In England, foot fungus is called "athlete's foot".Only one in five are such "athletes".Fungus between the fingers is a very common and unpleasant disease, but fortunately there are many effective ways to fight it.
About 80% of the population suffers from skin fungus.Due to increased density and sweating, the skin of the feet is more susceptible to mycoses.Fungal infection is manifested by peeling and itching, but it can also be asymptomatic, causing only the appearance of compaction (blisters, corns - hyperkeratosis on the heels and arches of the feet).
If left untreated, the infection spreads.The patient can infect others and spread the germs throughout his body.
Causes of fungi
So why the "athlete's foot symptom"?The fungus reproduces most easily in a moist and warm environment, and it is susceptible to microtraumas of the skin.And athletes always have an abundance of both – feet that are constantly chafing from training, plus socks that are always soaked with sweat.Ideal conditions for the development of fungi.
Maybe you got infected in one of the public places with a warm and humid environment - swimming pool, sauna, bathroom, hotel bathtub.Or you walked in uncomfortable artificial shoes, in which your feet constantly rubbed and sweated.Or you may have inadvertently tried on the shoes of a person suffering from fungus.In addition, there is a high risk of infection in people with weakened immunity due to illness or vitamin deficiency.
Symptoms of fungus
- The folds of the skin peel off a little - as if they were sprinkled with flour;
- Cracks appeared between the fingers, itch and cause pain;
- Feet often sweat;
- The skin of the sole has thickened;
- The nails became uneven, possibly covered with growths, peeling, spots or streaks (gray or yellow) appeared on them.Over time, the condition of the nails deteriorates, and the spots increase.
If a crack appears between the fingers, surrounded by peeling skin, be sure to consult a dermatologist.The specialist will perform an examination and determine the symptoms not only at the site of the injury, but also on other parts of the limb.
Fungal treatment
The most important thing in treating foot fungus is patience.Because the fungus on the skin is cured after at least one month of treatment, and on the nails - after about a year.
It is better to ask your doctor about how to treat fungus between the toes.But if there is no opportunity to visit the clinic yet, the better of two evils will be self-treatment.The main thing to remember is that you cannot delay the treatment of the fungus, otherwise it will spread to other parts of the body - thighs, buttocks, abdomen, chest.
The treatment of fungus between the toes is carried out using the following drugs:
- Fats.For the treatment of fungi, ointments based on tolnaftate or miconazole are used.It is better to change the ointment every 10-14 days to avoid addiction.You should use ointments until the fungus is completely gone, after which it is advisable to extend the treatment for another 2 weeks to avoid recurrence.
- Dressings made of medicinal solution.Soak cotton swabs in the solution and put them between your fingers.Hold for 15-20 minutes.
- Soda.Take a small amount of baking soda and dissolve it in water.Rub the affected areas with baking soda.
- Pills.If your nails are severely affected, you will most likely receive a general treatment.
- Immunostimulants.Patients with yeast infection are often prescribed immunostimulants.
After successfully completing the treatment, it is very important to disinfect all footwear (it is ideal to replace them with new ones).Otherwise, you risk re-infection – literally from yourself.For disinfection, take a 25% solution of formaldehyde or 30% vinegar, thoroughly process the shoes and put them in polyethylene for 2 hours.After the specified time, the shoes will need to be aired.
Prevention of fungal diseases of the feet
To prevent such an unpleasant disease as athlete's foot from affecting you again, take the following precautions:
- If possible, wear only leather or suede shoes and avoid artificial materials.The skin in them does not breathe, and the foot is often not comfortable - this causes "painful" sweating, scratches and wounds.
- When you come in from the street, don't forget to treat your shoes with a special deodorizing spray.
- Do not wear or even try on other people's shoes.Wear socks before trying on shoes in the store.
- After visiting the pool, bath or sauna, rinse your feet thoroughly and then dry them with a towel.The fungus does not grow in dry environments.After the feet are dry, it would be a good idea to treat them with lemon juice - the fungus coagulates in the acid.
- To prevent the appearance of fungi, you can use an antifungal ointment.The ointment is applied to clean, dry feet.
- As already mentioned, the fungus is more often acquired by a person with a weakened immune system.So eat more fruits and vegetables, drink juices and herbal teas.
Take care of yourself and be healthy!