Methods of treatment of foot fungus

Toenail fungus is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms localized on the skin, in the spaces between the toes and nail plates.This brings significant discomfort and provokes serious complications.Let's take a closer look at how to treat foot fungus to prevent the disease from becoming chronic and to eliminate relapses.

Causes and symptoms of foot fungus

The disease is caused by spores of Trichophyton rubrum and other yeasts and molds..Under favorable conditions, they multiply rapidly, quickly worsening the condition of the feet.

Doctors identify several factors that contribute to the development of pathogenic microflora:

• weakened immune system;
• excessive sweating of the feet;
• shoes that are not the right size;
• corns, calluses, scratches on the legs;
• chronic infectious and endocrine diseases;
• prolonged use of antibiotics;
• lack of hygiene;
• wearing shoes made of synthetic materials that do not allow air to pass through;
• flat feet.

Children are more susceptible to fungal infections.Their immunity is not yet fully developed, the skin on their feet is too thin, so the fungus easily penetrates the body and begins to multiply.

When the skin of the feet is infected, unpleasant symptoms quickly appear.Most often, the primary infection occurs in the spaces between the toes, gradually spreading to the foot.Many pathogens also affect the nail plates, causing the development of onychomycosis - nail fungus.

The pathology has several stages, which are characterized by certain signs.

1. The initial stage is hidden, it is felt by a slight peeling between the fingers, to which a person rarely attaches importance.
2. Then small cracks form, peeling intensifies and smoothly covers the side of the leg.The skin is covered with small scaly plates and squamous mycosis develops.
3. Gradually the symptoms worsened.Itching, burning occurs, the affected area thickens and becomes rough.When the fungus becomes hyperkeratotic, the epidermis loses its elasticity and a skin pattern clearly appears on it.The burning between the fingers intensifies.
4. If the intertriginous stage begins, the disease often affects the nails.Yellow-brown spots appear on them, they are deformed and crumble.The patient is constantly bothered by an unpleasant odor emanating from his feet.The skin peels off, small ulcers and deep cracks form, causing pain when walking.

The advanced form of the disease leads to the appearance of a rash between the fingers and toes.Small dense bubbles often merge with each other.When they burst, they leave wet sores that itch badly.

Routes of infection

Fungal spores remain viable in the environment for a long time, so it is easy to contract the disease in the most unexpected places.But the most favorable conditions for their development are heat and high humidity. 

People visiting the following places are therefore at risk:

• swimming pools;
• bathrooms;
• saunas;
• fitness centers;
• beaches.

Fungi can appear on any objects that are there, even if regular disinfection is carried out.Therefore, in such places you should avoid common items and do not forget to take spare shoes with you.

Military personnel are at risk.Most often, soldiers in the army wear uncomfortable shoes that do not allow air to pass through.Because of this, the feet sweat, microtraumas appear, into which the fungus penetrates.

There are two types of infection.The first is the direct way through direct contact with the infectious agent when communicating with a sick person, caring for an animal or walking barefoot on the ground and sand.The second - indirect way leads to infection through objects belonging to infected people or pets.

Diagnosis

A consultation with a dermatologist is necessary for successful treatment of fungus.The specialist will perform a visual inspection, carefully examining the lesions.

In order to make a correct diagnosis, it is important to tell the doctor about all worrying symptoms and to report any mycosis and other diseases suffered.

To accurately determine the presence of infection and the type of pathogen, the doctor must take blood, a nail or a skin scraping for analysis.Laboratory tests must be performed.There are more than 500 species of fungi that have different thresholds of drug resistance and require different treatment tactics.

1. Microscopic examination reveals the presence of fungi.The sample is treated with special preparations and examined under a microscope, trying to find spores.This test allows you to determine the presence of fungi and their concentration.
2. Bacterial culture gives more accurate results.The biological material is placed in a nutrient medium.If pathogenic cells are present in the scraping, fungal colonies begin to grow from them, which are subject to careful examination.The analysis takes from 2 days to 4 weeks.The time depends on the type of infection.
3. PCR - polymerase chain reaction - is needed to identify the specific type of fungus by identifying the pathogen's DNA.This requires scraping the affected area.The effectiveness of the test is about 100%.
4. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is taken from a vein and allows you to identify the titer of antibodies to a specific pathogen and find out the exact cause of the disease.

You should go to the hospital if there are any changes in your skin condition.Even slight peeling and itching between the fingers cannot be ignored.Otherwise, the disease will affect the feet and nails and will be more difficult to cure.

Treatment

Fungus on the feet requires an integrated approach.The intensity of the treatment depends on the type of infection and the degree of damage to the skin and nails.

Therapy includes medications for internal and external use and careful hygiene.The use of recipes from traditional medicine is suitable as an auxiliary method.

Medicines

The treatment regimen should be prescribed by a doctor based on the patient's clinical picture.Medicines in capsules or tablets, antifungal creams and ointments are used to treat adults.Control methods are aimed at eliminating pathological microorganisms and healing the skin.Medicines should not be stopped until full recovery..

creams

Productive treatment of the fungus is provided by creams.They have a light texture and are absorbed quickly.When choosing a product, you should consider the contraindications for use and follow the recommendations of a specialist.

The cream should be applied regularly, after thoroughly washing the skin with laundry soap and drying.

Ointments

The choice of antifungal ointments is very wide.Allergic reactions and other side effects should be ruled out before starting treatment. 

If the fungal infection of the legs is complicated by a secondary infection and other means do not give the expected result, the dermatologist prescribes ointments based on glucocorticosteroids.

Medicines quickly relieve inflammation and stop the disease at any stage, but they have many contraindications.They should be taken strictly according to the instructions, without exceeding the dose. 

An effective remedy for removing all signs of fungus is an ointment with salicylic acid.This is a simple and inexpensive drug that can be used in two ways:

• treat the affected area 3 times a day;
• Before going to bed, apply the product under the bandage and leave overnight.

After compresses, the skin can peel and peel a lot.You can easily get rid of such manifestations with soda baths (1 tablespoon of soda per 1 liter of hot water).The procedure should be performed every other day throughout the treatment.

Pills

To improve the effectiveness of therapy, the use of external means is often combined with internal drugs.Tablets can have a strong effect on the body as a whole, so they should not be taken uncontrollably.

Treatment of nail fungus with fungistatic and fungicidal drugs is recommended, which suppress the growth of the fungal colony and destroy the pathogenic flora.

The list of antifungal drugs is varied.A dermatologist may recommend different medications based on your medical history and symptoms.The doctor determines the rules of admission.You must strictly follow his instructions.

People's funds

You can achieve faster recovery by using traditional methods as additional therapy.To get rid of foot mycosis, use:

• hot baths;
• homemade ointments;
• compresses;
• medicinal herb lotions.

Before treatment, it is important to make sure that there is no individual intolerance to the components of traditional recipes.

Ointments for fungus

Homemade ointments help in the fight against pathogenic flora.

1. Copper sulfate, yellow sulfur and goose fat are mixed in equal proportions in an enameled container and mixed well.Put on low heat, bring to a boil and turn off.The mixture should be cooled and transferred to a glass jar.Store in a cool, dark place.Apply to affected areas morning and night until all symptoms disappear.
2. You can prepare a simpler recipe.You will need to take goose fat and wood ash in equal proportions.Knead the ingredients together until smooth.Use twice daily, applying liberally to affected areas.

Compresses and masks

1. A good remedy for fungus is an onion and garlic mask.You need to peel 2-3 cloves of garlic and one small onion.Grind and apply the pulp in a thick layer on the affected skin.Cover with cellophane, bandage and put on socks.It is recommended to perform the procedure in the evening and leave the mask until morning.After waking up, the bandage should be removed and the body should be washed with water.Treatment should be carried out daily until recovery.
2. A mixture of celandine and tea tree oil is useful as a compress.The oil is added to a tablespoon of crushed dry vegetable raw materials.You should get a thick paste.It should be applied to the places where the fungus is located, the leg should be wrapped in polyethylene and isolated.Do the compress at night regularly for at least 2 weeks.
3. An effective basis for a compress is obtained from medicinal herbs.Pour 400 ml of sunflower or olive oil into the pan.Add 1 tablespoon each of calendula flower, peppermint, black wormwood, and radiola blush.Put on fire and heat to 60 degrees.Turn off and put in a dark place for a day.Then filter.Use the oil mixture as a compress for 1 hour, 2 times a day.The method has a sparing effect, so it can be used to treat a child, provided that there is no allergy to herbs.

Bathrooms

1. The simplest foot fungus bath is made from salt and baking soda.You need to dissolve the ingredients in warm water in the amount of 1 spoon of soda and 1 spoon of salt per 1 liter of water.Immerse your feet in the liquid and hold for 15 minutes.Finally, rinse the limbs under the tap and dry them.
2. The milkweed herb is suitable for making a bath.You need to measure 3 tablespoons of dry grass and pour them with 3 liters of boiling water.Wrap with a towel and leave for 4 hours.Strain, warm slightly and pour into a bowl.Keep your feet in the liquid for about half an hour.The frequency of the procedure is once every 2 days.Duration 1 month.
3. Strong coffee suppresses the development of pathogenic spores.You need to brew a drink (1 tablespoon of ground coffee per 250 ml of water).When it cools to a comfortable temperature, pour it into a basin and place your feet there for 20 minutes.It is important that the areas affected by the fungus are covered with water.Treatment can be done daily for a long time.

Herbal washes and lotions

Many medicinal herbs have a pronounced antifungal effect.For the treatment of mycosis of the feet, it is useful to use a medicinal herb.

You will need:

• marigold flowers;
• oak bark;
• dried blackberries;
• verbena herb.

The components must be mixed in equal proportions.Take 3 tablespoons of the mixture, pour 500 ml of water and place in a water bath.Simmer for 20 minutes, cool and strain through a filter.You should wash your feet and toes with the herbal decoction 2-3 times a day and apply lotions to the affected areas for half an hour.

Alcohol tincture of propolis helps fight the disease.It can be purchased at a pharmacy.Gauze is soaked in the liquid and applied to the feet for 30 minutes or the affected areas are wiped with a cotton pad 3 times a day.

Prevention

Fungus on the feet is an insidious disease that requires serious treatment.To reduce the chance of infection, proper prevention is necessary.It is recommended to follow simple rules:

• avoid high humidity;
• don't try on someone else's shoes;
• maintain foot hygiene.

It is important to control sweating.You can use regular talcum powder for this.To keep your skin healthy and from cracking, you should regularly apply a moisturizer and take baking soda baths once a week.

During treatment, bed linen should be boiled, socks should be changed daily and washed thoroughly in hot water.Manicure accessories must be systematically disinfected.To prevent re-infection, it is necessary to treat the inside of the shoes with table vinegar or medical alcohol.