Mycotic lesions of the skin and stratum corneum are extremely unpleasant. But these infections are quite common: omniscient statistics claim that a fifth of humanity has experienced all the "charm" of getting to know them. One type of pathology is a fungus between the toes, which, without the necessary treatment, will soon spread to the nails. It will not be easy to face it, but deliverance is still possible. Complex therapy will help fight the disease, but it must be carried out with patience and skill.
What is interdigital foot fungus and what does it look like?
Three types of fungi cause finger infections: molds, yeasts and dermatophytes. Each of them has their own preferences. Microorganisms of the mold family settle in areas of the legs where it is warm and humid, so they usually appear where there is already a similar lesion. Yeast does not disdain nails or skin. Dermatophytes are the most common culprits of mycoses; thumb fungus and interdigital pathologies are their "specialization". What all species have in common is a preference for heat and high humidity.
The symptoms of the fungus in the initial stage are quite mild. It can be suspected if the following signs are present:
- cracks that appear suddenly on the foot and at the level of the toes, most often the medical history begins with the little toe;
- the skin around the cracks peels off;
- slight itching, disappearing without a trace after hygiene procedures.
When the fungus begins to actively multiply, the symptoms can no longer be ignored: red spots appear, intense peeling, burning and itching are possible. The appearance of bubbles with transparent contents cannot be excluded. As the cracks deepen, they become erosions. The inflammatory process leads to tissue swelling.
If this period is ignored, then the advanced stage of the fungus begins:
- transparent blisters between the fingers turn into ulcers that burst, forming sores;
- itching, burning intensify, severe pain appears;
- The fungus, having spread to the nails, begins to destroy them.
It is no longer possible to ignore such symptoms. Going to the doctor becomes the only option to regain health.
Causes of interdigital mycosis
The fungus between the toes has no shortage of victims; on the contrary, the number of infected people is even increasing. The reason for this sad picture is the lack of knowledge of hygiene rules. Since these pathogenic organisms like high humidity and heat and their entry points are skin wounds, the risk increases if the following factors exist:
- visiting public places where a person walks barefoot or uses another's shoes, towels, or washcloths;
- tight shoes leading to microtrauma;
- excessive sweating associated with a negligent attitude towards hygiene procedures;
- decreased immunity;
- varicose veins;
- Hormonal imbalance;
- dysbiosis.
Danger of fungal infection
Some people don't think that foot fungus is a serious problem. But this opinion is false. The greatest danger is the chronic form of the disease, which leads to nail damage, which in itself greatly affects the quality of life. A person with mycosis is a source of infection that can "reward" the whole family, and a fungus between the toes of a child or an elderly person leads to big health problems.
If the disease is left to chance, the body will suffer from toxins formed by the activity of fungi. Fungal infections in some cases cause serious allergic reactions. Against the background of mycosis, immunity is suppressed, which is especially dangerous for children and the elderly. As a result, a "non-serious" illness will lead to the penetration of numerous other infections – bacterial or viral – with more or less serious consequences.
How to Treat Toe Fungus
Not everyone can quickly get rid of the fungus, so it is better to prepare in advance for a long battle. The therapy is usually carried out at home, so you must first undergo an examination to find out the real culprit. After determining it, the doctor (dermatologist or mycologist) will prescribe a comprehensive treatment.
Pills
An infection that has reached an advanced stage requires oral medication. For this type of therapy, effective antifungal tablets and capsules are used to help get rid of the scourge fairly quickly.
- The drug from the allylamine group is most often prescribed. It copes with fungus on the finger in 3-4 weeks. The maximum daily dose is 250 mg.
- A triazole derivative is the next broad-spectrum drug. Its intake is limited to two tablets per day. It is necessary to take two two-week courses, spaced 21 days apart.
- The product from the triazole group consists of capsules used for various skin diseases. The medicine also helps against fungus on the feet, between the toes. There are 2 options for taking it: either once a day, 50 mg, or once a week, but immediately 150 mg. The duration of treatment is 4 to 6 weeks.
Ointments
Oral medications should be supplemented with medications for external use - creams or ointments. They are the first answer to the question of how to get rid of toe fungus. Local remedies are numerous and their costs vary.
All ointments will be effective if one condition is met: the feet must first be steamed in a solution of soap and soda, and then dried thoroughly.
- The imidazole derivative is the leader in the sympathies of those who decided to destroy foot fungus at home. The reason is efficiency and reasonable price. The medicine is applied to clean fingers and nails 2-3 times a day. The duration of the course is individual, it is controlled by a doctor. After symptoms disappear, it is recommended to continue treatment for 2 weeks or more.
- A product from the imidazole group is used twice a day, the duration of treatment is 4-6 weeks, but in advanced cases it is necessary to apply the composition for several more days. When the fungus has spread to the nails, compresses are made from the ointment.
- Creams from the allylamine group also fall into the category of external products. The active ingredient is the substance that gives the cream its name. The cream is applied 1 to 2 times a day; if the feet are affected, the application period can be up to 4 weeks. If the nail plates are already affected by mycosis, it is recommended to treat the feet for 3 to 6 months.
The main rule is regularity of procedures and compliance with prescribed deadlines. In other cases, treatment may become ineffective.
Thermal baths
This popular treatment for fungus between the toes at home will not take much time, but will produce an effect if the stage of mycosis is easily curable.
- Coffee.For the procedure you will need ground coffee: 10 tbsp. L. pour 2 liters of boiling water. Once the "drink" has cooled, dip your feet in it. It is allowed to take foot baths in the cafe twice a day.
- Mugwort.To prepare, take a liter of boiling water and 150 g of herbs. Prepare the decoction in a water bath for 30 minutes. The duration of the procedure is at least half an hour.
- Boric acid- a well-known remedy for fungus between the fingers. For the bath, take 40 g of powder which dissolves in water (50-60°C). There is no need to overuse the procedure, do it 2-3 times a week.
- Salt and soda.Pour warm water into a container, add 1 tbsp. L. sodium chloride and carbonate. Keep your feet in the bath for at least 15 minutes, then rinse with water.
- Celandine.2 tbsp. L. pour the herbs with a liter of boiling water, cover with a lid and wait until they cool to room temperature. The duration of the procedure should be at least a quarter of an hour.
These procedures do not always help and not everyone. This feature is not inherent only in traditional methods. But that doesn't mean you should give up: there are many ways to cure finger fungus.
Compress
This type of treatment is good because the medications stay on the affected areas for a long time, as many of them are recommended to be kept overnight. The following folk remedies are recommended in this category:
- Propolis.An alcohol tincture is used for the compress. Cotton wool is moistened in it, which is then fixed between the fingers. The procedures last a week and a half.
- Birch tar.Before applying the composition, the feet are well steamed and cleaned of dead skin. Dry feet are lubricated with tar, the space between the toes is especially taken care of. This compress is kept for at least an hour, then excess tar is removed with a napkin. It is forbidden to wash your feet for 2 days. The total number of procedures is 4-5 times.
- Garliccrushed, then mixed with salt. Garlic compresses should not be left on for too long. The product is left for 1-2 hours.
- Ammonia.Take 1 tablespoon per glass of water. L. Next, a piece of gauze is soaked in the solution and wrapped around the foot. A bag is put on it and a sock on it. About 8 to 10 procedures need to be performed.
- Onionas effective as garlic. Only in this case is the juice used. Compresses are left overnight. If the skin between your fingers becomes wet and a strong burning sensation bothers you, you can mix the juice with petroleum jelly in equal proportions.
Physiotherapy
To be successful, the complex treatment of interdigital foot fungus also includes physiotherapeutic procedures:
- Ozone therapy.This procedure significantly accelerates the growth of a healthy nail when the disease is very advanced. During the procedure, the plaque and skin are saturated with ozone and oxygen, which stimulates nail growth, simultaneously destroying the fungal infection. Not only fungus on the skin of the toes, but also absolutely all types of mycosis are successfully cured.
- Laser treatment.During this operation, only the cells in which the fungus has settled are destroyed. The course of therapy includes 4-10 procedures. No prior preparation is required, but parallel drug treatment is necessary.
Diet
To successfully overcome finger fungus, it is important to change your diet.
Certain foods from the diet should either be completely excluded or their consumption strongly limited. These include:
- alcoholic beverages;
- confectionery, flour products;
- fermented milk products containing sugar;
- candy;
- sausages;
- canned food;
- smoked meats;
- meat;
- semi-finished products.
Are allowed :
- cereals (only semolina and rice are excluded);
- coffee;
- dairy products and fermented milk products without sugar;
- seafood;
- vegetables, green vegetables;
- Nut seeds;
- boiled fish;
- butter and vegetable oil;
- tea;
- eggs.
How to prevent recurrence of the disease
For toe fungus to disappear permanently, you must follow the following rules:
- Wear shoes that fit your feet to avoid injuring your toes. It is better to give preference to natural materials. Frequent disinfection of shoes is necessary.
- After public places, the feet require preventive measures: they should be washed and lubricated with lemon juice, and great attention should be paid to the toes.
- Changing your socks daily is essential. It is better to opt for cotton products.
- Exchanging shoes and linens, or using each other's towels and pedicure items is prohibited.
- Strengthening the immune system is a priority, so your diet should always include fruits, juices and vegetables.
To take care of your skin and nails, it is recommended to have a pedicure every month and a half.