In summer, excessive sweating and tight synthetic shoes cause diseases like fungus. Sores appear between the toes, causing discomfort and an unpleasant odor. How to recognize the disease in time and get rid of it? What preventive measures will help you forget about the disease once and for all?
The main symptoms and forms of the disease
Interdigital foot fungus can be identified by the following signs:
- in certain places, the skin dries up, scales appear, cracks;
- small blisters appear, as in an allergic reaction, which periodically open and exudate is released;
- diaper rash appears between the toes and on the side of the foot;
- convergence of the upper layers of the skin is observed in the lesions;
- May cause itching, discomfort, pain.
To make an accurate diagnosis, you still need to see a doctor, because with different forms of mycosis, the symptoms can differ. The subsequent treatment of interdigital fungi depends on the type of disease:
- Weak form. It is characterized only by increased skin dryness, peeling, and cracking.
- Squamous-hyperkeratotic. When the disease takes this form, there is a convergence of the upper layer of the skin in the affected areas, the appearance of redness, diaper rash, which causes itching and burning. If the big toes are affected, hard yellow corns develop.
- Intertriginous form. Severe swelling and erosion occurs between the toes.
- DyshidroticWatery areas appear, bubbles with transparent content form. External symptoms are accompanied by very intense itching.
What does toe fungus look like? Gently, it appears that the affected areas have been sprinkled with flour. If the disease also affects the nail plate, you may notice a thickening and yellowing of the nail, with more advanced forms - its deformation. In other stages, the skin becomes moist, sores and redness are clearly visible.
Causes of the disease
Tight synthetic shoes most of the time cause athlete's foot.
Fungi between and under the toes do not occur by chance. The most common reasons for its occurrence:
- Diabetes.
- Diseases of the cardiovascular system, blood circulation, veins.
- Decreased immunity
- Synthetic tight shoes.
- Excessive sweating of the extremities.
- Infection from pedicure tools, shared towels, shower mats.
Sometimes it is enough to try on the patient's shoes to contract an unpleasant disease. To prevent this from happening, carefully monitor your hygiene, take vitamins, do not buy shoes in second-hand stores.
Which doctor should I see?
If you find the symptoms described above in yourself, you should immediately contact a dermatologist or mycologist. After the interview and visual examination, the doctor will prescribe the necessary tests. Without laboratory research, it is impossible to know exactly what type of fungus caused the disease. Without this, the doctor will not be able to prescribe adequate treatment.
A dead scale scraping lab study allows you to answer the following questions:
- Is the fungus the cause of the skin changes?
- What type of mycosis caused the disease?
On average, a detailed study of the planting takes about two weeks. After that, certain topical preparations (gels, ointments) and tablets are prescribed.
Traditional medicine
For the treatment of interdigital fungus on the legs, the following are prescribed:
- Antifungal creams
- Ointments
- Tablets and capsules
- Local antiseptics
Allow to relieve inflammation, reduce flaking, provide deep penetration of antifungal agents under the skin. They form a film that prevents reinfection.
Effectively destroys fungal spores thanks to the active active ingredients.
Suppresses the development of the disease. Active substances through the blood enter the corneal tissues, accumulate in them and destroy the spores of the fungus. You should not take it without a prescription, as the tablets are selected individually and have an extensive list of contraindications. For patients with liver disease, the use of such drugs is strictly prohibited.
Hydrogen peroxide, salicylic acid, sulfuric ointment.
Treatment of interdigital foot fungus aims to eradicate the infection that caused the mycosis. Correctly selected drugs and compliance with all the prescriptions of the doctor will help prevent the recurrence of the disease in the future. In this case, it is imperative to undergo full treatment, the duration of which can be from one to eight months, depending on the degree of the disease.
Home remedies
Foot baths are very helpful.
Using home remedies for fungus between the toes will greatly speed up the healing process. Treatment at home involves the use of various baths and compresses:
- Based on celandine.
- Coffee bath.
- Soft drink-based products.
- Vinegar lotions and baths.
- We eliminate the fungus with aloe juice.
- Effective compresses.
Celandine is an herb that is often used for skin conditions. The affected areas can be lubricated with plant sap. A bath based on this herb will help cure foot fungus. Freshly cut celandine is poured with boiling water, cooled to room temperature, and the feet are immersed in the water. After the procedure, you should let your feet dry naturally, then towel dry, spread with antifungal ointment, and put on clean cotton socks. You need to carry out such manipulations every day before bedtime.
Five tablespoons of ground coffee are poured with one liter of boiling water. After the mixture has cooled slightly, the feet are lowered in turn, for 30 minutes. each. Do not dry or rinse your feet. This remedy relieves itching and inflammation of the skin between the toes almost immediately. After a month, the symptoms of the fungus will disappear.
A two tablespoon bath and grated laundry soap will help soften rough skin and eliminate fungus. After the procedure, the keratinized skin is removed with a manicure tool. Such manipulations must be carried out on a daily basis, because there are fungal spores in the areas of dead skin. You can prepare this remedy in another way: dilute the baking soda with water to a porridge state and apply it to the affected areas.
It is helpful to add a couple of tablespoons of vinegar essence to the water each time you wash your feet. Get rid of the fungus on the leg will help 9% table vinegar lotions, but be prepared for painful sensations during the procedure. However, this remedy is extremely effective. Remove the compress after 10-15 minutes, spread with ointment, and put on clean socks.
The agave (scarlet) leaves are cut, wrapped in paper, and left in the refrigerator for a week. Then squeeze out the juice and lubricate the affected areas of the skin in the morning and at night. It should be used in combination with trays and ointments.
You can buy a basic solution of lead acetate at the drugstore. For the treatment of mycosis, this agent is applied to gauze, applied to the affected area and wrapped with cling film. The exposure time does not exceed 20 minutes.
Treating wet fungus between the toes requires a special approach. All manipulations are carried out in several stages:
- cleaning the blistered area with hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate solution;
- medical bath;
- using a cream or ointment.
In advanced cases, a sterile dressing may be applied to prevent infection from entering an open wound and to prevent the spread of mycosis. The use of talcum powder to dry the affected area is also shown.
Treatment of the fungus between the toes with folk remedies is effective only in combination with drugs. By relying on unconventional methods, you risk eliminating the symptoms, but not eliminating the cause of the disease.
Precautionary measures
To prevent the cured fungus on the skin of the fingers from reappearing, follow our recommendations:
- Go to a nail salon with your tool. When you do a hardware pedicure procedure, ask for disinfection.
- Never carry someone else's towels, shoes, or socks.
- Buy a special UV shoe dryer and use it every day.
- Do a pedicure in time and remove dead skin.
- Buy only high-quality shoes per size.
- Pay close attention to foot hygiene.
- Use herbal baths for prevention.
It is also important to strengthen the immune system and take vitamins, walk outside and eat enough fruits and vegetables.
The fungus on the skin of the toes is treatable, but this is a long process that requires a responsible approach on the part of the patient and strict adherence to all the prescriptions of the doctor. Pay enough attention to your health and don't let the disease run its course!