Fungus between the toes: causes, treatment

A fungal infection of the skin of the feet, in particular the interdigital spaces, is called dermatomycosis. According to statistics, every fifth inhabitant of the planet suffers from a fungus. Its prevalence is due to its high contagiousness and persistence in the environment.

What is the reason for the appearance of between toes?

The disease is transmitted through direct contact with a sick person, as well as when wearing someone else's shoes, using contaminated towels, and hygiene items. The fungus between the toes usually requires warmth and high humidity to grow and reproduce. That is why the public pool, sauna, gym are the ideal places to catch a fungal infection.

However, even with close contact with the pathogen, the susceptibility to infection is highly individual. It is increased by factors such as:

  • Immunodeficiency against the background of concomitant diseases, chronic foci of infection in the body, vitamin deficiency, taking a number of drugs (antibiotics, glucocorticosteroids, cytostatics).
  • Endocrine disorders, primarily diabetes mellitus and its complication - diabetic foot, obesity, impaired microcirculation of the lower extremities, allergic dermatitis, varicose veins.
  • Violation of the integrity of the skin (small wounds, maceration, abrasions) arising from uncomfortable shoes, when carrying out a trim pedicure, prolonged walking and playing sports.
  • Individual features of the skin in the interdigital folds: increased sensitivity (for example, in babies), excessive dryness or, conversely, excessive sweating and a special composition of the secretion of sweat glands.
  • Features of the anatomy of the feet, in particular the narrowness between the toes, especially in combination with wearing tight shoes. By the way, the favorite place of fungal colonization is the narrowest spaces between the 3, 4 and 5 fingers. The first toe of the foot is often affected, but in this case, the development of onychomycosis (damage to the nail plate) is more characteristic.

Not the last and most important role is played by a person's cleanliness, since all types of fungal infections find fertile soil in the absence of basic rules of personal hygiene.

How does it appear and how do you recognize the first signs?

Fungus between the toes

Initially, the fungus between the toes manifests itself as itching, slight discomfort in the interdigital spaces, later - peeling, cracking and hyperemia. In the future, with the progression of a fungal infection, various combinations of symptoms are possible depending on the form of the course of the disease.

  1. The erased form is characterized by a mild clinical picture. Dry skin and small cracks (mainly between the little toe and the fourth toe) are combined with mild itching. For a long time the disease does not draw attention to itself, more common in children.
  2. Palmar-plantar - manifested by pronounced detachment of the epidermis with unbearable itching and burning in the affected area. The skin in the interdigital spaces is hyperemic, covered with cracks, scales that have almost come off, on the toes (primarily on the first one), the formation of a yellow corpus callosum is possible.
  3. Intertriginous - the most common form, occurs on its own or against the background of existing desquamation. Along with deep cracks and erosions, which are accompanied by painful sensations and burning sensations, it is characterized by edema between the toes.
  4. Dyshidrotic - it is characterized by the formation of small vesicles (vesicles) in the interdigital folds, prone to fusion. In place of the bubbles that have opened, weeping erosion remain, which eventually become crusted. In the case of bacterial infection, the serous contents of the vesicles become cloudy and turn into pus.

This classification is rather arbitrary, since the forms of dermatomycosis during its prolonged course can pass into each other or appear simultaneously.

In the absence of adequate treatment, the fungus, initially occurring in the area between the toes, can spread to the entire foot and occupy the nail plates (in 80 -100% of advanced cases). With onychomycosis, the nail changes color (from yellow to brown-brown), exfoliates and deforms, acquiring an unsightly appearance ("fingernail"). Perhaps painful ingrowth or complete dying off.

Another formidable complication of a long-term fungal skin lesion is the addition of a bacterial infection, which is accompanied by the formation of purulent foci, fever and other symptoms of intoxication.

Treatment

A specialist can diagnose a fungus between the toes on the basis of an external examination and examination of scrapings from the affected area. He will also prescribe competent therapy, taking into account the pathogen and predisposing factors. In the treatment of fungal infection, both traditional therapy and alternative methods are applicable.

Medication

Antifungal drugs are prescribed topically in the form of ointments, lotions and suspensions, creams, gels, varnishes, etc. Before applying drugs to the skin of interdigital folds, it is required to clean the skin from scales and conduct hygiene procedures. Cleaning is best done with chlorhexidine solution.

Systemic administration of antifungal agents in tablet form is also possible. Intravenous infusion of antimycotics is indicated only in the case of severe systemic mycosis, which rarely complicates the interdigital fungus.

Traditional medicine

In uncomplicated situations, time-tested folk recipes help to defeat the fungus between the toes. The most effective ones:

  • Compresses soaked in a solution of strong tea and vinegar (in a 2: 1 ratio) and placed in the interdigital spaces for several hours.
  • Foot bath based on an aqueous solution of sea salt, followed by treatment of the feet with tea tree oil or aloe juice.
  • Lubrication of affected skin with 70% vinegar. To avoid burns, the duration of the procedure is no more than a minute; upon completion, the feet are thoroughly treated in soapy water.
  • Treat the folds between the fingers with a cream made from minced garlic (2 cloves) and butter (100 grams).
  • Lotions from an aqueous extract of herbs - chamomile, violet and string, taken in equal proportions.

Treating a fungal infection between fingers, especially in advanced situations, is fraught with difficulties and requires an integrated approach and time. However, do not forget about the prevention of fungus (immunocorrection, wearing personal shoes that do not bring discomfort, compliance with hygiene standards, etc. ). Adhering to basic rules, you can not only avoid recurrences of a fungal infection, but also forget forever what it is.