Mycoses are diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms (fungi). The disease does not pose a deadly risk to a person, but it causes discomfort and is difficult to treat. Most often, people with weak immunity, hormonal imbalance and non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene are more susceptible to infection. Treatment of fungi sometimes takes 3-4 months using a whole range of medicines. To enhance the therapeutic effect of drugs, doctors prescribe traditional medicine prescriptions. The key to successful treatment is early diagnosis of the disease. In the early stages, mycoses are more susceptible to the action of antifungal drugs.
Variety and symptoms of dermatomycosis
Science knows thousands of species of fungi, but only a few hundred of them are pathogenic to humans.
Types of microorganisms that cause athlete's foot:
- trichophytone;
- dermatophytes;
- candida.
The first signs of mycosis are quite difficult to recognize. Apparently foot fungus depends on the type of microorganism that affects the soft tissues.
Intermediate forms
The most common type of fungal infection. Occurs in summer, when foot sweating is increased. Folds in the interdigital space are the first to suffer, later the infection catches nearby areas and the nail plate.
First signs:
- dry skin between the fingers;
- cracks and wounds;
- severe itching and burning;
- peeling and whitening of the epidermis.
squamous form
This type of fungal infection affects the lower part of the foot. The skin looks rough, corns appear, keratinized areas, deep cracks. When walking, a person experiences pain.
The disease progresses rapidly, seizing the surrounding area and the nail plate. In advanced cases, the nail changes color, shape and begins to collapse.
Important!
At the first suspicion of a fungal infection, you should immediately consult a doctor for examination and treatment.
Dyshidrotic form
This type of mushroom is rare. The first symptoms are multi-chambered water vesicles with turbid contents in the skin. Instead of explosive formations ulcers appear, which combine in constant erosion.
The main risk of this form of mycosis is the increase of concomitant infections. Pathogenic microorganisms penetrate the wound, provoking other dermatological diseases. In the absence of timely therapy, large areas of the feet are affected. It becomes very difficult to cure mycosis.
Causes
The main route of transmission of the infection is contact. If you do not follow the basic rules of personal hygiene, you can become infected through household items used by the patient. Exfoliating particles of the epidermis, together with the causative agent of the disease, remain in shoes, towels, in the places of the infected. Once on the surface of a healthy person's skin, the fungus begins to multiply actively.
The spores of a pathogenic microorganism can survive in the environment for many months until they enter favorable conditions. Public places - swimming pools, showers, baths, saunas, gym locker rooms - pose a high risk of infection.
To avoid infection, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene: change socks every day, wear comfortable shoes in which the feet do not sweat, after washing dry the interdigital space well with towels.
Treatment of fungi with medications
An important factor to get rid of skin mycosis is timely examination and treatment prescribed by the doctor.
Getting rid of the fungus is quite difficult. You will need a whole range of medicines for external and systemic action. First you need to determine the type of pathogen. This can only be done in a specialized laboratory.
Ointment, lotion
This type of drug has a high ability to penetrate deep into the affected tissues, reaching the mycelium.
Antifungal ointments are divided into 2 types:
- Azoli. Suppresses cell growth, destroys mycelium. The course of azole ointment treatment usually lasts about a month;
- Allylamine. It has a detrimental effect on yeast and fungus mold. This type of oil has an antifungal and anti-inflammatory effect. Refers to cheap, effective means. The course of therapy is usually 3 months.
Benefits of ointments:
- has no harmful effect on the gastrointestinal tract and liver;
- topical use allows you to maximize the impact on the pathogen;
- versatility of use for the treatment of skin and nail fungus.
Characteristics of using antifungal ointments:
- before applying the medication, the feet should be thoroughly washed and dried with a towel;
- the drug is applied to the affected surface with a thin layer, with friction movements;
- avoid taking the drug on the mucosa - nose, eyes, mouth;
- follow the instructions for use and recommendations of a dermatologist.
tablets
For the most effective treatment of advanced mycoses, systemic therapy is prescribed together with topical external preparations.
Tablets for the treatment of severe forms differ in the active substance:
- based on ketoconazole. It is prescribed for the treatment of superficial mycosis, which is not suitable for treatment with local agents. Destroys yeast, dimorphic fungi and dermatophytes;
- Based on terbinafine. Acts on dermatophytes;
- Based on griseofulvin. Acts on dermatophytes. Prevents the growth of fungi and destroys cell walls. This drug has an added toxicity, so modern medicine is gradually replacing it from the pharmacological market;
- based on fluconazole. The tablets belong to the group of azoles. Help to get rid of the disease quickly.
Along with treating a fungal infection of the feet, medicines that stimulate the immune system and vitamin-mineral complexes are prescribed to better fight the disease.
Home treatment with folk remedies
It is possible to remove the fungus with the help of alternative medicine prescriptions only in the early stages or in combination with pharmacy products.
Important!
Before starting self-treatment at home, you should undergo an examination and consult your doctor.
Jodi
A universal antiseptic has not only a bactericidal effect, but also an antifungal. It is recommended to lubricate the affected areas at night. Prior to the procedure, it is necessary to perform a sensitivity test. To do this, a small amount of iodine is applied to the elbow joint. If after a few hours there is no skin redness, burning or itching, you can use this method. Before going to bed, a foot bath is done, after which the skin is wiped well with a towel. In order not to cause chemical burns, iodine should be diluted with medical alcohol 1: 1. With a cotton swab, a thin layer of the solution is applied evenly to the places affected by the fungus. Cotton socks dress up. Also, for prevention, nail plates are processed.
You can make an effective "speaker" based on iodine:
- Grind into powder 14 antifungal tablets;
- Mix with 100 ml Dimexide 1% and leave in a dark place for a day;
- Add 10 ml of iodine and vinegar essence.
Keep the resulting mixture in the refrigerator and mix well before use. It should be applied to the affected areas of the skin with a cotton swab 1-2 times a day. The course of treatment is 1 month.
Hydrogen peroxide
Another well-known antiseptic that helps fight the manifestations of fungus on the feet. The solution is used in the form of applications applied to problem areas. Ten minutes twice a day will be enough to overcome mycoses in the early stages in 5-10 days.
Baths for steaming feet with the addition of peroxide are considered useful. Dilute 1: 1 with water. The solution is not enough, but you just need to put in it that part of the foot that is affected. The procedure takes 30-40 minutes. Fluid should not fall on healthy skin because it strongly dehydrates soft tissues.
Celandine
The medicinal plant successfully treats many skin diseases, including mycoses. Decoctions are used for compresses and baths. If it is possible to get a freshly harvested plant, then you can try to cure the fungus with fresh juice.
To do this, tear the bush, wash in running water. Prepare the legs - steam them out, the scales are removed. Yellow juice appears on cutting the stalk. They lubricate the affected surfaces. With self-treatment with celandine at home, you need to be extremely careful. This plant is poisonous. Its fluid can cause severe skin burns.
For steam, prepare a decoction of 5 tablespoons. l. herb per 1 liter. boiling water. The solution is placed in a container with a tightly closed lid for 20 minutes. After that, a foot bath is done.
Uthull molle
An acidic environment will help remove fungi, in which they can not multiply and exist. Apple cider vinegar is used in the form of baths and foot applications.
If the affected area is small, then it is enough to moisten a piece of cotton or a piece of cotton cloth with an aggressive substance. In case of large spread, healthy areas of skin are smeared with a greasy baby cream for protection and a sock soaked in vinegar is put on.
With it, acidify the water for foot baths. After such evaporation, the skin dries well and other drugs of natural origin or pharmaceutical preparations are applied.
Other treatments at home
Traditional medicine offers a variety of tips to get rid of the fungus and its manifestations. Such funds are easily prepared independently of the ingredients that are available in every home.
Homemade ointments:
- Mix equal proportions of yellow sulfur, copper sulfate and goose fat in an enameled container. Bring to the boil over low heat and transfer to a glass jar. The ointment is stored in the refrigerator. Apply daily in the morning and evening on the affected areas of the skin;
- Add the wood ash to the goose fat. Stir until smooth. Lubricate problem areas with a mixture twice a day;
- Mix the butter with the minced garlic. The resulting mass is applied to the affected skin overnight.
Ointments prepared according to the recipe of traditional medicine have a positive effect only in the case of the initial stage of the disease. With advanced mycoses, they are used in combination with tablet preparations.
Compresses:
- Onion-garlic. A medium onion and 2 cloves of garlic are crushed into a pulp. The mixture is spread in a thick layer on the skin, covered with a plastic bag, fixed with a bandage. Put a cotton sock on top. The procedure is performed before going to bed. In the morning, the compress is removed and the feet are washed with warm soapy water. This method will help to cope with the disease in 7-10 days;
- Celandine with tea tree oil. 1 st. l. the chopped herbs are mixed with oil until a pasty substance is obtained. Apply abundantly in the area of localization of the fungus and isolate, as in the previous recipe;
- Herbal compresses. In a saucepan mix 400 ml of sunflower oil, 1 tbsp. l. herb comfrey, mint, calendula and radiola. Heat the mixture on low heat to 50-60 degrees. Insist in a dark and cool place during the day. Remove dry ingredients through a sieve or cheesecloth. With the oil mixture compresses are made in the evening for 1-2 hours. The safe operation of the recipe allows you to use it in childhood.
Important!
Before any medical procedure, you should steam your feet for 15-20 minutes.
Tabaka:
- The most common and simple solution for steaming consists of 1 tablespoon. l. table salt or sea salt, 1 tbsp. l. baking soda and 1 liter. water. The procedure takes 15 minutes. Then the feet are washed with warm running water and dried;
- Prepare strong coffee, cool and soak your feet in it for 5 minutes. After that, rinse with water;
- Pour two liters of boiling water over a mixture of herbs: 2 tablespoons. l. chamomile flowers, horse tail, flax seeds. After cooling to a tolerable temperature, you should soak your feet in the resulting liquid for 15 minutes.
prevention
Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Therefore, in order not to get sick, you need to take some precautions.
Tips to help avoid infection:
- wear high quality natural shoes in which the foot does not sweat;
- in places of public visit (baths, saunas, showers, swimming pools, changing rooms) it is mandatory to wear replaceable rubber slippers;
- use only personal shoes;
- maintain immunity.
Foot fungus is an insidious disease. It is quite easy to get infected but hard to get rid of. Usually people start the disease for the fact that the fungus does not appear immediately. You need to be mindful of your body and seek medical help at the first suspicious symptoms.