In England, foot fungus is called “athlete's foot”.Only one in five people are “athletes”.Fungus between the toes is a very common and unpleasant disease, but fortunately there are many effective ways to combat it.
Around 80% of the population has skin fungus.Due to increased density and sweating, the skin on the feet becomes more susceptible to mycoses.Fungal infection manifests itself as scaling and itching, but can also be asymptomatic, causing only the appearance of compactions (corns, calluses - hyperkeratosis on the heels and arches of the feet).
If left untreated, the infection spreads.A patient can infect other people and spread germs throughout their body.
Causes of the fungus
So why the “athlete’s foot symptom”?The fungus reproduces more easily in humid and warm environments and is also susceptible to microtraumas on the skin.And athletes always have an abundance of both – feet that are constantly irritated from training, plus socks that are always soaked with sweat.Ideal conditions for fungal growth.
You may have become infected in one of the public places with a hot and humid environment - swimming pool, sauna, bathhouse, hotel bathtub.Or you walked in uncomfortable artificial shoes, in which your feet were constantly irritated and sweaty.Or perhaps you have inadvertently tried on the shoes of a person suffering from fungus.In addition, there is a high risk of infection in people with weakened immunity due to illness or vitamin deficiency.
Fungus symptoms
- The folds of the skin peel off a little - as if they were sprinkled with flour;
- Cracks have appeared between the fingers, they itch and cause pain;
- Feet sweat frequently;
- Thickenings have formed on the skin of the sole;
- Nails have become irregular, possibly covered with bumps, peeling, spots or stripes (gray or yellow).Over time, the condition of the nails worsens and the spots increase in size.
If a crack occurs between your fingers, surrounded by peeling skin, you should definitely consult a dermatologist.The specialist will conduct an examination and determine the symptoms not only at the site of the injury, but also in other parts of the limb.
Fungus treatment
The most important thing in treating foot fungus is patience.Because the fungus on the skin is cured after at least a month of treatment, and on the nails – after about a year.
It's best to ask your doctor how to treat fungus between your toes.But if there is still no opportunity to go to the clinic, the better of the two evils will be self-medication.The main thing to remember is that you cannot delay treating the fungus, otherwise it will spread to other parts of the body - thighs, buttocks, abdomen, chest.
Treatment of fungus between the toes is carried out with the following medications:
- Ointments.To treat fungi, ointments based on tolnaftate or miconazole are used.It is best to change the ointment every 10-14 days to avoid addiction.It is necessary to use ointments until the fungus completely disappears, after which it is advisable to extend the treatment for another 2 weeks to avoid relapses.
- Medicinal solution compresses.Dip cotton swabs in the solution and place them between your fingers.Hold for 15-20 minutes.
- Refrigerator.Take a small amount of baking soda and dissolve it in water.Rub the affected areas with baking soda.
- Pills.If your nails are severely affected, you will likely receive general treatment.
- Immunostimulants.Fungal patients are usually given immunostimulants.
After the treatment has been successfully completed, it is very important to disinfect all your shoes (preferably replace them with new ones).Otherwise, there is a risk of being infected again – literally by yourself.To disinfect, take a solution of 25% formaldehyde or 30% vinegar, treat the shoes well and place them in polyethylene for 2 hours.After the specified time, the shoes must be aired.
Prevention of fungal foot diseases
To prevent such an unpleasant disease as foot fungus from affecting you again, take the following precautions:
- If possible, only wear leather or suede shoes and avoid artificial materials.The skin does not breathe in them and the foot is often not comfortable - this causes “painful” sweating, abrasions and wounds.
- When leaving the street, do not forget to treat your shoes with a special deodorizing spray.
- Do not wear or try on someone else's shoes.Wear socks before trying on shoes in a store.
- After going to the pool, spa or sauna, rinse your feet well and then dry them with a towel.The fungus does not grow in dry environments.After the feet have dried, it would be a good idea to treat them with lemon juice - the fungus coagulates in acid.
- To prevent the occurrence of fungus, you can use antifungal ointment.The ointment is applied to clean, dry feet.
- As already mentioned, the fungus is most often acquired by people with weakened immune systems.Therefore, eat more fruits and vegetables, drink juices and herbal teas.
Take care of yourself and be healthy!