In England, athlete's foot is called athlete's foot.Only every fifth person is such "athletes".Fungus between the toes is a very common and unpleasant disease, but fortunately, there are many effective ways to fight it.
About 80% of the population is faced with skin fungus.Due to increased density and sweating, the skin of the feet is more sensitive to mycoses.Fungal infection manifests itself as peeling and itching, but it can also be asymptomatic, causing only the appearance of compressions (calluses, corns - hyperkeratosis on the heels and arches of the feet).
If left untreated, the infection spreads.A sick person can infect others and spread the germs to their own body.
Causes of fungus
So why the "athlete's foot symptom"?The fungus multiplies very easily in a humid and warm environment and is also sensitive to skin microtraumas.Athletes always have an abundance of both - legs that are constantly chafing from exercise, plus socks that are always soaked with sweat.Ideal conditions for fungal growth.
You can get infected in one of the public places with hot and humid environment - swimming pool, sauna, bath, hotel bathtub.Or you went with uncomfortable synthetic shoes where your feet constantly rub and sweat.Or maybe you accidentally tried on the shoes of a person suffering from fungus.In addition, people with weakened immunity due to disease or vitamin deficiency are at high risk of infection.
Fungal symptoms
- The folds of the skin peel off a little - as if sprinkled with flour;
- Cracks appeared between the fingers, they itch and cause pain;
- Feet often sweat;
- Thickenings have formed on the skin of the sole;
- The nails became uneven, probably covered with growths, crusts, spots or streaks (gray or yellow) appeared.Over time, the condition of the nails deteriorates and the size of the spots increases.
If a crack appears between the fingers, surrounded by scaly skin, you should definitely consult a dermatologist.The specialist will conduct an examination and identify symptoms not only at the site of the injury, but also in other parts of the environment.
Fungal treatment
The most important thing in treating athlete's foot is patience.Because the fungus on the skin heals after at least one month of treatment, and on the nails after about a year.
It is better to ask your doctor about how to treat fungus between the toes.But if there is still no opportunity to visit the clinic, the better of two evils will be self-medication.The main thing to remember is that you cannot delay the treatment of the fungus, otherwise it will spread to other parts of the body - thighs, hips, abdomen, chest.
Treatment of fungus between the toes is carried out using the following medications:
- Ointments.Ointments based on tolnaftate or miconazole are used to treat the fungus.It is better to change the ointment every 10-14 days to avoid addiction.You should use ointments until the fungus is completely gone, after which it is advisable to extend the treatment for another 2 weeks to prevent recurrence.
- Compresses from medicinal solution.Soak cotton swabs in the solution and place between your fingers.Keep for 15-20 minutes.
- soda.Take a small amount of baking soda and dissolve it in water.Rub the affected areas with baking soda.
- Pills.If your nails are severely damaged, you will likely receive general treatment.
- Immunostimulants.Patients with fungus are often prescribed immunostimulants.
After the treatment has been successfully completed, it is very important to disinfect all your shoes (ideally, replace them with new ones).Otherwise, there is a risk of becoming infected again – literally from yourself.To disinfect, take a 25% formaldehyde solution or 30% vinegar, thoroughly treat the shoes and place them in polyethylene for 2 hours.After the specified time, the shoes will need to be aired.
Prevention of fungal foot diseases
To prevent such an unpleasant disease as foot fungus from affecting you again, take the following precautions:
- If possible, wear only leather or suede shoes and avoid artificial materials.The skin does not breathe in them, and the foot is often not comfortable - this causes "painful" sweating, abrasions, and wounds.
- When coming from the street, do not forget to treat your shoes with a special deodorizing spray.
- Do not wear or even wear someone else's shoes.Put on socks before putting on shoes at the store.
- After visiting the pool, bathhouse, or sauna, rinse your feet thoroughly and then dry them with a towel.The fungus does not grow in a dry environment.After the feet have dried, it would be a good idea to treat them with lemon juice - the fungus coagulates in acid.
- To prevent the occurrence of fungus, you can use antifungal ointment.The ointment is applied to clean, dry feet.
- As already mentioned, the fungus is more often acquired by a person with a weakened immune system.Therefore, eat more fruits and vegetables, drink juices and herbal teas.
Take care of yourself and be healthy!