Flexibility of the foot (mycosis) is a fairly common disease, the sign of which is damage to the skin.
Infection occurs during healthy skin contact with a spore carrier, as well as through the home route: through shoes, a shared bathroom and contaminated items. The fungal infection easily penetrates the interdigital folds (under favorable conditions), where it begins its path and population growth over the entire surface of the foot.
What is a mushroom?
Foot mycosis is the most common type of dermatomycosis, characterized by chronic relapses. It includes both the damage to the skin layers and the nails. The top layer of the skin, which is constantly peeling off, contains a mass of fungi and their spores.
Fungus is a contagious disease that is passed from person to person through household items. The interdigital folds are the first to be affected, as a result of which itching appears. Subsequently, the infection covers the entire area of the foot. The disease develops rapidly and is characterized by the presence of itching, burning, pain, dry skin, peeling and even diaper rash.
Reasons for appearance
The main cause of the disease are microorganisms of the genus Trichophyton and molds. Infection with them occurs in the following conditions:
- wearing tight shoes (when the feet are squeezed, cracks and pressure sores form, in which infection easily develops);
- excessive sweating of the legs (this is an excellent environment for the development of the fungal population);
- with high humidity in the room (shower, toilet) - favorable conditions for all types of fungi;
- frequent visits to saunas, swimming pools (the risk of contact with carriers of infection increases);
- the presence of a sick person in the family (you can be infected through household items: slippers, socks and a shared bathroom).
There are also a number of diseases in which a person is susceptible to infection with a fungus:
- immunodeficiency (a weakened immune system is more susceptible to infectious and bacterial diseases);
- taking hormonal drugs (violating hormonal levels);
- flat feet (with this disease it is difficult to choose shoes with the correct rise, often the legs are squeezed);
- varicose veins (poor circulation causes dry skin);
- atherosclerosis;
- diabetes mellitus (there is an increase in capillary permeability, a change in their barrier function).
Symptoms
The main symptoms of mycosis of the feet are:
- burning and itching between the toes of the lower limbs (in the initial form) and on the entire surface of the feet (in the later stages);
- painful sensations (with varying intensity: pain can grow, then completely disappear for a short time);
- redness of the skin (from a slight pink to purple tinge);
- profuse dryness and peeling (separation of scales and scabs from plaques);
- cracks in the skin of the feet (which do not go away with conventional moisturizers);
- changes in the color and structure of the nails (they become thick and exfoliate);
- the presence of an unpleasant foot odor (if it was not previously observed).
Important!
With a fungal infection, the usual hygienic procedures (washing feet, pumice and steaming) do not give any results, the symptoms do not go away!
Why does the fungus need to be treated?
The success of therapy depends on the correctness of the diagnosis and the identification of the exact type of the causative agent of mycosis of the feet. Regardless of the form and stage of the fungal infection, an integrated approach is used in treatment.
Without a competent approach to treatment, the fungus will not go anywhere, this is not a disease that disappears on its own.
After all, the waste products of the parasitic fungus will spread to surrounding tissues and enter the bloodstream, poisoning it, and this is an allergen for the human body (eczema may even develop).
In addition, a person infected with a fungus is a source of infection and is a danger to others. After all, infection occurs through household items and through contact with the skin of the carrier of the infection.
Fungal forms
In total, 6 forms of this fungal lesion of the feet are distinguished:
- The erased form. This is the initial form, it differs in the following manifestations: slight peeling in the interdigital folds and small superficial cracks, which do not cause concern.
- Scaly form. The presence of small scales between the toes and on the surface of the sole. No signs of inflammation other than mild itching.
- Hyperkeratotic form. The appearance of blue-red plaques (papules), which are located on the arches of the feet. Dry skin, moderate pain and itching are noted.
- Intertriginous form. It looks similar to diaper rash. The skin in the interdigital folds turns bright red, swollen, weeping cracks appear, and even erosion may be present. Pain, burning and itching complete the picture.
- Dyshidrotic form. The appearance of bubbles is noted, which are closed from above with a dense lid. They are located on the arches of the feet and are characterized by severe itching.
- Acute form. The skin of the feet is covered with vesicles and blisters with purulent-serous contents, their opening leads to multiple erosions and deep cracks. The body temperature rises significantly, the skin on the legs is bright red, there is severe pain, difficulty walking, headache and general weakness. Inguinal lymphadenitis develops.
Virus diagnostics
Diagnosis of the disease is made by a dermatologist or mycologist (it depends on the area and degree of fungal infection) and is based on the detection of a fungus when examining skin scales under a microscope.
The skin is taken from the affected area of the foot by scraping, after which it is treated with special reagents. In the process of microscopic examination, a specialist determines the type of pathogen or grows the fungus in a nutrient medium (it is easier to determine its type from an increasing population).
Methods of treatment
The basic rule in the treatment of mycosis of the legs is an integrated approach, which includes not only the use of drugs, the use of alternative methods of treatment, but also careful care of the affected skin.
Before starting drug therapy, it is necessary to consult a doctor who will identify the pathogen using laboratory tests. Foot mycosis should be treated under the close supervision of a doctor or in a hospital setting. The therapy takes place in 2 phases: preparatory and basic.
The first includes the elimination of inflammation and the removal of the stratum corneum by preliminary steaming the legs in a solution of potassium permanganate and boric acid.
The second phase involves drug treatment.
Treatment with drugs (ointments, creams, tablets, other medicines)
After removing the upper keratinized cells, a special cream with antibiotics and corticosteroid hormones is applied to the entire affected surface. After the elimination of inflammation, the foot baths are canceled. A further treatment consists in the deep removal of the horny layers with salicylic petroleum jelly.
It is applied in a thin layer to the injury site until the horny particles have completely detached. Therapy for strengthening immunity is also effective: taking immunomodulators and vitamin complexes, because the stronger the body's defense system, the faster the disease passes.
Important!
It is forbidden to use ointments! They can cause weeping erosion.
Treatment with folk remedies for this disease can only be an auxiliary therapy, and not the main method of treatment.
Folk remedies
Treatment should be systematic and include not only drugs, but also folk remedies:
- Apple cider vinegar is considered the best recipe of the genre, because the mushroom does not like an acidic environment. The method of application is quite simple: apply a solution of vinegar to the affected area (the concentration is selected individually), put on socks and go to bed.
- Laundry soap and baking soda are another effective method. You need to grate 3 tablespoons of soap and add the same amount of baking soda. Pour this mixture with hot water (at least 5 liters), lower your feet there for 15-20 minutes. After the procedure, clean your feet with a nail file or pumice stone.
- In addition, significant results are shown by glycerin with vodka. It is necessary to top up the purchased glycerin bottle with alcohol to the brim, shake it and moisten the peeling with this composition every day (before bedtime).
- Coffee is effective in the fight against mycosis. You should brew strong coffee, dip your feet in the drink until it cools down. It is recommended to carry out this procedure for at least a week.
- Celandine is also a good helper for fungal infections. You need to pour 1 liter of water into the kettle, put it on the stove, boil and add 4 tbsp. L. herbs (boil for 5 minutes). In the resulting infusion, you need to raise your legs for 3 weeks a day.
How to cure a fungus in a child?
Treatment of mycosis in children occurs in several stages:
- steaming feet (in a solution of soda and laundry soap, or with the addition of apple cider vinegar, you can also use chamomile broth - an excellent antiseptic);
- removal of keratinized particles (with a pumice stone or a rough cloth, rub the flaky surface until the top layer of the epidermis peels off);
- treatment with 2% iodine of the affected area promotes healing and disinfects well (it is possible to apply an iodine net on infected skin);
- before bedtime, apply a cream based on miconazole and nystatin (they are safe for children and quite effective) and put on cotton socks (or special antibacterial).
Disease prevention
Preventive measures are quite simple and include the following points:
- Respect for the rules of personal hygiene (especially when visiting public swimming pools, baths and saunas). It is necessary to move in slippers, not to remain barefoot on the ground and not to wear someone else's shoes.
- When visiting, you should also give up on slippers and walk around the house in socks.
- Wash your feet with antimicrobial soap and washcloth every day before going to bed.
- Make sure you dry your feet after washing (especially between the toes).
- When keratinized cells appear, they need to be treated with a pumice stone and scissors or wire cutters.
- You need to cut your nails in time, preventing delamination.
- If there are cracks in the feet, it is necessary to use special gels and creams.
- It is not allowed to wear tight shoes, because it impairs blood circulation.
- In case of wounds and scratches of the skin of the feet, it is necessary to treat them with a bright green.
- With increased sweating of the feet, it is necessary to use special sprays and gels (not sold in any pharmacy).
Conclusion
Foot mycosis is an insidious disease that not only causes unpleasant sensations and spoils the appearance of the skin and nails, but can also cause eczema and decreased immunity. In order not to get infected with the fungus, it is necessary to observe basic hygiene rules.
Well, in case of infection, urgently rush to seek advice from a specialist who will diagnose and prescribe effective treatment. Mycosis is easy to overcome if treatment is started on time.