If you recognize foot fungus at the initial stage and start treatment in time, there is a high probability of a quick recovery using the minimum amount of antifungal drugs, which in most cases pose a health risk (especially to the liver) during long-term use.Unfortunately, not always and not everyone can respond in time to the first signs of the appearance of a fungal infection, because the symptoms at the initial stage are very similar to harmless skin manifestations.You know the feeling you get when you find a yellow spot on the nail plate on your toe and the first thoughts that come to your mind: nothing, I'll cut it, a healthy clean nail will grow or I hit myself somewhere, it will soon pass.Or in 90%, a small peeling appears in the interdigital folds, which is attributed to dry skin and begins to be treated with moisturizing creams.But behind all these "harmless" manifestations hides the most familiar and hated foot fungus.
Inciting factors and sources of infection
Pregnancy can lead to the development of fungal diseases, because during this period a woman can experience a sharp decrease in immunity and hormonal balance.
Athlete's foot, like many diseases, cannot develop on its own;A favorable environment is necessary for its appearance and development.There are a number of factors and accompanying diseases that provoke the appearance of this disease:
- a sharp decrease in immunity;
- lack or violation of personal hygiene;
- increased sweating;
- diabetes mellitus;
- obesity;
- straight legs;
- vascular diseases of the lower extremities;
- permanent scratches and wounds;
- surgical interventions, etc.
We have listed the most popular causes of athlete's foot, but even a poor diet or long-term use of antibiotics can lead to the development of athlete's foot.
Infection most often occurs after using the shoes of a sick person or visiting public showers.In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the spread of mycosis through manicure devices.Other sources of infection include:
- personal hygiene products for a sick person (fiber shell, pumice stone);
- belongings of an infected person (socks, stockings, shoes, slippers, trousers);
- flooring (especially wooden) in bathrooms, showers, gyms.
The causative agent of athlete's foot is very resistant to the environment and can remain hidden for a long time on wood, towels, socks.The period of aggravation is spring and autumn.
How to recognize foot fungus at the initial stage?
Here, experienced dermatologists recommend paying attention not only to external, but also internal symptoms.Have you ever noticed that everyone goes to the baths, pools, sunbathes on the beach, but the fungus only affects certain people?The fact is that it needs a favorable environment for its development - a decrease in body resistance.This condition can occur if there are co-morbidities or recent medical treatments where antibiotics or hormonal drugs are used.
Now let's talk about the manifestation of fungus on the skin of the feet.The main symptoms include:
- cracks in the interdigital folds;
- peeling between the fingers;
- hardening of the skin on the heels;
- the skin of the feet and fingers peels off;
- deformation of nail plates (thickening or thinning);
- nail color change (yellow, brown, black);
- redness and swelling of the legs;
- the appearance of red spots on the thighs and inside the legs;
- scales on the entire surface of the foot;
- itching of different intensity (depending on the location and pathogen);
- bad breath (most often observed in people suffering from sweating).
With deep mycoses, blisters, crusts and cracks may appear, accompanied by severe itching and pain.In some cases, the lesions are located in such places that it is impossible to stand on your feet due to severe pain.This can cause temporary disability and mobility problems.
Varieties and classification
As you already know, mycoses can be caused by different pathogens, based on this, the localization of lesions can be different.Often, foot fungus can occur for the following reasons:
- dermatomycoses;
- candida mycoses;
- deep mycoses.
Today, all foot mycoses are considered independent diseases, caused by different pathogens and localized in different areas of the feet, but they are all united by one name - foot fungus.The most common of them are:
- Rubrophytia stop.It accounts for about 60% of all foot mycoses.It is highly contagious and common among certain segments of the population.The initial stage of rubromycosis of the feet is characterized by lesions between the folds of the toes and fingers.Subsequently, the sole and inner side of the foot are involved in the process.Damage to the nail plastic with rubrophyta is observed in every third patient.It is very often combined with fungi on the hands, especially with generalized rubromycosis.
- Mycoses of the epidermis.These include two separate diseases - epidermophyta of the legs and epidermophyta of the inguinal-femoral folds.In both cases, the lesions are localized on the legs.Epidermophytes of the feet are characterized by damage to the folds between the toes, heels and the back of the foot.Less often, the process spreads to the nails (usually the 5th and 1st fingers).The wounds are covered with scales and crusts.There is itching of varying intensity.In severe cases, general malaise and headache may occur.Inguinal Epidermophytia appears in the form of large scales on the groin, inner legs, thighs and perianal area.Lesions can reach the size of a large plate and are accompanied by mild itching, peeling and swelling.
- Onychomycosis.The prevalence of fungal nail infections is constantly increasing every year.Only now (according to statistics of mid-2016) 10-18% of Russians are diagnosed with nail onychomycosis of varying severity.Environmental and social factors play a major role in their development.Also, people with problems related to vascular, immune and endocrine systems are included in the risk group.Men get sick 1.3 times more often than women.Onychomycosis is very rare in children, the peak prevalence occurs in people aged 50-70 years.
- Candidiasis.Rarely, but there are still cases of foot damage caused by Candida fungi.In isolated cases, candidal balanoposthitis can spread from the genitals to the perianal region and inguinal-femoral folds.A little more often, yeast-like fungi are found on the nails.At the initial stage, there is pain in the nail fold, and pus may come out when pressed.Over time, its color acquires a brown-brown color.
Rubrophytia of the smooth skin is also present, but lesions with it are rarely found on the legs.But rubromycosis in the groin is characterized by damage to the inner part of the leg with red spots.
Treatment and prevention
The diagnosis of fungus on the legs consists of examining the clinical picture, taking scraps from the lesions, conducting a microscopic examination (find mycelial threads) and bacterial culture to determine the fungal culture.Do not treat the lesions with any means before going to the doctor!Differential diagnosis is made with eczema, rash and contact dermatitis.
Epidermofitii and rubrofitii in the groin are treated using external drugs (most often Clotrimazole).The prognosis is positive, the treatment period rarely exceeds a month.As a preventive measure, it is recommended to treat the lesions with alcohol-containing solutions;If there is itching, antihistamines can be prescribed.
The situation with foot mycoses and onychomycosis is more complicated, because even in the initial stage they are very difficult to treat and tend to relapse.The combination of external and systemic drugs, dosage, and strict adherence to personal hygiene and disinfection rules are considered to be the most effective.The combination of Diflucan in capsules and terbinafine in the form of ointment has proven itself (treatment of lesions twice a day for a month).When dealing with foot fungus, a lot of attention is paid to the treatment of shoes and socks that can cause a relapse.It is recommended to boil socks or wash them at 90 degrees;underwear and shoes should be treated with a solution of chlorhexidine.
And most importantly, do not forget that today the foot fungus detected at the initial stage can be successfully treated with the help of modern drugs, but the treatment of advanced onychomycosis and mycosis of the foot can take months or even years.