Itching and intolerable redness of the skin between the toes, pain when walking are the first symptoms of the most common dermatological problem - fungal skin lesions. Germinating through the delicate skin epithelium, the fungal mycelium gradually "spreads" to the entire surface of the plantar foot, causing unpleasant wet and flaking areas, painful cracks and deformities of the nail.
Malignant fungi and related factors
The causative agent of this disease is the fungus dermatomycete, of which the genus Trichophyton is considered the most common. They live almost everywhere - in swimming pools and on the beach, in people’s shoes and in animal hair, but the disease is not always provoked. An important factor is the creation of an infection gate through which the dermatomycete can penetrate to a sufficient depth.
Fungus between the toes appears when the barrier function of the skin is weakened
- While wearing tight and closed shoes. This is especially true for the summer, when the sweat released creates conditions for the skin that masks, becoming home to many microorganisms.
- Abrasions and scratches are the gateway to fungal entry. If you have it, you can’t take the risk of trying on other people’s shoes on your feet, walking barefoot in swimming pools, saunas and steam baths.
- An effective remedy for fungus on the feet between the toes should be sought by lovers of cheap pedicures in salons with dubious fame. The procedure itself involves cutting the cuticle and rubbing the skin, and non -sterile instruments may be "enriched" with fungus.
Fungus between the toes: symptoms and complications
What kind of fungus on the feet between the toes can not be clearly explained, because the disease has several forms, each of which is characterized by special manifestations:
- Dyshidrotic foot fungus is characterized by three stages - redness, the formation of bubbles with fluid and drying crusts, flaking. As a rule, all three phases co-exist in the same skin area. The disadvantage of this form of dyshidrotic dermatomycosis lies in its high resemblance to eczema. For an accurate diagnosis, a laboratory smear test is required.
- The squamous form is characterized by severe redness and peeling of the skin.
- Squamous-hyperkeratosis lesions cause severe itching and burning, seals and exfoliating scales appear a little later.
- With interrelated forms, the manifestations are so typical that you don’t have to see what the fungus looks like between the toes in the photo: severe itching, burning accompanied by exfoliation and the formation of painful cracks, and a considerable focus of epidermal exfoliation often appears. .
- Interrelated and dysidridotic forms of dermatomycosis require careful and delicate methods of treatment, as the secondary microflora can easily penetrate into the foci and weeping cracks, which will lead to the appearance of abscesses. Despite undergoing a chronic process, they suffer from an inflammatory process, which requires the use of emollient ointments and anti-inflammatory baths.
Drug treatment
In modern medical warehouses, there are a number of drugs for the treatment of fungus between the toes. Among them are topical ointments and tablets that destroy the fungus from within. As a rule, specialists choose a drug based on an analysis of the stage of development of the disease, its form and coverage. Systemic therapy using pills is used only in advanced cases, when the skin of the entire foot is involved in the process and characteristic changes on the nail plate are found.
Antifungal ointments have been distributed for several generations. But, it should be understood that even the most effective remedy for fungus between the toes does not guarantee removal if you ignore the rules of personal hygiene and some precautions.
Throughout the treatment, a gentle pedicure should be done at least once a week. After that, the frequency can be reduced to once every two weeks.
Since fungus can survive on socks and shoes, they also need to be treated. To do this, use a liquid that contains chlorine, such as bleach.
If you are thinking of how to get rid of fungus between the toes, remember to change your socks daily. For two or three days in a row, wearing clothes already retains traces of sweat, in which parasites live and breed.
Only a combination of a course of therapy selected by a specialist and careful adherence to all rules of hygiene can guarantee a speedy recovery from the disease.
Treatment of fungus between the toes with folk remedies
Traditional medicine has collected many recipes to combat fungi, including both products from kitchen cabinets and very exotic ingredients and medicines. The most accessible are:
- Iodine, daily lubrication of lesions that brings visible results within a week.
- Hydrogen peroxide, which gained popularity thanks to the work of a famous doctor. Its ability to destroy fungal cell membranes and form a film on the surface of damaged skin guarantees quick relief from the disease.
If you have spent a lot of funds and figured out how to treat fungus between the toes, then you should also try the effects of vinegar. Although the fungus lives in a slightly acidic environment, it does not tolerate increased pH. Lubrication of the affected area with a solution of 9% vinegar and water in a ratio of 1: 8 gives positive results in 2-3 weeks.
The most popular drugs in folk medicine - onions and garlic - also have antifungal effects. Gruel prepared from them is mixed with petroleum jelly in a ratio of 1: 1 and applied to the affected skin before bedtime.
You have not decided how to treat fungus on the feet between the toes, do not forget about its damage to shoes and personal hygiene items. This is what guarantees the absence of recurrence in the near future.