The group of infectious diseases includes a fungus on the legs, which is a type of mycosis. This pathology is caused by microscopic fungi. The disease of the nail plate is called onychomycosis.
Fungal lesion of the feet
It is a very common condition in both men and women. The most common types of mycoses are:
- Trichophytosis;
- Candidiasis;
- Epidermophytosis.
Some fungi can infect both animals and humans. It is necessary to know not only what mycosis is, but also why it develops. The main mechanism of human infection is contact. It is realized in a direct and indirect way. In the first case, fungi get on the feet when they come into contact with soil, plants or a sick person. Familial infections have been reported.
An indirect transmission of the pathogen occurs through contact with animal care products and personal items belonging to patients. These can be shoes, towels and scissors, as well as bath accessories.
Transmission factors are often socks, stockings and other personal items. Athlete's foot can develop after visiting public baths and swimming pools. The process affects both the skin of the legs and the nail plates.
The contributing factors are:
- increased sweating of the legs;
- the presence of corns and abrasions;
- wear tight shoes;
- Failure to observe personal hygiene;
- wearing someone else's shoes;
- Accommodation in hostels;
- Weakening of immunity;
- poor diet;
- the presence of other skin diseases;
- Hypovitaminosis;
- Alcohol addiction;
- Smoking;
- walk barefoot;
- endocrine disorders.
Weak people are more likely to face this problem.
General clinical manifestations
The fungus on the soles of the feet and nails can go unnoticed for a long time. With this disease, the following symptoms are observed:
- Peeling the skin;
- Dryness;
- the presence of diaper rash;
- Thickening of the skin and nail plates;
- brittle nails;
- Redness;
- Itching;
- white or yellowish flower;
- the presence of erosion;
- Soreness of the skin.
The fungus on the feet looks different. It all depends on the type of pathogen and the underlying disease. Sometimes an unpleasant smell leaves a person. The fungus on the foot does not lead to a deterioration in the general condition. Symptoms of intoxication are absent, since fungi are conditionally pathogenic microbes and are localized in the surface layers of the skin.
First one leg is affected. Then the mushrooms are introduced into the second link. The following areas are most frequently involved in the process:
- Back of the foot;
- Spaces between 4 and 5 fingers;
- Nail plates.
Depending on the clinical symptoms, squamous, dyshidrotic and intertriginous forms of the disease are distinguished. In the first case, scales appear on the reddened skin. Peeling is observed. Itching is an intermittent sign. It doesn't bother all patients. With a dyshidrotic form of mycosis, bubbles appear on the fornix. They can grow in size. They will open after a few days. In their place, erosion occurs. An area of diaper rash occurs. As the erosion dries up, peeling is observed.
In the event that the fungus of the skin of the foot is complicated by a bacterial infection, the exudate becomes purulent. Pain occurs. Fever is possible. Fungal infection sometimes provokes the development of intertriginous mycosis. Its main feature is the presence of cracks with a white border. The wetness develops over time. Pain occurs. Forms of erosion in the area of cracks. This form of the disease occurs in a chronic form with summer exacerbations.
Development of onychomycosis of the legs
Along with the fungus on the feet, onychomycosis can be found. Nails are involved in the process. The prevalence of this pathology in the population is 10-20%. The incidence of the disease in children has increased in recent years. Fungi actively grow and multiply not only on the skin, but also on the nail plates.
People with varicose veins, hyperhidrosis, flat feet, and endocrine disorders often have a similar problem. Fungi multiply in the nail and gradually lead to its destruction. If the disease is not cured, it can last for years. The end result is nail peeling. Hyperkeratosis often develops.
Distinguish between hypertrophic, normotrophic, and atrophic onychomycosis. In the first case, the nail becomes dull and thickened. In case of atrophy, the color of the plate changes to brown. Its detachment is observed. In normotrophic onychomycosis, the shape and size of the nail do not change. With the development of onychomycosis on the feet, the following symptoms are observed:
- decreased nail density;
- change its color;
- the presence of white or yellow spots;
- Itching;
- cracked skin;
- Peeling;
- Thickening of the plate;
- increased fragility.
If treatment for nail fungus is not carried out, there is a risk of paronychia. In this condition, purulent inflammation of the nail bed occurs.
Investigation and treatment tactics
In addition to knowing how the fungus starts on the foot, you need to know how to get rid of it. The treatment regimen is determined by the attending physician. The following studies are required beforehand:
- Inspection with a Wood lamp;
- Microscopy of scratches;
- general clinical analyzes;
- Sow on nutrient medium.
Differential diagnosis is carried out in psoriasis, onychodystrophy, lichen planus, congenital pachyonychia, trauma and eczema.
Any skilled dermatovenerologist knows how to treat toenail fungus. Antifungal drugs are used in the form of solutions, creams and varnishes.
Treatment for toe fungus often involves surgery. The affected nail is removed.
With a long epidermophytosis, a systemic remedy for athlete's foot based on miconazole or ketoconazole can be prescribed. The right treatment kills germs. Products are offered that match the passage of the affected nail plates. They come in the form of patches.
To increase the effectiveness of the treatment of fungus on the legs, vitamins, antibiotics (with a secondary infection) and various ointments based on zinc and salicylic acid are prescribed.
There are also some rules you need to follow:
- The feet should be washed daily.
- Change your socks more often.
- After the end of therapy, old things should be thrown away.
- Socks, tights and stockings should be washed in a separate basin.
- In the case of a fungal attack on the foot, the treatment is successful if closed slippers are worn.
At the end of therapy, a scraping control study is carried out.