We talk about what mycosis is, what lesion symptoms of the skin and nails are characteristic of this disease, and how the fungus can be treated.
What is mycosis?
Mycosis, or fungus, is a highly contagious infectious disease caused by parasitic fungi. It can affect both humans and animals. The infection affects the skin of the face and body, scalp, mucous membranes (including internal organs) and nail plates.
The disease is prone to recurrence, so it can be difficult to get rid of the fungus without consulting a doctor.
Causes of fungus
Infection with a fungus can be in direct contact with surfaces and objects where there are carriers of the infection or spores of pathogenic fungi. Some fungal pathogens are considered opportunistic, such as the genus Candida. This means that they live in the body and sometimes even benefit, but in certain situations they cause disease.
However, harmful fungi do not always cause disease. The immunity of a normally healthy person easily fights the fungal infection and prevents it from spreading to the body. What are the conditions for the development of mycoses?
Decreased immunity
As with any infection, people with weakened immune systems are more likely to become infected. People who have recently had an infectious disease and have been taking antibacterial drugs for a long time are at higher risk for mycosis. In addition, cancer patients treated with cytostatics are prone to fungal infections. This includes people with immunodeficiency, such as HIV and AIDS.
Do not pay attention to personal hygiene
The fungus often attacks people who neglect personal hygiene - do not use personal foot towels, do not wear clothes in the gym shower or by the pool, wear shoes in a store without socks.
Mycosis can be contracted in beauty salons if the masters do not use the tools for manicure and pedicure properly.
Some chronic diseases
Especially those associated with poor healing of skin lesions - wounds, calluses, cracks. For example, the skin of diabetics is more fragile and the regeneration process is slower. Wounded areas become a door for fungal infections and more.
Individual features
These include excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis), which develops alone or as a symptom of a disease. The structural features of the foot play an important role - the narrow interdigital space, combined with hyperhidrosis, creates favorable conditions for the development of the fungus.
Wearing narrow shoes is also prone to the onset of fungus, as it stimulates callus formation and damages the nail plate.
Types of mushrooms
Currently, there is no single classification of mycoses, but in most cases, fungal diseases are considered in terms of the prevalence of the process. Superficial mycoses include:
- keratomycosis - the fungus is found only in the upper layer of the skin of the face and body (stratum corneum) (versicolor versicolor);
- dermatomycosis / dermatophytosis - covers the epidermis, dermis, hair follicles and nails (onychomycosis);
- Candidiasis - mycosis of the mucous membranes ("spark"), skin wrinkles caused by Candida fungi.
Systemic mycoses infect not only the skin and mucous membranes, but also the internal organs (histoplasmosis).
According to the origin of the causative agents of fungal infections are divided into:
- Maya,
- moldy,
- domiformes.
Only the first of these is part of the normal human microflora. The rest of the fungi play the role of pathogens.
Laboratory diagnostics - it is possible to reliably determine the type of fungal pathogen using stains or fragments from the affected tissues. In systemic fungal diseases, a blood test is an element of the diagnosis. Examinations will help rule out pathologies with similar symptoms to fungal T-cell lymphoma of the skin.
Signs of skin mycoses and nail fungus
The course of fungal disease is largely due to the fungus itself. But in general, superficial mycoses have similar signs of damage. Skin mycoses are characterized by the following symptoms:
- discoloration of the skin due to fungal disease - redness or discoloration of the affected tissues;
- formation of broken or weeping spots and plaques that may merge with the development of the disease;
- itching in the center of inflammation;
- appearance of the shell.
Hair loss and brittleness are observed when the scalp is affected. Dandruff can also cause fungal infections. Fungus on the face is often noted in the crease of the upper eyelid.
When the feet are affected by mycosis, painful cracks, burning, itchy blisters, thickening and suffocation of the skin are observed. Occasionally there is an unpleasant odor when a lesion occurs. The skin in the space between the fingers is the most sensitive area for fungus. If a bacterial infection joins the disease, purulent ulcers form on the skin.
Symptoms of onychomycosis: what does it look like when the nail is damaged?
- the color of the affected nail changes to yellow, black, brown or another shade during the disease;
- the nail plate becomes brittle, thickens or, conversely, becomes thinner;
- the nail is often separated from the bed, forming a "pocket";
- changes in the relief or shape of the nail plate in the case of a disease;
- inflammation of adjacent tissues (periungual layer).
Toenails, especially the toes, are more affected by onychomycosis than the hands.
Preparations for the treatment of fungus: how to choose
Drugs for the prevention and treatment of fungal infections are called antifungals. Antimycotics can be divided into two types according to the mechanism of action against fungi:
- fungicidal - to destroy the spores of fungal infections;
- fungistatic - inhibits the activity of microorganisms (but does not kill) and prevents the spread of infection.
The strength of the drug itself directly depends on the sensitivity of a particular fungus to the drug, as well as the dose of the drug. Therefore, one and the same agent can show both fungicidal and fungistatic properties against different fungal pathogens. However, antifungal drugs, like many antibiotics, are often versatile and have a wide range of effects.
Oral administration of drugs for the treatment of fungal diseases is justified in the presence of infection:
- does not respond to local therapy,
- is systematic,
- affects the internal organs. In the most advanced cases, antifungal agents are prescribed in injectable solutions.
Fluconazole is an example of an effective drug that treats systemic fungal lesions and extensive superficial skin and nail diseases. Release forms - tablets, capsules, powders for suspensions, liquids for injection.
Thus, it is better to use drugs for external use, as they do not have a systemic effect and do not cause side effects for the effective treatment of skin mycoses and nail fungus. Local treatment methods are as follows:
- ointments;
- creams;
- drip solutions (including for nails);
- spray solutions;
- anti-fungal nail polishes.
You should read the instructions or consult a doctor before using antifungal medication.
It is a remedy for the treatment of fungus on the skin of the body and feet
The review of products for the treatment of scalp, body and foot fungus, as well as nail fungus is for informational purposes only. Information on antifungal drugs is taken from official guidelines. You should check the comments or consult your doctor before using them.
Clotrimazole
Antifungal drugs for external use. The action of fungal pathogens depends on the dose.
- The drug has a fungistatic effect at low concentrations, a fungicidal effect at high concentrations.
- It is effective against dermatomycetes, yeast-like and mildew fungi, pink lichen pathogen and some bacteria. In susceptible fungi, drug resistance to clotrimazole is relatively rare.
- As a local remedy, the drug is used to treat fungal lesions of smooth skin, digital cracks in the legs, the latter complex mycoses, fungi of diaper rash on the skin.
- The duration of topical drug treatment depends on the severity of the disease, the effectiveness of treatment and the form of release.
It is a disinfectant in gynecological practice, foam treatment and antenatal care.
Samples of drugs with clotrimazole for the treatment of mycotic diseases of the skin of the body and feet
CreamApply to cleansed skin areas with a thin layer 2-3 times a day. Treatment of dermatomycosis takes at least 4 weeks, pityriasis versicolor - 1-2 weeks. With fungal diseases of the skin of the legs, it persists for 2 weeks after the elimination of the symptoms of the lesion.
PowderIt should be applied to the skin 3-4 times a day, improvement is observed after 3-5 days of treatment. They are used for 2 weeks after recovery to prevent recurrence of the disease or aggravation of the fungus.
SolutionFor external use, double application to the affected areas during the day is required.
Ointments take longer to apply to the skin than a creamy texture, but soften the skin.
CreamIn addition to clotrimazole, the glucocorticoid beclomethasone, which relieves itching and inflammation in the affected skin areas, has an anti-allergic effect and reduces exudation (fluid leakage from wounds).
It is indicated for the treatment of advanced and uncomplicated mycoses of various parts of the body, skin of the feet, including those with eczema. The product is applied to the prepared skin 2-3 times a day.
- A cream containing three active ingredients - clotrimazole, beclomethasone and gentamicin. The second is an antibiotic.
- The cream is used for the second time for infected dermatoses, dermatomycosis and epidermophytosis of the arms, legs and feet.
- The duration of cream treatment is not more than 4 weeks.
Terbinafine
A drug that has a fungicidal effect against fungi such as dermatophytes, mold, yeast and yeast. It can be used both internally and externally for systemic diseases.
- Terbinafine tablets are used for mycoses of the scalp, fungi of the skin and nails, fungal skin lesions, candidiasis of the mucous membranes and the epidermis.
- Externally, the drug is used to treat and prevent dermatomycosis of the smooth skin of the body, infected feet and legs, groin area, diaper rash, fungus, pityriasis versicolor.
Samples of terbinafine products for the treatment of mycotic skin diseases
CreamCan be used from 12 years old. It is used once a day for 1 week in the treatment of mycoses of the trunk, feet and skin of the feet. If there is swelling, cracks, itching and peeling of the skin on the feet, the treatment is extended 1-2 times a day for up to 2 weeks. A similar scheme is for skin candidiasis and versicolor lichen.
To reduce the discomfort of diaper rash, gauze can be applied, especially above night hours.
AerosolThe duration of treatment of skin fungus is reduced to 1 week (once a day), but is suitable only for adults. The skin should be well moisturized, so the product is applied in sufficient quantities.
DermgelUsed for fungi in the same way as spray. Due to the high alcohol content, it has a drying effect and is characterized by increased sweating of the feet. In addition, the gel consistency of the drug has a cooling effect that eliminates itching.
Naftifin
Antimycotic with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory action. Helps quickly relieve itching & inflammationFungicidal and fungistatic action depends on the strain of the pathogen.
It is used in the treatment of nail fungus, pityriasis versicolor, large folds and mycosis of the feet, bacterially complex fungi.
Examples of products with naftif for the treatment of mycotic diseases of the skin
Creams and solutions for external use.
The method of application of both forms is the same: the drugs are applied to the dried and cleansed skin in the affected area, 1 cm of healthy tissue is captured. Treatment of dermatomycosis and candidiasis of the skin lasts up to 4 weeks, can be extended up to 8 weeks if necessary.
Ketoconazole
Antifungal with fungicidal and fungistatic activity. Has antibacterial effect against streptococci and staphylococci. Used for dermatomycosis of smooth skin and scalp, groin, candidiasis.
It is a tool for the treatment of nail fungus
Special medicated varnishes are often used in the treatment of nail fungus. As an active ingredient, many contain amorolfine, which is effective for external use with a wide range of effects.
This drug has a fungicidal and fungistatic action, destroying the cell membrane of fungi. After application, the product soaks the nail during the day and penetrates the bed. The therapeutic concentration in the nail is reached 7 to 10 days after the first application.
Degree of fungal infection:
- should not affect more than 2/3 of the nail surface;
- If the prevalence of nail fungus is higher, consult your doctor for an effective antifungal tablet.
Before applying the products, you should usually remove the top layer from the affected areas using the files included in the batch. Files should not be used on healthy nails.
After preparing the plate, thoroughly treat the surface with an alcohol swab to additionally disinfect, degrease and remove the sawed particles of the nail. Using an applicator, completely cover the nail with an equal coat of varnish. Drying time for nails is about 3 minutes. To prevent dry skin, do not apply the composition in the adjacent soft mixture.
Treatment of nail fungus continues until the nail plate is completely restored, and it is very easy to get rid of it. So you have to be patient, because the process takes about 6 months for nails and 9-12 months for toenails. The application procedure is repeated 1-2 times a week.
During the treatment you should avoid the extension of artificial nails and the use of decorative coatings. Although some products allow the affected nail plate to be covered with cosmetic compounds, it is better to avoid it. Why?
The nail structure affected by the fungus becomes softer and more sensitive to external factors. Thus, the pigment in the decorative varnish eats deeper and can affect the final shade of the "improved" nail.
Medications can be used not only for treatment, but also for the prevention of fungal nail infections. Not suitable for children, pregnant and lactating mothers.
In the treatment of onychomycosis, some "skin" agents are also effective with naftifine. Show fungicidal properties against fungal-dermatophytes, have a fungistatic effect on fungi of the genus Candida.
Nails with signs of fungal infection are also pre-polished with a nail file and straightened with scissors before using the products. It is then applied to the entire surface covered with a thick bandage twice a day.
The course of treatment is 6 months, with complex forms - 8 months, after which it is continued for 2 weeks to prevent relapse.
Antifungals have contraindications. When applying them at home, follow only official guidelines, not feedback.