Ringworm is a contagious skin disease caused by a fungus. Usually, treatment with an antifungal cream will give good but not long-lasting results. The tips below can help prevent fungus between the toes from coming back after treatment.
Who can get thrush and how can it be prevented?
Mycosis is a fungal infection that affects the feet. This condition is very common - one in four people has ringworm. If the disease is just beginning, treatment can be very complicated. Pathogenic fungi (fungi) are usually found in small quantities on human skin, where they are usually not harmful. However, under favorable conditions, they can penetrate the epidermis, multiply and cause infection. Conditions favorable for fungus are warm, moist, and airless areas of skin, such as between the toes.
Almost anyone can get a fungal infection of the scalp. But it's more common in people who sweat more, or in people who wear thick shoes and socks, which also cause the feet to sweat a lot. Fungal infections can be spread from person to person. For example, it can occur in public bathrooms used by athletes or swimmers. Tiny flakes of skin that are infected with the fungus may fall off when bathing. When a small patch of infection begins to develop, it tends to spread to the skin. About where you can pick up mushrooms is written here.
What are the symptoms of foot fungus?
The skin between the small toes will usually be affected first. The first signs of fungus, when a new infection forms on the skin, are mild. Symptoms will be noticeable when the rash begins to spread, the skin begins to itch and scab. Cracks and inflammation may appear on it. Large cracks of skin between the toes can enlarge and can be very painful. Small scabs on the infected skin may fall off. If thrush between your vertebrae is left untreated, the rash can gradually spread to the entire leg. In some cases, it extends to the sole. Usually, the infection causes peeling of the entire sole of the foot and the sides of the foot. Sometimes fungal disease causes large blisters all over the sole of a shoe. In this case we are dealing with a foot fungus.
Is fungal infection between the fingers serious?
As a rule, no. Most people successfully treat itchy toes before the infection spreads. Sometimes the infection spreads to the skin of other parts of the body. These are usually wet and airless areas, such as the groin. Usually, fungus, including fungus on the feet between the toes, does not spread deeper, but only on the surface of the skin. However, other bacteria (bacteria) can get into cracks caused by neglected or untreated fungi. Sometimes it can cause a more serious foot or leg infection.
The infection spreads to the nail - it can be cured. But in this case, to get rid of the fungus, it will take several weeks of taking antifungal medication to clear the infection from the nail.
Therefore, the treatment of toenail fungus is best done promptly, as soon as the first symptoms appear.
Treatment of fungal diseases
Treatment of fungus between the toes usually involves applying various antifungal creams and sprays. You can buy topical antifungals at your nearest pharmacy or get them by prescription. To treat fungus between the toes, it is necessary to apply an antifungal medication directly to the affected area, i. e. the skin of the feet. There are many different types and brands of drugs. They are usually sold as creams, but they can also be sprays, liquids, and powders. These preparations are very good at clearing the skin of the fungal infection. However, there is no evidence that one remedy is better than another.
It is necessary to use the drug as much as recommended. Depending on the treatment methods vary, so read the instructions carefully before treating fungus between the toes. It often happens that the inflammation seems to go away fairly quickly, but you may need treatment for 1 to 2 weeks after the rash clears up. This is necessary to completely get rid of the fungus on the skin - this will prevent recurrence.
If you encounter this disease for the first time and do not know how to treat athlete's foot and do not make a mistake in choosing a treatment, it is better to consult a doctor.
For skin, especially inflamed skin, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream in combination with a mild steroid ointment. They are usually used for no more than seven days. You may just need to continue using an antifungal cream for a while afterwards. Anabolic steroids reduce inflammation in the short term and can reduce itching and redness. However, steroids do not completely eliminate the fungus between the toes and therefore steroid creams should not be used alone for treatment.
Antifungal medications for fungus between the toes are sometimes prescribed for adults if the infection is severe and cannot be cleared up with creams. Pills are also needed if the infection is found in more than one area of the skin other than the feet.
However, treating ringworm with the above procedures is not the same for everyone.
Antifungal medications are not always recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or those with liver disease. Some people may be prescribed another medication that interacts with antifungals. Children are usually not given antifungal medication.
Although ringworm between the toes can be spread from person to person, you don't need to stay away from work, school, or sports if you have it. However, in public places like swimming pools or saunas, try to cover your feet until the rash is gone. Also, try not to scratch the damaged skin, as this can spread the infection to other areas.
The following tips can prevent fungal infections from recurring:
- You should wash your feet daily and dry the skin between your toes after washing. This is perhaps the most important point. Wear socks if your feet are not completely dry. The moist skin between the toes is an ideal breeding ground for fungus.
- Do not use other people's towels in public changing rooms! Towels should be washed regularly.
- Change socks daily. Fungi can grow in patches of skin in unwashed socks. In many ways, cotton socks and leather shoes are better than nylon socks and shoes made of man-made materials that increase perspiration.
- Try to alternate between different shoes every 2-3 days, this will allow each pair to dry completely after wearing.
- Wear flip-flops or plastic slippers in public locker rooms and bathrooms. This prevents your feet from touching the floor, which can be stripped of skin from others.
- When you're at home, stay barefoot for as long as possible - no shoes or socks so the air can reach your feet. However, this may not be practical for some people.
- If thrush persists, you can prevent a recurrence by regularly applying one of the antifungal sprays or creams as a preventative measure. As a precaution, it can be used daily.