Infection with foot fungus occurs through contact with a sick person or animal, as well as through soil, water or plants.It is important to recognize and treat the disease in time.
There are different types of athlete's foot and only a doctor can correctly identify the type by performing a series of examinations.After which the specialist will prescribe a course that will allow you to quickly cope with the disease.
Intertrigene (interdigit) form.
This form of the disease is considered the most common.It is usually activated in summer.The development of the disease begins with lesions of the skin of the feet between the third and fourth toes, as well as the fourth and fifth toes, and then gradually spreads to all folds.The main symptoms of this fungus are:
- the appearance of cracks in the skin;
- the presence of a white rim, indicating the detachment of the upper layer of the skin;
- the appearance of weeping wounds;
- burning and itching sensation;
- the formation of erosions at the place of cracks;
- loosening of the skin as the disease progresses and the breakdown of its protective functions.
The interdigital form appears in most cases against the background of the squamous form.This disease is treated with ointments.In the initial stage, you can do without using tablets.
An experienced specialist will tell you what the fungus is and will choose effective therapy for your feet.Antifungal medications will relieve the disease in one to three weeks.The main thing is not to forget to paint your feet with the prescribed medicine twice a day.
This form of the disease has a chronic course.It is not easy to determine at the initial stage.Therefore, patients often consult a doctor when the disease is present in all the folds between the fingers.In this case, the treatment may take longer.
Squamous-hyperkeratotic form
This disease in most cases affects one leg and, in the absence of proper treatment, spreads to the other.The skin in this form of the disease undergoes radical changes.Keratinized cells completely cover the foot.The skin on the feet begins to become rough and then crack.With hyperketarosis, the heels are also subject to cracking.The appearance of erosions is accompanied by burning and itching.The patient experiences pain.
The main symptoms of the squamous-hyperkeratic form are:
- skin rash;
- itching and skin;
- proliferation of keratinized cells;
- the appearance of rough calluses, including on the heels.
This disease can also affect the nail plate.Over time, it loses transparency, changes shade and shape.In advanced stages, the nail often begins to crumble.Treatment of the disease at this stage is not easy.In this case, in addition to external remedies, the doctor can prescribe a course of pills.Combination drugs are mainly used for treatment.The duration of the course is determined by a specialist.Medicines are chosen based on the type of athlete's foot to which the patient is exposed.
Dyshidrotic form
This form is also called vesicular.It is extremely rare.The disease is accompanied by the appearance of blisters or blisters of small diameter.At first they are lonely, but gradually they grow and explode.After which ulcers form.This disease is not easy to treat.It is complicated by the fact that viruses and bacteria easily penetrate the human body through cracks and erosions.Often, diseases such as eczema, lymphadenitis and others with similar symptoms develop in parallel with the fungus.
You should consult a specialist if the following signs of the disease are observed:
- pain and itching in the affected area of the legs;
- the appearance of erosions and cracks;
- heavy peeling of the skin of the feet;
- the appearance of vesicles or blisters on the skin.
Often, in the absence of proper treatment, this disease takes a bacterial form.In this case, the transparent contents of the vesicles become purulent and cloudy.The patient develops severe headache and increased body temperature.Treatment of this disease includes complex therapy.The doctor prescribes local antifungal agents and tablets.
Deleted form
This type of disease is not immediately recognized.The fact is that the symptoms of the form are hidden and practically do not bother the patient.A deleted type of fungus is associated with skin like skin flour.It seems that the foot is covered with fine flour.Small cracks appear between the toes, which are almost invisible to the eye.The person experiences slight itching.No redness.
It is difficult to treat this form of the disease.Since the patient requires qualified help only if the erased form develops into onychomycosis.Precious time is lost and recovery can take a long time.
Onychomycosis
In this case, we mean a disease associated with fungal infection of the nail plates.There are several types of this form of the disease:
- damage by mold fungi;
- hypertrophic form;
- atrophic.
In the first case, the disease develops against the background of other nail lesions.Often the nail plate changes color, becoming black, green or brown.The nail bed becomes inflamed.
In the hypertrophic form of the disease, the plate turns yellow and thickens.The nail breaks easily, revealing the thick, cracked skin.
With atrophic onychomycosis, the skin under the nail becomes rough and the plate becomes thinner.If treatment is not started in time, the disease can completely destroy the nail plate and bed.
Rubrofitia
This disease is also called rubromycosis.It is characterized by drying and inflammation of the skin and blood vessels.The disease develops gradually, practically without symptoms.Therefore, the user does not notice it immediately.A burning sensation and itching appear only in the later stages.At this stage, the symptoms are as follows:
- the appearance of bubbles and bubbles;
- plaques that spread over the entire sole;
- pain while walking, which appears as the number of blisters increases.
A specialist will be able to prescribe treatment only after conducting a series of examinations and studying the clinical picture.The performed microscope allows us to determine what types of fungi exist and how the feet are infected.Treatment is carried out using exfoliating (keratolytic) agents.The specialist will prescribe an ointment or cream containing salicylic acid.The course also includes the use of antifungal drugs.In advanced cases, tablets are also used in addition to therapy.If it is necessary to eliminate damage to the nail plates, then special formulations are prescribed.
Candidiasis of the feet
This disease is quite rare.Fungi of the genus Candida, which contribute to the development of the disease, are present in the body of every person and are considered conditionally pathogenic.If they are actively reproduced, unpleasant consequences are possible.The development of pathogenic fungi is often associated with a decrease in immunity, which develops against the background of regular stress and overwork of the body.Occupational or domestic injuries or frequent wearing of closed shoes in the summer can contribute to the appearance of the disease.
Symptoms of candidiasis:
- hyperemia (filling of blood vessels);
- separation of skin layers from each other;
- itching and skin;
- the appearance of small flat blisters on the legs;
- marked swelling.
Medicines are prescribed individually, based on the stage of the disease.As a rule, this is complex therapy, including local and systemic drugs.
It is important to take preventive measures to avoid the development of one of the forms of the fungus.They are quite simple:
- don't use someone else's shoes;
- do pedicure and manicure only with sterile instruments;
- choose comfortable shoes that allow your skin to "breathe".
Adhering to these simple rules, preventing the disease will not be difficult.