Mycosis of the feet is one of the most common fungal skin infections.The skin between the toes and the bottom of the foot often becomes infected.The disease is caused by fungi from the genera Trichophyton and Candida.After contact with the epidermis, they begin to reproduce actively.The result of their action is peeling of the skin, cracks between the fingers and diaper rash.In the later stage, the disease affects the nails, they become dull, thickened, the edges begin to crumble, and yellow stripes are noticed.The disease can spread to the hands and large skin folds on the body.
Scratching the affected skin or minor injuries allow the fungi to penetrate deeper into the dermis layers.Thus, the infection spreads throughout the body through the bloodstream.In children and the elderly, fungal skin damage manifests itself in a more acute form and is more difficult to treat.This is due to the age-related characteristics of the immune system.
Stress is also a trigger for the development of mycosis.Fungal infection is resistant to harmful external factors and prefers warmth and moisture.Showers with disturbed water flow, saunas, old household shoes, rented shoes (skates, rollerblades, ski boots), woolen carpets in bathrooms are the main breeding grounds for fungus.They penetrate the skin through scratches and blisters.
People with excessive sweating of the feet are at risk, because with prolonged exposure, the sweat corrodes the skin and reduces its protective properties.People with an obliterated form of mycosis with mild peeling of the skin and painless microcracks that can only be noticed by a doctor pose a special danger to others.
Chronic mycosis of the skin of the feet and nail plate is often the cause of autoimmune allergic reactions, including the development of bronchial asthma.It is important to properly treat mycosis without turning into a stable chronic form.
Symptoms
The symptoms of foot mycosis are very diverse.Initial symptoms: cracks, painful or itchy blisters, diaper rash and rough skin appear.After that, the areas of the skin affected by the fungus soften, turn white and begin to peel.A bacterial infection can be added, and then the blisters transform into ulcers or sores.
Itching and burning are constant symptoms of mycosis, some patients complain of pain and an unpleasant smell.
Reasons
Mycosis of the feet is caused by several types of parasitic fungi.These microorganisms are present in large numbers on the floors of swimming pools and bathrooms, as well as in public showers.A person can become infected by walking barefoot in such places.
Wearing other people's shoes, sharing towels and other personal hygiene products is another common way of spreading the infection.
Immunity does not develop against fungal diseases, so re-infection occurs as easily as the initial one.
The growth of fungi is encouraged by improper foot hygiene: putting socks and shoes on wet feet, not washing socks daily and of poor quality, insufficient ventilation and drying of shoes.
The appearance of mycosis on the hands is mainly the result of the action of fungal toxins circulating in the bloodstream.Also, when combing the soles, microorganisms remain under the nails, from where they can be transferred to other parts of the body, incl.on the scalp.People sensitive to mycoses should always remember this route of infection.
Risk factors
Despite its rapid spread, not everyone develops foot mycosis.A strong and healthy body can handle a yeast infection on its own.However, it often happens that the immune system inhibits the development of fungi for a long time, and then there is stress, ARVI or any other internal stagnation and the fungal infection begins to progress rapidly.
It has been observed that people get sick more quickly under the following circumstances:
- profuse sweating;
- non-observance of personal hygiene rules;
- hormonal imbalances;
- taking certain medications;
- frequent stresses;
- chronic dermatological diseases.
Excessive sweating and neglect of the rules of personal hygiene create an ideal environment for the development of fungi.Sweat causes rapid proliferation of fungal microflora.Insufficient foot hygiene, socks made of synthetic fabric, too tight and closed shoes accelerate the development and spread of fungal infection.
Hormonal imbalance is common among adolescents, so they are at risk of developing mycosis.Restructuring of the hormonal system temporarily reduces immunity and can cause profuse sweating.These factors contribute to the growth and spread of pathogenic microflora.
A decrease in immunity can occur due to the long-term use of antibiotics and corticosteroids.
Ringworm, eczema, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis reduce cellular immunity and create favorable conditions for the addition of secondary infection, especially fungal.Mycosis is often a complication of dermatological diseases.Increase the risk of infection: shoes that are too tight;ingrown nails;scratches and wounds on the feet;diabetes mellitus;vascular diseases.
Forms of the disease
Deleted form.The initial stage of the disease.Symptoms: slight peeling of the skin between the fingers, small cracks in the upper layer of the epidermis.The patient does not feel discomfort and may not suspect that he has mycosis.
Squamous form.The skin between the fingers peels and is covered with flat scales, with minor itching.
Hyperkeratotic form.Flat blue-red papules and plaques appear.The main location of the lesion is the arch of the foot.The formations are covered with scales.The formation of individual bubbles is possible.The rash can join in groups, forming large lesions.Over time, the entire foot is affected.Yellow hyperkeratotic formations (calluses) covered with fissures may appear.The skin is dry, with minor pain and itching.
Intertriginous form.The inflammation is similar to ordinary diaper rash.The greatest damage is observed on the skin between the fingers.A reddish swelling appears.Existing symptoms include ulcers and wetting.If left untreated, painful deep fissures and erosions appear.Patients notice pain in the affected area, itching and a strong burning sensation.
Dyshidrotic form.Lots of tight bubbles.The location of the lesions is the arches of the feet.The rash can spread, so immediate treatment is necessary.If left untreated, the blisters spread over the entire surface of the foot, including the toes.Small blisters can coalesce and develop into larger blisters that can burst.Reddish erosions remain in place.
Acute form.Increased susceptibility to fungal pathogens and rapid disease progression.Severe redness and swelling appear on the surface of the feet, and large vesicles and blisters appear.After opening, large erosions occur in their place;the sores extend beyond the folds between the fingers.In some cases, weakness, fever and headache are observed.
Symptoms may vary from person to person.When the first alarming symptoms appear, you should contact a dermatologist.
Diagnosis of foot mycosis
Diagnosis and treatment of mycosis should be done by a dermatologist or mycologist.
Diagnostics includes:
- detailed foot examination;
- history taking;
- scraping from the affected areas of the skin or cutting off a piece of the deformed nail;
- a test to detect fungal infections in the body as a whole;
- sowing material on nutrient medium (if necessary);
- skin biopsy for analysis under a microscope (in rare cases);
- General and biochemical blood test.
Treatment
Improper or late treatment can lead to the development of mycosis in an advanced form.In this case, recovery can take up to six months or more.Therefore, at the first symptoms, it is necessary to seek the help of a doctor.First of all, it is necessary to precisely determine the pathogen;for this, the doctor takes a scraping from the affected skin.Based on the results, the optimal course of antimycotic therapy is selected.Modern antifungal drugs - creams, gels, ointments, sprays - effectively cope with the disease.They have a wide range of effects, are applied 1-2 times a day, do not stain the skin and bedding, and do not have a specific smell.
External resources
The choice of drugs depends on the stage of mycosis.For mild forms, only external drugs are prescribed;severe forms require systemic treatment.The most popular drugs for external use are terbinafine and naftifine.They act on numerous pathogenic fungi that cause foot mycosis.Do not cause side effects.Bifonazole and Clotrimazole are fast acting against yeast-like fungi.Thanks to their greasy consistency, they effectively soften the skin and eliminate dryness, flaking and itching.These drugs accelerate the process of healing and renewal of the affected skin.Bifonazol is a complex drug for the treatment of foot and nail fungus.Removes itching, peeling, burning and unpleasant odor.In addition to antifungal agents, it is important to regularly treat the skin with antiseptics.A solution of chlorhexidine or miramistin is good for this.When secondary infection occurs and suppuration occurs, antibacterial ointments are prescribed.
Tablets
For the treatment of foot mycosis, the following are used: Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Nystatin.Fluconazole and nystatin are prescribed for yeast-like fungi.The latter is considered an outdated drug and is rarely prescribed.Polyhexamethylene guanidine hydrochloride granules are specially designed to fight fungal infections of the feet.The regimen and duration of treatment is determined by the attending physician.
Recommendations
Athlete's foot is a fungal infection, and fungi only thrive in moist environments.By removing moisture, you prevent the spread of infection.
Try to protect people around you from infection.Explain that you cannot walk barefoot in the apartment, especially in the bathroom.Every time after showering, treat the bathtub or shower, as well as the bathroom floor, with a disinfectant.
Every day before going to bed, wash your feet with regular soap and warm water, being careful not to make the skin too soft.Dry your feet thoroughly with a paper towel or hair dryer, paying special attention to the area between the toes.Don't forget to apply an anti-fungal cream or ointment.Continue treatment as recommended by your doctor, even if your symptoms have disappeared.Antifungal creams and ointments are applied only to dry skin.If your feet are prone to sweating, you must wait for the medicine to be absorbed.
Wear cotton socks and wash them every day.When washing, use a chlorine bleach solution (not soap) or boil the socks for 10 minutes.This will remove the fungus from your clothes and prevent re-infection.Shoes should be disinfected with antifungal sprays and dried for several days (preferably in the sun).
Prevention of foot fungus
After you are outside, wash your hands well with soap.After being in one of the risk areas, wash your feet thoroughly with soap, dry with a towel and treat with any antifungal solution.If there is a person with mycosis in the family, they should have separate towels for the face, hands and feet.After that, the bath should be thoroughly treated with a special bathtub cleaner.If your feet sweat a lot, you can apply talcum powder or antiperspirant deodorant to them.Do not wear other people's shoes, especially slippers offered by guests, and in return do not offer your shoes to others.
Try not to sweat your feet.In the room where you are staying for more than an hour, try to change into a replacement shoe.When visiting the sauna, public shower, swimming pool, wear rubber slippers, do not walk barefoot in public areas.After showering, swimming in the pond or pool, treat your feet with an anti-fungal cream.Wear clean socks and tights every day.Do not let others use your sponges, washcloths, manicure and pedicure tools.They must be disinfected before use.
Clean the tub with a detergent and use a strong stream of water before use.Remove wooden coasters, as well as fabric and sponge rugs from the bathroom.They retain moisture and can leave flakes of skin and bits of nail infected with fungus.Use either a special grill (coated with special enamel or plastic) or a rubber mat.
Moisture in the folds between the fingers softens the skin and makes it easier for fungal infections to enter.Wipe the folds between the toes with a special foot towel or dry them with a hair dryer.According to statistics, mycoses are more common in people with flat feet.Therefore, wear comfortable, high-quality shoes with a heel no higher than 4 cm with a special orthopedic insole or a soft ridge that supports the arch of the foot.
No matter how complete and competent home foot care is, it is necessary to carry out regular podiatric care of the skin of the feet and nail plates (medical pedicure).It will help to maintain healthy feet and nails, and the doctor will give individual recommendations for home care and prevention.