Athlete's foot is one of the most common diseases caused by parasitic fungi.There are several types of this pathology in medical practice.It is important to identify athlete's foot at the very beginning of its development.Then it will be possible to get rid of it faster and easier.In this case, no special treatment will be required, much less surgical intervention.For mild manifestations of fungal activity, it is enough to use antifungal ointment or baths using traditional recipes.
Mushroom and its species
Despite the fact that foot fungus is quite common, not every infected person knows what foot fungus looks like.
Below are the main types of mycoses:
- Squamous or scaly.
- intertriginous.It is characterized by the type of diaper rash of the skin.
- Hypertrophic, atrophic and normotrophic onychomycosis.The difficulty in treating these diseases is that all types can be combined with each other.
- Dyshidrotic.It is marked by a violation of the sweat glands.
This pathology looks different at different stages of development.Mycosis of the feet is a common name for two diseases: athlete's foot and rubromycosis, which develop in the same way.
Squamous mycosis
At the initial stage, the fungus manifests itself as an injury to one leg, and after a certain time, the disease spreads to the other.
The skin becomes red and then peels off.The area of redness varies from patient to patient and depends on the stage of development.Many people are not even bothered by itching in the affected area;the skin may not peel off.That is why they turn to a dermatologist only when their legs are damaged in the last stage of the disease.
Dyshidrotic fungal infection
Anyone who suspects the occurrence of this disease should know what a toenail fungus looks like in any form of development.This pathology is characterized by the appearance of miniature bubbles in the arch of the foot.Very little time passes and they coalesce into large blisters, the crust soon breaks and the surface damage of the skin is visually noticeable.
Pathological diaper rash can spread along the leg with the appearance of areas.In this case, the patient begins to itch and feel pain.After everything is cured, peeling begins.
The most unpleasant disease is the formation of a bacterial fungus.At this time, cloudy liquid and pus flows from the ruptured blisters.At this stage of the development of the pathology, there is a slight increase in temperature and unbearable pain.The skin of the legs swells.
The process of the dyshidrotic form of mycosis can last for several months.Periods of improvement in the condition of the legs alternate with relapses.
Intertriginous fungus
Such fungi are most common on the skin of the feet.It appears independently or together with the squamous form of the pathology.The disease manifests itself in the form of cracks on the skin, a white ring forms around it, and then the skin begins to peel off.The space between the fingers is moistened.The patient feels itching and burning.Surface defects of the skin accompanied by severe pain appear.
The protective functions of the skin are reduced and loosened.This facilitates the penetration of streptococcal infections into the skin.Purulent inflammations appear, characterized by redness, itching, swelling and severe pain.
Intertriginous fungus is most often characterized by a long-term chronic course of the disease process.In winter, the pain usually subsides, and in summer, it becomes stronger again.
Onychomycosis or nail fungus
When the first signs of the disease appear, the patient's task is to contact a dermatologist in time, and he will determine how to remove the fungus on the legs.
Onychomycosis of the nails is a more dangerous disease than foot fungus because it takes longer to treat.
Types of fungal infection affecting the nail plate:
- Atrophic onychomycosis.First, the nail thins and then falls off.
- Hypertrophic onychomycosis.The thickness of the nail increases, it acquires a yellow color.Length growth stops.The nail plate begins to split and peel off.
- Onychomycosis caused by mold fungi.This pathology does not develop independently.It usually progresses against the background of other diseases.In this case, the nail plate can be painted in any color from black to green.The periungual fold is often inflamed.
In advanced form, the disease affects the whole body and even penetrates the internal organs.Pathological changes often begin to develop from the edge of the nail plate.First, stripes, spots and other "patterns" appear.
Treatment methods
Not every patient knows how to remove fungus from their feet, but dermatologists do.Treatment is primarily to prevent the development of fungal infection.Complex treatment is used to prevent re-infection of the feet with fungus:
- Outdoor therapy course.Antifungal ointments, creams and sprays are used during treatment.
- A course of treatment using antifungal drugs.
- Use of antihistamines.They are taken in case of severe itching and increased sensitivity to irritants that cause allergies.
- Course of treatment with vitamins and minerals.
- Antibacterial drugs.It is used in case of bacterial infection of the body.
After visiting a doctor, a person will learn how to treat fungus on the nails, ankles and between the toes.In advanced forms of the disease, the doctor usually prescribes complex treatment with the use of pills and ointments.Systemic drugs are prescribed to patients who have already passed the severe course of the process.
To treat a fungal infection on the legs at home, use the following folk recipes:
- Wine vinegar.Due to its antiseptic properties, wine vinegar is used for baths.
- Salt and soda.They are dissolved in an equal amount of water and make baths that help eliminate foot fungus.
- Oak bark, calendula inflorescences, blackberry.The damaged areas of the feet are washed with the decoction of these medicinal plants.
The most effective is the complex treatment of fungi using ointments and drugs of various pharmacological effects.If you listen to the recommendations of doctors and take preventive measures from time to time, you will never need treatment.
Antifungal drugs
The fungi of the feet and interdigital spaces are eliminated with effective fungicidal drugs.
Since the fungus can manifest itself in any form, an effective tool to fight this infection should be chosen by a specialist.Some drugs are toxic and can cause adverse reactions;they are carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor.The rapid positive result of the treatment depends not only on the correct diagnosis of the disease, but also on the stage of its development.