Athlete's foot is one of the most common fungal infections of the skin.The skin between the toes and the bottom of the foot are often infected.The cause of the disease is fungi of the genus Trichophyton and Candida.Upon contact with the skin, they begin to multiply actively.The result of their activity is peeling skin, cracks between the fingers and diaper rash.At a later stage, the disease affects the nails, they become dull, thicken, the edges begin to crumble and yellow stripes are noted.The disease can spread to the hands and to large folds of skin on the body.
Scratching the affected skin or minor injuries allow the fungi to penetrate deeper into the layers of the dermis.Thus, the infection spreads through the bloodstream throughout the body.In children and the elderly, fungal skin damage manifests itself in a more acute form and is more difficult to treat.This is due to age-related characteristics of the immune system.
Stress is also a trigger for fungal growth.Mycosis is resistant to adverse external factors and prefers heat and humidity.Showers with disturbed water flow, saunas, old house shoes, rented shoes (skates, roller skates, ski boots), woolen carpets in bathrooms are the main breeding grounds for fungi.They penetrate the skin through scratches and calluses.
People with excessive sweating of the feet are at risk, because with prolonged exposure, the sweat corrodes the skin and reduces its protective properties.People with an erased form of mycosis with slight peeling of the skin and painless microcracks that can only be noticed by a doctor are a particular danger to others.
Chronic mycosis of the skin of the feet and nail plates is often the cause of autoimmune allergic reactions, including the development of bronchial asthma.It is important to properly treat mycosis without turning into a stable chronic form.
Symptoms
The symptoms of foot fungus are very different.Initial symptoms: cracks, painful or itchy blisters, nappy rash and rough skin appear.Then the areas of the skin affected by the fungus soften, whiten and begin to peel.A bacterial infection can be added and then the blisters turn into sores or ulcers.
Itching and burning are constant symptoms of mycosis, some patients complain of pain and unpleasant odor.
Reasons
Athlete's foot is caused by several types of parasitic fungi.These microorganisms are present in large numbers on the floors of swimming pools and baths, as well as in public showers.A person can become infected by walking barefoot in such places.
Wearing someone else's shoes, sharing towels and other personal hygiene products is another common way of spreading the infection.
No immunity develops against fungal diseases, so re-infection occurs as easily as the original.
The growth of the fungus is stimulated by improper hygiene of the feet: putting on socks and shoes on wet feet, not washing socks daily and of poor quality, insufficient ventilation and drying of shoes.
The appearance of fungus on the hands is mainly due to the action of fungal toxins circulating in the bloodstream.Also, when combing the soles, microorganisms remain under the nails, from where they can be transferred to other parts of the body, e.g.on the scalp.People who are susceptible to fungal infections should always remember this route of infection.
Risk factors
Despite its rapid spread, not everyone develops athlete's foot.A strong and healthy body can deal with a fungal infection on its own.However, it often happens that the immune system limits the growth of the fungus for a long time, and then stress, ARVI or any other internal failure occurs and the fungal infection begins to develop rapidly.
It has been observed that people get sick faster in the following cases:
- profuse sweating;
- non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene;
- hormonal imbalances;
- taking certain medications;
- frequent stress;
- chronic dermatological diseases.
Excessive sweating and neglect of the rules of personal hygiene create an ideal environment for the growth of fungi.Sweat causes the rapid proliferation of fungal microflora.Inadequate foot hygiene, socks made of synthetic fabric, very narrow and closed shoes accelerate the development and spread of mycosis.
Hormonal imbalances are common in teenagers, so they are at risk of developing yeast infection.The restructuring of the hormonal system temporarily reduces immunity and can cause profuse sweating.These factors contribute to the growth and spread of pathogenic microflora.
A decrease in immunity may occur due to long-term use of antibiotics and corticosteroids.
Ringworm, eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis reduce cellular immunity and create favorable conditions for the addition of secondary infection, especially mycosis.Mycosis is often a complication of dermatological diseases.Increase the risk of infection: shoes that are too tight.ingrown toenails.abrasions and sores on the legs.diabetes mellitus;vascular diseases.
Forms of the disease
Deleted form.Initial stage of the disease.Symptoms: slight peeling of the skin between the fingers, small cracks in the upper layer of the skin.The patient does not feel discomfort and may not suspect that he has a fungal infection.
Slab form.The skin between the fingers peels and is covered with flat scales, with a slight itch.
Hyperkeratotic form.Flat blue-red papules and plaques appear.The main site of damage is the arch of the foot.The formations are covered with scales.The formation of individual bubbles is possible.The rash can merge into groups, forming large lesions.Over time, the entire foot is affected.Yellow hyperkeratotic formations (calluses) covered with cracks may appear.The skin is dry, with little pain and itching.
Dissertation format.The inflammation is similar to normal diaper rash.The greatest damage is seen in the skin between the fingers.A reddish swelling appears.Existing symptoms include ulcers and wetting.If left untreated, painful deep cracks and erosions occur.Patients note pain in the affected area, itching and severe burning.
Dihydrogen form.Lots of compressed bubbles.Locating the damage is the arches of the feet.The rash can spread, so early treatment is essential.If left untreated, the blisters spread over the entire surface of the foot, including the toes.Small blisters may coalesce and develop into larger blisters that may burst.In their place remain reddish erosions.
Acute form.Increased susceptibility to fungal pathogens and rapid progression of the disease.There is intense redness and swelling on the surface of the feet and large vesicles and blisters appear.After opening, large erosions develop in their place.the sores extend beyond the folds between the fingers.In some cases, weakness, fever and headaches are noted.
Symptoms may vary from person to person.When the first alarming symptoms appear, you should consult a dermatologist.
Diagnosis of mycosis of the foot
Diagnosis and treatment of mycosis should be carried out by a dermatologist or mycologist.
Diagnostics include:
- detailed examination of the foot.
- receiving a souvenir;
- scraping from the affected areas of the skin or cutting off a piece of a deformed nail.
- a test to detect fungal infections in the body as a whole.
- sowing the material in nutrient medium (if necessary).
- skin biopsy for analysis under a microscope (in rare cases);
- General and biochemical blood test.
Treatment
Incorrect or delayed treatment can lead to developing mycosis in an advanced form.In this case, recovery can take up to six months or more.Therefore, you should seek the help of a doctor at the first symptoms.First of all, it is necessary to accurately identify the pathogen.For this, the doctor makes a scraping from the affected skin.Based on the results, the optimal course of antifungal treatment is selected.Modern antifungal drugs - creams, gels, ointments, sprays - effectively treat the disease.They have a wide range of action, are applied 1-2 times a day, do not stain the skin and linen and do not have a specific smell.
Outside means
The choice of drugs depends on the stage of mycosis.For mild forms, only external agents are prescribed.for severe forms, systemic treatment is required.The most popular drugs for external use are Terbinafine and Naftifine.They act on a number of pathogenic fungi that cause athlete's foot.Do not cause side effects.Bifonazole and Clotrimazole have rapid action against yeast-like fungi.Thanks to their oily composition, they effectively soften the skin and eliminate dryness, peeling and itching.These drugs speed up the healing and restoration process of the affected skin.Bifonazole is a complex drug aimed at the treatment of foot fungus and nail plates.Eliminates itching, peeling, burning sensation and unpleasant odor.In addition to antifungal agents, it is important to regularly treat the skin with antiseptics.A solution of chlorhexidine or miramistin is good for this.When secondary infection occurs and effusion occurs, antibacterial ointments are prescribed.
Medicine tablets
For the treatment of foot fungus: Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Nystatin are used.For yeast-like fungi, Fluconazole and Nystatin are prescribed.The latter is considered an outdated drug and is rarely prescribed.Polyhexamethyleneguanidine hydrochloride granules are specially formulated to combat fungal infections of the feet.The regimen and duration of treatment are determined by the attending physician.
recommendations
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection and fungi only reproduce in a moist environment.By eliminating moisture, you prevent the spread of infection.
Try to protect the people around you from contamination.Explain that you cannot walk barefoot in the apartment, especially in the bathroom.Every time after showering, treat the bathtub or shower basin, as well as the bathroom floor, with disinfectant.
Every day before going to bed, wash your feet with regular soap and warm water, taking care not to make the skin too soft.Dry your feet thoroughly with a paper towel or hair dryer, paying special attention to the area between the toes.Don't forget to apply an antifungal cream or ointment.Continue treatment as directed by your doctor, even if your symptoms have disappeared.Antifungal creams and ointments are only applied to dry skin.If your feet are prone to sweating, you must wait until the medicine is absorbed.
Wear cotton socks and wash them every day.When washing, use a bleach solution (not soap) or boil the socks for 10 minutes.This will eliminate the fungus from your clothes and prevent reinfection.Shoes should be disinfected with antifungal sprays and dried for a few days (preferably in the sun).
Prevention of athlete's foot
After you are outside, wash your hands thoroughly with soap.After being in any of the dangerous areas, wash your feet thoroughly with soap, dry with a towel and treat with any antifungal solution.If there is a person in the family with ringworm, they should have separate towels for the face, hands and feet.The bathroom should then be carefully treated with a special bathroom cleaner.If your feet sweat a lot, you can apply talcum powder or antiperspirant deodorant.Do not wear someone else's shoes, especially slippers offered by guests, and in turn, do not offer your shoes to others.
Try not to let your feet sweat.In a room where you are staying for more than an hour, try to change your shoes into replacement shoes.When visiting the sauna, public shower, swimming pool, wear rubber slippers, do not walk barefoot in public areas.After a shower, swimming in a lake or a pool, treat your feet with antifungal cream.Wear clean socks and tights every day.Do not allow others to use your sponges, towels, manicure and pedicure accessories.They must be disinfected before use.
Clean the tub with a cleaning product and use a strong stream of water before use.Remove wooden footstools, as well as cloth and sponge rugs from the bathroom.They retain moisture and can leave behind flakes of skin and bits of nail infected with fungus.Use either a special grill (coated with special enamel or plastic) or a rubber mat.
The moisture in the folds between the fingers softens the skin and makes it easier for fungal infections to enter.Wipe the folds between your toes with a separate foot towel or dry them with a hair dryer.According to statistics, fungal infections are more common in people with flat feet.Therefore, wear comfortable, high-quality shoes with a heel no higher than 4 cm with a special orthopedic sole or a soft protrusion that supports the arch of the foot.
No matter how comprehensive and competent the care of the feet at home is, it is necessary to regularly perform podiatric care for the skin of the feet and nails (medical pedicure).It will help to maintain healthy feet and nails, and the doctor will give individual recommendations for care and prevention at home.