In the summer, excessive sweating and synthetic tight shoes cause diseases such as fungus. Weeping sores appear between the toes, which cause discomfort and an unpleasant odor. How to recognize the disease in time and get rid of it? What preventive measures will help you forget about the disease once and for all?
The main symptoms and forms of the disease
Interdigital fungus on the feet can be identified by the following signs:
- in certain places, the skin becomes dry, flakes, cracks appear;
- small blisters appear, as in an allergic reaction, which periodically open and exudate is released;
- diaper rash appears between the toes and on the side of the foot;
- convergence of the upper layers of the skin is observed in the lesions;
- itching, discomfort, pain may occur.
To make an accurate diagnosis, you still need to see a doctor, because with different forms of mycosis, the symptoms may differ. The subsequent treatment of interdigital fungus depends on the type of disease:
- Weak form. It is characterized only by increased dryness of the skin, peeling and cracking.
- Squamous-hyperkeratotic. When the disease takes this form, there is a convergence of the upper layer of the skin in the affected areas, the occurrence of redness, diaper rash, which causes itching and burning. If the big toes are affected, hard, yellow calluses develop.
- Intertriginous form. Swelling and severe erosion occur between the toes.
- Dyshidrotic. Weeping areas appear, bubbles with transparent contents are formed. The external symptoms are accompanied by very severe itching.
What does fungus look like on the toes? With a mild form, it seems that the affected areas have been sprinkled with flour. If the disease also affects the nail plate, you can notice a thickening and yellowing of the nail, with more advanced forms - its deformation. In other stages, the skin becomes moist, ulcers and redness are clearly visible.
Causes of the disease
Most often, tight synthetic shoes lead to the appearance of athlete's foot.
Fungus between and under the toes doesn't just happen. The most common reasons for its appearance:
- Diabetes.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system, blood circulation, veins.
- Decreased immunity.
- Synthetic tight shoes.
- Excessive sweating of the limbs.
- Infection through pedicure tools, shared towels, shower mats.
Sometimes it is enough to try on the patient's shoes in order to catch an unpleasant illness himself. To prevent this from happening, carefully monitor your hygiene, take vitamins, do not buy shoes from thrift stores.
Which doctor should I go to?
If you find the symptoms described above, you should immediately contact a dermatologist or mycologist. After the interview and visual examination, the doctor will prescribe the necessary tests. Without laboratory research, it is impossible to find out exactly which type of fungus caused the disease. Without this, the doctor will not be able to prescribe adequate treatment.
A laboratory study of scraping off dead scales allows you to answer the following questions:
- Is the fungus the cause of the changes in the skin?
- What type of mycosis caused the disease?
On average, a detailed study of the seeding takes about two weeks. After that, certain topical preparations (gels, ointments) and tablets are prescribed.
Traditional medicine
For the treatment of interdigital fungus on the legs, the following are prescribed:
- Antifungal creams
- Ointments
- Tablets and capsules
- Local antiseptics
Allow to relieve inflammation, reduce flaking, provide deep penetration of antimycotic agents under the skin. They form a film that prevents re-infection.
Effectively destroy fungal spores, thanks to active active ingredients.
Suppress the development of the disease. Active substances through the blood enter the horny tissues, accumulate in them and destroy the spores of the fungus. You should not take it without a doctor's prescription, since the tablets are selected individually and have an extensive list of contraindications. For patients with liver disease, the use of such drugs is strictly prohibited.
Hydrogen peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfuric ointment.
Treatment for interdigital fungus on the feet is aimed at eradicating the infection that led to mycosis. Correctly selected drugs and adherence to all doctor's prescriptions will help prevent the recurrence of the disease in the future. In this case, it is imperative to undergo a full course of treatment, the duration of which can be from one to eight months, depending on the degree of the disease.
Folk remedies
Foot baths are very helpful.
Using folk remedies for fungus between the toes will greatly speed up the healing process. Home treatment involves the use of various baths and compresses:
- Based on celandine.
- Coffee bath.
- Soda-based products.
- Vinegar baths and lotions.
- We remove the fungus with aloe juice.
- Effective compresses.
Celandine is an herb that is often used for skin conditions. The affected areas can be lubricated with plant sap. A bath based on this herb will help to cure the fungus on the feet. Freshly cut celandine is poured with boiling water, cooled to room temperature and the feet are immersed in the water. After the procedure, you need to let your feet dry naturally, then blot with a towel, spread with antifungal ointment and put on clean cotton socks. You need to perform such manipulations every day before bedtime.
Five tablespoons of ground coffee are poured with a liter of boiling water. After the mixture has cooled down a little, the feet are lowered in turn, for 30 minutes. each one. Do not dry or rinse your feet. This remedy relieves itching and inflammation of the skin between the toes almost immediately. After a month, the symptoms of the fungus will go away.
A bath of two tablespoons and grated laundry soap will help soften rough skin and remove fungus. After the procedure, keratinized skin is removed using a manicure tool. Such manipulations need to be carried out daily, because there are fungal spores in the dead skin areas. You can prepare this remedy in another way - dilute the baking soda with water to a gruel state and apply to the affected areas.
It is useful to add a couple of tablespoons of vinegar essence to the water every time you wash your feet. To get rid of the fungus on the leg will help lotions of 9% table vinegar, but be prepared for painful sensations during the procedure. However, this remedy is extremely effective. Remove the compress after 10 - 15 minutes, spread with ointment and put on clean socks.
Agave leaves (scarlet) are cut, wrapped in paper and left in the refrigerator for a week. Then squeeze out the juice and lubricate the affected areas of the skin in the morning and evening. It should be used in combination with trays and ointments.
You can buy basic lead acetate solution at the pharmacy. For the treatment of mycosis, this agent is applied to gauze, applied to the affected area and wrapped with cling film. The exposure time is no more than 20 minutes.
Treating wet fungus between the toes requires a special approach. All manipulations are performed in several stages:
- cleansing the area with blisters with hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate solution;
- medical bath;
- using a cream or ointment.
In advanced cases, it is possible to apply a sterile dressing to prevent infection from entering an open wound and to prevent the spread of mycosis. The use of talcum powder is also shown in order to dry the affected area.
Treatment of the fungus between the toes with folk remedies is effective only in combination with medications. By relying on unconventional methods, you run the risk of removing the symptoms, but not eliminating the cause of the disease.
Preventive measures
To prevent the cured fungus on the skin of the toes from returning, follow our recommendations:
- Go to a nail salon with your tool. When performing a hardware pedicure procedure, ask to have the disinfection done with you.
- Never take someone else's towels, shoes, socks.
- Buy a special UV shoe dryer and use it every day.
- Do a pedicure on time and remove dead skin.
- Buy only high quality shoes by size.
- Pay close attention to foot hygiene.
- Use herbal baths for prevention.
It is also important to strengthen the immune system and take vitamins, walk in the fresh air, and eat enough fruits and vegetables.
Fungus on the skin of the toes is treatable, but this is a long process that requires a responsible approach on the part of the patient and strict compliance with all the doctor's prescriptions. Pay enough attention to your health and do not let the disease take its course!