If you recognize the fungus at an early stage and time to start the treatment, there is a high probability of quick recovery using the minimum number of drugs antifungals, most of which are dangerous for the health (especially the liver) during long-term therapy. Unfortunately, not always and not everyone is capable of reacting at the first signs of the appearance of fungal infection, as the symptoms of the initial phase is very similar to a harmless skin manifestations. I know the feeling, when he discovered a yellow spot on the nail plate at the toe and the first thoughts that come to mind – nothing will be cut, will grow healthy and clean nails or to hit somewhere soon. Or there was a small peeling in the interdigital folds, which in the 90% was attributed to dry skin and begin to try the moisturizer. But all of these "harmless" statements often hides the well-known and hated fungus on the feet.
Predisposing factors and the sources of pollution
Pregnancy can cause the development of fungal diseases, because women in this period, it is possible to observe a decrease in immunity and hormonal disruption.
Fungus, like many diseases can not develop to its appearance and the progression of the necessary enabling environment. There are a number of factors and diseases concomitant, leading to the appearance of this disease:
- a strong decrease in immunity;
- the absence or violation of personal hygiene;
- excessive sweating;
- diabetes mellitus;
- obesity;
- flat feet;
- vascular disease of the lower extremities;
- permanent abrasions and wounds;
- surgical intervention, etc.
We offer a list of the most popular causes of fungus of the feet, but even a poor diet or long-term use of antibiotics can also cause the development of fungal infections.
The infection most often occurs after using the shoes of the patient or public showers. In recent years there has been a rapid increase in the spread of fungal infections via the manicure instruments. Sources of infection can be attributed to:
- hygiene of the sick (loofah, pumice stone);
- the things of an infected person (socks, shoes, Slippers, pants);
- plants (especially of wood) of bathrooms, showers, and gyms.
Pathogens of fungus on the feet is very resistant in the environment differ from these in that they can reside in a latent condition in wood, towels, socks. Acute – the spring and the autumn.
How to recognize foot fungus in the initial phase?
Here experienced dermatologists recommend to pay attention not only to the exterior but also the internal characteristics. Have you noticed that they all go to the baths, swimming pools, sunbathe at the beach, but the fungus only affects the individual people? The fact is that its development requires an enabling environment – lower the body's resistance. This situation can be observed in the presence of comorbidities or recent medical events, during which used antibiotics or hormones.
Now let's talk about the demonstration of the fungus in the skin of the feet. The main symptoms are:
- cracks in the interdigital folds;
- peeling between the toes;
- hardening of the skin on the heels;
- was the skin on the feet, the toes;
- deformity of the nail plate (thickening or thinning);
- coloration of the nail (yellow, brown, black);
- redness and swelling of the feet;
- the appearance of red spots on the thighs and on the inside of the legs;
- the scales on the entire surface of the foot;
- itching of different intensity (depending on the location and cause);
- foul smell (most often seen in people who suffer from excessive sweating).
With deep mycosis can be observed the appearance of vesicles, scabs, and cracks, which are accompanied by severe itching and pain. In some cases, the lesions are in places that, because of the severe pain there is no possibility of becoming in the foot. This can lead to temporary disability and problems with movement.
Varieties and classification
As you already know, yeast infections can be caused by different pathogens, on this basis, can vary according to the location of the lesions. Most often, the fungus on the feet can be caused by:
- dermatomycosis;
- Candido mycosis;
- deep mycoses.
All fungal infections of the feet are now considered separate diseases caused by different pathogens and are located in different parts of the feet, but they are United by a name of fungus on the feet. The most common ones:
- Rubrofitiya stop. Approximately 60% of all mycoses of the feet. It is characterized by a high contagiousness and prevalence among certain segments of the population. The initial phase rubromikoza leave characteristic lesions of the fingers between the folds on the legs. In addition, the process involves the sole and the inner side of the foot. Defeat nails plastic for rubrofitii is observed in every third patient. Very often combined with a fungus on the hands, especially in generalized rubromikoze.
- Epidermo mycoses. These include two separate diseases – Epidermofitiya stop and Epidermofitiya inguinal-femoral folds. In both cases, the lesions are localized on the legs. Epidermofitii stop feature of the lesion of folds between the toes, the soles and the top of the foot. Less process extends to the nails (usually I and V fingers of the feet). The lesions covered with scales and crusts. There is itching of different intensity. In acute cases, there may be General malaise and headache. Inguinal Epidermofitiya appears as large scaly patches in the groin, on the inner face of the legs, the thighs, and the perianal region. Lesions may reach the size of large dishes, accompanied by a slight itching, flaking and inflammation.
- The onychomycosis. Each year, the prevalence of fungal nail infections is increasing. Only now (according to the statistics of mid-2016) in 10-18% of Russians diagnosed with onychomycosis of the nails of varying severity. Of great importance in its development are the environmental and social factors. Also at risk are people who have problems with cardiovascular, immune and endocrine system. Men suffer from 1.3 times more often than women. Children onychomycosis is very rare, the peak prevalence in people aged 50 to 70 years.
- Candidiasis. Strange, but there are still cases of injuries of the foot by the fungus Candida. In rare cases, candidal balanoposthitis can be spread from the genitals to the area perianal and inguinal-femoral folds. A little more of yeast-like fungi occur on the nails. In the initial phase marked tenderness of the nails, sometimes, when pressed about which we can highlight the pus. With time, its color becomes brown hue.
There are still rubrofitiya the soft skin, but the lesions on his strange legs. But rubromikozu in the groin is characterized by the lesion of the internal part of the leg red spots.
Treatment and prevention
Diagnosis of athlete's foot includes inspection of the clinical picture, the taking of scrapings of the lesions, the microscopic examination (find thread of the mycelium) and bacterial seeding to determine the culture of mushrooms. Before visiting the doctor does not treat the injuries by any means! The differential diagnosis is carried out with eczema, rashes and contact dermatitis.
Treatment Epidermofitii and rubrofitii in the groin is performed using topical treatments (usually Clotrimazole). The perspective is positive, the duration of therapeutic interventions rarely exceeds a month. As prophylaxis it is recommended that the treatment of the injuries of the alcohol-containing solutions, the presence of itching can be prescribed antihistamines.
More difficult is the case with athlete's foot and onychomycosis, as even the initial stages are very difficult to treat and prone to recurrence. The most effective is the combination of external and systemic medications, strict compliance with the dose, the hygiene and disinfection of the rules. Well-proven combination of diflucan in capsules and terbinafine in the form of ointment (treatment of injuries of the 2P/d for the month). A lot of attention in the fungi of the feet placed on the treatment of shoes and socks, which can cause a relapse. Socks preferably be boiled or washed at 90 degrees, the plants and the shoes in the interior must be treated with a solution of chlorhexidine.
And most importantly, remember that today, the fungus detected at an early stage, can be treated successfully with medications modern, but execution onychomycosis and athlete's foot can be treated months and even years.