One of the most common skin diseases is athlete's foot. It occurs in people of all ages and professions. The greatest prevalence of mycosis is among workers in hot shops, miners, athletes, bath workers, in whom the incidence exceeds 60%. Children suffer quite rarely, but already in adolescents there is an increase in cases of mycosis.
What is foot mycosis
Mycosis of the foot is a group of fungal skin diseases, often with simultaneous damage to the nails. These infections cause similar clinical manifestations. They can be distinguished only after microscopic examination of the skin and nails. Mycosis of the skin of the feet is a highly contagious disease. It is transmitted from person to person through household items: rugs in locker rooms, showers and pools, benches for feet, basins and flooring in baths and saunas. It is dangerous to use shared shoes and socks. The surface layer of the skin, which is constantly exfoliating, contains a lot of the fungi themselves and their spores. Initially, the interdigital folds are affected, skin itching occurs. In the future, the infection captures the entire foot and spreads to the nails. The course of the disease is long, it requires constant treatment. To prevent mycosis of the foot, you can buy an effective prophylactic.
Causes of mycosis of the feet
The cause of the disease is microorganisms of the genus Trichophyton, less often mold fungi and Epidermophyton floccosum:
- red trichophyton (Tr. Rubrum) causes up to 95% of all cases of the disease;
- about a third of patients also found interdigital trichophyton (Tr. Interdigitale);
- inguinal epidermophyton (E. floccosum) is the cause of the disease in 1% of cases.
The likelihood of infection increases in adverse external conditions:
- high humidity;
- tight shoes;
- frequent visits to swimming pools, saunas and other wet areas;
- the presence of a sick person in the family.
Some internal diseases also contribute to the development of a fungal infection:
- sweating of the legs;
- immunodeficiency;
- intake of corticosteroid hormones inside;
- flat feet;
- Raynaud's disease, atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries, obliterating endarteritis, varicose veins;
- diabetes.
What happens during illness
Mycosis of the feet on healthy skin rarely develops. Even if the fungus gets on the surface, it will not be able to penetrate the thick layer of intact epithelium. Under the influence of adverse external factors, the epidermis accumulates moisture and loosens. Fungi penetrate the thickness of the skin and begin to multiply actively. This is further promoted by vascular diseases and immune disorders, which are accompanied by malnutrition and local protective mechanisms on the feet. The reproduction of fungi causes damage to the interdigital areas, intense peeling and discomfort. Rejected epithelium gets into socks and shoes, becoming a source of re-infection. Therefore, during the treatment of mycosis, it is necessary to treat the inner surface of the shoe with a preparation with a special composition against the fungus.
Symptoms
Conventionally, there are such forms of mycosis of the feet, which are shown in the photo:
- Squamous: unilateral peeling and slight itching in the arch of the foot. This form often goes unrecognized.
- Intertriginous: the folds between the fingers are affected, then the process moves to the rear of the foot. Weeping cracks appear, accompanied by itching. A bacterial infection may join with the development of erysipelas.
- Dyshidrotic: on the arch of the foot, vesicles merge with each other with light, and then with cloudy contents. They open with the formation of painful erosions. This type is accompanied by itching and pain.
Mycosis of the skin of the foot in the acute period may be accompanied by fever, poor health, headache, enlarged inguinal lymph nodes. When infected with trichophyton, the nail of the I or V finger is affected, in the future the process spreads to all nail plates. First, yellow spots appear at the free edge of the nail, then it thickens, loosens and crumbles. Therefore, to treat foot fungus, you need to use complex action products, for example, lotion for skin and nails.
Diagnosis of the disease
Recognition of the disease is based on the analysis of external manifestations and the isolation of the fungus from the surface of the skin. A microscopic examination of the affected epithelium and nails is carried out. To accurately determine the type of microorganisms, they are grown on a nutrient medium. It is necessary to distinguish mycosis of the foot from a non-fungal lesion:
- intertrigo;
- eczema;
- psoriasis;
- hyperkeratosis.
Accurate diagnosis ensures a good treatment outcome.
Treatment of mycosis of the feet
The therapy is carried out in 2 stages. First, it is necessary to eliminate acute inflammation and remove horny overlays on the feet. Warm foot baths with potassium permanganate and lotions with a solution of boric acid are shown. After removing the dense epithelium, creams containing anti-inflammatory hormones and antibiotics are used. After the inflammation subsides, these creams are replaced with similar ointments. At the second stage of treatment, antifungal ointments and creams are used (for example, representatives of the group of imidazole antifungal drugs). They should be applied to clean, dry skin 1-2 times a day, gently rubbing. Not only the affected area is treated, but also the surrounding surface of the foot. The course of treatment takes about a month. Mycosis of the foot is successfully treated with medications, special lotions for the skin and nails, which can be purchased at the pharmacy. Benefits of drugs for the fight against fungus:
- high activity against the fungus that causes mycosis of the feet;
- security;
- hypoallergenicity;
- affordable price.
The lotion can be used to treat other skin diseases:
- pityriasis versicolor;
- skin candidiasis;
- erythrasma;
- secondary bacterial infection on the background of mycosis.
The medicine is used 2 times a day, gently rubbing it into the affected areas. The skin must first be washed with soap and dry well, especially between the fingers. The course of treatment lasts until the symptoms of the disease disappear and for another 2 weeks. The drug is well tolerated. Only occasionally does it cause skin irritation. He has the only contraindication - the first trimester of pregnancy. Of course, the substance clotrimazole is not used for its individual intolerance. One of the advantages of the lotion is the excellent penetration of the drug into the nail plates, which distinguishes it from a cream or ointment. Regular use of this drug provides an excellent result in mycosis of the feet and nails without the use of additional funds. Damage to the nails requires the appointment of antifungal drugs inside.
At the same time, therapeutic varnishes are used, which are applied to the nails 1-2 times a week until complete recovery.
Preventive methods
Treatment of a fungal infection takes a long time. Mycosis of the feet requires the use of drugs, the cost of which is quite high. Prevention of the disease is especially important in people with risk factors for the disease. Athletes, swimmers, hot shop workers are advised to regularly use antifungal and antibacterial drugs, such as spray or lotion. Such products are safe, do not damage the skin and do not cause irritation. With regular use, the likelihood of contracting a foot fungus is sharply reduced. Undecylenic acid spray is useful for preventing reinfection. To do this, the drug must be sprayed monthly on the inner surface of the shoe. The active substance of the spray - undecylenic acid - is safe even with prolonged use. It should be applied to dry, clean skin of the feet before each visit to the pool and other similar places. Contraindications to the use of this drug have not been established. It should only be used with caution by pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is necessary to eliminate the external causes of the onset of the disease:
- wear boots and shoes that fit;
- use high-quality sports shoes made from natural materials;
- wash your feet daily and treat your nails on time;
- fight sweating feet;
- when visiting a bath, pool, beach, it is better to use light silicone or rubber slippers.
General strengthening of immunity, treatment of diabetes mellitus and vascular diseases is necessary.