In England, foot fungus is called "athlete's foot."Only one in five people are such "athletes."Fungus between the toes is a very common and unpleasant disease, but, fortunately, there are many effective ways to combat it.
About 80% of the population experiences skin fungus.Due to increased density and sweating, the skin on the feet is more susceptible to mycoses.Fungal infection manifests itself as peeling and itching, but it can also be asymptomatic and cause only the appearance of compactions (calluses, calluses, hyperkeratosis on the heels and arches of the feet).
If left untreated, the infection spreads.A patient can infect others and spread germs throughout their own body.
Causes of fungus
So why the “athlete's foot symptom”?The fungus reproduces more easily in a warm, humid environment and is also susceptible to skin microtrauma.And athletes always have both in abundance: feet that are constantly irritated from training, plus socks that are always soaked with sweat.Ideal conditions for mushroom growth.
You may have been infected in one of the public places with a warm and humid environment: a swimming pool, sauna, bathhouse or hotel bathtub.Or you walked in uncomfortable artificial shoes, in which your feet were constantly irritated and sweaty.Or maybe you inadvertently tried on the shoes of a person who suffered from fungus.In addition, there is a high risk of infection in people with weakened immunity due to illness or vitamin deficiency.
Fungal symptoms
- The folds of the skin peel a little, as if dusted with flour;
- Cracks have appeared between the fingers, they itch and cause pain;
- Feet sweat often;
- Thickenings have formed on the skin of the sole;
- The nails have become uneven, possibly covered with growths, peeling, spots or streaks (gray or yellow) have appeared.Over time, the condition of the nails worsens and the spots increase in size.
If a crack occurs between your fingers, surrounded by peeling skin, you should definitely consult a dermatologist.The specialist will conduct an examination and determine the symptoms not only at the site of injury, but also in other parts of the limb.
Fungus treatment
The most important thing in treating foot fungus is patience.Because skin fungus heals after at least a month of treatment, and nail fungus, about a year.
It is best to ask your doctor how to treat fungus between your toes.But if there is still no opportunity to visit the clinic, the best of both evils will be self-medication.The main thing to remember is that the treatment of the fungus cannot be delayed, otherwise it will spread to other parts of the body: thighs, buttocks, abdomen and chest.
Treatment of fungus between the fingers is carried out with the following medications:
- Ointments.To treat fungus, ointments based on tolnaftate or miconazole are used.It is best to change the ointment every 10 to 14 days to avoid addiction.It is necessary to use ointments until the fungus completely disappears, after which it is advisable to extend the treatment for another 2 weeks to avoid relapses.
- Compresses from a medicinal solution.Soak cotton swabs in the solution and place them between your fingers.Hold for 15-20 minutes.
- Soda.Take a small amount of baking soda and dissolve it in water.Rub the affected areas with baking soda.
- Tablets.If your nails are severely affected, you will most likely be given general treatment.
- Immunostimulants.Fungal patients are often prescribed immunostimulants.
Once the treatment has been successfully completed, it is very important to disinfect all your shoes (ideally, replace them with new ones).Otherwise, there is a risk of literally becoming infected again from yourself.To disinfect, take a 25% solution of formaldehyde or 30% vinegar, treat the shoes well and place them in polyethylene for 2 hours.After the specified time, the shoes will need to be aired.
Prevention of fungal diseases of the feet.
To prevent a disease as unpleasant as foot fungus from affecting you again, take the following precautions:
- If possible, wear only leather or suede shoes and avoid artificial materials.The skin does not breathe in them and the foot often does not feel comfortable, which causes "painful" sweating, abrasions and wounds.
- When you come from the street, do not forget to treat your shoes with a special deodorizing spray.
- Don't wear or try on someone else's shoes.Wear socks before trying on shoes in a store.
- After visiting the pool, bathhouse or sauna, rinse your feet thoroughly and then dry them with a towel.The fungus does not grow in dry environments.Once your feet have dried, it would be a good idea to treat them with lemon juice: the fungus coagulates in acid.
- To prevent the appearance of fungus, you can use an antifungal ointment.The ointment is applied to clean, dry feet.
- As already mentioned, the fungus is most often acquired by a person with a weakened immune system.Therefore, eat more fruits and vegetables, drink juices and infusions.
Take care and stay healthy!