Mycoses are diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms (fungi). The disease does not pose a mortal threat to a person, but it causes discomfort and is difficult to treat. Most often, people with weak immunity, hormonal imbalance and non-compliance with personal hygiene rules are most susceptible to infection. Treatment of the fungus sometimes lasts 3-4 months with a whole range of drugs. To enhance the therapeutic effect of drugs, doctors prescribe recipes of traditional medicine. The key to successful treatment is early diagnosis of the disease. In the early stages, mycoses are more amenable to the action of antifungal drugs.
Variety and symptoms of dermatomycosis
Thousands of species of fungi are known to science, but only a few hundred of them are pathogenic to humans.
Types of microorganisms that cause athlete's foot:
- trichophytons;
- dermatophytes;
- Candida.
The first signs of mycosis are quite difficult to recognize. What the fungus looks like on the legs depends on the type of microorganism affecting the soft tissues.
intertriginous form
The most common form of fungal infection. It occurs in summer when sweating of the legs is increased. First, the folds in the space between the toes suffer, later the infection grabs neighboring areas and the nail plate.
First signs:
- dry skin between fingers;
- cracks and wounds;
- severe itching and burning;
- Peeling and discoloration of the epidermis.
scaly shape
This type of fungal infection affects the bottom of the foot. The skin looks rough, corns, calloused areas, deep cracks appear. When walking, a person experiences pain.
The disease progresses rapidly, capturing the surrounding area and the nail plate. In advanced cases, the nail changes color and 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 watery, multi-chambered vesicles with cloudy contents on the skin. Instead of bursting formations, ulcers appear, combining into continuous erosion.
The main danger of this form of mycosis is the addition of concomitant infections. Pathogenic microorganisms penetrate the wounds and provoke other dermatological diseases. Without timely therapy, large areas of the legs are affected. It becomes very difficult to cure mycosis.
causes
The main route of infection transmission is contact. If you do not follow the basic rules of personal hygiene, you can become infected through household items that the patient uses. Flaking particles of the epidermis, along with the causative agent of the disease, remain on shoes, towels in the infected areas. As soon as the fungus is on the surface of the skin of a healthy person, it begins to actively multiply.
Spores of a pathogenic microorganism can survive in the environment for many months before reaching favorable conditions. Public places - swimming pools, showers, baths, saunas, changing rooms in gyms - pose a great risk of infection.
In order to avoid infection, it is important to observe the rules of hygiene: change socks daily, wear comfortable shoes in which your feet do not sweat, dry the space between the fingers well with a towel after washing.
Treatment of the fungus with medicines
An important factor in eliminating skin mycosis is the examination prescribed by the doctor and timely treatment.
Getting rid of the fungus is quite difficult. You need a whole range of drugs for external and systemic action. First you need to determine the type of pathogen. This can only be done in a specialized laboratory.
ointments, creams
This type of drug has a high ability to penetrate deep into the affected tissue and reach the mycelium.
Antifungal ointments are divided into 2 types:
- azole. Suppresses cell growth, destroys the mycelium. Treatment with azole ointments usually lasts about a month;
- allylamine. It has a detrimental effect on yeasts and molds. This type of ointment has an antifungal and anti-inflammatory effect. Refers to inexpensive, effective means. The course of therapy is usually 3 months.
Benefits of ointments:
- no harmful effect on the gastrointestinal tract and liver;
- local application allows you to maximize the effect on the pathogen;
- Versatile for the treatment of skin and nail fungus.
Features of the use of antifungal ointments:
- before applying medication, the feet should be thoroughly washed and dried with a towel.
- the drug is applied to the affected surface with a thin layer, rubbing movements;
- avoid getting the medicine on the mucous membranes - nose, eyes, mouth;
- Follow the instructions for use and the recommendations of a dermatologist.
tablets
For more effective treatment of advanced mycoses, systemic therapy is prescribed along with external topical 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 amenable to treatment with topical agents. Destroys yeasts, dimorphic fungi and dermatophytes;
- Based on terbinafine. Acts on dermatophytes;
- Based on griseofulvin. Acts on dermatophytes. It prevents fungi from multiplying and destroys cell walls. This drug has increased toxicity, so modern medicine is gradually replacing it from the pharmacological market;
- based on fluconazole. Tablets belong to the group of azoles. Help get rid of the disease quickly.
Along with the treatment of a fungal infection of the feet, drugs to stimulate the immune system and vitamin-mineral complexes are prescribed to better fight the disease.
Treatment at home with folk remedies
Removal of the fungus with the help of prescriptions from alternative medicine is only possible 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.
iodine
A universal antiseptic has not only a bactericidal effect, but also an antifungal effect. It is recommended to lubricate the affected areas at night. Before the procedure, a sensitivity test must be performed. A small amount of iodine is applied to the crook of the elbow. 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 made, after which the skin is well wiped with a terry towel. In order not to cause chemical burns, iodine must be diluted with medical alcohol 1: 1. Using a cotton swab, apply a thin layer of the solution evenly to the areas affected by the fungus. Cotton socks are worn over this. Nail plates are also processed for prevention.
You can make an effective "talker" based on iodine:
- 14 antifungal tablets ground into powder;
- Mix with 100 ml of 1% dimexide and leave in a dark place for a day;
- Add 10 ml of iodine and vinegar essence.
Store the resulting mixture in the refrigerator and stir thoroughly before use. It should be applied to the affected areas of the skin with a cotton swab 1-2 times a day. The duration of treatment is 1 month.
hydrogen peroxide
Another well-known antiseptic that helps fight the manifestations of the fungus on the legs. The solution is applied in the form of applications to problem areas. Ten minutes twice a day is enough to overcome mycosis in the early stages in 5-10 days.
Baths for steaming the legs with the addition of peroxide are considered useful. It is diluted 1: 1 with water. The solution is not enough, but it is only necessary to place the affected part of the foot in it. The procedure takes 30-40 minutes. The liquid should not get on healthy skin, as it greatly dries out soft tissues.
celandine
The medicinal plant successfully treats many skin diseases, including mycoses. Decoctions are used for poultices and baths. If it is possible to get a freshly harvested plant, you can try to cure the fungus with fresh juice.
To do this, tear off the bush, wash under running water. Prepare legs - steam out, scales are removed. Yellow sap appears on the cut of the stalk. They lubricate the affected surfaces. Doing self-treatment with celandine at home, you should be extremely careful. This plant is poisonous. Its juice can cause severe skin burns.
For steaming, a decoction of 5 tbsp is prepared. l. Herbs per 1 liter. boiling water. The solution is infused in a container with a tightly closed lid for 20 minutes. Then there is a foot bath.
Apple Cider Vinegar
An acidic environment will help remove the fungus in which it cannot reproduce and exist. Apple cider vinegar is used in the form of foot baths and applications.
If the affected area is small, it is enough to soak a cotton pad or piece of cotton fabric in an aggressive substance. In the case of large-scale spread, healthy areas of skin are coated with a greasy baby cream to protect them and a sock soaked in vinegar is put on.
To acidify water for foot baths. After such steaming, the skin is thoroughly dried and other drugs of natural origin or pharmaceutical preparations are applied.
Other home treatments
Traditional medicine offers a variety of tips for getting rid of the fungus and its manifestations. Such funds are easy to make independently, regardless of the components that are available in every home.
Homemade Ointments:
- Mix equal parts yellow sulfur, copper sulfate and goose fat in an enameled container. Bring to a boil over low heat and pour into a glass jar. The ointment is stored in the refrigerator. Apply to the affected skin areas daily in the morning and evening;
- Add wood ash to goose fat. Stir until smooth. Lubricate problem areas with a mixture twice a day;
- Mix butter with chopped garlic. The resulting mass is applied to the affected skin at night.
Ointments prepared according to the recipe of traditional medicine have a positive effect only at the initial stage of the disease. With advanced mycoses, they are used in combination with tablet preparations.
Compressed:
- Onion Garlic. A medium-sized onion and 2 cloves of garlic are smashed into a pulp. The mixture is put on the skin in a thick layer, covered with a plastic bag and fixed with a bandage. A cotton sock is pulled over it. The procedure is performed before bedtime. In the morning, the compress is removed and the feet are washed with warm water and soap. This method helps to cope with the disease in 7-10 days;
- Celandine with tea tree oil. 1. l. chopped herbs are mixed with oil until a pasty mass is obtained. It is plentifully applied to the area of \u200b\u200bthe localization of the fungus and isolated, as in the previous recipe;
- herbal compress. In a saucepan, mix 400 ml of sunflower oil, 1 tbsp. l. Herbs Comfrey, Peppermint, Calendula and Radiola. Heat the mixture to 50-60 degrees over low heat. During the day, insist on a dark, cool place. Remove dry ingredients through a sieve or cheesecloth. Compresses are made with the oil mixture in the evening for 1-2 hours. The safe effect of the recipe allows you to use it in childhood.
Important!
Before any medical procedure, you should steam your legs for 15-20 minutes.
trays:
- The most common and easiest solution for steaming is 1 tbsp. l. Table salt or sea salt, 1 tbsp. l. baking powder and 1 liter. Water. The process takes 15 minutes. Then the legs are washed with warm running water and dried;
- Brew strong coffee, cool and dip your feet in it for 5 minutes. Then rinse with water;
- Pour two liters of boiling water over a mixture of herbs: 2 tbsp. l. Chamomile flowers, horsetail, linseed. After cooling to a tolerable temperature, you should let your feet float in the resulting broth for 15 minutes.
prevention
Any disease is easier to prevent than to cure. Therefore, in order not to get sick, you should take some precautionary measures.
Tips to avoid infection:
- wear natural, high-quality shoes in which the foot does not sweat;
- in places with public visits (baths, saunas, showers, swimming pools, changing rooms) it is compulsory to wear removable rubber slippers;
- Only use personal shoes.
- maintain immunity.
Athlete's foot is an insidious disease. It's easy enough to get infected, but difficult to get rid of. Usually people start the disease because the mycosis does not appear immediately. You should take care of your body and consult a doctor at the first suspicious symptoms.