Mycosis of the feet is one of the most common fungal infections of the skin.The skin between the toes and the bottom of the foot is often infected.The cause of the disease is fungi of the genus Trichophyon and Candida.After contact with the epidermis, they begin to multiply actively.The result of their activity is peeling of the skin, cracks between the fingers and diaper rash.In the later stage, the disease affects the nails, they become dull, thicken, the edges begin to collapse and yellow stripes are noted.The disease can spread to the skin on the body and to a large area of skin.
Affected skin or minor injuries allow the fungus to penetrate deeper into the dermis layers.Thus, the infection spreads through the blood stream throughout the body.In children and elderly people, fungal skin damage manifests itself in a more acute form and is more difficult to treat.This is due to the age-related characteristics of the immune system.
Stress is also a trigger for the development of mycosis.Fungal infection is resistant to adverse external factors and prefers heat and moisture.Showers running water, saunas, old house shoes, rented shoes (skates, rollerblades, ski boots), fleecy rugs in the bathroom) are the main breeding grounds for fungi.They penetrate the skin through scratches and bells.
People with excessive sweating of the feet are at risk, because with prolonged exposure they sweat and reduce their protective properties.People with a form of mycosis, a form of mycosis with skin and painless microcracks that can only be seen by a doctor, pose a certain 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 treat mycosis correctly without turning it into a stable chronic form.
Symptoms
The symptoms of mycosis of the feet are very diverse.Initial symptoms: cracks appear, painful or itchy blisters, diaper rash and skin roughness.Later, the areas of the skin affected by the fungus soften, turn white and begin to peel.Bacterial infection can be added, then the blisters turn into ulcers or ulcers.
Itching and burning are constant symptoms of mycosis, some patients complain of pain and an unpleasant smell.
Reasons
Mycosis of the feet is caused by several types of parasitic fungi.These microorganisms are abundant on the floors of swimming pools and baths, as well as in public showers.In such places, a person can become infected by walking barefoot.
Wearing other people's shoes, sharing towels and other personal hygiene products is another way to spread the infection.
Immunity is not developed against fungal diseases, so re-infection occurs as easily as at the beginning.
The growth of fungi is stimulated by improper foot hygiene: put socks and shoes on wet feet, wash socks daily and poorly, insufficient ventilation and drying of shoes.
The appearance of mycosis on the hands is mainly due to the movement of fungal toxins circulating in the bloodstream.Also, when there are soles, microorganisms remain under the nails, where they can be transferred to other parts of the body.on the scalp.People who are sensitive to myxons should always remember this route of infection.
Risk factors
Despite its rapid spread, not everyone develops mycosis of the feet.A strong and healthy body can cope with a fungal infection on its own.However, it often means that the immune system is resistant to fungi for a long time, then stress, arvi or any other internal failure occurs, and the fungal infection begins to progress rapidly.
It has been observed that people get sick faster under the following conditions:
- Profuse sweating;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene rules;
- hormonal imbalance;
- take certain medications;
- frequent stress;
- chronic dermatological diseases.
Excessive sweating and neglect of personal hygiene create an ideal environment for the development of fungi.Sweating provokes the rapid spread of fungal microflora.Inadequate foot hygiene, synthetic fabric, very narrow and closed shoes accelerate the development and spread of fungal infection.
Hormonal imbalances are very common in teenagers, so they are at risk of developing mycosis.Rebuilding the hormonal system temporarily reduces immunity and can cause excessive sweating.These factors contribute to the growth and spread of pathogenic microflora.
Decreased immunity can 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 a secondary infection, especially fungus.Mycosis is often a combination of dermatological diseases.Increase the risk of infection: shoes that are too tight;Ingrown nails;abrasions and wounds on the feet;diabetes mellitus;vascular diseases.
Forms of the disease
Deleted form.The initial stage of the disease.Symptoms: Small cracks in the upper layer of the epidermis, light peeling of small cracks.The patient does not feel discomfort and cannot suspect the presence of mycosis.
Scumous form.The skin between the fingers peels and is covered with flat scales with slight itching.
Hyperkeratotic form.A flat blue-red papule and plaque appear.The main site of the lesion is the back of the leg.Intelligence is covered with scales.The formation of individual bubbles is possible.The rash can form large lesions and merge into groups.Over time, the entire foot is affected.Yellow hyperkeratotic formats (calls) are covered with cracks.Dry skin, with slight pain and itching.
Reciprocal form.The inflammation is similar to a regular diaper rash.The greatest damage is observed in the skin between the fingers.Red swelling appears.Current symptoms include ulcers and wetting.Untreated, painful deep cracks and erosions appear.Patients report pain in the affected area, itching and severe burning.
Dyshidrotic form.Very compressed bubbles.The localization of lesions is the arches of the feet.The rash can spread, so prompt treatment is important.If left untreated, the blisters spread over the entire surface of the legs, including the feet.Small blisters may appear and develop into larger blisters that may burst.Red erosions remain in place.
Sharp shape.Increased susceptibility to fungal pathogens and rapid progression of the disease.There is severe redness and swelling on the surface of the feet, and large vesicles and blisters appear.After opening, large erosions develop in places;The sores extend beyond the folds between the fingers.In some cases, weakness, fever and headache are noted.
Symptoms can vary from person to person.When the first alarming symptoms appear, you should consult a dermatologist.
Diagnosis of foot mycosis
Diagnosis and treatment of mycosis should be carried out by a dermatologist or mycologist.
Diagnostics include:
- detailed examination of the foot;
- taking anamnesis;
- cutting off a part of the affected area of the skin or a deformed nail;
- A test to detect fungal infections in the body as a whole;
- planting the material in a nutrient medium (if necessary);
- skin biopsy for analysis under a microscope (rarely);
- General and biochemical blood test.
Treatment
Improper or late treatment can cause mycosis to develop into an advanced form.In this case, recovery may take six months or more.Therefore, you should seek the help of a doctor at the first symptoms.First, the precise identification of the pathogen is necessary;For this, the doctor makes an incision from the affected skin.Based on the results, the optimal course of antimasot therapy is selected.Modern antifungal drugs - creams, gels, ointments, sprays - effectively cope with the disease.It has a wide spectrum, it is applied 1-2 times a day, it does not stain the skin and linen, and it does not have a specific smell.
Foreign vehicle
The choice of drug depends on the stage of mycosis.For mild forms, only external agents are prescribed;Systemic treatment is required for severe forms.The most popular drugs for external use are Terbinfine and Naftifine.They act on a number of pathogenic fungi that cause mycosis of the feet.Do not cause side effects.Bifonazole and clotrimazole have a rapid action against yeast-like fungi.Thanks to their oily consistency, they effectively soften the skin and eliminate dryness, cracking and itching.These drugs accelerate the healing and recovery process of the affected skin.BiFonazole is a complex tool aimed at treating foot fungus and nail plates.Eliminates itching, broken, burning sensation and unpleasant odors.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.Antibacterial ointments are prescribed if a second infection occurs and is likely.
Tablet drugs
The following are used to treat mycosis of the feet: iTraconazole, fluconazole, nystatin.Fluconazole and nystatin are prescribed for fungi such as yeast.The latter is considered an outdated drug and is rarely prescribed.Polyhexamethylene Guanidine Hydrochloride Granules are specially formulated to combat fungal infections of the feet.The mode and duration of treatment is determined by the attending physician.
Recommendations
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection, and fungi only thrive in a moist environment.By removing moisture, you prevent the spread of infection.
Try to protect people around you from infection.Explain that you can't walk barefoot in the apartment, especially in the bathroom.After each shower, treat the bath or shower tray, as well as the bathroom floor, with a disinfectant.
Before going to bed, wash your feet every day with regular soap and warm water, making sure that the skin is not too soft.Dry the 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.Even if your symptoms go away, continue treatment as recommended by your doctor.Antifungal creams and ointments are applied only to dry skin.If your feet tend to sweat, you should wait until the medicine is absorbed.
Wear cotton socks and wash them daily.When washing, use a chlorine bleach solution (not soap) or boil the socks for 10 minutes.This way you will remove the fungus from your clothes and prevent re-infection.Shoes should be disinfected with antifungal sprays and dried for a day or two (preferably in the sun).
Prevention of athlete's foot
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap after being outside.After being in the risk areas, wash your feet thoroughly with soap, dry them with a towel and treat them with any antifungal solution.If there is a person with mycosis in the family, there should be separate towels for the face, hands and feet.After that, the bathroom should be thoroughly treated with a special bathroom cleaner.If your feet sweat a lot, you can apply talcum powder or antiperspirant deodorant to them.Do not wear other people's shoes, especially shoes offered by guests, and in turn, do not offer your shoes to others.
Try not to sweat your feet.Try changing your shoes to a change of shoes in a room where you are staying for more than an hour.In a sauna, public shower, swimming pool, do not walk barefoot in public places while wearing rubber slippers.After showering, swimming in a pond or a pool, treat your feet with antifungal cream.Wear clean socks and tights every day.Do not let others use your sponges, wash bowls, manicure and pedicure accessories.They must be disinfected before use.
Clean the bath with a cleaning product and use a strong stream of water before use.Remove wooden floor mats from the bathroom, as well as fabric and sponge rugs.They retain moisture and leave behind pieces of fungus-infected skin flakes and nails.Use a special grill (covered with special enamel or plastic) or a rubber floor.
Moisture in the folds between the toes softens the skin and makes it easier for fungal infections to enter.Dry the toes with a dry towel or hair dryer.According to statistics, myxons are more common in people with flat feet.Therefore, wear comfortable, high-quality shoes with a special orthopedic insole or heels with a soft protrusion that supports the arch of the foot.
Regardless of how thorough and skilled the home foot care is, regular podiatric care for the skin of the feet and nail plates (medical pedicure) is necessary.It will help to maintain healthy feet and nails, and the doctor will give individual recommendations for home care and prevention.