Mobility of the foot (mycosis) is a fairly common condition characterized by damage to the skin.
Infection occurs when healthy skin comes into contact with a spore carrier and through household chances: through shoes, a shared bathroom and contaminated objects. The fungal infection easily penetrates the interdigital folds (under favorable conditions) where it begins its way and population growth over the entire surface of the foot.
What is a mushroom?
Mycosis of the feet is the most common form of dermatomycosis, which is characterized by chronic relapses. It includes damage to the layers of the skin as well as the nails. The top layer of skin, which is constantly peeling off, contains a mass of fungi, as well as their spores.
Fungus is a contagious disease that is transmitted from person to person through household items. The interdigital folds are the first to be affected, causing itching to occur. After that, the infection covers the entire area of the foot. The disease develops rapidly and is characterized by itching, burning, pain, dry skin, peeling, and even diaper rash.
Reasons for appearing
The main causes of the disease are microorganisms of the genus Trichophyton and molds. Infection with them occurs in the following conditions:
- wear tight shoes (if the feet are squeezed, cracks and bedsores form, in which infection easily develops);
- excessive sweating of the legs (this is an excellent environment for the development of the fungal population);
- with high humidity in the room (shower, bath) - favorable conditions for all types of mushrooms;
- frequent visits to saunas, swimming pools (the risk of contact with carriers of infection increases);
- the presence in the family of a sick person (you can get infected from household items: slippers, socks and a shared bathroom).
There are also a number of diseases in which a person is susceptible to infection with a fungus:
- Immunodeficiency (a weakened immune system is more susceptible to infectious and bacterial diseases);
- Taking hormonal preparations (violate hormone levels);
- flat feet (with this disease it is difficult to choose shoes of the right height, often the legs are bruised);
- Varicose veins (poor blood circulation leads to dry skin);
- Arteriosclerosis;
- Diabetes mellitus (there is an increase in capillary permeability, a change in their barrier function).
Symptoms
The main symptoms of mycosis of the feet are:
- Burning and itching between the toes of the lower extremities (in the initial form) and all over the surface of the feet (in later stages);
- painful sensations (of varying intensity: the pain may grow, and then go away completely for a short time);
- Reddening of the skin (from a slight shade of pink to purple);
- Dryness and profuse flaking (peeling of scales and crusts from plaques);
- Cracks in the skin of the feet (that won't go away with traditional moisturizers);
- Changes in the color and structure of the nails (they become thick and peel off);
- the presence of an unpleasant foot odor (if it has not been observed before).
Important!
In the case of a fungal infection, the usual hygiene measures (washing your feet, pumice stone and steaming) do not lead to any result, the symptoms do not go away!
Why does fungus need treatment?
The success of the therapy depends on the correctness of the diagnosis and the identification of the exact nature of the causative agent of mycosis of the feet. Regardless of the form and stage of the fungal infection, an integrated approach is taken to treatment.
Without a competent approach to treatment, the fungus will not go anywhere, this is not a disease that will go away on its own.
Eventually, the waste products of the parasitic fungus spread to the surrounding tissues and get into the bloodstream, poisoning it, and this is an allergen to the human body (it can even cause eczema).
In addition, a person infected with a fungus is a source of infection and a danger to others. Finally, infection occurs through household items and through contact with the skin of the person carrying the infection.
Mushroom shapes
A total of 6 forms of this fungal lesion of the feet are distinguished:
- The deleted form. This is the initial form, it differs in the following manifestations: slight peeling in the interdigital folds and small superficial cracks that do not cause concern.
- Squamous cell carcinoma. The presence of small scales between the toes and on the surface of the sole. No signs of inflammation except slight itching.
- Hyperkeratotic form. The appearance of blue-red plaques (papules) located on the arches of the feet. Dry skin, moderate pain and itching are noted.
- Intertriginous form. It looks similar to diaper rash. The skin in the interdigital folds becomes bright red, swelling and weeping cracks appear, and there may even be erosions. Pain, burning and itching complete the picture.
- Dyshidrotic form. The appearance of bubbles is noted, which is closed from above with a tight lid. They are located on the arches of the feet and are characterized by severe itching.
- Acute form. The skin of the feet is covered with vesicles and vesicles with purulent-serous contents, the opening of which leads to multiple erosions and deep cracks. The body temperature rises significantly, the skin of the legs is bright red, there is severe pain, difficulty walking, headache and general weakness. Inguinal lymphadenitis develops.
Virus diagnosis
Diagnosis of the disease is carried out by a dermatologist or mycologist (this depends on the zone and degree of fungal infection) and is based on the detection of a fungus when examining flakes of skin under a microscope.
The skin is removed from the affected area of the foot by scratching and then treated with special reagents. When examining under a microscope, a specialist determines the type of pathogen or grows the fungus in a nutrient medium (as the population increases, the type is easier to determine).
Treatment methods
The basic rule in the treatment of leg mycosis is a holistic approach, which, in addition to taking medication, also includes the use of alternative treatment methods, but also careful care of the affected skin.
Before starting drug therapy, you should consult a doctor who will identify the pathogen using laboratory tests. Foot mycosis should be treated under the close supervision of a doctor or in a hospital. Therapy is carried out in 2 phases: preparatory and basic.
The first involves getting rid of inflammation, as well as removing the stratum corneum by temporarily steaming the legs in a solution of potassium permanganate and boric acid.
The second stage involves drug treatment.
Treatment with medication (ointments, creams, tablets, other drugs)
After removing the upper keratinized cells, a special cream containing antibiotics and corticosteroid hormones is applied to the entire affected surface. After the inflammation has been eliminated, the foot baths are stopped. Further treatment consists of deeply removing the horny layers with salicylic petroleum jelly.
It is applied to the site of the lesion in a thin layer until the corneal particles are completely detached. A therapy to strengthen immunity is also effective: taking immunomodulators and vitamin complexes, because the stronger the body's defenses, the faster the disease will pass.
Important!
It is forbidden to use ointments! They can cause weeping erosion.
Treatment with folk remedies for this disease can only be auxiliary therapy, and not the main method of treatment.
Home remedies
Treatment should be systematic and include not only drugs, but also folk remedies:
- Apple cider vinegar is considered to be the best recipe of its kind because the fungus does not like acidic environments. The method of application is quite simple - apply a vinegar solution to the affected area (the concentration is chosen individually), put on socks and go to bed.
- Laundry soap and baking soda are another effective method. You need to rub 3 tablespoons of soap and add the same amount of baking soda. Pour this mixture with hot water (at least 5 liters) and lower your feet there for 15-20 minutes. After the procedure, clean your feet with a nail file or pumice stone.
- Glycerin with vodka also shows significant results. It is necessary to fill the bottle to the brim with alcohol with purchased glycerin, shake it and moisten the scrub daily (before bedtime) with this composition.
- Coffee is effective in fighting mycoses. You should brew strong coffee, dip your feet in the drink until it cools. It is recommended that you do this procedure for at least a week.
- Celandine is also a good helper for fungal infections. You need to pour 1 liter of water into the kettle, put on the stove, boil and add 4 tbsp. l. Herbs (cook 5 minutes). With the resulting infusion, you will need to levitate your legs for 3 weeks every day.
How to cure a fungus in a child
Treatment of mycoses in children is carried out in several stages:
- steaming feet (in a solution of soda and detergent or with the addition of apple cider vinegar, you can also use chamomile broth - an excellent antiseptic);
- Removal of keratinized particles (using a pumice stone or rough washcloth, rub the scaly surface until the top layer of the epidermis peels off);
- Treatment with 2% iodine of the affected area promotes healing and disinfects well (you can apply an iodine mesh to the infected skin);
- Before going to bed, apply a cream based on miconazole and nystatin (they are safe and very effective for children) and wear cotton socks (or special antibacterial socks).
Disease prevention
Preventive measures are quite simple and include the following points:
- Compliance with the rules of personal hygiene (especially when visiting public pools, baths and saunas). It is necessary to move around in slippers, not to stand barefoot on the floor and not to wear someone else's shoes.
- When visiting, you should also skip slippers and walk inside in socks.
- Wash your feet with antimicrobial soap and a washcloth daily before bed.
- Make sure to dry your feet after washing (especially between your toes).
- If keratinized cells appear, they must be treated with a pumice stone and scissors or tongs.
- You need to trim your nails in a timely manner to prevent them from peeling off.
- With cracks in the feet, you need to use special gels and creams.
- Wearing tight shoes is not allowed as this affects the blood circulation.
- In the case of wounds and scratches on the skin of the feet, it is necessary to treat them with brilliant green.
- If the feet sweat too much, special sprays and gels must be used (not available in pharmacies).
Conclusion
Mycosis of the feet is an insidious disease that not only causes unpleasant sensations and spoils the appearance of the skin and nails, but can also cause eczema, as well as a decrease in immunity. In order not to become infected with the fungus, it is necessary to adhere to basic hygiene standards.
Well, in case of infection - urgently seek advice from a specialist who will diagnose and prescribe effective treatment. Mycosis is easy to defeat if treatment is started on time.