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 identify athlete's foot at the beginning of its development.Then you can get rid of it faster and easier.In this case, there will be no need for special treatment, even less surgical intervention.In the case of mild manifestations of fungal activity, it is sufficient to use antifungal ointments or baths based on traditional recipes.
Mushroom and its varieties
Even though athlete's foot is common enough, not all infected people know what athlete's foot looks like.
The main types of mycoses are listed below:
- Scaly or scaly.
- Intertriginous.It is characterized by the type of diaper rash on the skin.
- Hypertrophic, atrophic and normotrophic onychomycosis.The difficulty in treating these diseases lies in the fact that all types can be combined with each other.
- Dyshidrotic.It is indicated by a disturbance of the sweat glands.
At different stages of development, this pathology looks different.Athlete's foot is the name of two diseases: athlete's foot and rubromycosis, which develop in the same way.
Squamous mycosis
At the initial stage, the fungus manifests itself as damage to one leg, 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 stage of development.Many people are not even bothered by itching in the affected area;the skin does not peel off.That is why they only consult a dermatologist when the feet are affected by the last stage of the disease.
Dyshidrotic fungal infection
Every person who suspects the occurrence of this disease should know what any form of athlete's foot development looks like.This pathology is characterized by the appearance of miniature bubbles on the arch of the foot.Very little time passes and they merge, 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 diaper rash areas.In this case, the patient starts itching and feels pain.After everything has healed, the peeling begins.
The most unpleasant disease is the development of a bacterial fungus.In such cases, turbid fluid and pus flow out of the ruptured blisters.At this stage of the development of the pathology, there is a slight increase in temperature and unbearable pain.The skin of the leg swells.
The process of the dyshidrotic form of mycosis can take several months.Periods of improvement in the condition of the legs alternate with relapses.
Intertriginous fungus
This type of fungus is the most common on the skin of the feet.It appears independently or together with the squamous form of the pathology.The disease manifests itself in cracks in the skin, around which a white border forms, and then the skin begins to peel off.The space between the fingers will be wet.The patient experiences itching and burning.Superficial skin defects appear, accompanied by severe pain.
The protective functions of the skin decrease, it becomes loose.This makes it easier for streptococcal infections to penetrate 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 eases, but in summer it increases again.
Onychomycosis or nail fungus
When the first signs of the disease appear, the patient's task is to contact a dermatologist in time, who will determine how to remove the fungus on the leg.
Nail onychomycosis is a more dangerous disease than athlete's foot, as it takes much longer to heal.
Types of fungal infection affecting the nail plate:
- Atrophic onychomycosis.First, the nail thins and then falls off.
- Hypertrophic onychomycosis.The thickness of the nail increases, it takes on a yellow color.Length growth stops.The nail plate begins to crumble and peel.
- Onychomycosis caused by molds.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 its advanced form, the disease affects the entire 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 all patients know how to remove fungus from their feet, but dermatologists do.The treatment primarily means preventing the development of a fungal infection.A complex treatment is used to prevent fungal infection of the feet:
- External therapy course.During the treatment, antifungal ointments, creams and sprays are used.
- Treatment with antifungal drugs.
- Use of antihistamines.They are taken in case of severe itching and increased sensitivity to irritants that cause allergies.
- Therapeutic course with vitamins and minerals.
- Antibacterial drugs.It is used in case of bacterial infection of the body.
After visiting the doctor, a person learns how to treat the 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 for patients who have already experienced the severe course of the process.
Use the following folk recipes to treat fungal infection of the feet at home:
- Wine vinegar.Due to its antiseptic properties, wine vinegar is used in baths.
- Salt and soda.They are dissolved in equal amounts of water and make baths that help remove athlete's foot.
- Oak bark, marigold blossom, blackberry.Wash the affected areas of the feet with a decoction of these herbs.
The most effective is the complex treatment of the fungus with the help of ointments and various drugs with a pharmacological effect.You will never need treatment if you listen to the recommendations of doctors and regularly take preventive measures.
Antifungals
The fungus of the feet and the spaces between the toes is eliminated with effective antifungal drugs.
Since the fungus can manifest itself in any form, a specialist must choose an effective drug to combat the infection.Some drugs are toxic and can cause side effects;they are taken under strict medical supervision.A quick positive treatment result depends not only on the correct diagnosis of the disease, but also on its stage of development.