How to treat skin fungus on the feet?

The group of infectious diseases includes a fungus on the legs, which is a type of mycosis. This pathology is caused by microscopic fungi. Nail plate disease is called onychomycosis.

Fungal lesion of the feet

It is a very common condition in both men and women. The most common types of mycosis are:

• ringworm;
• candidiasis;
• epidermophytosis.

Some fungi can infect both animals and humans. It is necessary to know not only what mycosis is, but also why it develops. The main mechanism of human infection is contact. It is done directly and indirectly. In the first case, the fungi stand in contact with the soil, plants or a sick person. Familial infections have been reported.

Indirect transmission of the pathogen occurs in contact with articles for the care of animals and the personal effects of patients. These can be shoes, towels and scissors, as well as bathroom accessories.

Often the transmission factors are socks, stockings and other personal items. Foot fungus can develop after visiting public baths and swimming pools. The process involves both the skin of the legs and the nail plates.

The contributing factors are:

• increased sweating of the legs;
• the presence of corns and abrasions;

• wearing tight shoes;
• non-compliance with personal hygiene;
• wearing someone else's shoes;
• accommodation in hostels;
• weakening of immunity;
• poor nutrition;
• the presence of other skin diseases;
• hypovitaminosis;
• alcohol addiction;
• to smoke;
• walking barefoot;
• endocrine disorders.

Weakened people are more likely to face this problem.

General clinical manifestations

Fungus on the soles and nails can go unnoticed for a long time. With this disease, the following symptoms are observed:

• peeling of the skin;
• dryness;
• the presence of diaper rash;
• thickening of the skin and nails;
• brittle nails;
• redness;
• itch;
• white or yellowish bloom;
• the presence of erosion;
• skin pain.

The fungus on the feet looks different. It all depends on the type of pathogen and the underlying disease. Sometimes an unpleasant smell leaves a person. The fungus on the foot does not lead to a deterioration in the general condition. Symptoms of intoxication are absent, since fungi are conditionally pathogenic microbes and are localized in the surface layers of the skin.

One leg is hit first. Then the mushrooms are introduced into the second limb. Most often, the following areas are involved in the process:

• back of the foot;
• spaces between 4 and 5 fingers;
• nail plates.

Depending on the clinical signs, squamous, dehydrotic and intertriginous forms of the disease are distinguished. In the first case, scales appear on the reddened skin. Peeling is observed. Itching is an intermittent sign. It does not bother all patients. With a dyshidrotic form of mycosis, bubbles appear on the fornix. They can grow in size. After a few days they are opened. Erosion appears in their place. An area of diaper rash appears. As the erosion dries up, peeling is observed.

In the event that the skin fungus of the feet is complicated by a bacterial infection, the exudate becomes purulent. Pain appears. Fever is possible. Fungal infection sometimes causes the development of intertriginous mycosis. Its main feature is the presence of cracks with a white border. The dripping develops over time. Pain appears. Forms of erosion in the area of the cracks. This form of the disease manifests itself in a chronic form with exacerbations in the summer.

Development of onychomycosis of the legs

Along with the fungus on the feet, onychomycosis can be found. With it, the nails are involved in the process. The prevalence of this pathology among the population is 10-20%. In recent years, the incidence of the disease in children has increased. Fungi actively grow and multiply not only on the skin, but also on the nails.

People with varicose veins, hyperhidrosis, flat feet, and endocrine diseases often face a similar problem. Fungi multiply inside the nail, gradually leading to its destruction. If the disease is not treated, it can last for years. The end result is nail detachment. Hyperkeratosis often develops.

Distinguish between hypertrophic, normotrophic and atrophic onychomycosis. In the first case, the nail becomes dull and thickened. With atrophy, the color of the plate changes to brown. His detachment is observed. With normotrophic onychomycosis, the shape and size of the nail do not change. With the development of onychomycosis on the feet, the following symptoms are observed:

• decrease in nail density;
• changing its color;
• the presence of white or yellow spots;
• itch;
• cracked skin;
• peeling;
• thickening of the plate;
• greater fragility.

If nail fungus treatment is not carried out, there is a risk of developing paronychia. In this condition, purulent inflammation of the nail bed occurs.

Examination and treatment tactics

You need to know not only how the fungus on the foot begins, but also how to get rid of it. The treatment regimen is determined by the attending physician. Before that, the following studies will be needed:

• inspection with Wood's lamp;
• microscopy of scraped;
• general clinical analyzes;
• sowing on a nutrient medium.

Differential diagnosis is made with psoriasis, onychodystrophy, lichen planus, congenital pachyonichia, trauma and eczema.

Every experienced dermatovenerologist knows how to treat toenail fungus. Antifungal drugs are used in the form of solutions, creams and paints.

Toe fungus treatment often involves surgery. The affected nail is removed.

With a long course of epidermophytosis, a systemic remedy for foot fungus based on miconazole or ketoconazole can be prescribed. Proper treatment will kill germs. There are products on sale that adapt to the passage of the affected nails. They come in the form of patches.

To increase the effectiveness of the treatment of skin fungus on the legs, vitamins, antibiotics (in case of secondary infection) and various ointments based on zinc and salicylic acid are prescribed.

You also need to follow some rules:

1. The feet need to be washed every day.
2. Change your socks more often.
3. After the end of the therapy, old things should be thrown away.
4. Socks, tights and stockings must be washed in a separate basin.
5. When a fungus is found on the foot, the treatment will be successful if closed slippers are worn.

At the end of therapy, a curettage control study is performed.