Fungal foot disease (ICD code 10 B35. 3) is an infection of the skin of the feet caused by a parasite of the skin. It occurs in about 20% of adults. Infection occurs through micro-trauma, scratches, abrasions, or wounds. The development of the disease is prompted by wet feet, diabetes mellitus, and weakened immunity.
Among people with endocrine disorders, immunodeficiency states, the incidence is up to 50%. Usually, the disease progresses in a chronic form with periods of remission and exacerbations alternating. In 40-50% of cases, foot fungus causes onychomycosis or an onychomycosis.
Where does the infection happen and why?
Fungal foot fungus is a contagious disease that is very contagious through direct contact with a carrier or through objects in the home. For example, through shoes, socks, towels, manicures, and rubber mats in the shower. In 70 - 95% of cases, the causative agent of fungal foot fungus is red Trichophyton (Tr. Rubrum).
Usually, infectious diseases occur in public places, with high humidity, where there are favorable conditions for the reproduction and spread of pathogens. Such places include swimming pools, public baths, saunas, water parks, and gym locker rooms. If an infected person walks barefoot on the floor or carpeting while bathing, he will leave infectious particles behind. And if a healthy person then entered this place with bare feet, the germs would fall on his skin. In this case, the fungus does not always manifest immediately and causes the characteristic symptoms of the disease. With strong immunity, no health problems, a person is still simply a carrier, but at the same time he is not sick.
Increased risk of fungus and fungal growth:
- damages skin integrity;
- violates the blood supply to the extremities, in which the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues is impaired, the regeneration process slows down, the local immunity is weakened;
- diabetes, high blood sugar creates favorable conditions for fungus to grow, infection to progress
- sweat a lot;
- dry skin, resulting in small cracks;
- old age;
- blood disease;
- long-term use of antibiotics, immunosuppressants;
- vitamin deficiency;
- Wear air-proof shoes and create a "greenhouse effect".
Symptoms and Types of Disease
Fungi manifest in different ways, type of pathogen and severity of image lesionsaffect the symptoms. The first signs of the disease appear in the folds between the fingers, and from there spread to the vertebrae, lateral wall, back and fingernails.
What a fungus-like foot is shown in the photo.
When the nail becomes infected, the nail thickens, loses its shine, and the plaque is noted. Nails yellow and gray in color, becoming fragile and fragile.
The initial clinical symptoms of fungal foot disease include dry, flaky, painless cracks in the folds between the toes. This form of the disease is called a cleared condition. Flaky and cracks don't cause pain, itching, or discomfort at first. Only the doctor will be able to notice the first signs of no manifestations of a fungal infection. In addition to the erased form, other clinical foot fungal diseases were also distinguished, each with its own symptoms.
Scaly
In the scaly form of the foot, flaking occurs in the folds between the toes and the sides. As a rule, there are no signs of inflammation. Redness, nail damage, pruritus, thickening of the horny layer may occur, causing the skin to become shinyThe papules become more pronounced, and the skin surface becomes dry, scaly, and slab shaped. In this case, the patient does not feel itching or other discomfort.
Hyperkeratotic
It appears as a rash on the cellar. The surface of the rash elements is covered with gray-white scales. There is separation of the epidermis, single blisters. When joined together, the papules form large, indistinct nocturns that spread across the sole, including the side and dorsal surfaces. Along with flaky foci, there are areas of hyperkeratosis or thickening of the skin. They look like calluses with cracks in the head. With a form of hyperkeratosis, the affected area is similar to the manifestations of psoriasis or eczema. A person is concerned about dry, itchy, and sometimes painful conditions.
Interstitial fungal disease
The fungus of the foot is similar to the symptoms of diaper rash. Hence the name from the latitude. intertrigo - "diaper rash". More often, the skin is affected in the interval between the third and fourth, fourth and fifth fingers. It becomes bright red, edema. Weeping wounds, deep, painful cracks are formed. In contrast to diaper rash, lesions in interstitial fungal diseases are circular with well-defined borders, with a white border separating along the edges of the epidermis. The patient feels itchy, burning, and aching pain.
Dyshidrotic
The fungal Dyshidrotic of the feet is characterized by numerous blisters with a thick tip, located mainly on the arch. The rash spreads to large areas of the soles of the feet, as well as the space between the toes and the skin of the toes. Merge to form a large bubble. Instead of burst bubbles, wet erosion occurs. With the development of inflammation, the skin turns red and swollen. At the stage of blister formation, the patient has an uncomfortable itchy feeling.
Diagnosis
If you suspect that you have fungal foot fungus, you should see a dermatologist. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will examine the legs, ask about what symptoms are bothering the person, how long before, and then appear. Take a scrape from the affected area for microscopic analysis, cultural studies to identify a specific pathogen. In addition, the doctor may order blood tests.
How to treat athlete's foot?
A dermatologist or dermatologist treating athlete's foot. Considering the clinical form of the disease, the severity of the lesion, and visible changes, the doctor will select an appropriate therapy.
Complications of a fungal infection of the foot can lead to a fungal hand infection. Fungal foot disease sometimes leads to a secondary bacterial infection, especially when there is a teary wound on the skin.
External fungicides (ointments, creams), pills for oral administration are prescribed to fight fungi. Only topical therapy is effective for milder forms of foot fungus. According to the clinical instructions, oral medication is prescribed in severe cases.
If necessary, additional treatment with anti-inflammatory, drying, antiseptic, antiallergic drugs, agents that enhance the regeneration of damaged tissues. If there are signs of a bacterial infection, antibiotic therapy will be prescribed.
For onychomycosis, perform a hard cleaning of the affected areas. For the further treatment of the nail, topical antifungal agents are prescribed: varnish, cream or ointment.
Duration of treatment from two weeks to one month. If not only the skin is affected but also the nail, the treatment will be delayed. This is due to the fact that the nail grows slowly. To eliminate infection, it is necessary for perfectly healthy nails to regrow.
By following your doctor's prescription, scalp fungal disease can be successfully treated. But if, noticing an improvement, the patient stops taking the drug, which leads to a return of the infection, to a chronic form. It is important to complete the full course, even if the symptoms of the disease have disappeared.
Very important in the treatment of foot fungus, foot care, personal hygiene, diet, comfortable footwear selection, does not hurt the affected area.
What to do to prevent it?
To avoid fungal foot and nail fungus or reduce their risk of growth, the following recommendations will help:
- well control chronic diseasesin which blood circulation in the lower extremities is impaired in the body's defenses;
- Wash your feet daily with soap and water, then dry them with a towel, especially the folds between your toes;
- ventilate your shoes and change socks every day;
- Wear closed rubber slippers when going to public baths, saunas, swimming pools, and bathtubs;
- In case of excessive sweating, use antiperspirants, disinfectants for shoes, not wear other people's shoes, socks, or sock;
- do not use towels or towels of other people.
If you notice slight peeling or cracks between your toes, you should get tested for fungus. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment will help avoid complications, extensive lesions, discomfort, travel pain and bacterial infections.