Mycosis of the feet is one of the most common fungal infections of the skin.The skin between the toes and the bottom of the foot are often infected.The cause of the disease is fungi belonging to the genera Trichophyton and Candida.Upon contact with the epidermis, they begin to multiply actively.The result of their activity is peeling of the skin, cracks between the fingers and diaper rash.At a later stage, the disease affects the nails, they become cloudy, thicken, the edges collapse and yellow stripes appear.The disease can spread to the hands and large skin folds of the body.
Scratching or minor injuries to the affected skin allows the fungi to penetrate deeper into the dermis layers.Thus, the infection spreads throughout the body through the bloodstream.In children and the elderly, fungal skin damage occurs in a more acute form and is more difficult to treat.This is due to the age-related characteristics of the immune system.
Stress is also a trigger for the development of mycosis.Fungal infection is resistant to adverse external factors, it likes heat and moisture.Showers with turbulent water flow, saunas, old homemade shoes, rented shoes (skates, roller skates, ski boots), woolen carpets in bathrooms are the main places for fungi to breed.They penetrate the skin through scratches and calluses.
People with excessively sweaty feet are at risk because, with prolonged exposure, sweat corrodes the skin and reduces its protective properties.People with an obliterated form of mycosis, mild peeling of the skin and painless microcracks that can only be detected by a doctor, are a particular danger to others.
Chronic mycosis of the skin of the feet and nail plates often causes autoimmune allergic reactions, including the development of bronchial asthma.It is important to properly treat mycosis without turning it into a stable chronic form.
Symptoms
The symptoms of foot mycosis are very diverse.Initial symptoms: cracks appear, painful or itchy blisters, diaper rash, rough skin.After that, the skin areas affected by the fungus soften, turn white and begin to peel off.Bacterial infection can also be added, and then the blisters turn into ulcers or ulcers.
Itching and burning are constant symptoms of mycosis, some patients complain of pain and unpleasant odor.
Reasons
Mycosis of the feet is caused by several parasitic fungi.These microorganisms are present in large numbers on the floor of swimming pools and spas, as well as in public showers.You can get infected by walking barefoot in such places.
Wearing other people's shoes, sharing towels and other personal hygiene products are other common ways of spreading the infection.
No immunity develops against fungal diseases, so re-infection occurs as easily as the initial one.
The growth of the fungus is stimulated by improper foot hygiene: putting socks and shoes on wet feet, not washing daily and low-quality socks, inadequate ventilation and drying shoes.
The appearance of mycosis on the hands is mainly due to the effect of fungal toxins circulating in the bloodstream.Furthermore, when combing the soles, the microorganisms remain under the nails, from where they can be transferred to other parts of the body, e.g.on the scalp.People susceptible to mycosis should always remember this mode of infection.
Risk factors
Despite its rapid spread, not everyone develops foot mycosis.A strong and healthy body can cope with the fungal infection on its own.However, it often happens that the immune system restrains the development of the fungus for a long time, then stress, ARVI or any other internal malfunction occurs, and the fungal infection progresses rapidly.
It has been observed that people get sick more quickly under the following conditions:
- profuse sweating;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene rules;
- hormonal imbalances;
- taking certain medications;
- frequent stress;
- chronic dermatological diseases.
Excessive sweating and disregard for personal hygiene create an ideal environment for the fungus to develop.Sweat provokes the rapid proliferation of fungal microflora.Inadequate foot hygiene, socks made of synthetic fabric, shoes that are too narrow and closed accelerate the development and spread of fungal infection.
Hormonal imbalance is common in adolescents, so there is a risk of developing mycosis.The restructuring of the hormonal system temporarily reduces immunity and can cause heavy sweating.These factors contribute to the growth and spread of pathogenic microflora.
Due to the long-term use of antibiotics and corticosteroids, a decrease in immunity may occur.
Ringworm, eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis reduce cellular immunity and create favorable conditions for the development of a secondary infection, especially a fungal infection.Mycosis is often a complication of dermatological diseases.Increase the risk of infection: shoes that are too narrow;ingrown toenail;abrasions and wounds on the legs;diabetes mellitus;vascular diseases.
Forms of the disease
Deleted form.The initial stage of the disease.Symptoms: slight peeling of the skin between the fingers, small cracks in the upper layer of the epidermis.The patient does not feel discomfort and does not suspect that he is suffering from mycosis.
Epithelial form.The skin between the fingers peels off, covered with flat scales, with minor itching.
Hyperkeratotic form.Flat blue-red papules and plaques appear.The main site of the lesion is the arch of the foot.The formations are covered with scales.The formation of individual bubbles is possible.Rashes can merge into groups, forming large lesions.Over time, the entire leg is affected.Yellow hyperkeratotic formations (calluses) covered with cracks may appear.The skin is dry with mild pain and itching.
Intertriginal form.The inflammation is similar to the usual diaper rash.The greatest damage is observed on the skin between the fingers.A reddish swelling appears.Existing symptoms include ulcers and wetting.If left untreated, painful deep fissures and erosions appear.Patients notice pain in the affected area, itching and severe burning.
Dyshidrotic form.Lots of compressed bubbles.The localization of the lesions is the arches of the foot.The rash can spread, so immediate treatment is essential.If left untreated, the blisters will spread over the entire surface of the foot, including the toes.Small blisters may coalesce and develop into larger blisters that may burst.Reddish erosions remain in place.
Acute form.Increased sensitivity to fungal pathogens and rapid progression of the disease.Severe redness and swelling appear on the surface of the foot, large blisters and blisters appear.After opening, large erosions develop in their place;the wounds extend beyond the folds between the fingers.In some cases, weakness, fever and headache are observed.
Symptoms may vary from person to person.When the first alarming symptoms appear, you should consult a dermatologist.
Diagnosis of foot mycosis
Mycosis must be diagnosed and treated by a dermatologist or mycologist.
Diagnostics includes:
- detailed examination of the foot;
- history taking;
- scraping the affected areas of the skin or cutting off a piece of a deformed nail;
- a test to detect fungal infections throughout the body;
- sow the material on a culture medium (if necessary);
- skin biopsy for analysis under a microscope (in rare cases);
- General and biochemical blood test.
Treatment
Improper or late treatment can lead to the development of mycosis in an advanced form.In this case, recovery may take six months or more.Therefore, you should consult a doctor at the first symptoms.First, the pathogen must be accurately identified;for this, the doctor takes a scraping from the affected skin.Based on the results, the course of optimal antimycotic therapy is selected.Modern antifungal drugs - creams, gels, ointments, sprays - effectively cope with the disease.They have a broad spectrum of effects, are applied 1-2 times a day, do not contaminate the skin and bedding, and do not have a specific smell.
External devices
The choice of drugs depends on the stage of mycosis.In mild forms, only external agents are prescribed;in case of severe forms, systemic treatment is necessary.The most popular drugs for external use are Terbinafine and Naftifine.They act on many pathogenic fungi that cause foot mycosis.Do not cause side effects.Bifonazole and clotrimazole act quickly against yeast-like fungi.Thanks to their oily consistency, they effectively soften the skin and eliminate dryness, peeling and itching.These drugs speed up the healing and restoration process of the affected skin.Bifonazole is a complex remedy for the treatment of athlete's foot and nail plates.Eliminates itching, peeling, burning sensation and unpleasant odors.In addition to antifungal agents, it is important to regularly treat the skin with antiseptics.Chlorhexidine or miramistin solution is good for this.When a secondary infection occurs and suppuration occurs, antibacterial ointments are prescribed.
Tablet drugs
The following are used to treat foot mycosis: Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Nystatin.For yeast-like fungi, fluconazole and nystatin are prescribed.The latter is considered an outdated drug and is rarely prescribed.Polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride granules are specially designed to combat fungal infections of the feet.The treatment regimen and the duration of the treatment are determined by the attending physician.
Recommendations
Mycosis of the feet is a fungal infection, and fungi only thrive in moist environments.It prevents the spread of infection by removing moisture.
Try to protect those around you from infection.Explain that you cannot walk barefoot in the apartment, especially in the bathroom.Disinfect the bathtub or shower tray and the bathroom floor every time after showering.
Before going to bed every day, wash your feet with regular soap and warm water, making sure that the skin is not too soft.Dry your feet thoroughly with a paper towel or hair dryer, paying special attention to the area between the toes.Don't forget to apply an antifungal cream or ointment.Continue treatment as directed by your doctor, even if your symptoms are gone.Antifungal creams and ointments are used only on dry skin.If your feet are prone to sweating, you should wait until the medicine is absorbed.
Wear cotton socks and wash them every day.When washing, use a chlorine bleach solution (not soap) or boil the socks for 10 minutes.This will remove the fungus from your clothes and prevent re-infection.Shoes should be disinfected with an anti-fungal spray and dried for a few days (preferably in the sun).
Prevention of athlete's foot
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap after being outdoors.After being in any risk area, wash your feet thoroughly with soap, dry with a towel, and treat with any antifungal solution.If there is a person in the family with mycosis, you should have a separate towel for the face, hands and feet.Afterwards, the bath must be thoroughly treated with a special bath cleaner.If your feet sweat a lot, you can apply powder or antiperspirant deodorant.Do not wear someone else's shoes, especially slippers offered by guests, and do not offer your shoes to others.
Try not to let your feet sweat.In a room where you will be staying for more than an hour, try changing your shoes to a pair of shoes.When visiting a sauna, public shower or swimming pool, wear rubber slippers and do not walk barefoot in public areas.After showering, swimming in a lake or pool, treat your feet with an anti-fungal cream.Wear clean socks and tights every day.Do not let others use your sponges, washcloths, manicure and pedicure accessories.They must be disinfected before use.
Clean the bathtub with detergent and use a strong jet of water before use.Remove wooden stools and fabric and sponge rugs from the bathroom.They retain moisture and can leave fungal-infected skin flakes and nail bits.Use a special grid (coated with special enamel or plastic) or a rubber mat.
The moisture in the folds between the fingers softens the skin and makes it easier for fungal infections to enter.Dry the folds between the toes with a separate towel or dry them with a hair dryer.According to statistics, mycoses occur more often in people with flat feet.Therefore, wear comfortable, high-quality shoes with a heel of no more than 4 cm with a special orthopedic insole or soft protrusion that supports the arch of the foot.
No matter how comprehensive and competent home foot care is, foot care of the skin and nail plates (medical pedicure) must be taken care of regularly.It contributes to the preservation of healthy feet and nails, and the doctor gives individual recommendations for home care and prevention.