Regardless of the pathogen, the disease has similar symptoms, mechanisms of development and treatment tactics. Athlete's foot is a common and contagious disease. It is characterized by a high frequency of occurrence with concurrent illnesses and diseases, such as chronic inflammatory foci, endocrine diseases, reduced immune system and other diseases. As a rule, the disease is chronic with exacerbations in summer and a weakening of the process (remission) in winter.
Signs of mycoses
- Color change
- inflammation
- Appearance of spots
- erosion
- deformation and thickening
Types of athlete's foot
Depending on which types of fungi cause the disease, foot mycoses are divided into:
Yeast-like mycoses: caused by fungi of the genus Candida.
Mold mycoses: caused by the fungi Scytalidium spp. , Onychocola canadensis, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Alternaria, Penicillium.
Dermatomycosis: caused by dermatomycetes of the genera Trichophyton, Epidermophyton. To function, mushrooms of this type require keratin, which is rich in the calluses of skin, nails and hair. Rubrophytosis (the causative agent) belongs to the group of dermatomycoses with predominantly damage to the nailsTrichophyton rubrum) and athlete's foot (pathogen - Trichophyton interdigitale). Trichophyton rubrum is responsible for around 80-90% of all athlete's foot diseases.
Mixed mycoses: caused by several species of fungi at the same time.
Each type of mycosis is described in detail below.
Yeast-like mycoses
Recently, mycoses of the feet caused by fungi of the genus Candida have become widespread. It is believed that this is due to the widespread use of various drugs, the action of which is associated with interaction with the immune system.
Dermatomycoses
Athlete's foot is a chronic disease localized on the skin of the arches and interdigital folds of the feet, often leading to damage to the nail plates.
Mold mycoses
Mold mycoses occur primarily in countries where people traditionally walk barefoot (eastern, subtropical and tropical countries). This type of mycosis also occurs in regions with a temperate climate, but usually in patients with immunodeficiency and in people who frequently come into contact with soil and plants.
Forms of mycosis of the feet
There are different forms of mycosis:
Squamous cell carcinoma
It is characterized by peeling of the skin on the arch of the foot, which may spread to the surface of the toes. Areas of skin thickening and lamellar peeling may also occur.
Intertriginous
Similar to interdigital diaper rash. The inflammatory process is usually localized between the 3rd and 4th fingers. The stratum corneum softens, loosens and flakes off. Cracks and a whitish coating appear. Itching and burning begin. It is possible for pyococci (pustule infection) and yeast flora to accumulate, then the affected areas become covered with purulent-bloody crusts.
Dyshidrotic
It is characterized by the appearance of blisters filled with a clear liquid and covered with a thick layer of calluses on the lateral surface of the feet and on the surfaces of the fingers in contact with them. Sago grains (vesicles) can be single or merge into multi-chambered bubbles. When the pyococci combine, the contents of the vesicles become cloudy, then they open and erosions are formed, which are covered with purulent-hemorrhagic crusts. Some patients note inflammation of the lymph nodes and a deterioration in general health.
Mycides (allergic rash) are observed in 2/3 of patients with intertriginous and dyshidrotic forms of epidermophytosis.
Of course, the identification of clinical forms of epidermophytosis is conditional, since their combination is common and one form can pass into another. It all depends on the body's reaction, physical activity and treatment methods of the patient.
The nails are also often affected by mycosis of the feet, especially on the first and fifth toes. The nail plate develops yellowish spots or stripes, the surface becomes dull and uneven and a horny thickening begins to form under the nail, which subsequently leads to the destruction of the nail plate.
If you watch the relevant video on the Internet, you can find out that athlete's foot can be caused by various factors. To select treatment tactics for this disease, it is necessary to determine the type of fungus and identify the cause of its occurrence.
Causes of athlete's foot
The main causes of athlete's foot are:
- Excessive sweating or, conversely, increased dryness and flaking of the feet. These processes disrupt the protective function of skin cells.
- Anatomical features: narrow spaces between the toes and their deformation, flat feet.
- Problems with thermoregulation (maintenance of a certain body temperature) and microcirculation (transport of biological fluids).
- Wounds, injuries that violate the integrity of the skin. These injuries often lead to infections.
- The presence of diseases that weaken immunity or lead to metabolic disorders (e. g. endocrinopathies, blood diseases, oncology, etc. ).
- Taking certain medications (antibacterial agents, cytostatics, corticosteroids).
Fungal infections of the feet are often accompanied by pustular rashes, which is why assumptions are made about the connection between them: thanks to pyococci, dermatophytes penetrate deep into the subcutaneous tissue, and prolonged mycoses due to cracking, scratches and erosions contribute to an increased susceptibility to infections.
Athlete's foot often results in a viral infection. For example, the causative agent of rubromycosis activates papilloma viruses and herpes viruses. This is manifested by an increase in the concentration of viruses on the surface of cells infected with fungi.
The source of the spread of the disease is people suffering from mycoses: During the peeling process, the skin flakes that contain the pathogens of the fungal infection come off. These infected scales often end up on the floor and on equipment in swimming pools, spas and also on pedicure instruments.
An interesting fact is that mushrooms are very resistant and can be stored in thermal springs, chlorinated and ozonated water for 12 to 18 days. Water with high levels of salt or hydrogen sulfide is harmful to fungi.
So, we must remember that the general mechanisms that contribute to the development of athlete's foot infections are based on a violation of the body's natural defenses, as well as changes in immune and metabolic processes.
Diagnosis of athlete's foot
Diagnosis of athlete's foot includes:
- Assessment of patient complaints and the presence of chronic illnesses.
- Microscopic examination of the affected skin and nail particles.
- Cultural sowing means the introduction of pathogenic microorganisms into a nutrient medium for propagation and subsequent accurate identification, as well as for assessing the activity of antifungal drugs and determining the sensitivity of fungi to them.
For the correct selection of therapy, it is important to determine whether the changes in the skin of the feet are a fungal infection or dyshidrotic eczema, keratoderma, psoriasis and other skin diseases.
Antimycotics, active ingredients, antimycotics
Antifungal drugs: classification and types of dosage forms. Methods of using antifungal drugs.
Treatment of athlete's foot
Treatment of athlete's foot must be carried out comprehensively; It is important not only to suppress the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms and eliminate the symptoms, but also to destroy the pathogens and eliminate the cause of their occurrence (increase immunity, immediate treatment of small wounds on the feet, etc. ). Concomitant diseases that lead to the development of fungal infections must be treated without fail.
In addition, some people may be allergic to certain fungi (e. g. mykids). In such cases, antihistamines (anti-allergic drugs) may be necessary.
To treat mycoses, topical preparations are usually used, i. e. those that are applied directly to the affected area of skin. Such products are produced in the form of ointments, creams, sprays, solutions and varnishes (for nails).
Depending on the mechanism of action, antimycotics can have a fungistatic effect, inhibiting the growth and reproduction of fungi, or have a fungicidal effect and promote the death of fungi.
Since mycoses of the feet are most often caused by a mixed fungal flora, the use of broad-spectrum agents is most effective. These include medications that have their own anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects.
The use of special products to treat athlete's foot
Modern antimycotics are highly effective against pathogenic fungi of the genus Candida, dermatophytes (Trichophyton, Microsporum) and other pathogens of skin infections, gram-positive strains of staphylococci and streptococci. They block the growth and reproduction of fungi (fungistatic effect), destroy fungi (fungicidal effect) and, in therapeutic doses, have their own anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effect