Medical sources claim that almost every fifth person has or has had a disease such as foot fungus.This disease is known to almost the entire planet.The disease appeared in the 19th century, and since then it has not ceased to expand its borders.The fungus affects the feet due to wearing leather shoes of different quality.There are many types of disease.Damage to the toenails, skin between the toes, and feet is common.
Diseases caused by parasitic microorganisms are called mycoses or onychomycosis.Doctors believe that people with neglected feet are more susceptible to contracting them than others: with corns, cracked heels, calluses.Peeling or dry skin is also considered a major cause of foot infections.There are many varieties of mycoses, because in nature there are several hundred fungal pathogens that can parasitize the human body.The most common are: dermatophytes, yeast and mold parasites.
Many people wonder how to recognize the fungus in the first stages, during the period when painful symptoms appear, and what to do to make the insidious disease quickly disappear.There are quite a lot of answers to the question.
Symptoms of the disease
The medical name for foot fungus is mycosis.The causative agent is thought to be a parasitic virus called a fungus.It tries to settle in the cracks of the feet, between the toes, on and under the nails.The disease is helped by sweat, through which it expands the halo of its development on the legs.Any damage to the skin is susceptible to fungus.
The disease destroys keratin, which is responsible for the healthy condition of the nail.The skin has a layer of fat, improper metabolism, and lack of balanced nutrition lead to skin disorders.The fungus gets inside and problems appear.Restoring the protective function of the skin requires time and a specific treatment system.
Forms of fungus
Doctors have identified four forms of mycosis.
- Interdigital.The first most common type of disease.Its outbreaks are observed in the summer.The higher the temperature, the greater the number of sick people recorded by doctors.Cracks and sores that appear between the toes can be dry or wet.There is constant itching.In the photo it is easy to see the appearance of the interdigital form of the disease.
- External.The skin of the foot below becomes covered with a crust resembling a callus.This is especially visible in the photo in the area of the heels, which become covered with cracks.Nails lose their normal appearance.They change color, shape, and begin to grow incorrectly.It is difficult to treat.
- Vesicular.The disorder covers the skin of the leg up to the ankle.Reminds, clearly visible in the photo, of erosion.Ulcers go deep into the body and require treatment prescribed by specialists, and strictly following the prescriptions and requirements of doctors.
- Erased.The skin of the foot resembles a surface sprinkled with flour.The cracks are almost invisible.This form is difficult to see in time.Only careful attention to the condition of the legs and the desire to maintain their healthy appearance leads to timely initiation of treatment.
There are many varieties of the disease, each of them has its own symptoms and manifestations of the disease.You can see them in the photo, having studied the signs and differences of each type.
- The fungal infection does not appear on both legs at once.First it can be found on one leg, then on the other.The first symptoms are itching and flaking.On the skin, at the site of infection, you can see or touch blisters.If treatment is not started in time, they will turn into erosion and change their appearance.An unpleasant crust will appear between your fingers.Gradually, nail fungus begins to spread along the leg, the first thing it affects is the nails.At first, you may notice yellow stripes and spots, then the nails change shape and begin to become thick.The layers of nails increase.The nail crumbles and loses strength.
- Different types of disease behave differently.There is a type of fungus (dermatophyte) that has no symptoms.And the disease immediately appears on the skin and nails.Urgent medical intervention is required.
- There are variants of the reverse course of the disease.The usual manifestation of the disease from the inside to the surface changes.The disease goes from the surface into the nail, the plate becomes light and peels off.The nail becomes unusually white.
- The feet become covered with ulcers.They are small in size and yellow in color.Inflammation appears in the place where the nail grows.The color becomes green, close to brown.The nail is quickly destroyed.These are signs of a yeast species.
- You can check for the presence of a type such as rubromycosis using potassium permanganate.Healthy nails will change color from the solution and turn brown.Toenails affected by the disease will not change color.The skin is also exposed to this type of virus.
Nail fungus
The disease occurs very often in people who play sports, are bright and active.They visit swimming pools, health sports centers, and saunas.Someone else's shoes, standing with bare feet on a surface that has not been treated after the previous visitor, lead to the appearance of nail fungus.The disease is infectious, it is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person through contact with things or shoes.It is always recommended to bring your own shoes, even when visiting places where footwear is shared.Families where personal hygiene comes first have excellent results.Each family member has his own towel and slippers.Towels for the face and feet, and constant change of bedding will prevent the appearance of an unpleasant parasite on the feet.Toenail fungus can be caused by foot injuries, especially from tight shoes, excessive sweating, and flat feet.
Medical reasons
- Low and weak immunity;
- Diabetes mellitus;
- Constant treatment with antibiotics;
- Improper blood circulation in the legs;
- Features of the structure of the limbs.
Signs of toenail fungus
- Change of structure;
- Color change (white, gray, yellow, green, brown);
- Increasing the thickness of the nail plate;
- Cracks in the nails;
- Unpleasant odor;
- The nail plate begins to crumble.
The parasitic microbe settles in the space between the nail and the base.The nail becomes higher than normal.The sore spot looks unpleasant, aesthetically ugly, protrudes unnaturally, and becomes large.
Preventive procedures
- Thorough cleaning of common areas.Bathrooms and toilets must be treated with disinfectants.Treat with products containing bleach, washcloths, sponges.
- Use special products to reduce foot sweating.These can be powders, talc.
- If a sick person appears in the family, the rest must take precautions.
- Wearing comfortable, high-quality shoes.Avoid the appearance of calluses and injuries.
- Using foot creams.For dry skin - softening, for excessive sweating - refreshing.
- After washing, feet must be dried thoroughly
- Before visiting a bathhouse, swimming pool, sauna, or those places where you will need to groom with bare feet or in open shoes, treat your feet with anti-fungal aerosols.The same can be done after going to these premises.
- Daily change of socks and tights.
- Treatment of the inner surface of shoes, timely drying, care for them.
- Don't try on other people's shoes.
A person suffering from this disease begins to experience a lot of inconvenience.They are associated with changes in the appearance of nails, physical illness, and unpleasant sensations.It is not recommended to start the disease.Nail fungus does not stand still, it begins to spread over a larger area, and it is possible for the disease to go inside the body.It is important to start treatment on time.It must be carried out competently and systematically.