Fungus on the feet - principles of treatment

"How to cure athlete's foot", "how to get rid of onychomycosis, athlete's foot fast, gain eternal youth and defeat death".These are all questions of the same level.Toenail fungus cannot be cured quickly and reliably, especially with home methods.You still need a dermatologist.

Mycosis of the foot is a skin disease caused by the spread of parasitic fungi and is one of the most common diseases affecting the human skin (photo).

The disease is quite difficult to treat and leads to complications, given the fact that it rarely starts on time.

Foot fungus

Often, a person infected with a fungal infection does not pay attention to the symptoms, and the bacteria manage to "settle" quite firmly on the skin.

Causes of foot fungus

The high prevalence of foot mycosis is explained by the fact that the disease is easily transmitted from person to person at the level of family contact.

Pathogenic microorganisms "love" a moist and warm environment, which promotes the growth of fungi.

Swimming pools, gyms, spas and saunas - where a person can step on the floor with bare feet - are among the first places where you can catch fungus.

The use of household items and personal belongings of a person with athlete's foot (towel, washcloth) inevitably leads to infection.

The second reason for the spread of fungal infection and the formation of mycosis of the foot is non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene and excessive sweating of the feet.

Rarely changing socks and putting them on wet feet also creates all the favorable conditions for the growth of foot fungus.

Symptoms of foot fungus

There are several forms of mycosis of the foot, the symptoms of which have distinctive characteristics.

Deleted form of foot fungus

The symptoms of this form of mycosis of the foot are insignificant and this is the secret of the skin disease.

Light drying and peeling of the dermis is accepted by people as an absolutely normal physiological phenomenon.

While the gaps that appear between the toes are considered diaper rash, they are actually symptoms of exposure to a fungus.

Squamous-hyperkeratic form of athlete's foot

The most common form of athlete's foot among the over-60 population is moccasin foot.

It is called so because of the visible signs that appear on the surface of the foot:

  • thick and rough skin over the entire surface;
  • cracks, calluses (hyperkeratosis);
  • adhesion of lesions of the nail plate;
  • dirty gray color, with a yellow tint;
  • unpleasant smell;
  • separation of the stratum corneum, scales;
  • pain when walking and inability to wear shoes.

Vesicular form of athlete's foot

Mycoses of the foot, with symptoms in the form of blister formations with a thick horny layer, are called the wet form of a fungal infection.

Vesicular form of foot fungus

The blisters that appear eventually break open and become similar to eczema, ulcers and psoriasis.

In general, athlete's foot manifests itself in different ways.

The disease may begin with cracked heels, the formation of blisters that burst and itch, severe diaper rash or roughening of the skin.

Peeling of the skin, when it peels off in large or small pieces from the foot, should not go unnoticed.

An unpleasant smell also appears, the feet sweat quickly and after being in the shoes, the foot "burns" and itches.

Complications that arise due to a careless attitude towards the symptoms of the disease are manifested in the form of erosions and painful wounds on the legs, which sometimes cannot be completely healed.

Treatment of athlete's foot

Antimiotics of the new generation are used to treat mycosis of the foot.They are not so harmful to the liver and are clearly effective.

However, the fungus is also insidious in that it quickly develops resistance to various types of drugs, thus causing relapses.

To cure a fungal foot infection, it is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis, identifying which type of mycosis has spread throughout the skin.To do this, scrape for mushrooms.

Complex treatment, with a precise regimen of medications, local and systemic, should be determined only by a specialist, since self-medication leads to worsening of the problem.

And the third point of successful treatment is the patient's strict discipline in taking medications, following a diet and taking preventive measures.

Several treatment regimens are used for athlete's foot - combination and monotherapy.

And if a drug is chosen for monotherapy, it is often for external use.

The combined scheme includes several areas of treatment at the same time:

  1. external agents;
  2. tablets for internal use;
  3. laser exposure;
  4. hardware pedicure.

External remedies for athlete's foot

The most effective substance that can affect fungi is a substance that destroys mold and yeast-like fungi and can fight dermatophytes and infections of non-fungal origin, which are often associated with athlete's foot.

This substance can be presented in different forms - spray, cream or gel, solution, etc.

The products work on the principle of forming a protective film that can stay on the surface of the skin for up to 72 hours.

External preparations are applied in the amount prescribed by the doctor, but often the procedure is carried out 1-2 times a day for 2 to 4 weeks, then the treatment continues, but according to a different scheme.

Before applying oil or cream, clean the foot.

They do salicylic acid wraps to get rid of the dead skin, soap and soda baths, and vaseline-based ointments to soften and remove dead tissue.

Such procedures are carried out in special rooms for therapeutic pedicure, using grinding attachments.

Before treating mycosis of the wet type of the foot, you need to dry the ulcers and blisters with boric acid, brilliant green or iodine.

To prevent the spread of fungi on the nail plates, special varnishes against onychomycosis are prescribed.

But the vesicular form of mycosis will require the addition of corticosteroids to the treatment regimen.

How to cure athlete's foot - systemic therapy

Taking oral antifungals is not indicated for all patients with athlete's foot.

Medicines are quite toxic, therefore they are not prescribed to pregnant and lactating women, young children, the elderly and those with impaired liver function.

According to the instructions included with the medicine or according to the regimen prescribed by the doctor, tablet forms of antifungals are taken.

Recently, drugs that get rid of foot and nail fungus in 1 course have proven themselves well, relieve itching, skin and irritation of the skin of the feet after the first use.

Folk remedies for the treatment of foot fungus

If there are categorical contraindications to the treatment of mycosis of the foot with drugs, then you can try folk remedies.

How to cure athlete's foot at home:

  1. The acid contained in wine vinegar or table vinegar (9%) is an effective folk remedy against mold.The surface of the skin affected by mycosis is smeared with it and cotton socks are placed on top.Leave it overnight.It is not recommended to use vinegar for those who have wounds or ulcers on their feet.In this case, it is better to reduce the concentration of the popular drug or replace it with a milder one.
  2. Roasted coffee shows good results.It is necessary to drink stronger drinks and so much that you can completely immerse your feet in it.For prevention, folk treatment is carried out on two limbs at once, even if mycosis is observed only on one.Do the procedure before going to bed.
  3. Foot baths made from celandine also act as an effective folk remedy that can clear feet of fungus within a month.Prepare a bath at the rate of 4 tablespoons.l for 1 l.water.The grass is boiled, after which the legs are steamed in the warm mixture for up to half an hour.You can also get a stronger collection of herbs for drinking - oak bark, chamomile, needle, sage, eucalyptus and fir needles.All of them have excellent antifungal properties.
  4. You can also use local anesthetic creams by soaking a cotton swab in the medicinal solution and applying it to the affected area.The folk remedy quickly relieves the symptoms - pain and itching.

Prevention of foot fungus

Effective treatment of mycosis of the foot is possible depending on the following preventive measures:

  • mandatory disinfection of insoles and inner surfaces of shoes, the more often the better.To do this, use special antifungal sprays for shoes or alcohol;
  • It is recommended to change the bedclothes every day and wash them at high temperatures;
  • disinfect the surface of the bathtub or shower, and also refuse to visit public bathroom facilities during treatment;
  • in public places, do not allow yourself to walk barefoot and wipe your feet before putting on shoes;
  • All family members must treat the fungus immediately, otherwise someone will be infected again and again;
  • follow a diet - do not eat allergic foods, smoked foods, canned foods, foods with a lot of salt and pepper and sweets.