How to treat fungus on the skin of 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:

• trichophytosis;
• 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 come into contact with the soil, plants or a sick person. Familial infections have been reported.

Indirect transmission of the pathogen occurs through contact with animal care items and personal belongings of patients. These can be shoes, towels and scissors, as well as bathroom accessories.

Often the transmission factors are socks, hosiery, 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;

• wear 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;
• of smoking;
• to walk barefoot;
• endocrine disorders.

Weak people are more likely to face this problem.

General clinical manifestations

Fungi on the soles of the feet 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 nail plates;
• 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 of the general condition. Symptoms of intoxication are absent, since fungi are conditionally pathogenic microbes and are localized in the superficial layers of the skin.

One leg is affected first. Then the mushrooms are introduced into the second branch. 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, the squamous, dyshidrotic 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 form of dyshidrotic mycosis, bubbles appear in the cul-de-sac. They can grow in size. After a few days, they open. Erosion appears in its place. An area of diaper rash appears. As the erosion dries, flaking is observed.

In the event that the fungus on the skin 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 suppuration develops over time. Pain appears. Erosion forms in the area of the cracks. This form of the disease occurs chronically with exacerbations in the summer.

Development of leg onychomycosis.

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

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 cured, it can last for years. The end result is nail shedding. Hyperkeratosis often develops.

Distinguish between hypertrophic, normotrophic, and atrophic onychomycosis. In the first case, the nail becomes dull and thicker. With atrophy, the color of the plaque changes to brown. Its 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:

• decreased density of nails;
• changing its color;
• the presence of white or yellow spots;
• Itch;
• cracked skin;
• peeling;
• plaque thickening;
• increased brittleness.

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

Examination and treatment tactics

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

• Wood lamp inspection;
• scrap microscopy;
• general clinical tests;
• sow in a nutrient medium.

The differential diagnosis is made with psoriasis, onychodystrophy, lichen planus, congenital pachyonychia, trauma, and eczema.

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

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

With a prolonged course of epidermophytosis, a systemic remedy for foot fungus based on miconazole or ketoconazole may be prescribed. Proper treatment will kill germs. There are products for sale that adapt to the passage of the affected nail plates. 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 a secondary infection) and various ointments based on zinc and salicylic acid are prescribed.

You must also follow some rules:

1. The feet should be washed daily.
2. Change your socks more often.
3. After the therapy is over, old things should be thrown away.
4. Socks, stockings and stockings must be washed in a separate container.
5. When a fungus is found on the foot, the treatment will be successful if closed slippers are used.

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