Toe fungus is a problem that worries many. Itching, burning, and unsightly looking skin and nails are just a small part of it. The disease is dangerous with complications even more difficult to cure. However, you can deal with the problem if you are serious about treating a fungal infection (mycosis).
Why does the fungus appear on the feet?
Fungi are a type of infectious agent that affects the skin. These are complex and extremely tenacious microorganisms. Therefore, fungal diseases require a serious and comprehensive approach to treatment.
Fungi have their favorite habitats on the skin. First of all, it is the skin of the toes and nails. The reason for this is understandable: the feet are usually inside the shoe, inside which a lot of moisture and dirt accumulates, and it is also very hot. Therefore, the fungi living 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 yeast and mold, prefer nails. Simultaneous infection with several types of fungi is also possible.
Contributing to the development of fungus on the toes:
- reduced local and general immunity;
- poor foot hygiene;
- uncomfortable and tight shoes;
- irregular change of socks or stockings;
- wear socks or stockings made of synthetic and breathable materials;
- regular hypothermia or overheating of the feet;
- circulatory disorders in the legs;
- phlebeurism;
- chronic diseases of the cardiovascular system, diabetes mellitus;
- a long course of antibiotic treatment;
- increased sweating of the legs;
- lack of vitamins and mineral elements in the body;
- mechanical damage to the skin, calluses, foot injuries;
- excess weight, excessive physical activity on the legs;
- uneven trimming of toenails.
The most important of these factors are reduced immunity and poor circulation in the legs. A decrease in immunity can occur due to various reasons. These are usually severe chronic diseases, mainly infectious. Additionally, immunity can decrease due to HIV, immunosuppressant intake, and cancer. Equally important is the violation of blood circulation in the toes - due to vascular diseases, blood, diabetes, smoking.
Fungal infections of the feet can develop in men and women. They appear more often in adults than in children.
Some types of fungi constantly inhabit the skin and are activated only under unfavorable circumstances, for example, fungi of the genus Candida. And other species are passed from person to person. Infection can occur when visiting the gym, bathroom, shower, if the person does not use personal shoes. People who wear someone else's shoes or socks, or who let other people use them, also put themselves at significant risk of infection. Often, infection occurs when using the same towels, manicure accessories, etc. Factors that increase the likelihood of infection are cuts on the surface of the skin, deformation of the nails.
Symptoms of mycosis of the toes
The main symptoms of mycosis of the feet are itching and burning. Skin redness, small blisters, increased peeling and roughness of the skin, and an unpleasant odor may also occur. The first symptoms of mycosis of the skin can be confused with a simple irritation, rubbing.
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 left untreated, the nail will gradually flake off and disintegrate from the nail bed.
What does a mushroom look like on a finger: photo
You shouldn't diagnose yourself on the basis of photographs. The diagnosis must be made by a qualified dermatologist.
Only he will be able to determine the type of mushroom. To do this, he may need not only an external examination of the feet, but also laboratory tests on skin scrapings.
However, the presence of signs that even remotely resemble those shown in the photographs is 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 more vulnerable to infection. The little finger in tight shoes is often compressed, which causes abrasions and impaired circulation on the skin. With the defeat of the nail of the little finger, the disease develops very quickly, faster than on any other nail. If the little finger is infected, the infection can touch the other fingers very quickly.
Fungus on the little finger is treated in the same way as fungus on other areas of the skin. With onychomycosis of the little finger nail, the most rational solution may be to remove its nail plate. This operation will not cause much inconvenience to the patient, because the little finger nail grows back quickly. However, until the nail grows back (it may take 3-4 months), antifungal medications should be used to prevent reinfection.
How to treat toe fungus?
Treatment of 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 establish the very fact of the presence of mycosis and the type of pathogenic microorganisms. To this end, the doctor will perform a skin scraping or cut a piece of the nail (if the nail is affected). Blood tests are done, blood tests for sugar. Fungal infections of the skin of the feet must be differentiated from:
- other infectious skin diseases;
- allergic reactions;
- dermatoses caused by diabetes, vascular diseases, stress and nerve diseases.
For the treatment of mycosis on the legs, local remedies (sprays, ointments, creams) are 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 antifungals. This type of preparation contains substances that kill fungi (fungicide) or block their reproduction (fungistatic).
Which antifungals are used most often:
- clotrimazole,
- ketoconazole,
- terbinafine,
- nystatin,
- miconazole,
- econazole,
- fluconazole.
Local preparations with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and keratolytic properties are also used. Antibacterial agents are prescribed if suppuration occurs, that is, a bacterial one joins the fungal infection. Anti-inflammatory drugs work well with unpleasant symptoms such as itching and burning. However, they do not affect the very cause of the disease - pathogenic microorganisms. Keratolytic agents include zinc, sulfuric and salicylic ointments. They accelerate the regeneration of skin tissues by accelerating the exfoliation of dead epidermis.
For the treatment of mycosis of the feet, baths with antiseptic agents are also used: solutions of potassium permanganate, iodine, salt, sodium bicarbonate, boric acid. It is best to take a bath before going to bed for 20 minutes. To prevent spore infection, healthy areas of the skin must be treated with chlorhexidine, iodine, hydrogen peroxide and potassium permanganate. For the treatment of onychomycosis, paints with antifungal substances are used: loceryl, exoderil, batrofen. These paints must be applied to the nail plate.
Ointments and creams should be applied to previously washed and cleaned skin with the frequency specified in the product instructions. The area of application of the ointment should be slightly larger than the visible lesion area. To apply the varnish to the nail plate, the nail must be steamed, the uneven edges must be smoothed with a file, and the surface of the nail must be degreased with an alcohol-containing solution.
In folk medicine, decoctions of medicinal plants are used to eliminate mycosis 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 disappear?
Treatment of mycosis is a long and difficult process. Fungal microorganisms are very tenacious and it is impossible to get rid of them in a couple of days. Sometimes it takes several months of careful therapy. In this case, the therapy should not be interrupted for a single day. Treatment of 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 comply with skin hygiene and optimal foot temperature conditions can negate all therapeutic efforts. This means that it is necessary to wash the skin surface of the feet regularly, to avoid overheating or hypothermia. It is also important to avoid mechanical damage to the skin, excessive stress on the feet, cuts and injuries. Being overweight puts more pressure on your feet, so if you are overweight you may want to consider losing weight.
If the patient constantly wears shoes infected with the fungus, no powerful drugs will help, because new ones will immediately take the place of dead microorganisms. Therefore, it is necessary to eliminate all factors contributing to reinfection. You can't get into someone else's shoes, socks. Socks should be washed thoroughly and changed regularly. The inner surface of the shoe should be carefully sprayed with antifungal agents.
With persistent mycosis, it is necessary 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 worthwhile to undergo a comprehensive examination and rule out problems with the heart, blood, blood vessels, organs of the endocrine system.
Finally, it is possible that the microorganisms have simply developed resistance to the antifungal agent used. Then it will be necessary to change the drug. Systemic antifungal pills may be needed. The dosage of the drugs should be selected by a specialized dermatologist.