One of the most common skin diseases is athlete's foot. It occurs in people of all ages and occupations. The greatest prevalence of mycosis is found among workers in hot plants, miners, athletes and bath workers, where the incidence exceeds 60%. Children suffer quite rarely, but mycoses are already increasing in adolescents.
What is foot mycosis
Athlete's foot is a group of fungal diseases of the skin, often with simultaneous damage to the nails. These infections cause similar clinical manifestations. They can only be distinguished after microscopic examination of the skin and nails. Mycosis of the skin of the feet is a highly contagious disease. It is transmitted from person to person through household objects: carpets in locker rooms, showers and swimming pools, footstools, sinks and floors in baths and saunas. It is dangerous to use shared shoes and socks. The surface layer of skin that is constantly peeling off contains many fungi themselves and their spores. First of all, the interdigital folds are affected, skin itching appears. In the future, the infection captures the entire foot and spreads to the nails. The course of the disease is long and requires constant treatment. To prevent foot mycosis, you can buy an effective prophylactic.
Causes of mycosis of the feet
The cause of the disease are microorganisms of the genus Trichophyton, less often mold and Epidermophyton floccosum:
- Red Trichophyton (Tr. Rubrum) causes up to 95% of all cases of disease;
- about a third of the patients also found interdigital trichophyton (Tr. Interdigitale);
- Inguinal epidermophyton (E. floccosum) is the cause of the disease in 1% of cases.
The probability of infection increases in adverse external conditions:
- high humidity;
- tight shoes;
- frequent visits to swimming pools, saunas and other wet areas;
- the presence of a sick person in the family.
Some internal diseases also contribute to the development of a fungal infection:
- sweating of the legs;
- Immunodeficiency;
- Taking corticosteroid hormones inside;
- flat feet;
- Raynaud's disease, peripheral artery atherosclerosis, obliterating endarteritis, varicose veins;
- diabetes mellitus.
What happens in case of illness
Mycosis of the feet on healthy skin rarely develops. Even if the fungus gets to the surface, it cannot penetrate the thick layer of intact epithelium. Under the influence of unfavorable external factors, the epidermis accumulates moisture and loosens. Penetrating the thickness of the skin, fungi begin to actively multiply. This is also promoted by vascular diseases and immune disorders that are associated with malnutrition and local protective mechanisms on the feet. The multiplication of fungi causes damage to the interdigital areas, intense peeling and discomfort. Shedding epithelium gets into socks and shoes and becomes a source of reinfection. Therefore, during the treatment of mycosis, it is necessary to treat the inner surface of the shoe with a preparation with a special composition against the fungus.
symptoms
Conventionally, there are such forms of mycosis of the feet, which are shown in the photo:
- Squamous epithelium: unilateral peeling and slight itching in the arch of the foot. This form is often not recognized.
- Intertriginous: The folds between the fingers are affected, then the process moves to the back of the foot. Weeping cracks appear, accompanied by itching. Bacterial infection can accompany the development of erysipelas.
- Dyshidrosis: On the arch of the foot, vesicles merge with light, and then with turbid contents. They open with the formation of painful erosions. This type is accompanied by itching and pain.
Mycosis of the skin of the feet in the acute phase can be accompanied by fever, poor health, headache and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes. When infected with Trichophyton, the nail of the I or V finger is affected, in the future the process spreads to all nail plates. First, yellow spots appear on the free edge of the nail, then it thickens, loosens and crumbles. Therefore, to treat athlete's foot, you need to use products with a complex effect, such as: B. Lotion for skin and nails.
diagnosis of the disease
Detection of the disease is based on the analysis of external manifestations and isolation of the fungus from the surface of the skin. A microscopic examination of the affected epithelium and nails is performed. In order to precisely determine the type of microorganisms, they are grown on a nutrient medium. It is necessary to distinguish mycosis of the foot from a non-fungal lesion:
- intertrigo;
- Eczema;
- Psoriasis;
- hyperkeratosis.
An accurate diagnosis ensures a good treatment result.
treatment of athlete's foot
The therapy is carried out in 2 stages. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate acute inflammation and remove horny layers on the feet. Warm foot baths with potassium permanganate and lotions with a solution of boric acid are shown. After removing the dense epithelium, creams containing anti-inflammatory hormones and antibiotics are used. After the inflammation subsides, these creams are replaced with similar ointments. In the second stage of treatment, antifungal ointments and creams are used (for example, representatives of the group of imidazole antifungals). They should be applied 1-2 times a day to clean, dry skin and rubbed gently. Not only the affected area is treated, but also the surrounding surface of the foot. The course of treatment lasts about a month. Athlete's foot is successfully treated with medicines, special lotions for skin and nails, which can be purchased at the pharmacy. Benefits of drugs to fight fungus:
- high activity against the fungus that causes athlete's foot;
- Security;
- hypoallergenicity;
- affordable price.
The lotion can be used to treat other skin diseases:
- pityriasis versicolor;
- candidiasis of the skin;
- erythrasma;
- secondary bacterial infection against the background of mycosis.
The medicine is applied 2 times a day, gently rubbing into the affected areas. The skin must be washed with soap beforehand and dried well, especially between the fingers. Treatment lasts until the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease and another 2 weeks. The drug is well tolerated. Skin irritation occurs only occasionally. He has the only contraindication - the first trimester of pregnancy. Of course, the substance clotrimazole is not used because of its individual intolerance. One of the advantages of the lotion is the excellent penetration of the drug into the nail plates, which distinguishes it from a cream or ointment. Regular use of this drug gives an excellent result in mycosis of the feet and nails without additional funds. Damage to the nails requires the appointment of antifungal drugs inside.
At the same time, therapeutic varnishes are used, which are applied to the nails 1-2 times a week until complete recovery.
preventive methods
Treating a fungal infection takes a long time. Mycosis of the feet requires the use of drugs, the cost of which is quite high. Prevention of the disease is especially important in people with risk factors for the disease. Athletes, swimmers, and hot shop employees are advised to use antifungal and antibacterial medications such as sprays or lotions on a regular basis. Such products are safe, do not damage the skin and do not cause irritation. With regular use, the likelihood of contracting athlete's foot is greatly reduced. Undecylenic acid spray is useful to prevent reinfection. To do this, the drug must be sprayed monthly on the inner surface of the shoe. The active ingredient in the spray - undecylenic acid - is harmless even after long-term use. It should be applied to the dry, clean skin of the feet before each visit to the swimming pool and similar places. Contraindications to the use of this drug have not been identified. It should be used with caution by pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is necessary to eliminate the external causes of the onset of the disease:
- wear boots and shoes that fit;
- Use quality sports shoes made from natural materials.
- Wash your feet daily and treat your nails in time.
- fight with sweaty feet;
- When visiting a bath, pool or beach, it is better to use light silicone or rubber slippers.
A general strengthening of immunity, treatment of diabetes mellitus and vascular diseases is required.