Foot skin fungus 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 skin between the fingers, redness and an unpleasant odor. arising from the legs. It is important to start treatment on time in order for the disease to resolve at an early stage of development. If this is not done, the disease will progress to a chronic phase, and then it will be very difficult to remove the symptoms of skin fungus with honey fingers.
Symptoms of the disease
The causes of mycosis can be:
- mold fungi;
- dermatophytes;
- yeast fungus.
Depending on the type of fungus that caused the disease, the symptoms of the disease will vary:
- Mold develops mainly in summer, in hot and humid weather, when the skin thins.
- The disease caused by yeast fungi will spread not only to the areas between the fingers, but also to the nail plates.
- The disease, caused by dermatophytes, begins to manifest on the little toe or areas near the big toe and then spreads to the foot.
Symptoms of mycosis vary depending on the stage of the disease:
- In the initial phase of the development of the disease, not every sick person will suspect that he has a fungal infection. During this period, the disease manifests itself as small cracks, a feeling of itching between the fingers, increased desquamation and dryness in the affected areas.
- In the active phase, if left untreated, areas of redness form between the fingers, peeling becomes more pronounced with the appearance of fluid-filled blisters. There is an inflammatory process, tissue edema and roughness of the epidermis.
- The advanced stage is characterized by the appearance of pus, inflammation, redness and swelling. The legs itch unbearably. The skin is covered with deep cracks and is constantly moisturized. Ulcers and sores look like a continuous wound. The nails begin to peel off the bed.
It is very easy to identify mycosis at home. To do this, you need to lower your feet in a solution of potassium permanganate for a few seconds. Potassium permanganate will turn healthy skin pink, while the areas with fungus between the fingers will remain the same color. This reaction is associated with structural changes in the skin.
Drug treatment
If there is a slight suspicion of the presence of a fungal infection, consult a dermatologist immediately. Only a qualified specialist can distinguish mycosis from other similar dermatological diseases and prescribe therapy that will be effective against a certain pathogen.
In the initial phase of the disease, effective treatment can be carried out at home with the help of special medications prescribed by a doctor. Medical products are most often used in the form of ointments and creams.
Before using them, the feet must be steamed in a hot soda bath, diluting 2 tablespoons in 1 liter of water. l. soda. Paired feet should be wiped dry and the product applied by rubbing thoroughly.
In the active and neglected phase, the use of exclusively external means for high-quality treatment of fungal infection is not enough. In this case, the application of drugs from within is additionally prescribed. This must be done strictly in accordance with the enclosed instructions.
If the disease is too advanced and the infectious process has affected not only the skin, but also the internal organs, the treatment is carried out only in the hospital with the use of powerful drugs.
Dioxotetrahydroxytetrahydronaphthalene ointment
It effectively copes with interdigital mycosis, onychomycosis, a disease caused by dermatophytosis. The main active ingredient of this ointment is oxolinic acid, which penetrates the skin and destroys the cells that cause the disease.
The product is applied to the affected areas after previous steaming in a soda bath. Apply 2-3 times a day for 30 days. One course is enough to eliminate the initial phase of the infection. With this ointment it is impossible to cure a neglected disease.
Salicylic ointment
Salicylic acid acts as an active ingredient, which allows you to quickly deal with the cause of the disease. The ointment should be applied twice a day after preliminary steaming of the limbs.
The duration of the course depends on the stage of the disease and ranges from 3 weeks to one and a half months. The ointment can also deal with advanced mycosis, but it is a rather toxic drug. It cannot be used to eliminate fungal infections in children and pregnant women.
Immediately after applying the product, pain, burning or itching may occur in this area. This is how its action is manifested. Unpleasant sensations disappear after 20-30 minutes.
Sulfur grease
This is another inexpensive but effective remedy for athletic foot. The active ingredient is sulfur, which is effective against many diseases, including interdigital fungi.
The duration of treatment with sulfur ointment depends on the stage of the disease and ranges from 4 weeks to several months. The tool should only be rubbed into the damaged areas twice a day. The drug has no toxic effect and can even be used to treat children and pregnant women.
Iodine depletion
This drug has long been known as an excellent antiseptic. In the initial stage of the disease, it can be used to eliminate the infection.
In this case, the alcoholic solution is applied undiluted strictly to the areas of lesion localization using a cotton swab. The procedure is performed twice a day until improvement occurs. For greater efficiency, it is recommended to bathe the feet by dissolving a small amount of iodine in warm water.
Boric acid
This is another good antiseptic that can be used to fight infection. They usually do hot baths with boric acid before 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 carefully wiped.
In addition, you can sprinkle the affected areas with boric acid powder and put on socks. Rinse off product residue in the morning, then wipe your feet dry.
Boric acid should not be used to treat pregnant or breastfeeding women or children.
Glycerol
This pharmaceutical preparation must be used in combination with table vinegar. For treatment you will need:
- 20 ml glycerin;
- 20 ml of edible vinegar.
Use:
- Combine the components in a glass jar.
- Stir thoroughly.
- Apply on a cotton swab.
- Apply it to the damaged area of skin between the fingers.
- The procedure should be performed every day until improvement begins.
Hydrogen peroxide
One of the most popular ways to remove an athletic foot. Most often, the procedures are performed in the form of baths. They are made in the evening, just before bedtime. 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 must be wiped thoroughly.
Hydrogen peroxide is suitable as a remedy against mycosis 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 phase to the active or neglected one, the use of fat alone is not enough to achieve an effective result. In these conditions, the doctor usually prescribes a complex treatment, which involves the simultaneous use of drugs internally and externally treatment with the same drugs in the form of ointments or creams.
The most effective drugs for the treatment of interdigital mycosis:
| Name | Description |
| Ketoconazole | The drug is available in tablet form. Effectively removes foot fungus, interdigital mycosis and onychomycosis (nail fungus). For external use, a suitable cream or shampoo can be applied |
| Clotrimazole | The tool effectively copes with most types of mycosis pathogens. It is produced in different forms, which allows you to eliminate the disease in different stages, acting in a complex way |
| Terbinafine | One of the most effective remedies for removing the signs of fungus. Complete cure is possible after taking the tablets for 30 days. You can also apply the cream: it will improve the effectiveness of the treatment. The drug removes various types of infectious agents |
Use of folk methods
Methods for treating fungal infections associated with alternative medicine are used in combination with medications. As an independent therapy, alternative methods are effective only in the initial stage of disease development, when the area of affected skin areas is insignificant and the symptoms are not pronounced.
Various home remedies are commonly used to treat ringworm between the toes.
Bathrooms
Effective bathing recipes:
| The name of the bath | Recipe | Characteristics of use |
| Euphorbia |
|
Dip your feet in the bath and wait 40 minutes. Perform procedures once every 3 days |
| Salt and soda | Stir in 1 liter of warm water 1 tbsp. l. table salt or sea salt and the same amount of baking soda | Dip one foot into warm paraffin for 30 minutes. Do the procedures daily until the symptoms disappear |
| Wormwood |
|
Keep your feet in the broth for 30 minutes. Do the procedures every other day |
| With celandine |
|
Dip your feet in the infusion and hold for at least 15 minutes. Repeat the procedure every other day |
| Soda | Dissolve 2 tablespoons in 1 liter of warm water. l. soda |
|
| Acetic | Pour apple or wine vinegar into a wide bowl |
|
| Cafe |
|
|
Lotions
Lotions that effectively help deal with a fungal infection:
| So. | Recipe | Characteristics of use |
| Onion juice | Squeeze the juice from 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 faint 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 cloth and apply to the affected area overnight |
Fats
Effective homemade ointments for interdigital mycosis:
| Name | Recipe | Characteristics of use |
| Garlic ointment |
|
|
| Onion fat |
|
|
Birch tar
A good result in the initial stage of mycosis development is given by the use of birch tar:
- It is good to steam your feet in hot water.
- Apply a copious layer of birch tar to areas with mycosis.
- Wrap in a towel or other natural cloth.
- Leave on for 2 hours.
- Do not rinse for 2 days.
The procedure 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.
Characteristics of treatment in children and pregnant women
Mycosis in the interdigital area of the legs can occur at any age, including children. This usually occurs due to weak immunity or after receiving microtrauma of the skin of the feet.
At the first signs of interdigital fungus, you should seek medical attention immediately for an accurate diagnosis. In no case can you prescribe treatment yourself.
If for the treatment of adults, in the absence of 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 start the disease and take measures in time.
The most common fungal infection is treated with Terbinafine in the form of a cream or ointment. In this case, treatment should be a course:
- 10 days of fat use;
- 10 days off.
You must repeat the course as many times as necessary for the complete disappearance of the signs of damage.
In the more advanced stage of mycosis, experts recommend combining treatment with external antifungal agents with the use of antibacterial drugs. A certain treatment regimen must be prescribed by a specialist.
Care should also be taken when treating pregnant women for fungus between the fingers. During this period of a woman's life, many drugs for internal use are prohibited; this includes strong antifungal agents. According to the doctor's recommendation, you must apply Clotrimazole or Naftifine ointments. They need to be combined with folk remedies. The most desirable folk remedies are various baths.