If you recognize foot fungus at the initial stage and start treatment on time, there is a high probability of rapid recovery using a minimal amount of antifungal drugs, which for the most part pose a health danger (especially for the liver) with long-term use.Unfortunately, not always and not everyone manages to respond in time to the first signs of the appearance of a fungal infection, since the symptoms in the initial stage are very similar to harmless skin manifestations.You know the feeling when you find a yellow spot on the nail plate of your toe and the first thoughts that come to your mind are: nothing, I'll cut it off, a healthy, clean nail will grow, or I hit myself somewhere, it will pass soon.Or a slight peeling appears in the interdigital folds, which in 90% is attributed to dry skin and begins to be treated with moisturizing creams.But behind all these "harmless" manifestations often hides the familiar and hated foot fungus.
Provocative factors and sources of infection
Pregnancy can cause the development of fungal diseases, since during this period a woman can experience a sharp decrease in immunity and hormonal imbalance.
Foot fungus, like many diseases, cannot develop on its own;a favorable environment is necessary for its onset and progression.There are numerous factors and concomitant diseases that provoke the appearance of this disease:
- a sharp decrease in immunity;
- lack or violation of personal hygiene;
- increased sweating;
- diabetes mellitus;
- obesity;
- flat feet;
- vascular diseases of the lower limbs;
- constant abrasions and wounds;
- surgeries, etc.
We have listed the most common causes of foot fungus, but poor nutrition or prolonged use of antibiotics can also cause the development of mycosis.
The infection most often occurs after using the shoes of a sick person or after visiting public showers.In recent years there has also been a rapid increase in the spread of mycosis through manicure devices.Other sources of infection include:
- personal hygiene products for a sick person (loofah, pumice stone);
- things of an infected person (socks, thigh-highs, shoes, slippers, trousers);
- floors (especially wooden) of bathrooms, showers, gyms.
The causative agents of foot fungi are very resistant to the environment and are distinguished by the fact that they can remain latent for a long time on wood, towels and socks.The period of exacerbation is spring and autumn.
How to recognize foot fungus in the initial stage?
Here experienced dermatologists recommend paying attention not only to external, but also internal signs.Have you noticed that everyone goes to bathhouses, to the pool, sunbathe on the beach, but the fungus affects only some people?The fact is that its development requires a favorable environment: reduced resistance of the body.This condition can occur in the presence of concomitant pathologies or recent medical treatments during which antibiotics or hormonal drugs were used.
Let's now talk about the manifestation of fungi on the skin of the feet.The main symptoms include:
- cracks in the interdigital folds;
- peeling between fingers;
- hardening of the skin on the heels;
- the skin on the feet and toes peels off;
- deformation of the nail plates (thickening or thinning);
- change in nail color (yellow, brown, black);
- redness and swelling of the feet;
- the appearance of red spots on the thighs and inside of the legs;
- scales over the entire surface of the foot;
- itching of varying intensity (depending on location and pathogen);
- bad odor (more often observed in people who suffer from excessive sweating).
In deep mycoses, the appearance of blisters, crusts and cracks may occur, accompanied by severe itching and pain.In some cases, the lesions are located in such places that, due to severe pain, it is impossible to stand.This can lead to temporary disabilities and mobility problems.
Variety and classification
As you already know, mycoses can be caused by different pathogens, depending on this the location of the lesions can vary.Most often, foot fungus can be caused by:
- dermatomycosis;
- candidiasis;
- deep mycoses.
All foot mycosis today are considered independent diseases, caused by different pathogens and localized in various areas of the legs, but they all have one name in common: foot fungus.The most common:
- Stop Rubrofitiya.It represents approximately 60% of all foot mycosis.It is highly contagious and widespread in some segments of the population.The initial stage of rubromikoza of the feet is characterized by lesions between the toes and folds on the toes.Subsequently, the sole and the internal part of the foot are involved in the process.In every third patient, damage to the plastic of the nails with rubrophytii is observed.Quite often combined with fungi on the hands, especially with generalized rubromikoze.
- Mycosis of the epidermis.These include two separate diseases: Epidermofitiya of the feet and Epidermofitiya of the inguinal-femoral folds.In both cases the lesions are localized to the legs.Epidermophytes of the feet is characterized by lesions of the folds between the toes, the sole and the dorsum of the foot.Less commonly, the process spreads to the nails (usually the 5th and 1st toes).The lesions are covered with scales and crusts.There is itching of varying intensity.In acute cases, general malaise and headache may occur.Inguinal epidermophytia appears as large scaly patches in the groin, inside of the legs, thighs, and perianal area.The lesions can reach the size of a large plaque and are accompanied by mild itching, scaling and swelling.
- Onychomycosis.The prevalence of fungal nail infections is steadily increasing every year.Only now (according to statistics from mid-2016) 10-18% of Russians are diagnosed with onychomycosis of the nails of varying severity.Environmental and social factors play an important role in their development.People with vascular, immune and endocrine system problems are also at risk.Men get sick 1.3 times more often than women.Onychomycosis is very rare in children, with a peak prevalence in people between the ages of 50 and 70.
- Candidiasis.Rarely, but there are still cases of foot damage caused by Candida fungi.In isolated cases, candida balanoposthitis can spread from the genitals to the perianal area and inguinal-femoral folds.A little more often, yeast-like fungi are found on the nails.In the initial stage, pain is felt in the nail fold, and when pressed, pus may flow out.Over time, its color acquires a brownish-brown tint.
There is also rubrofitiya of smooth skin, but lesions with it are rarely found on the legs.But rubromikozu in the groin is characterized by damage to the inside of the leg with red spots.
Treatment and prevention
Diagnosis of fungus on the legs includes examining the clinical picture, taking scrapings from the lesions, performing a microscopic examination (finding threads of mycelium) and a bacterial culture to determine the fungal culture.Before visiting a doctor, do not treat injuries by any means!Differential diagnosis is carried out with eczema, skin rashes and contact dermatitis.
Treatment of epidermophytes and rubrophytes in the groin is carried out using external drugs (most often Clotrimazole).The prognosis is positive, the duration of treatment rarely exceeds one month.As a preventive measure, it is recommended to treat lesions with alcohol-containing solutions;if there is itching, antihistamines may be prescribed.
The situation is more complicated with foot mycosis and onychomycosis, since even in the initial stage they are very difficult to treat and subject to relapses.The most effective is considered to be a combination of external and systemic drugs, strict compliance with the dosage, personal hygiene and disinfection rules.The combination of Diflucan in capsules and terbinafine in the form of ointment has proven itself effectively (treatment of lesions twice a day for a month).When dealing with foot fungus, much attention is paid to the treatment of shoes and socks, which can cause a relapse.It is recommended to boil the socks or wash them at a temperature of 90 degrees;insoles and shoes inside should be treated with chlorhexidine solution.
And most importantly, remember that today foot fungus, detected at the early stage, can be successfully treated with the help of modern drugs, but advanced onychomycosis and mycosis of the feet can take months and even years for treatment.