Fungal lesions of the skin and stratum corneum are extremely unpleasant. But these infections are quite common: omniscient statistics claim that a fifth of humanity has experienced all the "beauty" of acquaintance with them. One type of pathology is a fungus between the fingers, which without the necessary treatment will quickly spread to the nails. It will not be easy to cope with it, but salvation is still possible. Complex therapy will help in the fight against the disease, but it must be carried out patiently and competently.
What is interdigital fungus on the foot and what does it look like?
Three types of fungi cause finger infections: molds, yeasts, and dermatophytes. Each of them has their own preferences. Microorganisms of the mold family settle in those areas of the feet where it is warm and moist, so they usually appear where there is already a similar lesion. Yeast fungi do not disdain either the nails or the skin. Dermatophytes are the most common culprits of mycosis; Fungus on the thumb and interdigital pathology are their "specialization". What all species have in common is a preference for heat and high humidity.
The symptoms of the fungus in the initial stage are quite mild. It can be suspected if the following signs are present:
- cracks that suddenly appear on the feet and fingers, most often the medical history begins with the little toe;
- the skin around the cracks peels off;
- slight itching, disappearing without a trace after hygienic procedures.
When the fungus begins to multiply actively, the symptoms can no longer be ignored: red spots appear, intense peeling, burning and itching are possible. The appearance of bubbles with transparent contents cannot be excluded. As cracks deepen, they become erosions. The inflammatory process leads to tissue swelling.
If this period is ignored, then the advanced stage of the fungus begins:
- transparent blisters between the fingers turn into ulcers that burst, forming wounds;
- itching, burning intensifies, severe pain appears;
- Mycosis, having spread to the nails, begins to destroy them.
It is no longer possible to ignore such symptoms. Going to the doctor becomes the only option to regain health.
Causes of interdigital mycosis
Fungus between the toes has no shortage of victims, on the contrary, the number of infected is also increasing. The reason for this sad appearance is ignorance of hygiene rules. Since these pathogenic organisms love moisture and high heat, and their entry points are skin wounds, the risk increases if the following factors exist:
- visiting public places where a person walks barefoot or uses other people's shoes, towels or towels;
- tight shoes that lead to microtrauma;
- excessive sweating accompanied by a careless attitude towards hygienic procedures;
- decreased immunity;
- varicose veins;
- hormonal imbalance;
- dysbiosis.
Risk of fungal infection
Some people do not think that athlete's foot is a serious problem. But this opinion is wrong. The biggest risk is the chronic form of the disease, which leads to nail damage, which in itself greatly affects the quality of life. A person with mycosis is a source of infection that can "reward" the whole family, and a fungus between the toes of a child or an elderly person is fraught with serious health problems.
If the disease is left to chance, the body will suffer from the toxins that are created as a result of the activity of the fungi. Fungal infections sometimes provoke severe allergic reactions. Against the background of mycosis, immunity is suppressed, which is especially dangerous for children and the elderly. As a result, a "non-serious" disease will lead to the penetration of many other infections - bacterial or viral - with consequences of varying degrees of severity.
How to treat toe fungus
Not everyone can quickly get rid of mushrooms, so it is better to prepare in advance for a long battle. Therapy is usually carried out at home, so first you need to undergo an examination to find out the real culprit. After determining it, the doctor (dermatologist or mycologist) will prescribe a comprehensive treatment.
PILL
An infection that has reached an advanced stage requires oral medications. For this type of therapy, effective antifungal tablets and capsules are used to help remove the wound quickly.
- The drug from the allylamine group is most often prescribed. He copes with the fungus on the finger in 3-4 weeks. The maximum daily dose is 250 mg.
- A triazole derivative is the other broad-spectrum drug. Its intake is limited to two tablets per day. Two two-week courses are required, with a 21-day break between them.
- The product of the triazole group is a capsule that is used for a variety of skin diseases. The medicine also helps against foot fungus between the toes. There are 2 options for taking it: either once a day, 50 mg, or once a week, but immediately 150 mg. The course of therapy is 4-6 weeks.
ointment
Oral medications should be supplemented with medications for external use - creams or ointments. They are the first answer to the question of how to get rid of toe fungus. Local remedies are numerous and their costs vary.
All ointments will be effective if one condition is met: the feet must first be steamed in a solution of soap and soda, then completely dried.
- The imidazole derivative is the leader of the sympathy of those who decided to destroy toenail fungus at home. The reason is efficiency and reasonable price. The medicine is applied to clean fingers and nails 2-3 times a day. The duration of the course is individual, controlled by the doctor. After the disappearance of symptoms, it is recommended to continue the treatment for 2 weeks or more.
- A product from the group of imidazoles is used twice a day, the duration of therapy is 4-6 weeks, but in advanced cases it is necessary to apply the composition for several more days. When the fungus has spread to the nails, compresses are made from oil.
- In the category of external products is also the cream from the allylamine group. The active ingredient is the substance that gives the cream its name. The cream is applied 1-2 times a day, if the legs are affected, the application period is up to 4 weeks. If the nail plates are already affected by mycosis, it is recommended to treat the feet for 3 to 6 months.
The main rule is the regularity of the procedures and compliance with the established deadlines. In other cases, the treatment may become ineffective.
bathrooms
This popular treatment for fungus between the toes at home will not take much time, but it will give an effect if the mycosis stage is easily curable.
- Coffee.For the procedure you will need ground coffee: 10 tablespoons. l. pour 2 liters of boiling water. When the "drink" has cooled, put your feet in it. It is allowed to make foot baths with coffee twice a day.
- Sagebrush.For preparation, take a liter of boiling water and 150 g of herbs. Prepare the decoction in a water bath for 30 minutes. The duration of the procedure is at least half an hour.
- Boric acid- a well-known remedy for fungus between the toes. For the bath, take 40 g of powder, which dissolves in water (50-60 °C). There is no need to overuse the procedure, do it 2-3 times a week.
- Salt and soda.Pour warm water into a container, add 1 tbsp. l. sodium chloride and carbonate. Keep your feet in the bath for at least 15 minutes, then rinse with water.
- Celandine.2 tablespoons. l. pour the herbs with a liter of boiling water, cover with a lid and wait for them to cool to room temperature. The duration of the procedure should be at least a quarter of an hour.
These procedures do not always help and not everyone. This feature is inherent not only in folk methods. But this does not mean that you should give up: there are many ways to cure the fungus between the toes.
compress
This type of treatment is good because the drugs stay in the affected areas for a long time, because many of them are recommended to be kept at night. The following folk remedies are recommended in this category:
- Propolis.An alcohol solution is used for the compress. Cotton is soaked in it, which is then fixed between the fingers. The procedures last a week and a half.
- Birch tar.Before applying the composition, the feet are well steamed and cleaned of dead skin. Dry feet are lubricated with tar, the space between the toes is treated especially carefully. This compress is kept for at least an hour, then excess tar is removed with a napkin. It is forbidden to wash the feet for 2 days. The total number of procedures is 4-5 times.
- Garliccrushed, then mixed with salt. Garlic compresses should not be left for a long time. The product is left for 1-2 hours.
- Ammonia.Take 1 tablespoon per glass of water. l. Then a piece of gauze is soaked in the solution and wrapped around the leg. A bag is put on top and a sock over it. About 8-10 procedures should be performed.
- onionsas effective as garlic. Only in this case liquid is used. Compresses are left overnight. If the skin between the fingers gets wet and you are bothered by a strong burning sensation, you can mix the liquid with vaseline in equal proportions.
Physiotherapy
To achieve success, the complex treatment of interdigital fungus on the feet also includes physiotherapeutic procedures:
- Ozone therapy.This procedure significantly accelerates the growth of a healthy nail when the disease is very advanced. During the procedure, both the plate and the skin are saturated with ozone and oxygen, and this stimulates the growth of nails, simultaneously destroying the fungal infection. Not only the fungus on the skin of the fingers, but also absolutely all types of mycoses are successfully cured.
- Laser treatment.During this operation, only those cells in which the fungus is located are destroyed. The course of therapy includes 4-10 procedures. No prior preparation is required, but parallel drug treatment is necessary.
diets
To successfully defeat toenail fungus, it is important to change your diet.
Some foods in the diet should either be completely excluded or their consumption should be very limited. This includes:
- alcoholic drink;
- sweets, flour products;
- fermented milk products containing sugar;
- sweets;
- sausages;
- Canned food;
- smoked meat;
- Meat;
- semi-finished products.
The following are allowed:
- cereals (only semolina and rice are excluded);
- coffee;
- unsweetened fermented milk and milk products;
- seafood;
- vegetables, greens;
- nuts, seeds;
- boiled fish;
- butter and vegetable oil;
- tea;
- the eggs.
How to prevent recurrence of the disease
In order for mycosis of the fingers to disappear forever, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Wear shoes that fit your feet to avoid injuring your toes. It is better to give preference to natural materials. Frequent disinfection of shoes is necessary.
- After public places, the feet need preventive measures: they should be washed and smeared with lemon juice, and a lot of attention should be paid to the toes.
- Changing socks every day is a must. It is better to choose cotton products.
- It is forbidden to exchange shoes and linen, or to use other people's towels and pedicure items.
- Strengthening the immune system is a priority, so your diet should always include fruits, juices and vegetables.
To take care of your skin and nails, it is recommended to have a pedicure every one and a half months.