About 80% of the population is affected by skin fungus. Due to increased density and sweating, mycoses are more affected by the skin of the feet. Fungal infection manifests as scaling and itching, but it can also be asymptomatic, causing only the appearance of seals (callosities, calluses - hyperkeratosis on the heels and arches of the feet). If left untreated, the infection spreads. The patient can infect other people, spread germs throughout his body.
where did the fungus come from
Fungal microorganisms love a warm, moist environment and an abundance of nutrients. As a "shelter", they use dense skin, which is prone to increased secretion of fat and sweat.
Human feet - always act as a breeding ground for mycobacteria, and poor quality socks and shoes contribute to this.
You can get infected in a public place - at the beach, at the sauna, at the swimming pool. You can bring the infection by trying on new shoes, because the day before, a person with ringworm in the feet could measure.
Some internal factors also increase susceptibility to fungi:
- weakness of immunity - fungi reject the body's defenses, when they are weakened it is easier for microorganisms to penetrate the skin;
- endocrine diseases - diabetes mellitus and hormonal imbalances alter the composition of skin secretions, turning them into a breeding ground for bacteria;
- persistent lesions - cracks, friction, scratches and perforations can be the gateway for fungus;
- poor hygiene - poor foot washing, wearing dirty socks and airtight shoes all contribute to the invasion of fungus in the limbs.
Infection is also possible in a loved one - if there is a patient at home or a carrier of the fungus with an asymptomatic course of the disease. Disputes from pathogenic microorganisms spread to household appliances, personal belongings, gender (if the patient walks barefoot). When washing the belongings of everyone in the house, the mycobacteria are on the clothes of healthy family members, they can cause ringworm not only on the feet, but also on other parts of the body (in the folds, groin, hairy areas of the body).
Why does the fungus appear between the fingers
The interdigital fungus is a special clinical form of ringworm of the feet. Doctors call it intertriginous. With this course, the skin is affected between 3 and 4 or 4 and 5 fingers. Often, the pathological process starts in one limb, eventually spreading to a healthy limb.
Ringworm starts with cracks in the skin between the toes or at the base of the phalanx of the foot. The size of the lesion can be from 2-3 mm to 1 cm. The intensity of the symptoms depends on the area of the wound - the bigger the injury, the stronger the pain. When the fissure appears, the person feels slight discomfort when walking, which increases with hygiene procedures.
Unlike other injuries, the crack does not heal on its own. It becomes inflamed, oozing. The surface between the fingers becomes wet, which further contributes to the spread of the fungus to larger areas of the skin. A "fringing" appears around the wound - it's peeled and steamed skin. The detachment is quite thick, attempts to remove it with your fingers end up in lesions on healthy areas of skin. Persistent desquamation appears around the lesion. It can be lamellar or chalky. The scales are silvery, white, yellowish. These characteristics depend on the strain of the fungus that infects the skin. After the crack has healed, the intriguing form of the ringworm becomes scaly - it manifests as extensive dry areas on the foot, with an abundance of exfoliated scales. The surface can be shiny or fabric-like.
What To Do With Fungus Symptoms
If you have a crack between your fingers surrounded by loose skin, you should definitely see a dermatologist. The specialist will do an examination, will determine the symptoms not only at the site of the injury, but also in other parts of the limb.
Diagnosis cannot be made on the basis of symptoms alone. A microscopic examination of the scraped skin on the foot will be needed to confirm the fungus. In case of resistant mycosis, it is complemented with PCR analysis or culture inoculation to determine the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to fungicidal drugs.
In advanced cases of fungi or extensive lesions of the dermis, systemic medications will be needed. Due to the likelihood of hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of these drugs, the patient should undergo blood and urine tests. Based on their results, the specialist assesses vital organ function, selects a treatment regimen with systemic antimycotics.
Self-medication for fungal foot infections is only allowed in the early stages. You can survive on topical medications that don't cause systemic side effects.
Effective remedies against interdigital fungi
The characteristics of the therapy depend on the individual patient's data, the degree of mycosis, the area of the lesion, the presence of a secondary infection or the resistance of the pathogen.
systemic drugs
To speed up treatment and make it complete, doctors prescribe antifungals in the form of pills or capsules.
In the treatment with systemic action drugs, the consumption of alcohol, fatty foods and other foods that generate load on the liver is undesirable. If the infection has spread to the nails from the interdigital space, longer use of antifungal agents will be necessary.
Local Resources
For the treatment of interdigital fungi, medications are prescribed on a moderately greasy or non-greasy basis (creams, solutions). Ointments can only be used in the initial phase, when skin softening is necessary for the lesions to heal quickly. Along the way, antifungal drugs and antiseptic and healing agents may be prescribed. They speed up the regeneration process and soothe rough skin.
For the treatment of foot fungus, external agents with broad-spectrum fungicidal components are prescribed. Ideal for products based on:
- terbinafine;
- clotrimazole;
- ketoconazole;
- econazole;
- naphthyphine.
The price does not affect the success of the treatment, it is important to choose the correct active ingredient of the medicine.
Creams and solutions are applied to the skin 1-2 times a day after hygiene procedures. After processing, the product can fully absorb and wear cotton socks. At the same time, it is necessary to disinfect shoes every 3-7 days. For this, fungicide sprays are used. Regular replacement of socks, underwear and towels is required. It is necessary to wash things used at elevated temperatures separately from other patient and family accessories.
With trichophytosis and microsporia, doctors recommend special treatment regimens. For example, treatment with iodine solution in the morning and sulfuric, sulphurous or salicylic ointment at night.
folk remedies
You cannot be treated for a fungus just by popular methods. Bathing is allowed in addition to medication. If the physician advises the application of ointments or homemade formulations, they should be used separately from pharmaceutical preparations. For example, in the morning and at night, use a ready-made remedy, and in the afternoon - homemade ointment. The most popular methods of treating fungus among people:
- oak bark baths- make a large volume of oak bark broth (6 tablespoons per 1 liter), dilute in half with clean water, take baths for 15 minutes daily;
- with sea salt- prepare a strong solution of sea salt, take a bath for 10 minutes, do not remove the salt, put on cotton socks immediately after the procedure;
- with soda- dilute a tablespoon of soda in 1 liter of water, take a shower for 15 minutes, after cleaning, apply pharmaceutical antifungal agents;
- egg ointment- 1 chicken egg is mixed with a tablespoon of oil and vinegar, mixed until smooth, applied for 3-4 hours under the bag, washed with water;
- tea tree- the areas affected by the fungus are abundantly lubricated with tea tree essential oil, washed after 3 hours, with sensitivity, the oil is diluted in half with neutral fats.
The quick cure of the fungus is facilitated by the rejection of sweets, alcohol, fatty foods. The patient's diet should contain lots of vegetables, fermented dairy products and whole grains.
To avoid fungus on the feet and between the toes, you should take good care of your foot hygiene. When visiting any public place, avoid going barefoot, use means to prevent fungus - any antifungal ointments or sprays are applied after bathing. New shoes must only be measured in new socks, you must not give slippers to anyone.