, the disease affects the whole body and even penetrates the internal organs.Pathological changes often begin to develop from the edge of the nail plate.First, streaks, spots and other "patterns" appear.
Treatment methods
Not every patient knows how to remove foot fungus, but dermatologists do.Treatment primarily involves blocking the development of a fungal infection.To prevent re-infection of the feet with fungi, a complex treatment is used:
- External therapy course.Antifungal ointments, creams and sprays are used in the treatment.
- The course of treatment using antifungal drugs.
- Use of antihistamines.They are taken in case of severe itching and increased sensitivity to irritants that cause allergies.
- Vitamin and mineral therapy course.
- Antibacterial drugs.They are used in case of bacterial infection of the body.
After visiting the 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 by taking pills and using ointments.Systemic drugs are prescribed to those patients who have already had a difficult 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 water in equal amounts and make baths that help to remove foot fungus.
- Oak bark, calendula blossoms, blackberries.The affected areas of the feet are washed with a decoction of these medicinal plants.
The most effective is the complex treatment of fungi using ointments and drugs with different pharmacological effects.Treatment will never be necessary if you listen to the doctor's recommendations and periodically take preventive measures.
Antifungal drugs
Fungi of the feet and interdigital spaces are eliminated with effective fungicidal drugs.
Since the fungus can manifest itself in any form, an effective drug to fight this infection must be chosen by an expert.Some drugs are toxic and can cause unwanted reactions;they are taken under the strict supervision of a doctor.A quick positive result of the treatment depends on the correct diagnosis not only of the disease, but also of the stage of its development.