Skin diseases of the feet are a fairly common pathology. Pathogenic bacteria provoke the disease and are transmitted from person to person. Often, the sick person does not know whether the skin fungus on the legs is how to treat it and whether it can be removed at home with folk remedies. There are many ways to get rid of the signs of mycosis with the help of special drugs and old recipes.
What are foot skin fungi?
An infectious disease that affects the skin is called a fungus. The most common type is mycosis of the feet. Fungal spores can live in ordinary shoes for a long time and adapt to any living conditions. The most common infections are toe and toe nail plate. Skin lesions do not pose a threat to life, but contribute to the development of cosmetic defects. If mycosis of the feet is not treated in the initial stage, other microbes in the form of mold bacteria or Candida fungi join it later.
Symptoms of the disease
The treatment of skin fungus on the legs should begin immediately after the first symptoms appear, otherwise the disease will drag on for a long time. Mycosis is characterized by peeling of the skin. This is due to the fact that the microbe penetrates deep into the layers of the skin, destroying them. Spots form on the nails (onychomycosis), between the toes (intertriginous form), which fill with liquid and crack, small bubbles appear, the sole becomes covered with calluses (hyperkeratotic appearance). The reproduction of fungi in each layer of the epidermis is accompanied by an unpleasant odor and the following symptoms:
- burning, itching accompanied by dry skin;
- powdery exfoliation;
- nails darken, thicken, exfoliate;
- erosive processes develop in areas of redness.
Treatment of foot fungus
Before using an antifungal agent, it is necessary to consult a doctor, since the pathology must be treated depending on the type of pathogen and the duration of the course of the disease. In advanced forms, foot mycosis is difficult to treat. How to get rid of foot fungus:
- localization of the disease through local therapy at an early stage: ointments, creams, solutions, compresses, baths, disinfection of shoes;
- systemic therapy at a later stage: use of drugs.
Systemic drugs are used in several ways:
- Classic. Tablets are taken throughout the course every day.
- Short. You can stop taking the medication before the healthy nail grows back.
- intermittent. Therapy that is carried out in several courses at intervals equal to the duration of the course.
- Pulse therapy. Taking pills is combined with interruptions that exceed the duration of the course.
In an advanced stage of the disease, the use of antifungal drugs is necessary. Systemic antifungals are selected individually, as these drugs have contraindications. When the first unpleasant symptoms appear, it is necessary to take a scraping of the nail plate for onychomycosis and visit a dermatologist to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe drugs for external and / or internal effects on the body. The most effective include:
Antifungal ointments
Many people have a question: skin fungus on the legs - what can be treated if the infection has appeared only in the upper layers of the skin. Today, in pharmacies, it is easy to find various antifungal ointments that differ in their mode of action and composition. The following local preparations quickly cure early-stage leg bends:
- Zinc ointment. It has a good absorbent and astringent effect. It copes well with skin irritations and mycosis. It is applied 1-2 times a day on the site of the lesion and the area around it. The duration of therapy is 2-3 weeks.
- Sulfur ointment. An excellent remedy for mycosis of the feet. Within a week of daily use, you can get rid of the disease. Sulfur ointment has one drawback - it smells unpleasant. When buying this fact should be taken into account.
Treatment of foot fungus at home can also be done with antifungal creams, which differ from ointments only in the substances that make up their composition.
In order to speed up the healing process, in addition to the main therapy, it is necessary to treat the fungus with the help of special antifungal varnishes. They differ from drugs with a similar effect by a special texture. Antifungal varnishes are liquid and are applied directly to the nail plate. The agent easily enters microcracks, maximally affecting the fungus. This is practical, because ointments and creams have a thick consistency, so they are easily removed at the slightest impact.
After applying the drug, mycosis pathogens die after 8 hours. You can use the drug under decorative varnishes 1-2 times a week - this does not reduce their effectiveness. The duration of treatment is until the complete disappearance of onychomycosis. List of the most popular antifungal varnishes:
For mycosis of the feet, baking soda baths should be taken daily, preferably before going to bed. The procedure should take at least 15 minutes. Baking soda is a substance that adversely affects the vital activity of a fungal infection, so it is part of many remedies that help with mycosis of the feet. To treat fungus, you need warm water with a comfortable temperature of 40 C-45 C. Soda is diluted in a ratio of 2 tablespoons. spoons for 2 liters of water.
Before the procedure, you should wash your feet well with laundry soap and remove the keratinized layer with pumice stone or sandpaper. You should also treat the nail plates by cutting the free edge of the nail and removing the white plaque underneath as much as possible with a nail file. After the procedure, the feet should be carefully wiped with a towel without rinsing, then treated with an antifungal agent prescribed by a dermatologist.
People's funds
The most effective folk remedy for foot fungus is vinegar. It creates an acidic environment that prevents the spread of yeast bacteria. As a result of exposure to vinegar at home, the pathogen quickly loses access to food sources and dies. It is better to apply applications immediately after a bath. To do this, a cotton swab is moistened in a 9% vinegar solution and applied to the area affected by the fungus for 15 minutes.
Another effective folk remedy against Candida fungus is the external use of hydrogen peroxide. First, it is recommended to take a bath with a soda solution, then soak a piece of cotton with a 3% peroxide solution and apply it to the affected area of the skin, placing clean socks on top. It is necessary to keep the application up to 60 minutes 2 times a day until full recovery.
Prevention
To recognize the problem in time, you need to know what the fungus looks like. To do this, it is better to ask this question in advance by looking at photos on the Internet. Then you should listen to the advice of dermatologists, what you should do to avoid getting foot fungus:
- after visiting the beach, pool and other public places, you should wash your feet well;
- with sweating of the feet, there is a risk of infection with molds, so you should stop wearing socks and closed shoes for a long time;
- in order not to become infected with pathogenic microflora, it is not necessary to give personal hygiene items, clothes or shoes to others;
- you need to take care of your toes regularly: get a pedicure, trim the ingrown nails.
How to treat foot fungus
Find out how to treat foot fungus because it is a contagious disease that can spread to the nails. Fungi not only look ugly, but also harm health. This condition cannot be initiated, treatment measures must be taken urgently.
What is recommended for the treatment of foot fungus
To treat ringworm fungus, it is necessary to wipe the skin with iodine. In case of severe inflammation, it is recommended to make lotions.
In addition to all this, it is desirable to use vitamins, especially ascorbic acid.
It is better to choose vitamins for the treatment period, as the body needs support.
If the skin is affected by Candida fungus, then corticosteroid creams, hydrocortisone, will be needed.
The symptoms of this pathology
Most often, the fungus on the skin appears in the elderly, after 50 years. But we must not forget that the disease is contagious, so the younger generation can also have this disease if they do not follow certain rules.
Some signs of skin fungus include:
In the case of a lesion, the first signs are seen in the area between the fingers. It is from there that the fungus grows all over the leg. It often covers the nails as well. Usually, athlete's foot affects both feet. If the form is sharp, then bubbles appear, which then fester, wounds appear.
Redness is observed on the skin, it becomes very thick. In addition, there is an unpleasant smell on the feet, not only after wearing shoes. The legs seem to start burning, and the pain increases when walking. The skin can peel, there is severe dryness.
Fungi are spread in the following way. Redness appears on a small area of the skin. Over time, it begins to peel off and the affected area spreads.
At the initial stage, a person practically does not worry about anything, only about appearance. Then there are already painful sensations. Fungi spread quite quickly.
Complex treatment of the disease
The treatment of skin fungus on the feet should be carried out not only by applying means directly to the affected areas, but also by taking medicines inside.
To choose a medicine, you must first consult a doctor. When starting treatment, it is desirable to exclude other drugs. During the treatment period, the doctor should check the patient's condition and regularly make skin scrapings to determine how the treatment is progressing.
The full course of treatment lasts at least three months. First, the first stage of treatment, lasting one week. After that, a break is made for two weeks, after which the treatment is resumed.
This is necessary to avoid relapses. They happen often, especially if the immune system is not strengthened. When it becomes weaker, the first signs of fungus on the skin immediately appear.
Combined treatment is necessary. In the morning it is recommended to use the ointment, and in the evening to take the medicine inside. You can use both creams and solutions several times a day.
Apply the product with rubbing movements. If after two weeks there is no noticeable improvement, then stronger drugs are prescribed. Every movement should be careful, because it is very easy to damage such leather.
Proven fungus pills
For all types of fungus, a strong medicine is prescribed. Take the tablet once and only after a meal. It quickly penetrates the body and immediately begins the fight against the infection.
The main thing when taking pills is not to increase the amount yourself. This will help to avoid overdose and side effects. Tablets are best combined with ointments or gels. A single pill rarely achieves the desired effect.
Drops and solutions
Drops are very effective in fighting fungus. They first destroy the infected cells, then protect the unaffected ones. In addition to eliminating the cause of the infection, the drops eliminate inflammation and itching.
Drops are best used as an additional element of treatment. Fungus is a serious disease that cannot be treated with a single drug. Drops will work best in the initial stage, when the development of the fungus is not too extensive.
Choosing the best folk remedy
Sometimes medicines cannot improve the condition.
In such cases, you can resort to proven folk methods:
- coffee. This drink is useful not only for internal use, but also as a tincture for baths. Strongly insoluble coffee should be poured with hot water and the feet immersed in this agent. Coffee will relieve pain and inflammation, remove overgrown skin layers. It will also help perfectly after recovery to restore the condition of the epidermis.
- Wine vinegar. This tool is an excellent antiseptic and means to fight bacteria. At night you can use the following method. Clean woolen socks should be kept for half an hour in vinegar, squeezed well, then put on the feet and covered with a blanket. Doing this procedure at night, in the morning you can notice a visible effect.
- juices. The skin affected by the fungus can be wiped with gauze dipped in lemon or onion juice. These medications may cause a burning sensation at first, but this will go away after a few minutes. Due to this, the number of bacteria decreases, the fungus will not progress. You can try another treatment with ready-made tomato juice. You should choose juice only without salt so that it does not sting the skin.
- Herbal decoction. Boil calendula, verbena and oak bark in water. You can keep your feet in this decoction or use as lotions. The components are easy to find in the pharmacy, the effectiveness of such a collection will be equal to expensive drugs. It can be used every day, both in the morning and in the evening.
- Rye flour. After foot baths, it will be useful to rub rye flour into the affected areas. It is able to absorb all the bacteria and free the skin from the disease. The main thing is to rub a small amount.
- Antiseptics. A mixture of baking soda and laundry soap will become a homemade antiseptic. All this must be dissolved in warm water. Pour the resulting mixture into a basin and leave the feet there to be cleaned for half an hour.
Alternative treatment methods are useful because they have no side effects and all ingredients are natural.
What to do if the nail comes off
Fungal nail problems indicate a neglected disease state. The nail darkens, begins to exfoliate, thins and then pulls away from the skin.
This condition is divided into several types:
Onychosis can be recognized by the fact that the nail is exfoliated transversely, kylonhinia - the nail is exfoliated in the middle.
Onychomodesis is when the nail peels off at the base only. This is the most difficult case, because then inflammation occurs.
It is important to ensure that the nail does not fester, because then it can be lost completely. When a person's nail comes off, they don't notice it at first. Only with infection does pain and inflammation occur.
The following symptoms will indicate that the exfoliation of the nail comes from the fungus:
- a void forms under the nail;
- the nail acquires a yellow tint;
- strong itching appears, but you should not tear the fragile nail;
- the manifestation of pain appears only in advanced cases of the disease.
When such a problem occurs, it is important to constantly treat the affected nail with an antiseptic, since it is open to various microbes.
You should follow the following scheme. When you peel off the tip with sterile scissors, cut the edge. The incision site is treated with an antiseptic. Then prepare a bath with sea salt and keep your feet for ten minutes. Lubricate the cut site with a healing agent.
You should stop painting your nails and masking the problem, it will only make the condition worse. It is also very important not to wear tight shoes. You need to make sure that the nails are not too long, because then the shoes will compress them and eventually they may break.
On the feet, the spread of the fungus is quite fast, so it will move from one nail to another in a few days.
Preventing the onset of the disease
Avoiding the problem of yeast infection is not difficult. You need to follow some rules, then health will be fine.
The first rule to remember is that you cannot wear someone else's shoes. After all, someone can be infected with a fungus. Tends to stay in shoes.
You can even try on shoes in the store with just socks. You should wash your feet with soap and water every day, especially in the evening after wearing shoes for a long time. You should always choose shoes according to the weather.
It is impossible to wear warm shoes in too hot weather, because the foot begins to sweat, and in a humid environment, the development of fungi increases significantly. It is important to choose socks only made of natural materials, to wear them no more than once, because after wearing them they are filled with bacteria.
At any pharmacy you can find foot disinfectant sprays that you should use if you have to wear shoes all day. When visiting the pool, it is better to take a change of shoes and not walk barefoot on the tiles. This advice is also followed in the sauna.
At the first symptoms of fungus, treatment should be started. This disease does not go away by itself. Not a secondary action should be to boost the immune system.
The skin of the feet must be taken care of. When calluses appear, get rid of them immediately. If your feet suffer from excessive sweating, you should use special foot deodorants. Any cracks and open wounds on the legs should be treated immediately and constantly disinfected.
When getting a pedicure, it's important to make sure all tools are sanitized, especially if you're getting it done at a salon. If someone in the family has fungus, you should wash the floors well and take a shower. You only need to wear slippers and dry yourself with an individual towel.
Fungus on the skin of the feet is a disease that is better not to face. It differs in that it requires a lot of time for treatment, as well as a long recovery afterwards.
A person who gets sick with fungi after being sick has a huge risk of getting infected with them again. To protect yourself from this, you must not only treat yourself properly, but also take preventive measures afterwards.