The initial stage of foot fungus: symptoms and remedies

Most fungal infections are difficult to treat. For this reason, the effectiveness of therapy against them is much higher at an early stage. To cope with the disease faster, you need to know how toenail fungus begins. A person often does not pay attention to the first symptoms, which is a big mistake. As the fungus progresses, it not only significantly worsens the quality of life, but also leads to serious complications in the form of complete loss of the nail plate and even sepsis.

What is foot fungus?

In medicine, a fungus is understood as a group of diseases called mycoses. They are in second place after purulent lesions of the epidermis - pyoderma. A pathogenic microorganism parasites a person's skin or nails, causing an infection. In the first case, the disease is called dermatomycosis, and in the second onychomycosis. There are other types of fungal infections that are secreted depending on the pathogen. There are many types of mushrooms. They are divided into anthropophiles (which affect humans) and zooanthropophiles (observed in humans and animals).

The reasons

The main risk factor for getting a fungal infection is a weakened immune system. In this case, it is easier for the pathogen to enter the body. It is easy to get infected in public places, especially with high humidity and temperature, for example, a swimming pool, gym, sauna, steam room. Among the risk factors for fungal diseases are also:

• flat feet;
• inadequate personal hygiene;
• circulatory disorders in the lower limbs;
• increased sweating;
• frequent trauma to the skin;
• obesity.

These are common causes of fungal infections. Common is the causative agent of the disease itself. Depending on the parasitic fungus, a person can develop the following types of infections:

1. Epidermophytosis. It is observed when the skin and nails are affected by anthropophilic fungi with dermatophytes (dermatomycetes) of three types: Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton. You can get this infection through household items. The risk group includes men of mature age, especially with excessive sweating of the legs.
2. Ringworm. It is caused by trichophyton fungi, which are particularly infectious. Ringworm is also observed in children and adolescents. Workers in showers, toilets, hot workshops are more sensitive.
3. candidiasis. It is observed less often than in other forms of fungal infection. Yeast fungi of the genus Candida are considered conditionally pathogenic, because they are activated when immunity is weakened.
4. Rubromycosis. This is a type of ringworm caused by the Trichophyton rubrum fungus. Due to the high enzymatic activity, the pathogen causes damage to the skin of the feet in large skin folds. Soft, long hair is less commonly affected. Rubromycosis accounts for 60-80% of all fungal infections of the feet.
5. Onychomycosis of the feet. This is a fungal disease of the nail plates caused by different types of pathogenic fungi. One or more nails are affected. If the infection is not treated, the plaques are completely destroyed.

Routes of infection

The likelihood of infection is greater in children, as their thin skin makes them more susceptible to any microorganisms. Risk factors include a weakened immune system, problems with the nervous or endocrine systems, the presence of chronic diseases and an altered composition of sweat. There are several ways to get a fungal infection. They are divided into two main groups:

1. Straight ahead. Infection occurs through plants, soil, contact with a sick person or an animal.
2. indirect. In this case, you can become infected when you use personal items of an infected person or those that he has used.

Symptoms of a fungus on the feet

A well-studied clinical picture of fungal infections helps identify them at an early stage. Damage to the structures of the nail and soft tissues is visible at the injury site with the naked eye. Common fungal symptoms are reflected in the following list:

• discoloration of the nail plate in light yellow at an early stage, and then in yellow, brown, light green and even black;
• sensation of itching in the periungual area;
• unpleasant smell;
• hyperkeratosis, that is, thickening of the nail plate or its thinning;
• deformation of the free edge of the nail;
• peeling of the skin around the nail plate and in the interdigital spaces;
• corns and calluses on the foot;
• fragility of the nail, its crumbling;
• redness of the skin around the nail plate.

Epidermophytosis and ringworm

These forms of fungal infections proceed in almost the same way, which is why they have been combined into a group of diseases. They are called "foot mycosis". Depending on the form, the infection manifests itself with different symptoms. Often, a patient has several types of fungi combined at the same time. For this reason, the division of the mushroom into forms is conditional:

• scaly or scaly;
• dyshidrotic, which is accompanied by rupture of the sweat glands;
• intertrigy, in which diaper rash is noted on the skin;
• hypertrophic, atrophic or normotrophic onychomycosis.

Scaly form of foot fungus

The initial stage of the fungus on the legs of this form is characterized by the defeat of only one foot. The infection passes to another only later. The disease can be recognized by the following signs:

• the appearance of a red area on the skin of the foot;
• in the future, this area begins to peel off (the affected areas may have a different area);
• some patients have itching.

The difficulty in diagnosing and treating the squamous form is that many patients are not worried about any symptoms. For this reason, they go to the doctor at an advanced stage. If the scaly form of the fungal infection continues for a long time, it can take on a dyshidrotic appearance. These two forms are interconnected, so they often provoke the appearance of each other.

Dyshidrotic form

This form is characterized by a course with a change in the periods of remission and relapses. Its very first symptom is the appearance of blisters on the arch of the foot (more often than one) - where it does not make contact with the floor when walking. Their size varies from 2 to 8 mm. Gradually, they begin to merge, merging into one large one. In addition, each bubble is opened and in its place a superficial skin lesion remains - erosion.

In addition to the arch of the foot, its internal and external lateral surfaces can be infected. At the site of ulceration of the vesicles, a large erosion remains, combined with diaper rash. The patient also complains of the following symptoms:

• pain and itching at the injury site;
• after the erosion has dried, it begins to peel off, resulting in the development of a scaly form;
• a bacterial infection gradually joins, as a result of which the contents of the vesicles become cloudy, become purulent (in this case it is necessary to take antibiotics);
• at the next stage, the skin of the foot turns red, swells, the patient has severe pain and even fever.

intrigue form

Among all forms of ringworm and epidermophytosis, it is the most common. It develops on its own or against the background of a scaly type of fungus. It is most often celebrated in the summer season. In winter, there is a period of remission. The disease is long-term and chronic. The onset of the process can be seen between 4 and 5 fingers, less often between 3 and 4. The first signs of an intertrigous form:

• cracking and maceration of the skin with a whitish border around it, which is formed by the exfoliating epidermis (surface layer of the skin);
• itching and burning sensation at the injury site;
• crying in the interdigital space;
• the appearance of erosion cracks in place, accompanied by a severe pain syndrome.

As the disease progresses, the skin becomes loose, as a result of which its protective function decreases. This increases the risk of developing a strep infection. It manifests itself as pustular inflammation, which is accompanied by swelling, redness and pain on the skin. Against this background, an increase in body temperature is observed. The patient complains of a general deterioration in well-being.

Onychomycosis of the feet

This disease in 70-75% of cases affects 3 and 4 fingers, less often - 1 and 5. Often, onychomycosis proceeds in the form of a normotrophic form, in which the color of the nail turns yellow and its integrity is preserved . In case of a mold infection, the infection develops against the background of other diseases. the nail turns yellow, brown or black.

It is possible to detect onychomycosis at an early stage by yellow spots and streaks on the nail plate. Pathological changes are first observed near its free edge. Depending on the form of onychomycosis, it manifests itself in the following symptoms:

1. Hypertrophic. It is accompanied by thickening and yellowing of the nail plate. It crumbles easily and the underlying skin begins to peel off, becomes thick.
2. atrophic. The nail plate, on the other hand, becomes thinner. Rough skin is also exposed under it.

Treatment of the initial stage of the fungus on the feet

In the early stages of infection, topical preparations in the form of ointments, gels, patches, solutions, paints, sprays and liquids are used. They are effective by acting directly at the site of inflammation. For the interdigital spaces, gel and suspension are more suitable, and ointment for the skin of the heels. The initial stage of toenail fungus is treated with paints and antifungal solutions.

If the disease has reached an advanced stage, systemic medication is required. They are used as tablets and capsules. They destroy the infection from the inside out. At the initial stage, the use of tablets and capsules is irrational due to the greater number of side effects than with local agents. In addition to drugs, it is important to follow the rules of hygiene. This must be done as follows:

• wear closed slippers, do not walk around the house with bare feet;
• treat shoes 2 times a day with special disinfectants;
• washing the patient's clothes separately from all other things;
• wash your feet every day, then treat them with antifungal agents;
• do wet cleaning in the room every day, ventilate;
• after taking a bath, rinse it thoroughly with hot water;
• change socks every day;
• after recovery, throw away the patient's socks, towels, shoes, wipes and other things.

To prevent possible relapses of the disease, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system. For this, the patient is prescribed immunomodulators and vitamins. The basis of both external and systemic therapy are antifungal drugs. When a bacterial infection attacks, antibacterial drugs are used. Antihistamines are sometimes prescribed to relieve allergies.

Medicines for foot fungus

Knowing what nail fungus looks like at the initial stage, you can notice it much earlier. This will ensure faster recovery. The effectiveness of the therapy also depends on the correct drug. There are many antifungal agents in the form of tablets, ointments, gels. In order to use drugs correctly, it is necessary to study their main characteristics:

Active substance	Mechanism of action	Method of application, effect	A course of treatment	Contraindications
Naftifina hydrochloride	It destroys the causative agents of mycosis of the feet, some bacteria. It has anti-inflammatory effect.	Rub the cream or solution into clean skin 2 times a day.	2-4 weeks.	Pregnancy, lactation, age up to 18 years.
natamycin	Effective against all pathogens of foot mycosis.	Apply the suspension or cream several times a day to the affected skin.	Determined by a doctor.	Sensitivity to the constituents of the product.
Clotrimazole	Many other antifungal agents have been synthesized on the basis of this substance. Clotrimazole has a broad spectrum of action.	Apply to clean, dry skin 2-3 times a day.	1-4 weeks + 3 more weeks after recovery.	Hypersensitivity to clotrimazole.
econazole	It is effective against many fungal pathogens, including mold and yeast-like fungi.	Apply cream, lotion, solution or aerosol 1-3 times a day on the skin of the feet.	2-4 weeks.	Pregnancy.
itraconazole	A wide range of activities against all fungal pathogens.	2 capsules 2 times a day - with onychomycosis; 0, 1-0, 2 g 2 times a day - with mycosis of the feet.	7 days, then a 3-week break - with onychomycosis; 1-2 weeks - with mycosis of the feet.	Pregnancy, lactation, simultaneous use with midozolam, nisoldipine, ergot alkaloids.
Sertaconazole	Fungistatic and fungicidal action against candida and trichophyton fungi.	Apply a small amount of cream to the affected areas twice a day.	Up to 4 weeks.	Pregnancy, lactation, hypersensitivity, childhood.
terbinafine	Destroys the pathogens of candidiasis, trichophytos, emidermophytos.	0, 25 g 1-2 times a day.	6 weeks, with nail damage - 12 weeks.	Dysfunction of the kidneys and liver, malignant neoplasms, pregnancy, lactation, vascular diseases of the legs.
Fluconazole	High activity against yeast fungi.	150 mg every week or 50 mg per day.	6 weeks.	Pregnancy, breastfeeding, childhood.
Griseofulvin	Fungistatic effect against pathogenic fungi.	16 mg per 1 kg of body weight per day in the first month of treatment; further in the same dosage, but every other day; in the third month according to the second scheme, until the regrowth of healthy nails. Apply the ointment no more than 30 g per day.	For tablets - 3 months, for ointments - 3 weeks.	Dysfunction of the liver and kidneys, decrease in the number of leukocytes in the blood, pregnancy, lactation, malignant tumors.

Folk methods

Effective treatment of even the initial stage of a fungal infection cannot be carried out without drugs. They are the cornerstone of therapy. Traditional methods are used only as an auxiliary method. Although alternative medicine is relatively safe, you should consult your doctor before using it. He will provide recommendations on the following alternative methods of treating a fungal infection:

1. Take an equal amount of oak bark, verbena, marigold inflorescences, dried blackberries. From the resulting mixture, put in a separate container 3 tbsp. L. Pour into a glass of water and set on fire. After 15-20 minutes, strain, allow to cool to an acceptable temperature. Use to lubricate damaged areas.
2. Mix equal proportions of copper sulfate, yellow sulfur and pork fat. After obtaining a homogeneous mass, bring to a boil, then store in a dark place. Use after cooling to lubricate affected areas. Pre-steam your feet in a soda bath.
3. For 2-3 liters of boiling water, take 2-3 tbsp. L. fresh milkweed grass. Put the ingredients in a glass container, wrap with a blanket, leave for 3-4 hours. Then use for a bathroom. Pour the broth into a bowl, put your feet in it, immerse them in the solution for 40-45 minutes. Repeat the procedure at intervals of 2-3 days until complete recovery.