Methods for the treatment of foot fungus

Nail fungus is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms located on the skin, in the spaces between the fingers and nail plates.It brings considerable discomfort and provokes serious complications.Let's take a closer look at how to treat toenail fungus in order to prevent the disease from becoming chronic and eliminate relapses.

mushrooms on the feet

Causes and symptoms of foot fungus

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

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

  • weakened immune system;
  • excessive sweating of the feet;
  • shoes that are not the right size;
  • corns, calluses, scratches on legs;
  • 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;
  • flat feet.

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

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

stages of nail fungus

The pathology has several stages, which are characterized by certain signs.

  1. The initial stage is hidden, felt by a light skin between the fingers, which a person rarely pays attention to.
  2. Then small cracks form, the peeling intensifies and smoothly covers the side of the foot.The skin becomes covered with small scaly plaques and squamous mycosis develops.
  3. Gradually the symptoms worsen.Itching, burning occurs, 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 between the fingers intensifies.
  4. If the intertriginous phase 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 smell emanating from his feet.The skin peels, small ulcers and deep cracks are created, causing pain when walking.

The advanced form of the disease leads to the appearance of a rash between the toes and on the feet.Small dense bubbles often merge with each other.When they erupt, they are replaced by weepy sores that itch a lot.

Routes of infection

Fungal spores remain stable in the environment for a long time, so it is easy to get infected with the disease in the most unexpected places.But the most favorable conditions for their development are warmth and high humidity. 

Ways of infection by fungi

Because of this, people visiting the following places are at risk:

  • swimming pool;
  • bathrooms;
  • sauna;
  • fitness center;
  • the beaches.

Fungi can appear on any item that is there, even if regular disinfection is carried out.Therefore, in such places you should avoid common facilities and be sure to take replacement shoes with you.

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

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

Diagnosing

For the treatment of mold to be successful, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist.The specialist will perform a visual inspection, carefully examining the lesions.

In order to make an accurate diagnosis, it is important to tell the doctor all the alarming symptoms and to report previously suffered mycosis and other diseases.

To accurately determine the presence of infection and the type of pathogen, the doctor must take blood, a nail or skin scraping for analysis.Laboratory tests must be performed without fail.There are more than 500 species of fungi that have different thresholds for drug resistance and require different treatment tactics.

diagnosis of nail fungus
  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 fungi and its concentration.
  2. More accurate results are given by bacterial culture.Biological material is placed in a nutrient medium.If pathogenic cells are present in the scratch, 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 the affected area.Test performance is around 100%.
  4. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is taken from a vein and allows you to identify the titer of antibodies to a specific pathogen and find out the exact cause of the disease.

You should go to the hospital if there is any change in the condition of your skin.Even small slips and itches between the fingers cannot be ignored.Otherwise, the disease will affect the foot and nails and will be more difficult to cure.

Treatment

Foot fungus requires an integrated approach.The intensity of the treatment depends on the type of infection and the degree of damage to the skin and nails.

Therapy includes medications for internal and external use and careful hygiene.The use of traditional medicine recipes is suitable as an auxiliary method.

medicaments

The treatment regimen should be prescribed by a doctor based on the patient's clinical picture.For the treatment of adults, medications in capsules or tablets, antifungal creams and ointments are used.Control methods are aimed at eliminating pathological microorganisms and healing the skin.Medicines should not be stopped until complete recovery..

Creams

Productive treatment of fungi is provided by creams.They have a light structure and are quickly absorbed.When choosing a product, you should consider the contraindications for use and follow the recommendations of a specialist.

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

ointment

The choice of antifungal ointments is very wide.Before starting treatment, allergic reactions and other side effects should be ruled out. 

If the fungal infection of the feet is complicated by a secondary infection and other means 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 they have many contraindications.They should be taken strictly according to the instructions, without exceeding the dose. 

An effective remedy to remove all signs of fungus is an ointment with salicylic acid.This is a simple and inexpensive remedy 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 it overnight.

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

PILL

To increase the effectiveness of therapy, the use of external agents is often combined with internal drugs.Tablets can have a strong effect on the body as a whole, so they should not be taken in an uncontrolled manner.

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

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

Folk remedies

You can achieve recovery faster by using traditional methods as additional therapy.To get rid of foot fungus, use:

  • warm baths;
  • household ointment;
  • compress;
  • herbal creams.

Before treatment, it is important to make sure that there is no individual intolerance to the ingredients of traditional recipes.

Ointment for fungus

folk ointment for fungus

Home ointments help fight pathogenic flora.

  1. Copper sulphate, yellow sulfur and goose fat are combined in equal proportions in an enamel vessel and thoroughly mixed.Place on low heat, bring to a boil and turn off.The mixture should be cooled and transferred to a glass jar.Store in a cool and dark place.Apply to the affected areas in the 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.Blend the ingredients together until smooth.Use twice a day, applying liberally to the affected areas.

Compresses and masks

  1. A good remedy for fungus is an onion-garlic 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 do the procedure in the evening and leave the mask on until the morning.After waking up, the bandage should be removed and the body should be washed with water.The 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 tablespoon of crushed dry vegetable raw materials.You should get a thick paste.It should be applied to the places where the fungus is located, wrap the leg with polyethylene and isolate it.Apply the compress at night regularly for at least 2 weeks.
  3. An effective basis for a compress is obtained from medicinal herbs.Pour 400 ml of sunflower or olive oil into the pan.Add 1 tablespoon each of calendula flowers, peppermint, comfrey and rose radiola.Put it on fire and heat up to 60 degrees.Turn off and put 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 mild effect, so it can be used to treat a child, provided that there is no allergy to plants..

bathrooms

anti-mold baths
  1. The simplest foot fungus bath is made from salt and baking soda.You need 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.Immerse your feet in the liquid and keep for 15 minutes.Finally, rinse the limbs under the tap and dry them.
  2. Milkweed is suitable for preparing the bath.You need to measure 3 tablespoons of dry grass and pour 3 liters of boiling water over them.Wrap it with a towel and leave it for 4 hours.Drain, 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 in 2 days.Duration 1 month.
  3. Strong coffee inhibits the development of pathogenic spores.You need to create a drink (1 spoon of ground coffee for 250 ml of water).When it has cooled to a comfortable temperature, pour it into a basin and put your feet there for 20 minutes.It is important to cover the areas affected by the fungus 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 athlete's foot, it is useful to use a healing herb.

You will need:

  • calendula flowers;
  • oak bark;
  • dried berries;
  • verbena herb.

The components must be mixed in equal proportions.Take 3 spoons of the mixture, add 500 ml of water and place in a water bath.Boil for 20 minutes, cool and pass through a filter.You should wash your feet and toes with herbal decoction 2-3 times a day and apply creams to the affected areas for half an hour.

herbal anti-fungal creams

Alcohol tincture of propolis helps fight diseases.It can be bought at a 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.

Preventing

Toenail fungus is an insidious disease that requires serious treatment.To reduce the likelihood of infection, proper prevention is necessary.It is recommended to follow simple rules:

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

It is important to control sweating.For this you can use regular talc.To keep your skin healthy and not cracked, you should apply moisturizer regularly and take a baking soda bath once a week.

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