Ringworm, or fungus, is an unpleasant disease caused by parasitic microorganisms - fungi. It is quite common and can occur in both adults and children. The fungus can appear on different parts of the body, but most often it affects the skin of the feet and hands, as well as the nails. It causes physical discomfort and the affected areas look extremely unattractive.
The fungus is not a "harmless" disease. Its waste products are toxic, can weaken the immune system and even lead to allergies. Therefore, he needs timely treatment, which must be prescribed by a doctor. Many are concerned with questions about how to get rid of leg fungus, what treatment can be used to treat the problem at home.
Why does the fungus appear
The appearance and development of a cutaneous fungus is associated with the presence of pathogens in the skin, which multiply very quickly. The fungus is most often located between the toes and can also affect the heels, feet, palms and nails. There could be several reasons why it appears. The fungus loves a moist, warm environment. The increase in perspiration of the legs creates all the conditions for an infection to "settle" in the skin.
Visiting public places such as swimming pool, sauna, gym, changing rooms and shared shower is the main way to contract ringworm. At the same time, direct contact with a person or with other people's things is not even necessary: the spores of the fungus are volatile and are present in the air. In addition, the fungus occurs due to lack of proper care and personal hygiene.
Poor quality shoes, which do not allow the skin of the feet to breathe, can also be one of the factors for the occurrence of the disease. The disease can also develop in people whose work activity is associated with constant contact with a yeast fungus (confectioner, cook, winemaker). The fungus can also appear against the background of weakened immunity, due to chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis).
The fungus starts on the skin of the feet between the toes. There are symptoms such as itching, redness of the skin, peeling. Then cracks form, the skin thickens, scales appear. There may also be blisters of fluid on the skin that burst and heal poorly. If left untreated, the infection multiplies quickly and can spread to the nails and hands. The skin on hands affected by the fungus becomes very dry and covered in scales.
Between the toes, the skin can change color, crack and peel. In general, the symptoms of fungus on the hands and feet are the same. Symptoms that indicate the appearance of a fungus on the nails: the infection begins to affect the nail from the edge and then reaches the base. The nail plate becomes cloudy, thickens, the nail changes shape, deforms. There are also symptoms such as the appearance of stripes on the nail and its color changing: from white, yellow to brown or even black.
Fungus is a problem the body starts to struggle with. Because of this, allergic symptoms are possible in the form of blisters and erosions on the skin.
Causes of fungus in children
Fungus on the feet and hands is a very common problem in children. Firstly, this is due to the fact that children's immune systems are not yet sufficiently developed and therefore can be subjected to various influences, including a fungal infection. In addition, the predisposition of children to various fungal diseases is also determined by the characteristics of their skin: low bactericidal activity of sweat and sebaceous glands, greater ability to absorb water.
In the process of learning the world, the child is in close contact with the environment, in which the pathogens of fungal diseases are spread (for example, the disease can manifest itself after contact with a diseased animal or soil). In addition, in kindergarten or school, the child comes into contact with a large number of other children who may also be carriers of the skin disease.
Infection in children can occur both through direct contact and after using household items that contain fungal spores: toys, towels, someone else's shoes. Just run around barefoot or try on someone else's thing - and the disease can already manifest itself. The symptoms of the disease are no different from those in adults.
Factors that provoke the appearance of fungal diseases in children are beriberi, poor ecology, lack of a culture of personal hygiene. Parents need to listen to the child's complaints, regularly examine the skin. It is imperative to treat the fungus because it is this disease that can cause allergies and weaken the immune system in children.
Prevention and preventative measures will keep your child from getting sick. Therefore, you need to consult a dermatologist as soon as possible. The doctor will be able to diagnose and prescribe the correct treatment.
fungus treatment
If you or your children notice any signs or symptoms of a fungus on the legs or arms, urgently contact a specialist. Only a doctor will be able to make a correct diagnosis and determine methods on how to remove fungus on the feet and hands. Proper diagnosis is essential because the external symptoms of the infection can overlap with those of other conditions (such as psoriasis).
Depending on the causative agent of the disease, the neglect of the disease and the health status of the patient, the doctor prescribes local, systemic (taking pills) or mixed treatment. Topical application involves the use of a special ointment, varnish or spray. If the patient has no contraindications, the doctor will prescribe a course of antifungal tablets that will help to destroy the fungus "from the inside". Of course, it is better to use combination therapy when treating the problem in all directions.
In some cases of fungal infection, the doctor may recommend removing the nail. But simply removing the nail will not solve the problem, as the fungus will still be present in the body and will manifest itself over time. This procedure makes the treatment more effective, as antifungals can more easily penetrate the lesion. Today, this procedure is painless and does not require surgery.
There are special products that stick to the nail and "dissolve" it in 3-4 days. Treating leg and arm fungus is quite difficult. The treatment itself can last up to 1 year. In addition to the therapy prescribed by the doctor, treating the fungus at home should also be carried out following some recommendations.
- Complete disinfection of the living space. Do a general cleaning of the place where you live. Pay special attention to the bathroom. Wash the bathtub, as well as the floor and walls, with a cleaning product. Rinse the container with hot water after each wash. The bathroom floor mat should be rubber so that no fungus can settle on it.
- It is necessary to wash the feet with household soap or tar. These types of soaps have antifungal and disinfectant properties. In addition, they will help to slightly dry wounds that may appear due to the fungus.
- After the water procedures, dry the feet with a hair dryer or dry them well with a paper towel, as the fungus can remain in the usual.
- Don't walk around the house barefoot and don't sit with your feet on upholstered furniture.
- Throw away your old slippers. Walk around the house with socks made of natural materials or open-toed rubber flip-flops.
- Treat the rest of your shoes with apple cider vinegar or formalin.
- Manicure set items must be individual and must not be used by any family member. After each use, clean the scissors and nail files with alcohol.
- Sleep in cotton socks, which should be changed daily.
- Bed linen must be changed at least once a week.
- Socks, socks or tights - change daily. They must be washed in hot water. Socks after washing can be ironed well with an iron.
Of course, it is better to prevent the disease than to treat it later. Therefore, prevention is necessary to protect yourself as much as possible from the disease. When visiting swimming pools, saunas and other public places, only use your personal belongings (towel, washcloth). Never go barefoot. Even if you are going to shower in a public place, don't take off your flip-flops. They should be made of rubber, not spongy materials.
After visiting the pool, at home you need to wash your slippers well with washing powder and dry them. For everyday wear, choose quality shoes made from natural, breathable materials. Wearing shoes that aren't breathable will make your feet sweat, which creates a favorable environment for a fungal disease to develop.
Prevention of fungal infections includes careful self-care, regular water procedures, timely changing of underwear and bedding.
Get rid of fungi at home
Among other things, at home you can use traditional medicine. In combination with the treatment prescribed by your doctor, this will help to quickly remove the fungus.
- Apple cider vinegar is a remedy that has disinfectant and antifungal properties. Apply vinegar to a cotton swab and apply it to the affected areas. If there are open sores and skin sores, you should not make these lotions. In that case, make a foot bath with a weak solution of apple cider vinegar.
- Foot baths can also be done with sea salt. For this you need 3 tbsp. I. salt per liter of warm water. It is better to use salt, which does not contain colorings and flavors. Soak your feet in this solution for 10-15 minutes. It can be applied to the affected areas as a compress.
- Traditional healers know how to remove fungus from legs and arms at home with the help of an ordinary onion. Grate the onion and squeeze the juice out of it. Moisten a cotton ball with juice and apply to affected areas. Do not rinse, but leave until the juice dries. The procedure must be done daily.
- Clay is another way to fight the fungus. Take pharmacy clay (sold in powder form) and dilute it with cold water to the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply the product to the affected areas until completely dry. Then rinse with water.
- Celandine juice is a universal remedy for treating many skin conditions at home. If you break off a twig of celandine, orange juice will begin to appear. With this juice, it is necessary to lubricate the places affected by the fungus. The procedure must be done twice a day.
- The pharmacy sells another effective remedy - birch tar. After bathing, apply it to the sore spots and leave it with clean socks. The procedure is best done at night.
- You can also get rid of the fungus with the help of regular soda. Take a small amount of soda, dilute it with water to a paste state. It is necessary to make an application of this paste daily, keep it for 15 minutes.
- Among the recommendations on how to cure foot fungus at home, there are tips using ammonia. 1st. I. dilute the ammonia in a glass of water. Moisten a tissue with the solution and wrap it around the affected limb. Place the bag on top and secure with a sock. The procedure is best done at night.
Prevention can protect you from a fungal infection. But if you still find alarming symptoms in you or your children, contact your doctor right away. Only a doctor knows how to get rid of the fungus in the shortest possible time and without harming the body, he will be able to make the correct diagnosis.
Don't self-medicate. Self-treatment at home can not only harm, but also exacerbate the problem. Traditional medicine can be effective, but only if treatment with alternative methods is allowed and approved by the doctor.