Mycosis is a fungal disease that affects the skin, internal organs and bone tissues (nails, etc.). Foot fungus is one of the most common forms of this disease. According to statistics, every fifth person is a carrier of pathogenic microorganisms.
Forms of mycosis of the feet
The causative agents of this disease are saprophytes, molds, candida and other pathogenic microorganisms.
Main typescausative agents of the disease:
- Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes... These are two yeast-like fungi from the genus Trichopitons. They have a toxic effect, they are able to stay in a dormant state for a long time, and after exposure to negative factors, they become more active. The first signs of the disease are itching between the fingers and an unpleasant odor, later a rash and peeling appear. The color of the integument may remain unchanged;
- Epiderrnophyton floccosum... Anthropophilic fungus that affects the stratum corneum of the epidermis. After infection, pink flaky spots with characteristic fuzzy edges begin to appear on the skin. Transmits through tactile contact or through household items.
Mycologists distinguish four types of mycosis that can be caused by various fungi of the foot:
- Intertriginous or interdigital- the most common. Most often, the primary lesion begins with the fold of the thumb and forefinger, then spreading along the foot. Possible causes of occurrence are contact with an infected person (surface), injury and non-observance of personal hygiene rules;
- Squamous-hyperkeratotic... The neglected form of this fungus of the foot can cause the appearance of deep cracks and damage to the tissues of the leg, right down to the ankle. It is noteworthy that at the initial stage of the disease there are no external manifestations. The sole does not itch and does not hurt, occasionally small cracks appear;
- Dyshidrotic or vesicular form- mycosis, which provokes the appearance of rashes and local erosion on the epidermis. It is transmitted exclusively from the patient and is rarely diagnosed on the skin of the legs. It is believed that this fungus loves hands and palms more. In the absence of proper treatment, due to the influence of pathogenic microorganisms, mycotic eczema occurs;
- Erased form- the lightest of all. It is characterized by slight itching between the toes and slight peeling of the skin. The reason is Candida saprophyte. Its incubation period is 2 weeks. Most often, patients simply do not notice the signs of infection and are spreading the fungus. Even in the absence of treatment, the disease goes away on its own.
Symptoms and signs of foot fungus
Foot fungus is accompanied by onychomycosis - damage to bone tissue. It is quite easy to "view" the symptoms on your own, therefore, if you suspect the presence of a fungus, you should immediately consult a doctor.
What are the symptoms of a fungal infection of the feet:
It is important to pay attention to accompanying symptoms. First of all, this is an increased temperature of the hands or feet. Mycosis significantly affects the nails: they become brittle, brittle, change their thickness and color.
How to treat a foot fungus
Any organism - pathogenic or not, dies only if it is exposed to negative factors. To ensure a quick recovery, it is important to act in a comprehensive manner, using trays, ointments and tablets. Consider an inexpensive and effective treatment for foot fungus.
Medicines - ointments, creams and oils
Spray Domix Green Stop Fungus- varnish for the treatment of mycosis of nails and feet. Possesses a strong antifungal effect, helps to disinfect shoes and clothes. Can be used to treat palms, nails and other affected areas.
- cream with the strongest fungicidal effect. The composition includes Terbinafine - an active substance to which dermatophytes and molds are sensitive. The remedy will help against old fungus of the feet and toes, as well as strengthen the nails and protect them from onychomycosis. Provides preventive action.
- foot fungus cream, will help to quickly get rid of chronic mycoses caused by yeast-like fungi. In addition, it treats excessive sweating and eliminates unpleasant odors.
Instructions on how to treat foot fungus with Bifosin:
The average duration of such treatment is 7 days, provided that the procedures are performed regularly.
- the cheapest ointment for foot fungus. The composition includes birch tar, castor oil and croform. The remedy is used to treat athlete's foot, palms, nails and other parts of the body. Thanks to natural ingredients, it is used to treat skin diseases during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It has a pronounced irritating effect; when used, it can cause some discomfort: itching and burning.
- the best remedy for foot fungus. Its active ingredients are Farnesol, Climbazole and peppermint oil. The tool is characterized by a powerful fungicidal and antimicrobial effect. In addition, it has a deodorizing effect, restores the nail plate, and helps to remove itching and burning.
Contains tea tree essential oil. Helps with local temperature, scabies, pain. This product is rather a preventive component of treatment than the main one. They are advised to treat the skin of their feet and hands when visiting pools, saunas and gyms.
Is a popular bactericidal ointment that is used at home to treat fungus of the feet, nails, and certain types of lichen (red and ringworm). The tool allows you to quickly heal microcracks, resume regenerative processes and normalize the work of sweat glands.
- an antiseptic preparation for the treatment of superficial mycoses of the feet, palms and nails. This is a solution that you need to treat the affected areas twice a day. It can be used for lactation, but is prohibited for use in children under 3 years of age. The composition includes powerful components, so the product is characterized by an aggressive effect. After application, a burning sensation or a rise in temperature may be felt on the epidermis. An analogue of the solution is Okomistin drops.
Oil Stop active against foot and nail fungus- an effective medicine for the treatment of interdigital and end-to-end forms of the disease. Consists of completely natural ingredients: mumiyo and beaver musk. Sold in pharmacies and company stores. Has a softening and regenerating effect, quickly relieves itching and swelling. But it is important to understand that this is, rather, the prevention of the fungus than its main treatment.
- a combined medicine with antiseptic and antifungal properties. The solution is sold exclusively in pharmacies and has no analogues. It is able to relieve itching and swelling after the first use. You need to do baths with it, the course is 1 time per day for a week. Previously, potassium permanganate was used instead, since it has a similar effect.
- a certified drug for the treatment of various forms of mycosis. It is produced in the form of drops and ointment. The composition includes naftifine hydrochloride. It is included in the rating of the most popular remedies for the treatment of fungi in the CIS (data for 2016). It is used to treat diseases in the initial stages, as well as advanced forms.
- an ointment that has a complex effect. Her for the treatment of various mycoses (including lichens, thrush and onychomycosis). In addition to the cream, the dermatologist may prescribe the oral administration of Clotrimazole tablets.
- formaldehyde solution. The aggressive composition of the product destroys spores and prevents the development of fungi. It has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. The drug should not be used in case of cracks or other injuries to the skin of the foot.
- iodine solution for skin disinfection. It is used as an additional measure in the treatment of fungal diseases. Essential for cleansing the skin before applying the cream. It is being successfully replaced by the more readily available Chlorhexidine.
- a popular remedy for the treatment of hydroperhidrosis. It contains boric acid, zinc, formaldehyde, glycerin and some other aggressive substances. For the treatment of mycoses, the agent should be applied to the epidermis with a thin layer twice a day.
- a good gel for mycosis. Contains bifonazole. It is a rather aggressive drug for fighting fungi. Approved for use during pregnancy and lactation, but only if there is a corresponding doctor's instruction. Provides a local disinfecting effect, quickly relieves the symptoms of infection by pathogenic microorganisms.
Antifungal pills
In addition to external drugs, for effective treatment, you need to drink pills for foot and nail fungus. They normalize the immune system and allow you to destroy the mycelium from the inside.
- an active drug for the treatment of fungus. It contains Guanidin, which destroys spores and fungal microorganisms. The tablets can be used during pregnancy, but only after consulting a doctor. Course - a week.
- It is often used in folk medicine to treat sweating of the feet, but it can also be used to remove fungus. For 1 liter of water, 2 tablets are taken, the procedure is carried out for 30 minutes. Repeat every day until symptoms disappear completely.
- antifungal tablets that block the ability of pathogenic microorganisms to reproduce. They are used to treat thrush, mycoses, lichens, and also as a prophylaxis. The regimen for taking the drug depends on the form of the disease. With sporotrichosis or mycosis of the feet, it is prescribed to take two tablets per day for a week. For thrush and other diseases caused by fungi - from 1 capsule to 4.
Effective folk remedies
It is possible to cure the fungus at home without visiting a doctor or taking tests. Although, it takes a lot of effort and time. In addition, you need to understand that different organisms can react differently to the chosen method of dealing with them. In some cases, home remedies will only help localize saprophytes.
Successful treatment with folk remedies is a combination of the correct cleansing of the integument, the destruction of pathogenic microorganisms and the restoration of the epidermis. To cleanse and disinfect the skin, we recommend taking baths and wiping your feet and palms with antiseptic agents several times a day.
The list of bath cleaning products includes:
- Boric acid;
- Apple vinegar;
- Hydrogen peroxide.
For 1 liter of boiled water, 20 grams of the selected component is taken. In this solution, the feet are rinsed for 20 to 40 minutes. Repeat baths every day.
To get rid of itching and slow down the rate of development of spores, you need to wipe your feet with a mixture of baking soda and salt. To prepare an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory scrub, you need to take an equal amount of minerals and any antibacterial essential oil (celandine, tea tree, wormwood). The components are connected to each other, after which the areas between the fingers, heels, feet, palms are processed with a mass.
Tar soap helps with any mycoses. It contains birch tar, which has the strongest antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The easiest way to get rid of the fungus with it is to treat the affected areas with soap suds and leave for 5 minutes. Afterwards, wash off and moisturize the skin surface with a cream or zinc ointment. The course of treatment is 14 days.
A good way to get flexible from the skin of the feet is a compress with oil and garlic. It is necessary to mix the components in equal parts and apply the mass to the infected parts of the body. To prevent the mixture from smearing on clothes, the legs are additionally covered with polyethylene. It is best to do the mask at night. The duration of the course is until the symptoms disappear completely.
To cure fungus of feet, brushes and nails, ordinary sour cream will help. It contains lactic acid, which burns the mycelium. It just needs to be spread on the skin and left until completely absorbed. It is important to provide the compress with a secure fit; a sock and a plastic bag are suitable for this. This method can be used for diabetes, pregnancy and the presence of cracked heels - it is absolutely safe.
Tips on how to speed up the treatment of the fungus and prevent its further occurrence: