Mycosis of the feet is the most common fungal infection of the skin today. There are three main types of foot fungus or fungus on the feet, as it is also called. And each species is localized on different parts of the foot and looks different.
How can you get fungus on your foot?
Mycosis of the feet is caused by a fungus that grows on or in the upper layer of the skin. The fungus thrives best in warm and humid places. For example - in the area between the fingers. Fungus on the feet spreads very easily. It is enough to touch the fingers or fingers of an infected person to also get sick with a high probability. But most often, a fungal infection occurs when people walk barefoot on contaminated surfaces near the pool or in the locker rooms of the same pool, gym and other similar items. The fungus can then remain in your shoes, especially if the shoes are very tight and air cannot circulate around your feet.
If you touch an object that has a fungus on it, then you can also become its distributor and infect other people. Moreover, even if you infect others, it does not mean that you will definitely infect yourself. Doctors don’t know why this happens, but everyone’s susceptibility to fungal infection on their feet is different. And if you already have mycosis, there is a high chance that you will become infected again.
2. Symptoms of the fungus
Symptoms of athlete's foot may include burning and itching of the skin between the toes. The skin may peel and crack. Other symptoms of foot fungus can vary depending on what type of athlete’s foot is diagnosed.
The first type is an infection that most often causes symptoms between the fourth and fifth finger. The skin becomes scaly, flaky and cracks. In some cases, a bacterial infection can join the mycosis, and the skin condition worsens even more.
Another type of fungus is a disease that can start with mild pain in the leg area. Then the skin on the heel or bottom of the foot thickens and can crack. As the fungus on the feet progresses, so does the nails. With nail fungus it can thicken, break or even fall out. Fungal infections on the nails and skin of the feet, as a rule, should be treated differently.
Vesicular infection is the third type of athletic foot. Typically, this type of fungus on the feet starts with blisters filled with fluid under the skin. Bubbles usually form on the bottom of the foot, but you can find them anywhere else on the foot. Concomitant bacterial infection can also develop with this type of foot fungus.
3. Diagnosis of mycosis
To diagnose foot fungus, the doctor usually only needs to examine the patient and study the medical history (symptoms, previous illnesses). If the fungus on your feet is uncommon or unresponsive to treatment, your doctor will take a sample of your skin or nail to test for the fungus.
Not all foot skin problems are fungal infections or fungus on the feet. If you suspect you have the fungus but have never had it before, it actually makes sense to visit a good dermatologist.
4. Treatment of the disease
Special lotions, creams or sprays are usually sufficient to treat foot fungus. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe prescription tablets or topical medications to treat nail fungus. It is necessary to treat the fungus as much as the doctor says. This will be a guarantee that it was indeed possible to completely cure the fungus. In addition to the general treatment of athlete's foot, it is essential that the feet be clean and dry. Mushrooms need warm, moist places to grow.
To prevent mycosis and the reappearance of fungus on your feet, you need to use your special shoes when you go to the gym, pool and similar places. To keep your feet dry, you can use talcum powder or special products. Sandals or shoes that are not too tight will provide adequate air circulation and moisture wicking.