Toe fungus is a problem for many. Itchy, burning, and unsightly looking skin and nails are just a small part of it. The disease is dangerous with complications that are even more difficult to cure. However, you can manage the problem if you take treatment for a fungal infection (mycosis) seriously.
Why does fungus appear on the feet?
Fungi are a type of infectious agent that affects the skin. These are complex and extremely tough microorganisms. Therefore, fungal diseases require a serious and comprehensive approach to treatment.
Mushrooms have their favorite habitats on the skin. First of all, it's the skin of the toes and nails. The reason for this is understandable - the feet are usually in the shoe, which is where a lot of moisture and dirt accumulates, and it is also very hot. Therefore, the fungi that live on the feet have a lot of food and a favorable microclimate for reproduction. Some types of complex fungi are more likely to infect the skin, while other types of fungi, such as yeasts and molds, favor nail plates. Simultaneous infection with different types of fungus is also possible.
Contribution to the development of fungi on the toes:
- decreased local and general immunity;
- poor foot hygiene;
- uncomfortable and tight shoes;
- irregular change of socks or stockings;
- Wearing socks or stockings made of synthetic, breathable materials;
- regular hypothermia or overheating of the feet;
- Circulatory disorders in the legs;
- Phlebeurysm;
- chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes mellitus;
- a long antibiotic treatment;
- increased sweating of the legs;
- Lack of vitamins and minerals in the body;
- mechanical damage to the skin, calluses, foot injuries;
- Obesity, excessive physical activity on the legs;
- irregular trimming of toenails.
The most important of these factors are decreased immunity and poor blood circulation in the legs. A decrease in immunity can occur for various reasons. As a rule, they are serious, chronic diseases that are mainly contagious. Also, immunity can decrease due to HIV, use of immunosuppressive drugs, and cancer. Equally important is the violation of the blood supply to the toes - due to vascular diseases, blood, diabetes, smoking.
Foot mycosis can develop in both men and women. They are more common in adults than in children.
Some types of fungi permanently inhabit the skin and are only activated under unfavorable circumstances, for example fungi of the genus Candida. And other types are transmitted from person to person. Infection can occur while going to the gym, bathing, or showering if the person is not wearing personal shoes. People who wear someone else's shoes or socks, or let others use them, are also at significant risk of infection. Often times, infection occurs when the same towels, manicure accessories, etc. are used. Factors that increase the likelihood of infection include cuts on the surface of the skin and deformation of the nail plates.
Symptoms of mycosis of the toes
The main symptoms of mycosis of the feet are itching and burning. There may also be redness of the skin, small blisters, increased peeling and roughness of the skin, and an unpleasant odor. The first symptoms of mycosis of the skin can be mistaken for simple irritation and chafing.
Symptoms of onychomycosis
The fungus can affect not only the skin, but also the nails. The last type of mycosis is called onychomycosis. The main symptom of onychomycosis is a change in the structure and type of the nail, its increased fragility. The nail turns yellow, grooves and cracks appear on its surface, the nail plate thickens and deforms. If the nail is left untreated, it will gradually peel and separate from the nail bed.
What does a mushroom look like on a finger: photo
You shouldn't diagnose yourself from photos. The diagnosis must be made by a qualified dermatologist.
Only he can determine the type of fungus. To do this, he may need not only an external examination of the feet, but also laboratory tests for abrasions.
However, the presence of signs even remotely similar to those shown in the photos is a cause for concern and a visit to the doctor.
Treatment of the disease is complex and is carried out at home under the supervision of a doctor.
Mushroom on the little finger
The fungus can affect the skin of any toe. But the little toes are the most susceptible to infection. The little toe in tight shoes is often pinched, causing abrasions and poor circulation on the skin. With the defeat of the little fingernail, the disease develops very quickly and faster than any other nail. If the little finger is infected, the infection can touch the other fingers very quickly.
Fungi on the little toe are treated in the same way as fungi on other parts of the skin. For little fingernail onychomycosis, the most rational solution may be to remove its nail plate. This operation will not cause great discomfort for the patient because the nail on the little finger grows back quickly. However, until the nail grows back (this can take 3-4 months), antifungal drugs must be used to prevent re-infection.
How to treat toe fungus
Treatment for mycosis should be started at the first alarming symptoms. First of all, you need to contact a dermatologist for diagnosis. Before starting therapy, it is necessary to determine the presence of mycosis and the nature of pathogenic microorganisms. To do this, the doctor will take a scrape from the skin or cut off a piece of the nail (if the nail is affected). Blood tests, blood tests for sugar will be done. Mycoses of the skin of the feet must be distinguished from:
- other infectious skin diseases;
- allergic reaction;
- Dermatoses due to diabetes, vascular diseases, stress and nervous diseases.
For the treatment of mycoses on the legs, local means (sprays, ointments, creams) are most often used. Only in severe cases can the doctor prescribe antifungal pills. The most commonly used tablets are fluconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine.
Treatment is based on the use of antifungal drugs. This type of preparation contains substances that kill fungi (fungicidal) or stop them from multiplying (fungistatic).
What antifungal drugs are most commonly used:
- Clotrimazole,
- Ketoconazole,
- Terbinafine,
- Nystatin,
- Miconazole,
- Econazole,
- Fluconazole.
Local preparations with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and keratolytic properties are also used. Antibacterial agents are prescribed when suppuration occurs, that is, a bacterial agent that joins the fungal infection. Anti-inflammatory drugs work well for uncomfortable symptoms such as itching and burning. However, they do not affect the real cause of the disease - pathogenic microorganisms. Keratolytics include zinc, sulfur, and sulfur salicylic ointments. They accelerate the regeneration of skin tissue by accelerating the peeling of the dead epidermis.
To treat mycoses of the feet, baths with antiseptics are also used - solutions of potassium permanganate, iodine, salt, baking soda, boric acid. Bathing is best done before bed for 20 minutes. To prevent spore infection, healthy areas of skin should be treated with chlorhexidine, iodine, hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate. To treat onychomycosis, varnishes with antifungal substances are used - Loceryl, Exoderil, Batrofen. These varnishes need to be applied to the nail plate.
Ointments and creams must be applied to previously washed and clean skin with the frequency specified in the product instructions. The area of application of the ointment should be slightly larger than the area of the visible lesion. To apply varnish to the nail plate, it is necessary to steam the nail, grind the uneven edges with a file, and degrease the surface of the nail with a solution containing alcohol.
In folk medicine, decoctions of medicinal plants are used to get rid of mycoses on the legs - chamomile, calendula, sage, St. John's wort, mint, vinegar solution, onion and lemon juice.
What to do if the fungus on the finger does not go away
Treating mycosis is a long and difficult process. Fungal microorganisms are very persistent and it is impossible to get rid of them in a few days. Sometimes months of careful therapy are necessary. In this case, therapy should not be interrupted for a single day. Treatment for onychomycosis cannot be completed until a new, healthy nail plate has grown.
It is also important to consider other factors associated with the development of the disease. Failure to adhere to skin hygiene and the optimal temperature conditions of the feet can negate all therapeutic efforts. This means that the skin surface of the feet must be washed regularly to avoid overheating or hypothermia. It is also important to avoid mechanical skin damage, undue stress on the feet, cuts, and injuries. Being overweight puts more pressure on your feet. So, if you are overweight, consider losing weight.
If the patient constantly wears shoes infected with the fungus, then effective drugs will not help, since new ones will immediately take the place of dead microorganisms. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate all factors that contribute to re-infection. You cannot walk in someone else's shoes or socks. Socks should be washed thoroughly and changed regularly. The inside surface of the shoe should be thoroughly sprayed with antifungal agents.
With persistent mycosis, you need to analyze the general state of health. Perhaps this will help identify the causes of impaired immunity and blood circulation in the legs. Therefore, it may be worth doing a full exam and ruling out problems with the heart, blood, blood vessels, and organs of the endocrine system.
Finally, it is possible that microorganisms simply developed resistance to the antifungal agent used. Then the drug has to be changed. Systemic antifungal pills may be needed. The dosage of the drugs should be selected by a specialized dermatologist.