Methods for treating foot fungus

Toenail fungus is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms located on the skin, in the spaces between the toes and nails.It brings considerable discomfort and causes serious complications.Let's take a closer look at how to treat foot fungus to prevent the disease from becoming chronic and eliminate relapses.

Causes and symptoms of foot fungus

The disease is caused by spores of Trichophyton rubrum and other yeasts and molds..Under favorable conditions, they multiply rapidly, rapidly worsening the condition of the legs.

Doctors identify several factors that contribute to the development of pathogenic microflora:

• weakened immune system;
• excessive sweating of the feet;
• shoes of the wrong size;
• corns, calluses, scratches on the feet;
• chronic infectious and endocrine diseases;
• long-term use of antibiotics;
• lack of hygiene;
• wearing shoes made of artificial materials that do not allow air to pass through;
• flat feet.

Children are more susceptible to fungal infections.Their immunity is not yet fully developed, the skin on the feet is too thin, so the fungi easily penetrate the body and begin to multiply.

When the skin on the feet becomes infected, unpleasant symptoms quickly appear.Most often, the primary infection occurs in the spaces between the toes, gradually spreading to the foot.Many pathogens also affect the nails, causing the development of onychomycosis - nail fungus.

The pathology has different phases, characterized by some signs.

1. The initial phase is hidden, making itself felt with a slight peeling between the fingers, which a person rarely attaches importance to.
2. Then small cracks form, peeling intensifies and smoothly covers the side of the foot.The skin becomes covered with small scaly plaques and a scaly mycosis develops.
3. Gradually the symptoms get worse.Itching, burning appears, the affected area thickens and becomes rough.When the fungus becomes hyperkeratotic, the epidermis loses its elasticity and a skin pattern clearly appears on it.The burning sensation between the fingers intensifies.
4. If the intertriginous stage begins, the disease often affects the nails.Yellow-brown spots appear on them, they deform and crumble.The patient is constantly bothered by an unpleasant odor emanating from his feet.The skin peels off, small ulcers and deep cracks form, causing pain when walking.

The advanced form of the disease leads to the appearance of rashes between the fingers and on the feet.Small dense bubbles often merge with each other.When they burst, the weeping sores stay in place and are very itchy.

Routes of infection

Fungal spores remain viable in the environment for a long time, so it is easy to contract the disease in the most unexpected places.But the most favorable conditions for their development are heat and high humidity. 

For this reason, people visiting the following places are at risk:

• swimming pools;
• bathrooms;
• saunas;
• fitness centers;
• beaches.

Fungi can appear on anything located there, even if regular disinfection is performed.Therefore, in such places you should avoid common items and make sure to bring replacement shoes with you.

Military personnel are at risk.Very often, soldiers in the army wear uncomfortable shoes that do not allow air to pass through.Because of this, the feet sweat, microtraumas appear into which the fungus penetrates.

There are two types of infection.The first is the direct route through direct contact with the infectious agent while communicating with a sick person, caring for an animal, or walking barefoot on earth and sand.The second: the indirect route leads to contagion through objects belonging to infected people or pets.

Diagnostics

For fungal treatment to be successful, consultation with a dermatologist is necessary.The specialist will carry out a visual inspection, carefully examining the lesions.

To make a correct diagnosis it is important to inform the doctor of all alarming symptoms and report any mycosis and other diseases previously suffered.

To accurately determine the presence of the infection and the type of pathogen, the doctor must take blood, a fingernail or a skin scraping for analysis.Laboratory tests must be carried out strictly.There are more than 500 species of fungi that have different drug resistance thresholds and require different treatment tactics.

1. Microscopic examination reveals the presence of fungi.The sample is treated with special preparations and examined under a microscope, trying to find spores.This test allows you to determine the presence of the fungus and its concentration.
2. More accurate results are provided by bacterial culture.The biological material is placed in a nutrient medium.If pathogenic cells are present in the scraping, fungal colonies begin to grow from them, which are subject to careful examination.The analysis lasts from 2 days to 4 weeks.The time depends on the type of infection.
3. PCR - polymerase chain reaction - is necessary to identify the specific type of fungus by identifying the DNA of the pathogen.This requires scraping from the affected area.The test performance is approximately 100%.
4. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is taken from a vein and allows you to identify the titer of antibodies against a specific pathogen and discover the exact cause of the disease.

You should go to hospital if there are changes in the condition of your skin.Even a little flaking and itching between the fingers cannot be ignored.Otherwise, the disease will affect the foot and nails and will be more difficult to cure.

Treatment

Fungus on the feet requires an integrated approach.The intensity of treatment depends on the type of infection and the extent of damage to the skin and nails.

Therapy includes drugs for internal and external use and careful hygiene.As an auxiliary method, the use of traditional medicine recipes is suitable.

Medicines

The therapeutic regimen must be prescribed by a doctor based on the patient's clinical picture.For the treatment of adults, drugs in capsules or tablets, antifungal creams and ointments are used.Control methods aim to eliminate pathological microorganisms and heal the skin.Medications should not be stopped until complete recovery..

Creams

Productive treatment of the fungus is provided by creams.They have a light texture and are quickly absorbed.When choosing a product, you should take into account contraindications for use and follow the recommendations of a specialist.

The cream should be applied regularly, after thoroughly washing the skin with laundry soap and drying it.

Ointments

The choice of antifungal ointments is very wide.Before starting treatment, it is necessary to exclude allergic reactions and other side effects. 

If the fungal infection of the feet is complicated by a secondary infection and other remedies do not bring the expected result, the dermatologist prescribes ointments based on glucocorticosteroids.

Medicines quickly relieve inflammation and stop the disease at any stage, but have many contraindications.They must be taken strictly according to the instructions, without exceeding the dosage. 

An effective remedy to remove all signs of fungus is an ointment with salicylic acid.This is a simple and inexpensive drug that can be used in two ways:

• treat the affected area 3 times a day;
• Before going to bed, apply the product under the bandage and leave to act overnight.

After compresses, the skin can peel and peel a lot.You can easily get rid of such manifestations with the help of soda baths (1 tablespoon of baking soda per 1 liter of warm water).The procedure should be performed every other day during the entire treatment.

Pills

To improve the effectiveness of therapy, the use of external agents is often combined with internal drugs.The tablets can have a strong effect on the body as a whole, so they should not be taken uncontrollably.

It is recommended to treat nail fungus with fungistatic drugs and fungicides that suppress the growth of the fungal colony and destroy the pathogenic flora.

The list of antifungal drugs is diverse.A dermatologist may recommend various medications based on your medical history and symptoms.The doctor establishes the rules for admission.You must strictly follow his instructions.

Folk remedies

You can achieve faster recovery by using traditional methods as an adjunctive therapy.To eliminate mycosis of the feet, use:

• hot baths;
• homemade ointments;
• compresses;
• medicinal herbal lotions.

Before treatment, it is important to ensure that there is no individual intolerance to the components of traditional recipes.

Mushroom ointments

Homemade ointments help fight pathogenic flora.

1. Copper sulphate, yellow sulfur and goose fat are combined in equal proportions in an enameled container and mixed thoroughly.Place on low heat, bring to the boil and turn off.The mixture must be cooled and transferred to a glass jar.Store in a cool, dark place.Apply to the affected areas morning and evening until all symptoms disappear.
2. You can prepare a simpler recipe.You will need to take goose fat and wood ash in equal proportions.Mix the ingredients together until you obtain a homogeneous mixture.Use twice daily, applying generously to affected areas.

Compresses and masks

1. A good remedy for fungus is a garlic-onion mask.You need to peel 2-3 cloves of garlic and a small onion.Grind and spread the pulp in a thick layer on the affected skin.Cover with cellophane, bandage and put on socks.It is recommended to carry out the procedure in the evening and leave the mask applied until the morning.After waking up, the bandage should be removed and the body washed with water.Treatment should be carried out daily until recovery.
2. A mixture of celandine and tea tree oil is useful for a compress.Oil is added to a spoonful of chopped dry vegetable raw materials.You should get a thick paste.It must be applied to the places where the fungus is located, wrap the leg in polyethylene and insulate it.Apply the compress regularly in the evening for at least 2 weeks.
3. An effective basis for a compress is obtained from medicinal herbs.You need to pour 400 ml of sunflower or olive oil into the pan.Add 1 tablespoon each of marigold flowers, peppermint, comfrey and radiola rose.Put on fire and heat up to 60 degrees.Turn off and store in a dark place for a day.Then filter.Use the oil mixture as a compress for 1 hour, 2 times a day.The method has a gentle effect, so it can be used to treat a child, provided that there is no allergy to herbs.

Bathrooms

1. The simplest bath for foot fungus is made from salt and baking soda.It is necessary to dissolve the ingredients in warm water at the rate of 1 tablespoon of soda and 1 tablespoon of salt per 1 liter of water.Dip your feet in the liquid and hold for 15 minutes.Finally, rinse the limbs under running water and dry them.
2. Milkweed herb is suitable for preparing a bath.You need to measure 3 tablespoons of dry herb and pour 3 liters of boiling water over it.Wrap in a towel and leave for 4 hours.Strain, heat slightly and pour into a bowl.Keep your feet in the liquid for about half an hour.The frequency of the procedure is 1 time every 2 days.Duration 1 month.
3. Strong coffee inhibits the development of pathogenic spores.You need to prepare a drink (1 tablespoon of ground coffee per 250 ml of water).Once it has cooled to a comfortable temperature, pour it into a basin and place your feet in it for 20 minutes.It is important that the areas affected by the fungus are covered with water.The treatment can be carried out daily for a long time.

Herbal washes and lotions

Many medicinal herbs have a pronounced antifungal effect.To treat mycosis of the feet it is useful to use a healing herb.

You will need:

• marigold flowers;
• oak bark;
• dried blackberries;
• verbena herb.

The components must be mixed in equal proportions.Take 3 tablespoons of the mixture, add 500 ml of water and place them in a bain-marie.Simmer for 20 minutes, cool and filter.It is necessary to wash your feet and toes with herbal decoction 2-3 times a day and apply lotions to the affected areas for half an hour.

Alcoholic tincture of propolis helps fight diseases.It can be purchased at the pharmacy.Gauze is soaked in liquid and applied to the feet for 30 minutes, or the affected areas are wiped with a cotton swab 3 times a day.

Prevention

Foot fungus is an insidious disease that requires serious treatment.To reduce the likelihood of infection, adequate prevention is necessary.We recommend following simple rules:

• avoid high humidity;
• do not try on someone else's shoes;
• maintain foot hygiene.

It is important to control sweating.For this you can use regular talcum powder.To keep your skin healthy and not cracked, you need to regularly lubricate it with a moisturizer and take baths with baking soda once a week.

During treatment, bed linen should be boiled, socks should be changed every day and washed thoroughly in hot water.Manicure accessories must be systematically disinfected.To prevent reinfection, it is necessary to treat the inside of the shoes with table vinegar or medical alcohol.