Fungal infections are diseases caused by pathogenic micro-organisms (fungi). The disease does not pose a mortal danger to a person, but it causes discomfort and is difficult to treat. Most often, people with weak immunity, hormonal imbalance and non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene are most susceptible to infection. The treatment of the fungus sometimes lasts 3-4 months using a whole range of drugs. To enhance the therapeutic effect of drugs, doctors prescribe recipes of traditional medicine. The key to successful treatment is early diagnosis of the disease. In the early stages, fungal infections lend themselves more easily to the action of antifungal drugs.
Variety and symptoms of dermatomycosis
Science knows thousands of varieties of fungi, but only a few hundred of them are pathogenic for humans.
Types of microorganisms that cause athlete's foot:
- trichophytons;
- dermatophytes;
- candidiasis.
The first signs of mycosis are quite difficult to recognize. The appearance of fungi on the legs depends on the type of microorganism that affects the soft tissues.
Intertriginous form
The most common type of fungal infection. It occurs in summer, when leg sweating is increased. The folds of the interdigital space are the first to suffer, later the infection captures neighboring areas and the nail plate.
First signs:
- dry skin between the fingers;
- cracks and wounds;
- severe itching and burning;
- desquamation and discoloration of the epidermis.
scaly form
This type of fungal infection affects the bottom of the foot. The skin appears rough, corns, keratinized areas, deep cracks appear. When walking, a person feels pain.
The disease progresses rapidly, captures the surrounding area and the nail plate. In advanced cases, the nail changes color, shape and begins to crumble.
Important!
At the first suspicion of a fungal infection, you should immediately consult a doctor for examination and treatment.
Dyshidrotic form
This type of mushroom is rare. The first symptoms are multi-chambered watery blisters with cloudy contents on the skin. Instead of bursting formations, ulcers appear, which combine into continuous erosion.
The main danger of this form of mycosis is the addition of concomitant infections. Pathogenic microorganisms penetrate wounds, causing other dermatological diseases. Without timely treatment, large areas of the legs are affected. It becomes very difficult to cure yeast infections.
causes
The main route of transmission of infection is through contact. If you do not follow the basic rules of personal hygiene, you can get infected from household items that the patient uses. Exfoliating particles from the epidermis, as well as the causative agent of the disease, remain on shoes, towels, in the places of infected people. Once on the surface of the skin of a healthy person, the fungus begins to actively multiply.
The spores of a pathogenic microorganism can survive in the environment for several months until they find themselves in favorable conditions. Public places - swimming pools, showers, baths, saunas, changing rooms in gymnasiums - present a great danger of infection.
In order to avoid infection, it is necessary to observe the rules of hygiene: change socks every day, wear comfortable shoes in which the feet do not sweat, after washing, dry the interdigital space well with a towel.
Treatment of the fungus with drugs
Examination and timely treatment prescribed by the doctor is an important factor in getting rid of skin mycosis.
Getting rid of the fungus is quite difficult. You will need a whole range of drugs for external and systemic action. First you need to determine the type of pathogen. This can only be done in a specialized laboratory.
Ointments, creams
This type of drugs has a great ability to penetrate deep into the affected tissues, reaching the mycelium.
Antimycotic ointments are divided into 2 types:
- Azole. Suppresses cell growth, destroys mycelium. Treatment with azole ointments usually lasts about a month;
- Allylamine. It has a detrimental effect on yeasts and molds. This type of ointment has an antimycotic and anti-inflammatory effect. Refers to inexpensive and effective means. The course of therapy is usually 3 months.
Benefits of ointments:
- no harmful effects on the gastrointestinal tract and liver;
- local use allows you to maximize the impact on the pathogen;
- versatility of use for the treatment of fungal infections of the skin and nails.
Features of the use of antifungal ointments:
- before applying medication, the feet should be thoroughly washed and dried with a towel;
- the drug is applied to the affected surface with a thin layer, rubbing movements;
- avoid getting the drug on the mucous membranes - nose, eyes, mouth;
- follow the instructions for use and the recommendations of a dermatologist.
Tablets
For more effective treatment of advanced mycoses, systemic therapy is prescribed with external topical preparations.
Tablets for the treatment of severe forms differ in active substance:
- based on ketoconazole. It is prescribed for the treatment of superficial mycosis, which is not amenable to treatment with topical agents. Destroys yeasts, dimorphic fungi and dermatophytes;
- Based on terbinafine. Acts on dermatophytes;
- Based on griseofulvin. Acts on dermatophytes. It prevents fungi from multiplying and destroys cell walls. This drug has increased toxicity, which is why modern medicine is gradually replacing it from the pharmacological market.
- based on fluconazole. The tablets belong to the group of azoles. Helps to quickly get rid of the disease.
Along with the treatment of a fungal infection of the feet, drugs that stimulate the immune system and vitamin-mineral complexes are prescribed to better fight the disease.
Home treatment with folk remedies
It is possible to eliminate the fungus with the help of alternative medicine recipes only in the early stages or in combination with pharmaceuticals.
Important!
Before starting self-treatment at home, you need to undergo an examination and consult with your doctor.
Iodine
A universal antiseptic has not only a bactericidal effect, but also an antimycotic effect. It is recommended to lubricate the affected areas at night. Before the procedure, it is necessary to perform a sensitivity test. To do this, a small amount of iodine is applied to the bend of the elbow. If after a few hours there is no redness of the skin, burning or itching, you can use this method. Before going to bed, a foot bath is made, after which the skin is well wiped with a terry towel. In order not to cause a chemical burn, iodine must be diluted with medical alcohol 1: 1. With a cotton swab, a thin layer of the solution is evenly applied to the places affected by the fungus. Cotton socks are worn over it. Also, for prevention, nail plates are treated.
You can make an effective "talker" from iodine:
- Grind 14 antifungal tablets into powder;
- Mix with 100ml of Dimexide 1% and leave in a dark place for one day;
- Add 10 ml of iodine essence and vinegar.
Store the resulting mixture in the refrigerator and stir thoroughly before use. It should be applied to the affected areas of the skin with a cotton swab 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment is 1 month.
Hydrogen peroxide
Another well-known antiseptic that helps with the manifestations of the fungus on the legs. The solution is used in the form of applications applied to problem areas. Ten minutes twice a day will be enough to overcome yeast infections in the early stages in 5 to 10 days.
Baths for steaming the legs with the addition of peroxide are considered useful. It is diluted 1: 1 with water. The solution is not enough, but it is enough to place the part of the foot that is affected. The procedure takes 30-40 minutes. The liquid should not get on healthy skin, as it strongly dehydrates the soft tissues.
Celandine
The medicinal plant successfully treats many skin diseases, including fungal infections. Decoctions are used for compresses and baths. If it is possible to get a freshly harvested plant, you can try to cure the fungus with fresh juice.
To do this, tear off the bush, wash it under running water. Prepare the legs - steam, scales are removed. Yellow juice appears on the stem cut. They lubricate the affected surfaces. With self-treatment with celandine at home, you need to be extremely careful. This plant is poisonous. Its juice can cause severe skin burns.
For steaming, a decoction of 5 tablespoons is prepared. I. herbs for 1 liter. boiling water. The solution is infused in a container with a tightly closed lid for 20 minutes. After that, a foot bath is done.
Apple vinegar
An acidic environment will help eliminate the fungus, in which it cannot multiply and exist. Apple cider vinegar is used in the form of foot baths and applications.
If the affected area is small, it is enough to soak a cotton ball or a piece of cotton cloth with an aggressive substance. In the event of extensive spread, healthy areas of skin are smeared with baby greasy cream to protect them and a vinegar-soaked sock is put on.
With it, acidify the water for foot baths. After such steaming, the skin is thoroughly dried and other medicines of natural origin or pharmaceutical preparations are applied.
Other home treatments
Traditional medicine offers a variety of tips for getting rid of the fungus and its manifestations. These funds are easily prepared regardless of the components available in any home.
Homemade ointments:
- Mix equal parts of yellow sulfur, copper sulphate and goose fat in an enamel container. Bring to a boil over low heat and transfer to a glass jar. The ointment is stored in the refrigerator. Apply daily in the morning and evening to the affected areas of the skin;
- Add the wood ash to the goose fat. Stir until smooth. Lubricate problem areas with a mixture twice a day;
- Mix the butter with the minced garlic. The resulting mass is applied to the affected skin at night.
Ointments prepared according to the recipe of traditional medicine have a positive effect only in the case of the initial stage of the disease. With advanced mycoses, they are used in combination with tablet preparations.
Compress:
- Onion-garlic. A medium onion and 2 garlic cloves are crushed into a pulp. The mixture is laid out in a thick layer on the skin, covered with a plastic bag, fixed with a bandage. A cotton sock is placed on it. The procedure is performed before going to bed. In the morning, the compress is removed and the feet are washed with warm water and soap. This method will help to cope with the disease in 7-10 days;
- Celandine in tea tree oil. 1st. I. chopped herbs are mixed with oil until a pasty substance is obtained. It is abundantly applied to the zone of localization of the fungus and isolated, as in the previous recipe;
- Herbal compress. In a saucepan, combine 400 ml of sunflower oil, 1 tbsp. I. comfrey, peppermint, calendula and radiola. Heat the mixture over low heat to 50-60 degrees. Insist in a dark and cool place during the day. Remove the dry ingredients through a sieve or cheesecloth. With the oil mixture, compresses are made in the evening for 1-2 hours. The safe action of the recipe allows you to use it in childhood.
Important!
Before any medical intervention, you should steam your legs for 15-20 minutes.
Trays:
- The most common and easiest solution for steaming is 1 tbsp. I. table salt or sea salt, 1 tbsp. I. baking soda and 1 liter. the water. The procedure takes 15 minutes. Then the legs are washed in warm running water and dried;
- Prepare a strong coffee, let it cool and immerse your feet in it for 5 minutes. After that, rinse with water;
- Pour two liters of boiling water over a mixture of herbs: 2 tbsp. I. chamomile flowers, horsetail, flax seeds. After cooling to a tolerable temperature, you need to raise the feet in the resulting broth for 15 minutes.
Prevention
Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Therefore, in order not to get sick, you need to take certain precautions.
Tips to avoid infection:
- wear high-quality natural shoes in which the foot does not sweat;
- in places of public visitation (baths, saunas, showers, swimming pools, changing rooms) it is mandatory to wear replaceable rubber slippers;
- use only personal footwear;
- maintain immunity.
Mycosis of the feet is an insidious disease. It's quite easy to get infected, but hard to get rid of. Usually people start the disease due to the fact that mycosis does not appear immediately. You should be attentive to your body and consult a doctor at the first suspicious symptoms.