Fungus of the skin of the feet or mycosis, according to statistics, affects every fifth inhabitant of our planet. This disease, although not fatal, is accompanied by very unpleasant symptoms: severe itching, peeling of the skin between the fingers, redness and an unpleasant smell. proceed from the legs. It is important to start treatment in a timely manner in order to get rid of the disease at the initial stage of development. If this does not happen, the disease will move into a chronic stage and it will be very difficult for honeysuckle to get rid of the symptoms of skin fungus.
Symptoms of the disease
The causative agents of mycosis can be:
- moldy mushrooms;
- Dermatophytes;
- Yeast.
Depending on the type of fungus that caused the disease, the symptoms of the disease differ:
- Mold mainly develops in summer, when the weather is hot and humid, when the skin is thinning.
- A disease caused by yeast that spreads not only to the areas between the fingers but also to the nail plates.
- The disease caused by dermatophytes begins to manifest itself on the little finger or in the areas next to the thumb and then spreads to the entire foot.
Symptoms of mycosis differ depending on the stage of the disease:
- At the initial stages of the development of the disease, not everyone who has it will suspect that they have a fungal infection. During this time, the disease manifests itself as small cracks, itching between the fingers, increased flaking and dryness in the affected areas.
- In the active phase, untreated redness forms between the fingers, the peeling intensifies with the appearance of fluid-filled blisters. There is an inflammatory process, tissue edema and coarsening of the epidermis.
- The advanced stage is characterized by the appearance of pus, inflammation, redness and swelling. The legs itch unbearably. The skin becomes littered with deep cracks and constantly gets wet. Ulcers and sores look like a single wound. Nails begin to peel off the bed.
Identifying mycoses at home is easy. To do this, you need to lower your feet into a solution of potassium permanganate for a few seconds. Potassium permanganate gives healthy skin a pink hue, while the areas with fungus between the toes keep the same color. This reaction is linked to structural changes in the skin.
Medication
If there is even a slight suspicion of a fungal infection, you should see a dermatologist immediately. Only a qualified specialist can distinguish mycoses from other similar dermatological diseases and prescribe a therapy that is effective against a specific pathogen.
At the initial stage of the disease, effective treatment at home can be carried out using special drugs prescribed by the attending physician. Most often, drugs are used in the form of ointments and creams.
Before use, it is necessary to steam the legs in a hot soda bath, diluting 2 tbsp in 1 liter of water. l. Baking soda. Cushioned feet should be wiped dry and the product applied by rubbing thoroughly.
In the active and neglected phase, the use of exclusively external means is not sufficient for the high-quality treatment of a fungal infection. In this case, the administration of drugs inside is additionally prescribed. This must be done in strict accordance with the attached instructions.
If the disease has progressed too far, and the process of infection has affected not only the skin, but also internal organs, then treatment is carried out only in a hospital with strong drugs.
Dioxotetrahydroxytetrahydronaphthalene ointment
Effectively copes with interdigital mycosis, onychomycosis, a disease caused by dermatophytosis. The main active ingredient in this ointment is oxolinic acid, which penetrates the skin and destroys the cells of the causative agent of the disease.
The agent is applied to the affected areas after steaming in a soda bath. Apply 2-3 times a day for 30 days. One treatment is enough to get rid of the initial stage of infection. It is impossible to cure a neglected disease with this ointment.
Salicylic ointment
Salicylic acid acts as an active ingredient that allows you to quickly cope with the causative agent of the disease. The ointment should be applied twice a day after pre-steaming the limbs.
The duration of the course depends on the stage of the disease and ranges from 3 weeks to a month and a half. The ointment can even cope with advanced mycosis, but it is quite a toxic drug. It cannot be used to get rid of fungal infections in children and pregnant women.
Immediately after using the product, you may experience pain, burning, or itching in this area. This is how its effect manifests itself. Unpleasant sensations go away after 20-30 minutes.
Sulfur ointment
This is another inexpensive but effective remedy for athlete's foot. The active ingredient is sulfur, which is effective against many diseases, including interdigital fungus.
The duration of treatment with sulfur ointment depends on the stage of the disease and ranges from 4 weeks to several months. The tool only needs to be rubbed on the damaged areas twice a day. The drug has no toxic effect, so it can be used even for the treatment of children and pregnant women.
Iodine abrasion
This drug has long been known as an excellent antiseptic. In the early stages of the disease, it can be used to get rid of infections.
In this case, the alcohol solution is applied undiluted to the localization areas of the lesion with a cotton swab. The procedure is carried out twice a day until there is improvement. For greater efficiency, it is recommended to take foot baths by dissolving a small amount of iodine in warm water.
Boric acid
This is another good antiseptic that can be used to fight infections. Usually they take hot baths with boric acid before going to bed. To do this, dissolve 2 tablespoons in 1 liter of hot water. l. Powder and lower your feet there for 15 minutes. Then the feet are gently wiped.
In addition, you can sprinkle the affected areas with powdered boric acid and put on socks. In the morning, rinse off the remains of the product and wipe your feet dry.
Boric acid should not be used to treat pregnant or breastfeeding women or children.
Glycerin
This pharmaceutical preparation must be used in combination with table vinegar. For treatment you will need:
- 20 ml of glycerin;
- 20 ml table vinegar.
Use:
- Combine the components in a glass container.
- To stir thoroughly.
- Apply to a cotton swab.
- Apply it to the damaged area of skin between your fingers.
- The procedure should be carried out daily until the onset of improvement.
Hydrogen peroxide
One of the most popular ways to get rid of athlete's foot. Most often, the procedures are carried out in the form of baths. They are prepared in the evening, just before going to bed. For the bath, you need to combine hydrogen peroxide 3% with the same amount of water and lower it into the foot fluid. The duration of the procedure is 30 minutes. After that, the feet need to be wiped thoroughly.
Hydrogen peroxide is suitable as a remedy for mycoses in various stages of the disease. You can use such baths as a preventive measure.
Complex means
If the disease has passed from the initial stage to an active or neglected stage, then the use of ointments alone is not enough to achieve an effective result. In these conditions, the doctor usually prescribes complex treatment, which includes the simultaneous use of drugs inside and outside with drugs of the same name in the form of ointments or creams.
The most effective drugs for the treatment of interdigital mycosis:
| Surname | description |
| Ketoconazole | The medicine is available in the form of tablets. Effectively eliminates athlete's foot, interdigital mycosis and onychomycosis (nail fungus). For external use, a corresponding cream or shampoo can be applied |
| Clotrimazole | The tool effectively copes with most types of fungal pathogens. It is produced in various forms that allow you to get rid of the disease at different stages and act in complex ways |
| Terbinafine | One of the most effective drugs to get rid of the signs of fungus. Complete healing is possible after taking the pills over a period of 30 days. In addition, you can apply a cream: this will make the treatment more effective. The drug eliminates various types of infectious agents |
The use of folk methods
Methods of treating fungal infections related to alternative medicine are used in combination with drugs. As an independent therapy, alternative methods are effective only at the initial stage of the development of the disease, when the area of the affected skin areas is insignificant and the symptoms are not pronounced.
Various home remedies are commonly used to treat mycoses between the toes.
bath
Effective bath recipes:
| Bath name | recipe | Usage features |
| Euphorbie |
|
Dip your feet in the bathtub and wait 40 minutes. Perform the procedures every 3 days |
| Salt and soda | Stir 1 liter of warm water 1 tbsp. l. Table salt or sea salt and the same amount of baking powder | Dip your feet in the solution and hold for 30 minutes. Perform procedures daily until symptoms go away |
| Vermouth |
|
Keep your feet in the broth for 30 minutes. Do procedures every other day |
| With celandine |
|
Dip your feet in the infusion and hold for at least 15 minutes. Repeat the process every other day |
| sparkling water | Dissolve 2 tablespoons in 1 liter of warm water. l. Baking soda |
|
| vinegar | Pour apple or wine vinegar into a wide container |
|
| Coffee shop |
|
|
Lotions
Lotions That Effectively Help Cope With A Fungal Infection:
| Means | recipe | Usage features |
| Onion juice | Squeeze the juice of 1 onion after passing it through a meat grinder |
|
| Potassium permanganate | Dissolve a few crystals of potassium permanganate in warm water so that the solution turns a pale pink color |
|
| Apple Cider Vinegar | Soak a 9% cotton swab in table vinegar |
|
| Wine vinegar | Soak a cotton swab in wine vinegar |
|
| Vinegar tea |
|
Moisten a cotton swab and apply it to the affected area overnight |
Anoint
Effective homemade ointments for interdigital mycoses:
| Surname | recipe | Usage features |
| Garlic ointment |
|
|
| Onion ointment |
|
|
Birch tar
A good result at the initial stage of the development of mycosis is obtained by using birch tar:
- It is good to steam your feet in hot water.
- Apply a generous layer of birch tar to areas with mycosis.
- Roll up with a towel or other natural cloth.
- Leave on for 2 hours.
- Do not rinse for 2 days.
The process must be repeated 5 times. At the first signs of illness, this method of treatment allows you to get rid of the infection without resorting to medication.
Features of treatment in children and pregnant women
Mycoses in the interdigital area of the legs can occur at any age, including children. This usually happens due to low immunity or after receiving microtraumas of the skin of the feet.
At the first signs of interdigital fungus, you should see a doctor immediately for an accurate diagnosis. In no case can you prescribe treatment yourself.
If for the treatment of adults without contraindications all drugs can be used without restrictions, then for the treatment of children it is necessary to use non-toxic topical agents. Systemic drugs are not used in childhood due to toxicity. Therefore, it is especially important not to trigger the disease and act in a timely manner.
The most common treatment for a fungal infection is terbinafine in the form of a cream or ointment. In this case, treatment should be natural:
- 10 days with the ointment;
- 10 days off.
You need to repeat the course until the signs of damage have completely gone.
At a more advanced stage of mycosis, experts recommend combining treatment with external antifungal drugs with the use of antibacterial drugs. The specific treatment regimen must be prescribed by a specialist.
Caution should also be exercised when treating fungus between the fingers in pregnant women. During this phase of a woman's life, many internal drugs are forbidden; this includes strong antifungal drugs. On the recommendation of a doctor, you need to apply clotrimazole or naftifine ointments. It is necessary to combine them with treatment with folk remedies. The most preferred folk remedies are various baths.