One of the most common problems that almost everyone has is fungus on their toes. Such prevalence is due to the fact that you can get infected anywhere, regularly going to the gym, swimming pool or walking barefoot on the ground or lawn. In this case, it does not matter at all whether a person observes the rules of personal hygiene or not.
Just like other diseases, this infection needs to be treated properly and promptly. If you ignore this recommendation, the disease will progress, symptoms begin to appear more intense, the skin becomes thin and covered with small but painful cracks.
What is a fungus and how is it contagious?
Toe fungus, also known as toe fungus, is an infectious disease. Such skin lesions are also known as dermatoses. In total, there are a very large number of bacteria in nature, but not all of them can cause human health problems. Fungal skin disease is one of the most common diseases and ranks second after purulent diseases, which are boils, streptococcal disease, boils and staphylococcal disease.
As for the groups of fungi affecting the skin of the feet, they are divided into 3 groups, which are:
- Candida fungus. It belongs to the group of yeast-like fungi.
- Zooanthropophilus. Infection can occur from both animals and humans.
- Anthropophilic. In this case, you can only get the infection from other people.
How does fungus manifest on toes?
The first symptoms of toenail fungus are vague, so it is difficult to recognize the disease from the first days of infection. Sometimes people don't go to the doctor right away not because they don't want to, but because they don't understand what kind of situation they're in. In order not to fall into such situations, doctors always recommend that even with the slightest symptoms seek help. In this case, the patient will get the problem resolved as quickly as possible.
The main signs of a toe infection are:
- yellowish spots and marks on the skin;
- increased sweating;
- the crevices between the fingers begin to hurt and itch;
- Spots and peeling appear in the places of localization of the infection.
The intensity of symptoms may also depend on the form of the disease, psoriatic or interstitial. In the second case, the patient will have foot swelling, redness and constant wetness in the infected areas. This form is characterized by localization between the last 4 fingers.
With a form of scaly pathology, white scales appear on the legs, peeling, as well as increased skin lines. The first few days after infection, the patient feels burning pain and itching. If left untreated, symptoms will be supplemented by an uncharacteristically shiny skin and small gray or white scabs.
How to treat toe fungus?
Today, patients can choose from a variety of drugs that are equally effective in combating interstitial fungus. To get rid of the disease as quickly as possible, doctors recommend using complex therapy, which includes the following measures:
- Take medicines.
- The use of immunostimulants and vitamin complexes.
- Gels and creams.
Note!Almost all drugs are highly effective, but this does not mean that the duration of treatment will be short. Depending on the state of the body's protective function, the patient will have to fight the fungus for at least 1 month.
Effective medicine to treat toe fungus
Fungus on the feet is usually treated with varnishes, gels, or pills. The most suitable drug will be selected by a specialist.
How to treat toe fungus with folk remedies?
Along with the drug treatment of toe fungus, experts recommend alternative therapy, but when using any cure, you should consult your doctor. This will avoid allergies and other adverse reactions.
Healers are advised to pay attention to the following methods:
- Use apple cider vinegar. This is necessary for the process of "acidification" of the body. Regardless of food intake, vinegar is dissolved in a glass of water and taken 1 time per day.
- Declaim food. In this case, it is recommended to pour 9% vinegar into the basin in an amount so that the feet are submerged. The liquid should be slightly warm. The procedure takes no more than 15 minutes.
- Vinegar and vegetable oil. From these two components for the treatment of fungus on the feet, it is necessary to prepare an ointment, in a ratio of 1: 1. It covers the affected areas for the whole night. To enhance the effect on the legs, it is recommended to wear a sock.
Effects of fungal infections on toes
If you do not treat the fungus on the feet, this can cause the following deviations:
- when the fungus stays on the fingers for a long time, it can cause increased sensitivity to other fungi, and at the same time affect the development of bronchial asthma, atopic dermatitis or other skin diseases;
- fungal diseases of the thumb can affect the development of diabetes mellitus or gangrene;
- Without treatment, the infection can spread throughout the body and affect internal organs, in which case the patient will have to undergo a longer and more complex therapy. It doesn't matter if the fungus is on the little toe or the other toes.
How to avoid fungal re-infection after treatment?
To prevent the fungus on the toe from appearing again, you must observe all the rules of prevention, they include the following:
- Use rubber slippers when visiting swimming pools or public bathrooms.
- Observe personal hygiene.
- Take vitamin complexes to strengthen the protective functions of the body.
- Wash your feet daily before going to bed.
- You can't wear someone else's shoes.
- Good nutrition and active lifestyle.
- In special cases, it is advisable to wear removable, more spacious shoes.
- Do not use other people's toiletries and do not give them to anyone.
- Do not wear dirty socks.
- For preventive purposes, use a foot bath.
Antifungal treatment for shoes
A special product can be used to treat antifungal footwear on the skin of the toes. It not only eliminates infections, but also eliminates unpleasant odors and eliminates yeast and shoe dermatitis.
Once the infection has been cured, the shoes can be treated with an antiseptic. You can buy it in a pharmacy, this tool will allow you to clean shoes not only from fungi, but also from other bacteria that are dangerous to human health.