Mycosis, or fungus, is an unpleasant disease that is caused by parasitic microorganisms - fungi. It is quite common and can occur in both adults and children. The fungus can appear on different parts of the body, but most often affects the skin of the feet and hands, as well as nails. It causes physical discomfort, and the affected areas look extremely unattractive.
The fungus is not a "harmless" disease. Its waste products are toxic, can weaken the immune system and even lead to allergies. Therefore, he needs timely treatment, which should be prescribed by a doctor. Many are concerned about questions about how to get rid of the fungus on the legs, what treatment can be used to treat the problem at home.
Why does the fungus appear
The appearance and development of a skin fungus is associated with the presence of pathogens in the skin, which multiply very quickly. The fungus is most often localized between the fingers, and can also affect the heels, feet, palms and nails. There may be several reasons why it appears. The fungus loves a moist and warm environment. Increased sweating of the legs creates all the conditions for an infection to "settle" in the skin.
Visiting public places such as a swimming pool, sauna, gym, locker rooms and a shared shower is the main way to contract mycosis. At the same time, direct contact with a person or with other people's things is not even necessary: the spores of the fungus are volatile and are present in the air. Also, the fungus occurs from the lack of appropriate personal care and personal hygiene.
Poor quality shoes that do not allow the skin of the feet to breathe can also be one of the factors in the occurrence of the disease. The disease can also develop in people whose work activity is associated with constant contact with a yeast fungus (confectioner, cook, winemaker). The fungus can also appear against the background of weakened immunity, due to chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis).
The fungus starts on the skin of the feet between the toes. There are symptoms such as itching, redness of the skin, peeling. Then cracks form, the skin thickens, scales appear. There may also be fluid blisters on the skin that burst and heal poorly. If there is no treatment, the infection multiplies rapidly and can spread to the nails and hands. The skin of the hands affected by the fungus becomes very dry and covered with scales.
Between the fingers, the skin can change its color, crack and peel off. In general, the symptoms of fungus on the hands and feet are the same. Symptoms that indicate the appearance of a fungus on the nails: the infection begins to affect the nail from the edge and then reaches the base. The nail plate becomes cloudy, thickens, the nail changes its shape, deforms. There are also symptoms such as the appearance of stripes on the nail and a change in its color: from white, yellow to brown or even black.
Fungus is a problem with which the body begins to fight. Because of this, allergic symptoms are possible in the form of blisters and erosions on the skin.
Causes of fungus in children
Fungus on the feet and hands is a fairly common problem in children. First of all, this is due to the fact that the children's immune system is not yet sufficiently developed and therefore can be subjected to various influences, including a fungal infection. In addition, the predisposition of children to various fungal diseases is also determined by the characteristics of their skin: low bactericidal activity of sweat and sebaceous glands, increased ability to absorb water.
In the process of learning the world, the child is in close contact with the environment, in which pathogens of fungal diseases are widespread (for example, the disease can manifest itself after contact with a sick animal or soil). In addition, in kindergarten or school, the child comes into contact with a large number of other children who may also be carriers of the skin disease.
Infection in children can occur both through direct contact and after using household items that contain fungal spores: toys, towels, someone else's shoes. It is enough to run barefoot or try on someone else's thing - and the disease may already manifest itself. Symptoms of the disease are no different from those in adults.
Factors provoking the appearance of fungal diseases in children are beriberi, poor ecology, lack of a culture of personal hygiene. Parents need to listen to the complaints of the child, regularly examine the skin. It is imperative to treat the fungus, because it is this disease that can cause allergies and weaken the immune system in children.
Prevention and preventive measures will keep your child from getting sick. Therefore, you need to consult a dermatologist as soon as possible. The doctor will be able to diagnose and prescribe the correct treatment.
fungus treatment
If you notice in yourself or your children any signs or symptoms of the appearance of a fungus on the legs or arms, then you need to urgently contact a specialist. Only a doctor will be able to make a correct diagnosis and determine the methods of how to remove the fungus on the feet and hands. Proper diagnosis is essential because the outward symptoms of the infection may overlap with those of other diseases (such as psoriasis).
Depending on the causative agent of the disease, the neglect of the disease and the state of health of the patient himself, the doctor prescribes local, systemic (taking pills) or mixed treatment. Topical application involves the use of a special ointment, varnish or spray. If the patient has no contraindications, then the doctor prescribes a course of antifungal tablets that will help destroy the fungus "from the inside". Of course, it is best to use combination therapy when the treatment of the problem is carried out in all directions.
In some cases of fungal infection, a doctor may recommend removing the nail. But simply eliminating the nail will not solve the problem, because the fungus will still be present in the body and will manifest itself over time. This procedure makes the treatment more effective, because antifungal drugs can more easily penetrate into the lesion. Today, this procedure is painless and does not require surgery.
There are special products that stick to the nail and "dissolve" it within 3-4 days. Treating fungus on the legs and arms is quite difficult. The treatment itself can last up to 1 year. In addition to the therapy prescribed by the doctor, the treatment of the fungus at home must also be carried out using some recommendations.
- Complete disinfection of living space. Do a general cleaning of the place where you live. Pay special attention to the bathroom. Wash the tub, as well as the floor and walls, with a cleaner. Rinse the container with hot water after each wash. The rug on the bathroom floor should be rubber so that no fungus can settle in it.
- It is necessary to wash the feet with household or tar soap. These types of soaps have antifungal and disinfectant properties. In addition, it will help to slightly dry the sores that may appear due to the fungus.
- After water procedures, dry your feet with a hairdryer or dry them thoroughly with a paper towel, as fungus may remain on the usual one.
- Do not walk barefoot around the house, and do not sit with your feet on upholstered furniture.
- Throw away your old slippers. Walk around the house either in socks made of natural materials, or in rubber open slippers.
- Treat the rest of the shoes with apple cider vinegar or formalin.
- Items from the manicure set must be individual and not used by any member of the family. After each use, wipe the scissors and nail files with alcohol.
- Sleep in cotton socks, which should be changed daily.
- Bed linen should be changed at least once a week.
- Socks, stockings or tights - change daily. They should be washed in hot water. Socks after washing can be well ironed with an iron.
Of course, it is better to prevent the disease than to treat it later. Therefore, prevention is necessary in order to protect yourself from the disease as much as possible. When visiting swimming pools, saunas and other public places, use only your personal belongings (towel, washcloth). Never go barefoot. Even if you use a shower in a public place, do not take off your slippers. They should be made of rubber, not sponge materials.
After visiting the pool, at home you need to wash the slippers well with laundry soap and dry them. For everyday wear, choose quality shoes made from natural and breathable materials. Wearing shoes that are not breathable will make your feet sweat, which creates a favorable environment for the development of a fungal disease.
Prevention of fungal infections includes careful self-care, regular water procedures, timely change of underwear and bed linen.
Getting rid of fungus at home
Among other things, at home, you can use traditional medicine. In combination with the treatment prescribed by your doctor, this will help to quickly remove the fungus.
- Apple cider vinegar is a remedy that has disinfectant and antifungal properties. Apply vinegar to a cotton swab and apply to the affected areas. If there are open wounds and sores on the skin, then you should not make such lotions. In this case, make a foot bath with a weak solution of apple cider vinegar.
- Foot baths can also be done with sea salt. For this you need 3 tbsp. l. salt per liter of warm water. It is better to use salt, which does not contain dyes and flavors. Soak your feet in this solution for 10-15 minutes. It can be applied to the affected areas as a compress.
- Traditional healers know how to remove the fungus on the legs and arms at home with the help of an ordinary onion. Grate the onion and squeeze the juice out of it. Moisten a cotton ball with juice and apply to the affected areas. Do not rinse, but leave until the juice dries. The procedure must be done daily.
- Clay is another way to fight fungus. Take pharmacy clay (sold in powder) and dilute it with cool water to the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply the product to the affected areas until completely dry. Then rinse with water.
- Celandine juice is a universal remedy for the treatment of many skin diseases at home. If you break a branch of celandine, then orange juice will begin to appear from it. With this juice, it is necessary to lubricate the places affected by the fungus. The procedure must be done twice a day.
- The pharmacy sells another effective remedy - birch tar. After a shower, apply it on sore spots and do not rinse, wearing clean socks. The procedure is best done at night.
- You can also get rid of the fungus with the help of ordinary soda. Take a small amount of soda, dilute it with water to a slurry state. It is necessary to make an application from this slurry daily, keep it for 15 minutes.
- Among the recommendations on how to cure foot fungus at home, there are tips using ammonia. 1 st. l. dilute ammonia in one glass of water. Moisten a handkerchief with the solution and wrap the affected limb with it. Put the bag on top and secure with a sock. The procedure is best done at night.
Prevention can protect you from a fungal infection. But if you still find alarming symptoms in yourself or your children, contact your doctor immediately. Only a doctor knows how to get rid of the fungus in the shortest possible time and without harm to the body, he will be able to make the correct diagnosis.
Do not self-medicate. Self-treatment at home can not only harm, but also exacerbate the problem. Traditional medicine can be effective, but only if the treatment with alternative methods is allowed and approved by the doctor.