Fungal infections or dermatomycosis are diseases caused by fungi of various types. In terms of the frequency of skin lesions, they occupy second place after pyoderma. Due to the physiological characteristics, the fungus most often affects the feet of the lower extremities. Many people try to get rid of unpleasant symptoms on their own and look for ways to quickly cure foot fungus at home.
Routes of infection
Fungi on the feet affect the stratum corneum of the skin and its appendages - the nails. The development of the disease depends on the pathogenicity and virulence of microorganisms, environmental factors and the state of human health. With the same clinical picture, the pathogens can be different types of fungi. The spores are very stable in the external environment (high and low temperatures) and retain the ability to infect for several years.
It is easy to get foot fungus, but you will have to fight it for a long time, stubbornly using a variety of methods and means. Foot infection occurs when pathogenic spores come into contact with the skin of a healthy person. Main routes of infection:
- poor-quality sterilization of instruments in pedicure rooms,
- general shoes, hygiene items (cloth, towel).
Reasons for foot fungal infection:
- environments with high temperature and humidity: bathrooms, saunas, swimming pools, gyms,
- increased sweating of the feet,
- the presence of abrasions, microcracks on the skin,
- failure to comply with hygiene rules,
- systematic overheating or hypothermia of the legs,
- diseases associated with circulatory disorders,
- endocrine pathologies caused by metabolic disorders (obesity, diabetes),
- decreased immunity.
Symptoms of a fungal infection
The clinic of fungal infections of the feet has several types.
- An obliterated form, in which there is slight itching, burning, dryness and peeling in the spaces between the toes.
- Scaly. In the sole area, in the interdigital folds, abundant and lamellar desquamation occurs. With a long course: painful cracks, itching.
- The intertriginous form appears if the squamous stage is not treated. The process begins with the appearance of hyperemia and moist loosening of the stratum corneum of the skin between the fingers. When the macerated areas are separated, an eroded surface is revealed, bordered along the periphery by scraps of softened epidermis. The process involves areas adjacent to the toes and sole. A person feels pain when walking, and a secondary purulent infection may develop.
- Hyperkeratotic. Areas with dry nodules and bluish-red plaques are formed, covered with dense scales. They are clearly delimited from healthy skin and peel off along the perimeter. They are localized on the sole, moving on the lateral surfaces of the foot and in the interdigital folds. This form may appear as yellowish calluses with cracks in the top layer. Symptoms: slight itching, cracking and dry skin.
- The dyshidrotic form mainly affects the soles of the feet. The clinical picture is complemented by large bubbles with a tight lid. The rashes are single or numerous. The blisters may fuse together, forming cortical layers, or open to expose erosions. When the course is advanced, eroded areas form, and when pressure is applied to them, severe pain occurs.
With weeping mycosis, a characteristic sign is the appearance of an unpleasant odor from the feet.
Treatment with folk remedies
People suffered from fungal diseases long before the invention of antifungal drugs, so traditional medicine has accumulated extensive experience in treating such lesions at home. Despite this, it is unlikely that you can quickly deal with the fungus on your own, without consulting a doctor, without special antifungal drugs.
Most of the folk remedies used in the treatment of fungi are substances that dry out the upper layer of the skin, promoting severe peeling of the epidermis, along with which fungal spores are removed.
It is impossible to advise everyone one of the fastest ways to get rid of the disease. Much depends on the stage of the pathology, the type of fungus, the individual characteristics of the patient's skin and concomitant diseases.
The use of combined therapy methods has a good effect.
Iodine
To treat foot fungus, the drug is used in the form of an alcoholic solution. Iodine is not only a powerful antiseptic, but also an oxidizing agent that destroys the mushroom shell and causes the denaturation of its constituent proteins. This leads to the rapid death of microorganisms.
Application procedure:
- Pour 3 tablespoons of an alcoholic iodine solution into a container with 5 liters of hot water (40°C). Take a foot bath for 20 minutes. Course: 7 procedures every other day,
- Dilute the alcoholic solution of iodine with vodka 1: 1. Treat your skin with this mixture every day before going to bed after washing your feet. The procedure is performed for 5-10 days, depending on the severity of the symptoms.
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to check the absence of an allergic reaction. . To do this, apply a drop of iodine to the inner surface of the forearm. If after 24 hours you do not notice any changes in your skin, you can start treatment.
Contraindications:
- individual intolerance to iodine,
- thyroid diseases,
- sensitive skin prone to burns.
Hydrogen peroxide
Upon contact with the skin, under the influence of the catalase enzyme, hydrogen peroxide decomposes and atomic oxygen is released, which is a strong oxidizing agent.
Free oxygen has bactericidal and antifungal properties. In addition, unfavorable conditions for the life of fungi are created in the area of action of hydrogen peroxide.
A cotton ball is soaked in a 3% peroxide solution and applied to the affected area for 10 minutes. If a strong burning sensation occurs, rinse the affected area with running water and lubricate with vegetable oil. Questions are asked in the morning and evening for 5 days.
Hydrogen peroxide acts as an antiseptic, prevents fungi from multiplying and spreading to nearby areas, and reduces unpleasant odors.
Celandine
Traditional healers use herbs to treat skin diseases. Celandine is rightly considered one of the best. It is a poisonous plant, so any manipulations must be carried out with rubber gloves.
- Place 2 tablespoons of dried celandine raw material in a container with 200 ml of water, keep on the heat for 10 minutes, filter and add the decoction to the bath water. Lower your legs into the tub for 20 minutes. The procedure is performed every other day.
- Celandine tincture is prepared as follows: add 1 tablespoon of dry inflorescences of celandine to 200 ml of vodka. Infuse in a cool, dark place. After 14 days, filter and use to treat foot fungus, lubricating the affected areas 2 times a day.
Concentrated juice of celandine should not be used for erosive lesions: this can cause burns to the deep layers of the skin.
Celandine oil is prepared by mixing freshly squeezed juice with petroleum jelly in a ratio of 1: 4. The drug should be applied to the affected areas 2 times a day until recovery.
Vinegar: apple essence, wine and vinegar
The mechanism of the therapeutic effect of vinegar for mycosis of the feet is based on the fact that fungi do not survive in an acidic environment. Its use is effective for the initial symptoms of the disease, when the pathological effect of pathogens is limited to the superficial layers.
A 9% vinegar solution is used to lubricate the inflamed dermis and apply applications. For extensive lesions, the following method is used: healthy skin is generously lubricated with baby cream, and a sock soaked in a vinegar solution is put on the foot..In the morning, wash your foot with warm water and dry it.
The original antifungal ointment is prepared based on natural 9% acetic acid and eggs. Place 250ml of vinegar and 2 fresh eggs in a glass jar. The shell dissolves under the influence of acid after 3-5 days. The yolk and egg white denature and become solid. They should be ground with vinegar and stored in the refrigerator. Lubricate the fungal lesions until the symptoms disappear.
You should not try to remove the fungus with vinegar essence, since it is an acid and causes not only a superficial burn of the skin, but penetrates down to the germinal layer of the dermis. This threatens complications in the form of scars on the legs or long-term non-healing dermatoses.
Soap and soda baths
The gentlest way to treat fungus is to use foot baths with soap or soda. They soften the upper stratum corneum of the epidermis, facilitating the penetration of other fungicidal agents (tar, apple cider vinegar, iodine) deeper into the fungal colonies.
Grate half a piece of laundry soap and dissolve it in 5 liters of hot water. Pour into a basin, add 100 g of baking soda and immerse your feet in the liquid. The procedure lasts 10 minutes, then the feet are rinsed and dried thoroughly. The next step is to treat the prepared skin with an antifungal agent.
One of the combined treatment methods is foot baths with sea or table salt and baking soda.
The saline solution has antiseptic and fungicidal properties. To prepare it you need:
- add a generous spoonful of salt and baking soda to the foot bath,
- The procedure lasts 30 minutes, then dry your feet. Course 5-7 days.
Birch tar and tar soap
You can get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of fungal infections of the skin of the feet using birch tar. Its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties are used not only by traditional healers, but also by official medicine (Vishnevsky ointment). To treat fungi, birch tar can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Application procedure:
- after a foot bath with soap or soda, cut your nails, apply ointment and tar to the affected areas and lie down for 1-2 hours so that it is well absorbed,
- Socks are put on the feet and no manipulations are performed for 2-3 days. The feet are then washed with cold water and the treatment is repeated.
You can use tar soap, which contains 10% tar. Dissolve two tablespoons of crushed tar soap in 2 liters of warm water and soak your feet for 20 minutes. Then the limbs are soaped and baking soda is sprinkled on top. Cover your feet with a bandage, put on socks and leave to rest overnight. In the morning the feet are washed with water. The course is designed for one week.
Onion, garlic, lemon
You can treat the fungus using the fungicidal properties of onions and garlic. Vegetables crushed into pulp are applied to the sore spots, fixed with tape and polyethylene. The compress remains until the morning.
Lemon juice helps with the transition of the fungal process to the nail plate. The citrus fruit is cut into slices, applied to the affected areas and fixed with cling film and a bandage. The course of treatment is 10 days.
Other methods
A two-month infusion of kombucha helps get rid of the fungus. The liquid is boiled for an hour, filtered, then used for compresses and lotions. It is advisable to do them before bedtime, after steaming your feet in hot water with the addition of iodine or potassium permanganate.
Good results can easily be achieved by removing the foil from the kombucha, kneading it and applying the resulting pulp to the sore spot for several hours or, better yet, overnight. The procedure must be repeated every day for at least a week.
A decoction of:
- marigold flowers,
- blackberry fruits,
- verbena,
- oak bark.
Pour three tablespoons of raw materials, mixed in equal proportions, into a glass of water and boil for 15 minutes. After cooling and filtering, the decoction is used to wash the skin and apply applications. A bandage soaked in liquid is placed on the affected area for 20 minutes. Due to the safety of the method, it can be used without restrictions.
Ammonia is used in baths for nail fungus. Add 50 ml of ammonia and 2 tablespoons of baking soda per liter of warm water. The procedure lasts 25 minutes, after which the feet are washed with cold water and dried well.
It is difficult to achieve a permanent cure for fungi using folk remedies. Home remedies usually reduce the severity of symptoms. If treatment is stopped, the disease may reactivate.
It is especially difficult to get rid of the fungus if someone in the family is sick, because in case of close household contact there is a very high risk of infection of all family members. Numerous reviews of people confirm that it is possible to cure fungi only with maximum adherence to all hygiene standards and preventive therapy.
If, despite all the measures taken, it is not possible to remove the fungus, the disease progresses, capturing more and more new areas, and a secondary infection occurs in the form of ulcers, you need to consult a doctor for qualified help.