Foot fungus is a disease against which no one is protected. The disease does not go away on its own, so it is important to treat it in time. Experts will tell you how to get rid of the problem.
Mushrooms on the feet: symptoms and causes
What is a fungus? Fungus or mycosis is a disease caused by pathogenic or opportunistic fungi. The disease is often caused by dermatomycete fungi which, as the doctor and colleagues note, are Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton. However, the pathology can also be caused by microorganisms of the genus Candida.
Fungal lesions of the skin of the feet are called dermatomycosis, and the nail plate is called onychomycosis. Often, pathological conditions combine.
How to recognize the fungus on the foot?
Symptoms vary depending on the type of fungus affecting the foot. However, there are general symptoms.
In the initial stage, dryness of the skin, itching and burning of the soles, interdigital folds occur. If the nail plate is affected, a slight discoloration will occur, the nails will become brittle, as the doctor notes.
If no treatment is given, the situation will get worse. The following symptoms appear:
- small cracks between the toes on the sole;
- peeling;
- bad smell;
- swelling, redness of the interdigital folds, arch of the foot;
- bubbles and diaper rashes;
- pain while walking;
- deformation of the nail plate (thickening or thinning, growth disturbance, nail destruction).
Why does the mushroom appear on the feet?
Infection occurs when a patient comes in contact with a skin and surfaces with fungal spores. Pools, saunas and baths pose the greatest risk of infection.
However, the fungus can become infected in the pedicure if an infected person uses personal items such as shoes, clothes, towels, or a washcloth. You also need to be careful at home and not use other family members ’things, as the doctor notes.
There are factors that contribute to the formation of the fungus on the feet:
- wounds and cracks;
- excessive sweating and dry skin;
- poor hygiene;
- goosefoot;
- circulatory disorders of the legs due to vascular diseases;
- pathologies of diabetes mellitus and the immune system.
Folk remedies for the treatment of foot fungus
It is much easier to deal with in the early stages of the disease, so therapy should be started at the first symptoms. Various folk remedies help to cope with the mushroom.
How to treat the fungus on the feet with folk remedies? Vinegar, animal fats, essential oils and garlic can help.
Vinegar
Table and apple cider vinegar help stop the development of fungal disease:
- Heat two liters of water to a comfortable temperature. Add 200 ml of vinegar. Immerse your feet in the resulting product and hold for 15 minutes. Soak your feet three times a day. After the procedure, dry your feet thoroughly and put on clean socks.
- Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the skin affected by your fingernails and fungus. Put on clean socks and leave on overnight.
Garlic
Garlic has an antifungal effect, so it can be used well for the problem. The recipe for the cure is as follows:
- Squeeze the juice from a head of garlic, add the same amount of water and alcohol.
- Heat the water, add a tablespoon of coarse grated tar soap and two tablespoons of baking soda.
- Steam your feet for 15 minutes.
- Wipe your feet dry and treat them with a mixture of garlic juice and alcohol.
Essential oils
Various essential oils help to cope with fungal infections of the feet and nails: rosemary, lavender, ylang-ylang. The doctor says tea tree and eucalyptus oils will be one of the most effective in fighting the fungus.
They can be used to create baths and compresses:
- Wash your feet first. Add ten drops of essential oil to three liters of warm water. Soak your feet in the bath for 20 minutes, then put on warm socks or wrap your feet in a warm towel for 15 minutes.
- Heat a tablespoon of water and essential oil to 30 ° C. Saturate a cotton ball with the product and secure it to the problem areas and wrap it with a bandage on top. After an hour, clean the softened skin or nail plates with a sterile file.
Animal fat
How to cure a fungus? Use pork or goose fat for this purpose:
- Take equal amounts of fat, copper sulfate and yellow sulfur.
- Mix thoroughly and bring to a boil.
- Send it in a dark place and wait for it to cool completely.
- Apply daily to the skin and nails affected by the fungus.
Regular treatment is important to fight foot fungus. Use folk remedies and do not forget about personal hygiene. You will soon be able to enjoy the healthy look of your legs.
Attention! The material is for information only. Do not resort to the treatments described in it without first consulting your doctor.