The fungus can settle on any part of the body, but most often it affects the skin of the feet.This is due to the wearing of shoes, which is ventilated much worse than clothes.The legs still sweat strongly, and blood circulation in them is often slowed, especially in old people and people with chronic diseases.All this creates excellent conditions for the propagation of pathogenic fungi.About 70% of people at least once in their lives came across mycosis, and in 20% it exists in a persistent form.To get rid of the fungus, you first need to recognize it and identify the type of pathogen.After the disease can be treated at home.
How the fungus looks and manifests itself
Fungal diseases are called mycosis.Dermatomycosis can develop on the legs - a skin fungus, or onychomycosis - damage to the nails.Often they are combined, since the infection quickly spreads to nearby areas.
The frequency of occurrence of different pathogens is distributed as follows:
- In 80-90% of cases, dermatophytes cause the disease.There are many varieties of these parasitic fungi: trichophytons, epidermophytons and others. With these fungi, it is easy to become infected when visiting public places, since their disputes live in the environment for a long time, especially with high humidity;
- In 5-10%, damage is found with yeast-like representatives of microflora.The disease is characteristic of people with reduced immunity and sweating, since mushrooms are candidate to conditionally pathogenic and live in the human body from his birth;
- At about the same frequency as candidiasis, there is mycosis caused by molds.Usually they affect the thumbs in people over 60 years old;
- In analyzes, several pathogens are often detected, even from different groups.At the same time, mixed infections give a complex clinical picture, so diagnosis is required - it will make it possible to choose the preparations suitable for treatment.
The fungus on the legs looks differently.Sometimes it can be determined from the first glance.However, erased forms can be disguised as other diseases and conditions:
- eczema, psoriasis, neurodermatitis;
- Onodistrophy (changes in nails as a result of violation of trophic processes);
- nail injuries;
- bacterial infections;
- ichthyosis and others.
This is the second important reason for which you need to consult a doctor to make a final diagnosis.
Symptoms of mycoses
General symptoms characteristic of mycoses:
- itching intensifying in the evening;
- an unpleasant sweet smell from the legs, independent of hygiene measures;
- peeling and skin exfoliation;
- white flour -shaped plaque;
- small bursting watery bubbles;
- cracks between the fingers, on the heels;
- change in the color of the nail plates, the appearance of spots, stripes on them;
- Thickening or, conversely, thinning of nails; cringing and destruction of nails.
Important! These signs do not always appear at the same time.If at least one of them is noticed, for example, itching not related to an allergy, you should consult a dermatologist.
Forms of the disease
Forms, that is, the appearance of fungal damage, depends on the pathogen, the stage of the disease and the characteristics of the patient's body.Determined by clinical manifestations:
- Interdal fiber erosion.More often occurs with sweating of the feet, wearing tight shoes, flat feet, excess weight.Between 3, 4 and 5 fingers of the foot, painful cracks appear, areas of redness.The skin is exfoliated by large flakes.There is a weak itch between the fingers;
- Mokasin -like shape.The “foot of the athlete” is called differently.It is more common in men.The defeat affects the sole and lateral parts of the foot.The skin is peeling, peeling, dries.On the soles rude, cracks.With a long -existing disease, nails change - become matte, yellowish, crumble;
- Vesicule-Pustulenia form (Dyshidrotic).It is characterized by the predominance of bubbles with liquid.When they burst, sores form.Often, due to the large area of the wounds, a bacterial infection joins, suppuration occurs.The disease is accompanied by itching, pain, edema.Sometimes the body temperature even rises;
- Hyperkeratolytic form.It is manifested by a thickening of the stratum corneum of the skin.Grits appear on the feet, the skin pattern deepens, the color changes to grayish-yellow.Thick corns arise on the soles and sides.Peeling is usually small, inconspicuous;
- Erased form.The clinical signs of the disease are inherent.Usually there is a fine flour -like peeling, which many take for dry skin.However, it does not pass from the use of nutrient creams.Sometimes a weak itch occurs, the legs smell unpleasantly.
Treatment of foot fungus
Fungicidal preparations for external and internal use are intended for the treatment of skin mycoses.If the disease at the initial stage did not affect the nails, it is easy to cure with an ointment, cream, a solution that can be bought at any pharmacy.
The main antimicotics drugs:
- Imidazole derivatives (Clotrimazole, bifonazole);
- derivatives of triazole (fluconazole, itraconazole);
- Hallelamins (teribinaphin, naphthyfin).
On their basis, both expensive, advertised means and cheap ones are produced.Prices may differ ten times, so you can ask the doctor to name alternative options if he prescribed an expensive medicine.
Folk methods of treatment of mycosis
Up to 50% of sick with mycosis are trying to be treated with folk remedies.The reasons are different - from the desire to save to the unwillingness to consult a doctor with a “shameful” sore.Some products, traditionally used from the fungus, really help to fight the infection, but you need to choose them wisely and not wait for the impossible.
Features of folk recipes:
- It is required to use them for a long time and regularly - there will be no quick result;
- It is important to consider possible allergic reactions, individual sensitivity and intolerance to components;
- Do not trust the healers who say that you can cure nail fungus or skin for one use of some kind of non-traditional medicine.To get rid of the disease is instantly unrealistic.
Onychomycosis is treated longer and more difficult than a simple fungus.This process can be accelerated if you remove the plate affected by the pathogen.Today, surgical intervention is not required for this.The nails are removed with a laser, a special device with a nozzle-fraise or chemical keratolytic agents.
Vinegar
Natural vinegar, apple or wine, helps to remove the foot fungus due to the change in the skin of the skin.Dermatophytes love an alkaline environment, so vinegar is disastrous for them.For treatment, baths with the addition of 6 or 9% vinegar are used (3 tbsp. Per 1 liter of hot water).The legs are held in them for 15-20 minutes, then thoroughly dried with a towel (it is changed every day).Repeat the baths every day before bedtime for two weeks.
Soda
Drill soda is useful for candidiasis, since yeast -like mushrooms prefer a slightly acidic environment.For a therapeutic bath in 1 liter of hot water, 2 tbsp.l.soda and 1 tsp.iodine.Another recipe: 2 tbsp.l.soda and 1 tbsp.l.sea salt.After the bath, it is necessary to rinse the legs with clean water.
Oak bark
The tannins, knitting substances of the oak bark compact the upper layer of the skin and fungi cannot penetrate deeper.But its value is not exhausted by this.Oak bark has the following healing properties:
- anti -inflammatory;
- healing;
- antimicrobial;
- antifungal;
- deodorizing;
- reducing sweating.
For prevention, such baths are made once a month, which allows you to forget forever about the fungus, sweating of the legs, cracks on the heels.
Celandine oil
This is a universal cosmetic and therapeutic product that can be used with different purposes, including in the fight against the fungus.It has the following properties:
- wound healing;
- antipruritic;
- antimicrobial;
- fungicidal;
- painkillers.
You can prepare the therapeutic composition yourself from dry raw materials.To do this, 250 g of grass is poured with 0.5 l of oils, hold in a water bath for 1 hour.Then they insist in a dark place for 3 weeks, filtered and cleaned in the refrigerator.
Oil is applied to clean dry feet, nails, slightly rubbing, are left for 20 minutes.The remains are wetted with paper towels.Pure socks are put on top.The procedure is carried out once a day two weeks.
With interdigital erosion, you can moisten pieces of cotton wool in oil and lay between the fingers at night.
Onychomycosis in the initial stage is treated with compresses.Part of the cotton pad saturated with oil is applied to the pre -treated nail (steamed, cleaned).An attacker is put on top.The compress is left at night.
Tea tree oil
Another product that helps to quickly get rid of the fungus on the legs and an unpleasant odor.For treatment, you need to use 100% essential oil.It is better to dilute it yourself, since purchased cosmetic or massage oil may contain too small concentration of the desired product.
Tea tree is used in the same way as celandine, after diluting essential oil with basic (olive, coconut or others) in a proportion of 1 to 3. For preventive purposes, it is recommended to add it to the foot baths (10 drops per liter of water).
Garlic
Effective, but unpleasantly smelling and unsafe remedy for fungus.Garlic juice is very caustic, with careless handling of it you can get strong burns.In addition, the aroma of this plant is very persistent, it does not disappear for a long time.However, being on sick leave or on vacation, you can try the following folk recipe:
- Mix in equal proportions freshly squeezed garlic juice, medical alcohol and water;
- Insist in a warm dark place for two days;
- Apply on clean legs for 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water;
- Repeat the procedure twice a day for at least a week.
Important!This tool cannot be used if there are severe skin damage - weeping cracks, erosion, sores.Will burn hard.
The easiest way to use garlic from onychomycosis is to apply its juice with a cotton swab on prepared nails, avoiding hiding on the skin.This procedure is carried out before bedtime, in the morning it is washed off with water.
Reviews about the treatment of the fungus of the foot with folk methods
It is strange that they don’t write anything about tar soap.It helped me from the fungus.The shelf must be grated and dissolved in water.Lower your legs for half an hour.The first day my skin went with pieces, I took it off with my hands, sometimes the terpy ter.A week later, the legs were like a baby pink, healthy.Only then it is necessary to smear hand cream, the soap is very dried.
From the fungus between the fingers, I made the following composition: glycerin and acetic acid 1: 1.Glycerin in pharmacies is sold, it is cheap.There is incomplete bubble, you can pour vinegar and shake right into it.Lubricated this between the fingers every day, after a week the cracks healed.
Many medicines are impossible for children, because their skin is thin, delicate.Therefore, the kids from the fungus are good at applying raw potato gruel.She relieves itching and heals combs, but it is necessary to be treated for a long time, about a month.