Fungal infections (mycoses) are among the dermatological diseases are the most common. Infection with the pathogen is possible in several ways, but small symptoms of the disease at an early stage of development not all of the patients time in the doctor. The result of the pathological process covers the whole of the greater part of the limbs (most often the feet), it spreads deeper into the tissues. Running foot fungus can be treated, but in order to fully overcome the infection, and sometimes months of hard therapy.
Causes of foot fungus
The fungus develops as a result of the penetration of the subcutaneous layer in the spores of pathogenic micro-organisms. Lose the only the skin called dermatomycoses, destruction of the nail plate under the action of the fungus is onychomycosis.
Infection of the pathogen occurs in two ways – directly or indirectly. In the first case, the fungus spores remain in the soil, the tiles, and wood surfaces. The second the infection is transmitted through personal items, towel, Slippers, towels, manicure tools.
Fungal micro-organisms for a long time remain viable in warm, damp areas, so the infection often occurs in swimming pools, beaches, spa, gym, sauna.
The risk of penetration of the micro-organism of the skin to a great extent can be increased if the legs of the hairline fractures – abrasions, scratches, blisters. Susceptibility to the fungus increased under the influence of predisposing disease factors:
- decreases the body's resistance, there is insufficient immune system;
- keeping hygiene standards;
- sweating;
- the diseases of the endocrine system that occur in metabolic diseases. Fungal infections characterized by the diabetic patients;
- violation of the circulation of the lower limbs, which may be associated with vascular diseases or lesions of the feet;
- wearing tight, poorly ventilated shoes. Feet that under these circumstances, constantly sweaty, dirty, abrasions, which is suitable for the reproduction of the fungus environment;
- age. Fungal infection is common in children and the elderly, these categories of patients the skin is thin and its protective properties are reduced, which creates a prerequisite for the penetration of the infection.
- the excessive dryness of the skin. Hydrated skin surface oily film that prevents the penetration of pathogenic micro-organisms. With increased drought, there is no such protection, which allows fungal spores to penetrate easily within.
The likelihood of developing a fungal infection is much higher when the body is exposed to several predisposing disease factors.
Mushroom
The disease depending on the type of mushroom classified into:
- the athlete's foot. The so-called flexible Trichophytonmcntagrophytes;
- the rubrofitii. Found the 70% of the athlete's foot.
Depending on localization of pathological process:
- fungal infection between the toes (dermatophytosis). This file, most commonly in the form of intertriginous (acute) fungal infection;
- plantar athlete's foot. The main symptoms – peeling of the skin, which, if the disease in actinic;
- skin stop. The pathological process begins with the formation of lesions, in a form similar to allergy symptoms;
- a deep form of yeast infections. The infection affects the superficial and deep layers of the skin stop;
- onychomycosis – fungal infection of the nail plate. Rarely isolated, in most cases, is a complication of the plantar superficial mycoses.
The symptoms of the pathology
The initial stage of the disease often occurs that the deleted signals. The appearance of scaly spots, mild redness, itching is often not taken seriously, and the different topical treatments for itching, inflammation, reducing the symptoms, but the fungus doesn't die. This infection will continue to evolve, and gradually become chronic. The symptoms depend on the form of the disease duration.
- form fingers fungal infections characterized by the appearance of redness, burning between the toes. Inflammatory process, infection rarely extends beyond the fingers spaces. As a general rule, the symptoms go away, the winter and the summer period exacerbated;
- fungal infection occurs, the reactions of the skin, redness to certain areas of the foot. Sometimes severe itching;
- hyperkeratotic form. Characterized by the formation of aqueous papules, or plaques bluish color, rough surface. The individual pockets, a merger, on the heels of cracks;
- disgidroticheskaya form. The main sign is the appearance of numerous watery blisters, which eventually opened the place wounds. Advanced stages of this disease often mistaken for eczema.
- onychomycosis is manifested in a color change in the nail plate, the appearance is dark or bright spots, streaks, stratification of the nail, thickening of.
The appearance of burns, redness, flaking and itching of the feet and legs should as soon as possible consult a doctor. In the early stages the disease is easily treated by external means.
Diagnosis
The suspected fungal infection, you should consult a dermatologist. The experienced doctor with the complaints on the basis of the patient's examination establishes the diagnosis. But, to confirm what type of pathogen requires laboratory tests. The implementation allows to set the kind of micro-organism that requires the proper treatment.
Treatments
Drug therapy is chosen based on the stage of the disease, the age of the patient, comorbidities, and complications. The treatment is comprehensive, in that the external and systemic medication, traditional methods.
Furthermore, the doctor, a multivitamin complex, to improve the immune system. Severe itching in the acute stage of the disease to relieve the irritation, help antihistamines. When you join secondary infection requires treatment with antibiotics.
Mushrooms, remove and personal items. First you will need to treat the shoe disinfectant, it is better to completely replace it with a new one.
Detection of infection should not forget that probably infected mushroom, the rest of the family. So, to get back to your own personal hygiene items, towels, and Slippers. The fungus spores are destroyed under high temperature, so you don't have to iron underwear, sheets and socks.
Local agents
Local antifungal agents – ointments, gels, emulsions, solutions. Because the external medicine concerned with the skin of the feet after processing. That's enough foot bath with potassium permanganate, soda or soap. The procedure time is 15 minutes after the skin dried, and applied to the designated facility.
Onychomycosis before applying the ointment, or solution, to remove the upper part of the affected nail. The nail plate is softened in a special keratolytic remedies. If this does not happen, then the components of the ointments do not fall on the lower layer of the nail, i.e. where the growing fungus colony.
The defeat of the nail system of the fungus, sometimes it is necessary to drink for 12 months or more. System medication to the patient, as prescribed by the doctor.
Folk remedies
How to get rid of foot fungus at home? You have to remember that the use of all kinds of "recipe" the main treatment ensures that the infection is subsiding but not completely gone. This leads to the fact that the fungus time again aktiviziruyutsya. Thus, the conventional antifungal agents should be combined with drug therapy.
To overcome the fungal infection, don't use it anymore, trays, prepare ointments, rubbing.
- fungicidal properties bath salt, and soft soap. 5 liters of boiling water 2 tablespoons salt, baking soda, and RUB the solution on a quarter of a piece of soap. In the water leg to stand half an hour, and then dried and applied to the skin, nail, antifungal medications;
- fingers spaces, as well as fungal lesions on the feet can be greased with birch tar. The procedure is best at night, on your feet, wear clean socks;
- the apple cider vinegar mixed in equal volumes of alcoholic solution of iodine. The resulting liquid moisten a sample, and lubricate them, then-in the affected areas of the foot;
- the garlic oil. The garlic should be crushed cellulose, combined with butter or pork fat. The resulting ointment is used in the treatment to stop.
Fungus treatment of the foot of people's way, a few weeks in a row. It is desirable to periodically change the funds, increase the effectiveness of the therapy.
The infection prevention
To prevent infection it is not always possible. But you can reduce the risk of infection of fungal pathogens to a minimum. You must adhere to the following rules.
- The public places where need indoor shoes, to be only hers.
- Do not use other people's personal hygiene products.
- The formation of the foot, bruises, scars, abrasions are treated immediately.
- Wear only high quality, well-ventilated shoes.
- Always observe the rules of hygiene.
The probability that any infection is reduced, if the good work of the immune system. To improve the condition of the protective forces shall be assisted by the rational nutrition, vitamin therapy, exercise. To manage all the chronic diseases.
Conclusion
Nail fungus is not dangerous, but very unpleasant manifestations, and consequences of the pathology. To cope with the infection of the modern pharmaceutical drugs can be just a few days, but only on one condition – timely treatment to the doctor.