"How to cure athlete's foot", "How to get rid of onychomycosis, athlete's foot quickly, gain eternal youth and conquer death. " These are all questions of the same level. The fungus on the legs cannot be treated quickly and reliably, especially using methods at home. You still need a dermatologist.
Mycosis of the foot is a skin disease caused by the spread of parasitic fungi and is one of the most common diseases affecting human skin (photo).
The disease is quite difficult to treat and causes complications as it rarely starts on time.
Often times, a person infected with a fungal infection does not pay attention to the symptoms and the bacteria have time to "settle" firmly on the skin.
Causes of the fungus on the feet
The high prevalence of mycosis of the foot is explained by the fact that the disease can easily be transmitted from person to person at the contact household level.
Pathogens love a humid and warm environment that encourages fungal growth.
Pools, gyms, spas, and saunas - where a person can step on the floor barefoot - are some of the first places you can pick up a mushroom.
Using household items and personal effects of a person with mycosis of the feet (towels, washcloths) inevitably leads to infection.
The second reason for the spread of a fungal infection and the formation of a mycosis of the foot is non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene and increased sweating of the legs.
Seldom changing socks and putting them on wet feet also create all the favorable conditions for the growth of fungi on the feet.
Symptoms of a fungus on the feet
There are several forms of mycosis of the foot, the symptoms of which have distinctive features.
Erased form of toe fungus
The symptoms of this form of foot mycosis are insignificant and this is the insidious skin disease.
Slight dryness and peeling of the dermis are accepted by a person as an absolutely normal physiological phenomenon.
While the gaps that appear between your fingers are considered a diaper rash, they are actually symptoms of fungus exposure.
Squamous-cell hyperkeratic form of athlete's foot
The most common form of foot mycosis in the population over 60 years of age is the moccasin foot.
So it is said because of the obvious visible signs that appear on the surface of the foot:
- thickened rough skin all over the surface;
- Cracks, calluses (hyperkeratosis);
- Fixing the lesion of the nail plates;
- the color is dirty gray with yellow tint;
- unpleasant smell;
- Separation of the stratum corneum, scales;
- Pain when walking and inability to wear shoes.
Vesicular form of athlete's foot
Foot mycosis with symptoms in the form of blistering with a thick stratum corneum is called a wet form of a fungal infection.
The blisters that appear over time will open up and turn into eczema, ulcers, and psoriasis.
In general, mycoses of the foot are manifested in different ways.
The disease can begin with cracked heels, the formation of bursting and itchy blisters, a severe diaper rash, or rough skin.
The peeling of the skin cannot go unnoticed as it peels off the foot in large or small flakes.
There is also an unpleasant odor, the legs sweat quickly, and after being in the shoes, the foot "burns" and itches.
Complications resulting from a negligent attitude towards the symptoms of the disease are manifested in erosions and painful sores on the legs, which sometimes cannot be completely healed.
Athlete's foot treatment
A new generation of antimyotics are used to treat mycosis of the foot. They're not that bad for the liver and are very effective.
However, the fungus is insidious in that it quickly becomes resistant to various types of drugs, thereby causing relapses.
To cure a fungal infection of the foot, an accurate diagnosis must be made by determining what type of mycosis has spread over the skin. To do this, the mushroom is scraped off.
Comprehensive treatment with an exact scheme of taking local and systemic drugs should be established only by a specialist, since self-medication leads to an exacerbation of the problem.
And the third point of successful healing is the patient's strict discipline in taking medication, following a diet, and taking preventive measures.
Various regimens of treatment for mycosis of the foot are used - combined and monotherapy.
And when a drug is selected for monotherapy, more often for external use.
This combined scheme includes several directions of treatment at the same time:
- Outdoor remedies;
- Tablets for internal use;
- Laser exposure;
- Hardware pedicure.
External remedies for athlete's foot
The most effective substance that can affect the fungus is one that can destroy both molds and yeast-like fungi, fight dermatophytes and infections of non-fungal origin that are often associated with mycosis of the foot.
This substance can be presented in various forms - spray, cream or gel, solution, etc.
According to the principle, the products form a protective film that can remain on the surface of the skin for up to 72 hours.
External drugs are used in the amount prescribed by the doctor, but often the procedure is carried out 1-2 times a day for 2 to 4 weeks, then treatment is continued, but according to a different scheme.
Before applying the ointment or cream, the foot is cleaned.
Salicylic acid wraps are made to remove the stratum corneum. Soap-soda baths and petroleum jelly-based ointments are used to soften and remove dead tissue.
Such interventions are carried out in special rooms for medical pedicure with the use of grinding accessories.
Before treating foot mycosis with a wet type, you should dry the ulcers and blisters with boric acid, brilliant green, or iodine.
To prevent the fungus from spreading on the nail plates, special varnishes for onychomycosis are prescribed.
However, the vesicular form of mycosis requires the addition of corticosteroids to the treatment regimen.
How to cure a fungus on the feet - systemic therapy
Taking antifungal drugs inside is not indicated in all patients with foot mycosis.
The drugs are quite toxic, so pregnant and lactating women, young children, the elderly, as well as people with liver dysfunction, are not prescribed.
According to the instructions attached to the drug or according to the scheme prescribed by the doctor, tablet forms of antifungal drugs are taken.
Recently, drugs that relieve foot and nail fungus in one course have proven effective and relieve itching, peeling and skin irritation of the legs after the first use.
Folk remedies for the treatment of fungus on the feet
If there are categorical contraindications to the treatment of mycosis of the foot with drugs, you can try folk remedies.
How To Cure Athlete's Foot at Home:
- The acid (9%) found in wine vinegar or table vinegar is an effective folk remedy for fungi. It is used to lubricate the skin surface affected by mycosis and put on cotton socks over it. Let stand overnight. It is not recommended to use vinegar for those who have sores or sores on their legs. In this case, it is better to reduce the concentration of the folk remedy or replace it with a more gentle one.
- Brewed coffee gives good results. It is necessary to brew the drink stronger and enough so that you can completely immerse your feet in it. For prevention, alternative treatment is given on two limbs at the same time, even if only one is seen to have mycosis. Do the process before bed.
- Celandine foot baths also work as an effective folk remedy that can rid the feet of fungus in a month. Prepare a bath at a rate of 4 tbsp. l for 1 l. Water. The grass is boiled, after which the legs float in a warm collection for up to half an hour. You can also use a stronger collection of herbs for brewing - oak bark, chamomile, knotweed, sage, eucalyptus, and pine needles. They all have excellent antifungal properties.
- You can also use lotions made from a local anesthetic by moistening a cotton sponge in a medicated solution and applying it to the affected area. A folk remedy quickly relieves symptoms - pain and itching.
Prevention of fungus on the feet
Effective treatment of mycosis of the foot is possible with the following preventive measures:
- Mandatory disinfection of the insoles and the inner surface of the shoes, the more often the better. To do this, use special antifungal shoe sprays or alcohol.
- It is advisable to change the bed linen daily and wash it at high temperatures.
- Disinfect the surface of the bathroom or shower cabin, and also refuse to visit public baths during the treatment.
- In public places, do not allow yourself to go barefoot and wipe your feet dry before putting on your shoes.
- It is necessary to immediately treat the fungus for all members of the family, otherwise someone will constantly get infected.
- Follow a diet - do not eat allergenic foods, smoked meat, canned foods, highly salty and peppery foods, sweets.