Foot mycosis is one of the most common diseases caused by parasitic fungi. In medical practice, there are several types of this pathology. It is important to identify the fungus on the foot early in its development. So it will be easier and faster to get rid of it. In this case, you will not need any special treatment, and even more so - surgery. With weak manifestations of fungal activity, it is enough to use antifungal ointments or baths using folk recipes.
Mushroom and its varieties
Despite the prevalence of foot fungus, not all infected people know what a foot fungus looks like.
The following are the main types of mycosis:
- Scaly or scaly.
- Intertriginal. It is characterized by the type of skin intertrigo.
- Hypertrophic, atrophic and normotrophic onychomycosis. The difficulty in treating these diseases lies in the fact that all varieties can be combined with each other.
- Dyshidrotic. It is characterized by a violation of the work of the sweat glands.
At different stages of development, this pathology looks different. Mycosis of the feet is the common name of two diseases - epidermophytosis and rubromycosis, the development process of which proceeds in the same way.
Scaly mycosis
At the initial stage, the fungus manifests itself with the defeat of one foot, and after a certain time the disease passes to the other.
The skin turns red and then flakes off. The area of the areas of redness in all patients is different and depends on the stage of development. Many people are not even bothered by itching in the affected area, the skin may not peel off. That is why they only go to a dermatologist when the legs are affected by the last stage of the disease.
Dyshidrotic fungal infection
Any person who suspects the appearance of this disease should know what a foot fungus of any form of development looks like. This pathology is characterized by the appearance of miniature vesicles on the arch of the foot. Very little time passes and they merge, turning into large bubbles, the shell of which soon breaks, and the superficial lesion of the skin becomes visually noticeable.
The pathology can spread throughout the leg with the appearance of areas of diaper rash. In this case, the patient begins to itch, painful sensations appear. After everything has healed, peeling begins.
The most unpleasant ailment is the formation of a bacterial fungus. In this case, a cloudy liquid and pus come out of the bursting bubbles. At this stage of the development of the pathology, there is a slight increase in temperature and unbearable pain. The skin on the feet is swollen.
The process of the dyshidrotic form of mycosis can last several months. Periods of improvement in the condition of the feet alternate with relapses.
Intertriginous mushroom
This type of fungus on the skin of the feet is the most common. It appears independently or together with the scaly form of the pathology. The disease is manifested by cracks in the skin, around which a white border is formed, and then the skin begins to flake off. The space between the fingers becomes wet. The patient feels itching and burning. Superficial skin defects appear, accompanied by severe pain.
The protective functions of the skin are reduced and loosened. This promotes the penetration of the strep infection into the skin. Purulent inflammation appears, characterized by redness, itching, swelling and severe pain.
Intertriginous fungus is often characterized by a long chronic course of the pathological process. In the winter, the pain usually subsides, and in the summer it aggravates again.
Onychomycosis or nail fungus
When the first signs of the disease appear, the patient's task is to contact a dermatologist in a timely manner and he will determine how to remove the fungus on the legs.
Onychomycosis of the nails is a more dangerous disease than fungal infection of the feet, as it takes much longer to heal.
Varieties of fungal infections affecting the nail plate:
- Atrophic onychomycosis. First of all, the nail becomes thinner, then it collapses.
- Hypertrophic onychomycosis. The thickness of the nail increases, acquiring a yellow color. Growth in length stops. The nail plate begins to crumble and exfoliate.
- Onychomycosis caused by molds. This pathology does not develop on its own. It usually progresses against the background of other diseases. In this case, the nail plate can be painted in any color - from black to green. The periungual roller is often inflamed.
In its neglected form, the disease affects the entire body and even penetrates internal organs. Pathological changes often begin to develop from the edge of the nail plate. Stripes, spots and other "patterns" appear first.
Methods of treatment
Not all patients know how to remove foot fungus, but dermatologists do. Treatment mainly consists of stopping the development of a fungal infection. In order to prevent reinfection of the feet with a fungus, complex treatment is used:
- Course of external therapy. In the treatment, ointments, creams, antifungal sprays are used.
- The course of treatment with the use of antifungal drugs.
- Use of antihistamines. They are taken in case of severe itching and hypersensitivity to irritants that cause allergies.
- The course of therapy with the intake of vitamins and mineral elements.
- Antibacterial drugs. They are used in case of bacterial infection of the body.
Visiting a doctor, a person will find out how to treat fungus of the nails, heels and the space between the toes. With an advanced form of the disease, the doctor usually prescribes complex treatment with the intake of pills and the use of ointments. Systemic drugs are prescribed to those patients who have already started a severe course of the process.
For the treatment of a fungal infection on the legs at home, the following folk recipes are used:
- Vinegar. Due to its antiseptic properties, wine vinegar is used for baths.
- Salt and soda. They dissolve in water in equal quantities and take baths that help remove fungus on the feet.
- Oak bark, marigold inflorescences, blackberries. Do the washing of the affected areas of the feet with a decoction of these medicinal herbs.
The most effective is the complex treatment of the fungus with the use of ointments and drugs of various pharmacological actions. Treatment will never be required if you listen to the recommendations of doctors and periodically carry out preventive measures.
Antifungal drugs
Foot fungus and interdigital space are removed with effective fungicidal drugs.
Since the fungus can manifest itself in any form, a specialist must select an effective remedy to combat this infection. Some drugs are toxic and can cause side reactions; they are taken under the strict supervision of a doctor. A quick positive result of treatment depends on the correct diagnosis not only of the disease, but also on the stage of its development.