One of the most common problems that almost all people have encountered is fungus on the toes. This prevalence of the disease is due to the fact that it can be infected anywhere, regularly visiting the gym, swimming pool, or walking barefoot on the ground or in the grass. In this case, it does not matter at all whether a person follows the rules of personal hygiene or not.
Like other diseases, this infection requires appropriate and timely treatment. If you ignore this recommendation, the disease will progress, the symptoms will become more intense, and the skin will become thin and covered with small but painful cracks.
What is a fungus and how does the infection occur?
Foot fungus or mycosis is an infectious disease. Such skin lesions are also called dermatomycosis. Overall, there are a lot of bacteria in nature, but not all of them can cause human health problems. Mycosis is one of the most common diseases and ranks second only to purulent pathologies i. e. source, streptoderma, carbuncles and staphyloderma.
As regards the groups of fungi affecting the skin of the legs, they are divided into 3 groups, namely:
- Candida. It belongs to the group of yeast-like fungi.
- Zooanthropophilus. Infection can occur in both animals and individuals.
- Anthropophilic. In this case, it can only be infected by others.
How does the fungus manifest on the toes?
The first symptoms of nail fungus have vague properties, so it is very difficult to recognize the disease from the first days of infection. Sometimes people don’t go to the doctor right away, not because they don’t want to, but because they don’t understand what situation they are in. In order not to get into such situations, doctors always recommend that you seek help with even the slightest symptoms. In this case, the patient saves the problem as quickly as possible.
The main signs of a toe infection are:
- yellowish spots and seals on the skin;
- increased sweating;
- gaps between fingers begin to hurt and itch;
- spots and peeling appear at the sites of infection.
The intensity of the symptoms may also depend on the form of the disease, squamous cell carcinoma or intertrigue. In the second case, the person suffers from swelling, redness, and constant moisture in the areas affected by the infection. This shape is characterized by localization between the last 4 fingers.
With the flat form of the pathology, white crusts appear on the legs, peeling, and an enhanced drawing of skin lines. In the first days after infection, the patient feels a burning and itching sensation. In the absence of treatment, the symptoms are complemented by the uncharacteristic radiance of the skin of the legs and the peeling of small gray or white scales.
How to treat foot fungus?
Today, the patient can choose from a variety of medications that are just as effective in fighting fungus between the toes. To get rid of the disease as soon as possible, doctors recommend a complex therapy that includes the following measures:
- Taking pills.
- Use of immunostimulants and vitamin complexes.
- Gels and creams.
Note!Almost all medications are extremely effective, but this does not mean that the treatment period will be short. Depending on the state of the body’s protective functions, the patient must fight the fungus for at least 1 month.
Effective drugs for the treatment of foot fungus
The fungus on the feet is usually treated with varnishes, gels or tablets. The most suitable medicine is selected by a specialist.
How to treat foot fungus with folk remedies?
Along with the medication of the toes fungus, experts recommend alternative therapies, but you should see a doctor if you use any medication. This will avoid allergies and other side effects.
Traditional healers are advised to pay attention to the following methods:
- Use of apple cider vinegar. This is necessary to "acidify" the body. Regardless of the food, the vinegar should be dissolved in a glass of water and watered once a day.
- Foot baths. In this case, it is advisable to pour 9 percent vinegar into the pool in an amount to cover the foot. The liquid should be slightly warm. The procedure takes a maximum of 15 minutes.
- Vinegar and vegetable oil. From these two components, a 1: 1 ointment should be used to treat the fungus on the legs. This covers the affected areas all night. It is advisable to wear socks to increase the effect on the feet.
Effect of fungal infections on toes
If you do not deal with the treatment of leg fungus, it can cause the following differences:
- if the fungus stays on the fingers for a long time, it may cause hypersensitivity to other types of fungi and may also affect the development of bronchial asthma, allergic dermatitis or other skin diseases;
- mycosis of the thumb may affect the development of diabetes mellitus or gangrene;
- if left untreated, the infection can spread throughout the body and affect the internal organs, in which case the patient will have to undergo prolonged and more complex therapy. It does not matter whether the small or the other toes are mushrooms.
How to avoid re-infection with mycosis after treatment?
In order to prevent the appearance of toe fungus, you must follow all the precautions, these are as follows:
- Use rubber slippers when visiting the pool or public shower.
- Adherence to personal hygiene.
- Taking vitamin complexes to improve the body's protective functions.
- The feet should be washed daily before going to bed.
- You can't wear someone else's shoes.
- Good nutrition and active lifestyle.
- In special cases, it is advisable to use removable, looser shoes.
- Do not use other people's hygiene items or give your own to anyone.
- Do not wear dirty socks.
- Use a foot bath for preventative purposes.
Antifungal treatment of shoes
A special product can be used to treat footwear against fungus on the skin of the toes. This not only helps to get rid of the infection, but also eliminates the unpleasant odor and frees the shoes from yeast and dermatitis.
After the infection is cured, the shoes can be treated with an antiseptic. You can buy it at the pharmacy, the device allows you to clean your shoes not only from fungi, but also from other bacteria that pose a danger to human health.