Fungus on the feet between the toes

Fungal pathology is a common disease among all age categories of the population. It is necessary to treat foot fungus between the toes because of the high risk of infecting other people, including members of your family, with the infection. Mycosis is easily treated if the symptoms are recognized in the initial stage. In chronic cases, it may take several months to a year to get rid of the disease.

Etiology

Fungal spores can be found on clothes, shoes and household items for several years.

The appearance of fungus on the feet is a sign of a malfunction in the protective functions of the body. Avitaminosis, exacerbation of chronic infections, seasonal viral diseases - all this can lead to a decline in immunity, and then to a fungal disease. A healthy body will not allow pathogenic microbes to multiply. Risk factors:

1. the presence of one of the diseases:
   • pathology of the gastrointestinal tract;
   • tuberculosis;
   • ENT infections;
   • diabetes;
   • HIV.
2. changes in metabolism;
3. hormonal surges:
   • adolescent puberty;
   • pregnancy;
   • menopause;
   • the menopause.
4. wearing shoes that do not fit;
5. the presence of calluses, abrasions on the legs;
6. putting on other people's shoes;
7. using poorly disinfected pedicure tools;
8. walking barefoot in saunas, baths, complexes with pools;
9. excessive sweating;
10. bad habits:
    • alcoholism;
    • smoking.
11. the use of products with mold;
12. hereditary predisposition to fungal infections (disruption of the acid-base balance in the skin).

Signs of the disease

Signs of fungus between the toes:

• itching between the toes;
• peeling and flaking of the skin between the fingers;
• blisters appear on the skin between the fingers, which burst and form oozing erosion;
• on the legs, the skin thickens, cracks (often this happens under the little toe);
• the nail of the big toe looks dull, changes its color and structure;
• the appearance of a rash, redness of the skin of the legs;
• bad foot odor

Diagnostic methods

Mere detection of the disease is not enough. We need a detailed diagnosis that will help identify a specific strain of the fungus and its sensitivity to antifungal drugs. For this, the dermatologist, after an examination, directs the patient to scrape the affected areas of the legs. As a result of these studies, it is possible to prescribe a treatment that is effective in a particular case.

You can recognize the fungus at home. Potassium permanganate will help. If you dip your feet in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, the healthy skin will turn pink and the diseased will remain white.

What to treat?

To cure interdigital foot fungus, you need to be patient - in some cases, therapy takes from a month to a year. Treatment of mycosis includes the use of fungicides with local (to relieve symptoms) and systemic action, antibacterial and medicinal drugs and vitamin complexes. It is important to treat the disease with a full course of treatment. After the symptoms disappear, it is important to continue using the drugs for another 10 days.

medicines

Medicines of synthetic origin against foot fungus can be divided into local and systemic. Topicals are aimed at relieving symptoms and treating an incipient fungal infection. While the systemic use of antifungal agents has a complex effect on the body. Such drugs are very toxic, so their use is contraindicated in children, pregnant women, during breastfeeding.

Form of release of local preparations:

• ointment;
• cream;
• spray;
• nail polish.

Local remedies are good for fungus:

• liquid Castellani;
• chloronitrophenol;
• cationic antiseptic;
• ammonia;
• potassium permanganate;
• iodine;
• aluminum acetate solution;
• solution of iodine in an aqueous solution of potassium iodide.

The active substances that systemically affect the fungus are available in the form of tablets and solutions for intravenous administration.

Treatment with folk remedies

You can cure the fungus between the toes with the help of recipes from traditional medicine. However, the use of such methods must be agreed with the attending physician. It is also important to make sure that there are no allergic reactions of the body to natural medicinal components. To check this, you need to apply a small amount to the inner crease of the elbow and wait a few hours. If there is no redness or rash at the site, the folk remedy for the fungus between the toes is suitable for use.

Vinegar for fungus

Regular table vinegar (wine or apple cider vinegar is best) has an acidic environment that is detrimental to a yeast infection. You can quickly cure toe fungus by making a vinegar compress daily. It is recommended to wrap the feet with polyethylene and leave for 5 minutes. The feet are then washed thoroughly with running water and an antifungal medication is applied.

Another recipe with vinegar:

1. Pour a vial of glycerin into a half-liter jar.
2. Fill the jar with 70% vinegar up to the neck and mix well.
3. Soak a swab in the solution and apply between the fingers every day.

Sea salt for toe fungus

The most effective treatment with folk remedies is possible with the use of sea salt. If it is not possible to obtain sea salt, then ordinary table salt can also be used. To prepare a foot bath solution, add 5 tablespoons of salt to hot water. Do foot baths several times a day until stable healing of the toe fungus.

How does baking soda help?

Violation of the acid-alkaline balance leads to the appearance of fungus between the fingers. Soda restores the balance of the skin and actively fights foot fungus. Recipes with soda:

• You can prepare foot baths with soda if you add 2 tablespoons of carbonated drinks to 2 liters of water with a temperature of 40 degrees.
• Fungus paste based on soda is prepared from 2 tablespoons of the component, a tablespoon of water and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix all the ingredients. A chemical reaction will follow with the release of gas bubbles. After they disappear, you can apply the paste to the damaged areas of the skin.

Using a bow

Preparing a remedy for a fungal infection from a common onion is very simple. You can cut a head of onion into pulp and apply this remedy to the affected areas. It is possible to add garlic mash (1: 1). It is also helpful to squeeze the juice from an onion and use a cotton pad to apply the juice on the flaky feet. Apply daily.

Hygiene and care of feet and shoes

For the period while the toe fungus is being treated, it is important for the patient to distribute individual underwear, socks, hygiene items - pumice stone, scissors. All shoes must be thoroughly washed and dried. If possible, shoes should be treated with a 1% water-methanol solution of formaldehyde - the fungus dies in it within 15 minutes.It is necessary to carry out hygiene procedures for the feet at least 2 times a day, to keep the shoes dry and clean, to avoid blisters and abrasions on the feet. Washing clothes is best done at the highest allowable temperatures.

Surgical intervention

If the fungal wound does not disappear after the use of local and systemic drugs and folk remedies do not have the desired effect, an operation against foot fungus is possible. The procedure is performed in a medical facility under local anesthesia with a local anesthetic. The damaged skin is cut off with a scalpel, the place is treated with antiseptics. This method guarantees a full recovery.

How to treat a child?

Fungi in a child are less common than in adults. However, due to non-compliance with hygiene rules, it is possible to infect children with fungi. Fungi are found in children mainly on the thumb and little finger due to their frequent injury. Treatment includes the use of local preparations - ointments and creams.

Peculiarities in pregnant women

Fungus between the toes during pregnancy is a common phenomenon due to a decrease in immunity in a pregnant woman. The disease is not dangerous for the fetus in the womb, but it is possible and necessary to treat the disease during pregnancy in order not to infect the already born baby later. The choice of drug for pregnant women should be in favor of the most non-toxic and easy-to-use drug with a short course of treatment. Perhaps a folk remedy for a fungal disease. Systemic therapy is contraindicated.

Prevention methods

To make sure that the fungal disease does not penetrate the body, it is necessary to increase the protective functions of the body in every possible way - to harden yourself, eat well, give up bad habits. It is important to observe the rules of personal hygiene: washing hands after visiting public places, wearing changeable shoes in pools and bathrooms, washing feet daily. You cannot wear other people's shoes and allow other people to wear their own. When buying shoes and clothes, choose items made from natural materials.