Throughout our lives, we often encounter various diseases.Some of them are dangerous and require immediate treatment.And there are those that do not seem to cause much harm to health, and sometimes we live with them for years without taking any measures to get rid of the disease.These diseases include foot skin fungus and toenail fungus.
In fact, they cannot be called mortal.However, it is necessary to fight them, because, firstly, they slowly “undermine” the immune system, destroying the body's defense system, and, secondly, they do not have an aesthetically pleasing appearance, which gives rise to whole complexes in the infected person.How to recognize foot fungus?Let's look at the main signs of foot fungus.
Foot skin fungus: how it can manifest itself
The first signs of a fungus that has “settled” on the feet can sometimes go unnoticed for a long time, especially if a person has a strong enough immune system, and the body tries to cope with the invading “foreigner” on its own for a certain period of time.Signs of foot fungus include:
- skin redness, itching;
- blisters or blisters on the feet;
- cracked heels that take a long time to heal.
Most often, the first symptoms are manifested as follows: the skin between the toes begins to itch, pimples appear and the skin turns red.The person feels severe itching, which worsens at night.No creams or baths with medicinal herbs help to cope with the problem.I am concerned about severe peeling of the skin.
Sometimes the fungus “attacks” from the heels.In this case, cracks on the heels cannot be cured with folk or pharmaceutical remedies.If you experience this problem, know that these are signs of a fungal infection, and not just the result of a scratch or mild inflammation after, for example, rubbing your feet in uncomfortable shoes.
Toenail fungus requires mandatory treatment.The carrier of the disease not only runs the risk of contracting a further infection, which can easily penetrate through the damaged skin, but also becomes a carrier of the disease.It is not uncommon for the symptoms of foot mycosis to be observed in literally all family members living together.
Signs of foot fungus should not be ignored.However, it is not always possible to recognize the disease on your own, especially when itching and other unpleasant manifestations have just begun.Therefore, if suspicious symptoms appear, you should consult a dermatologist.Knows how to identify foot fungi and what methods should be used to combat them.
How to recognize it and what to do
So, we know what the manifestations of foot fungus are and now we will examine ourselves carefully, especially after frequent visits to swimming pools or saunas.
There is another type of disease that, unfortunately, does not immediately attract the attention of the victim.This is a nail fungus.
Sometimes foot fungus spreads to the nail plate, and both the skin and the nail need to be treated at the same time.But it happens that a person only observes the damage to the nail, while the skin remains clean.How does nail fungus start?
Once you decide to get a foot bath, you may notice a slight change in the color of your nail plate.Most often, only 1 nail is affected at first, the one located on the thumb.The nail appears yellowed and dull.Normally, the color of the nail is pinkish, the plate is quite thin, but there is no increased brittleness or brittleness.If the fungus “visits” you, the nail:
- turns yellow (usually from the edges);
- thickens significantly;
- There are strange spots on the plate.
Carefully examine the neighboring fingers: are there similar changes there?What does the fungus initially look like?If there is no concomitant disease of the skin of the feet, only a cosmetic defect can remain for a long time: there is no itching, no pain, there is no discomfort.In this case the person does not pay attention to the symptoms, thinking that they have simply damaged the nail by wearing, for example, excessively tight shoes.How do you know if it's a fungus?
You will not be able to determine the disease on your own with 100% accuracy.Furthermore, even a doctor does not need a visual examination to make a diagnosis.If he suspects the fungal nature of the disease, he will refer the patient for tests.The nail plate will be scraped - this is the only way to detect the presence of a pathogenic fungus.
Signs of foot fungus are a gradual deterioration of the situation: without treatment, the affected nail begins to change more and more.The yellowing covers increasingly large areas.So you might see:
- inflammation of the skin near the nail;
- further color change: greenish, gray, even black;
- greater fragility and fragility.
Even if the nail becomes very thick and difficult to cut with nail scissors, it crumbles.Small pieces may break.
If you continue to pretend that nothing is happening, the fungus can “move” to nearby fingers.In addition, the appearance of sharp edges due to periodic breaking of pieces from the nail leads to a complication called “ingrown toenail”.The sharp edge gradually cuts and grows into the roll of skin on the side, causing pain to the person while walking.The skin becomes red and inflamed.
As time passes, toenails become thicker and change color.A person experiences considerable discomfort due to the inability to visit the pool and wear open shoes in the summer.
How can you get infected?
If you find suspicious signs in yourself, remember whether you have recently been in a sauna or bathhouse.The mushroom “loves” a warm and humid environment: it is very convenient to reproduce there.
Maybe you tried on shoes in a store without “marks” or not long ago a friend gave you her sandals, which she wore, but then bought new ones?Or do you often exchange slippers at home with your family members?
Each of these cases can trigger the infection.All it takes is a microscopic crack or wound for the fungal spores to penetrate the skin or nail.At the same time, the person who “proved” the disease to you may not even suspect that he is a carrier: if he has a strong immune system, the fungus will not disturb him.
If you think you have contracted a fungus, the first thing to do is visit a dermatologist.You should not self-medicate: firstly, there are different pathogens that are sensitive to different drugs.Secondly, perhaps it is not a fungus at all, but another disease.In both cases, self-medication may not produce results or "push" the disease deeper, and then it will be difficult to deal with it.
This is especially true for nail fungus.Sometimes dystrophic changes in the nail plate, which can occur due to wearing tight shoes that cause deformation of the nail, can be confused with fungi.Another reason for changes not related to fungal infection is venous disease, which causes a deterioration in blood supply.As a result, the nail becomes brittle, the color changes, and the person, believing that he is infected, begins intensive treatment with gels and varnishes.Naturally, such “treatment” will be ineffective.
What to do if you suspect fungus
If suspicious symptoms appear, you should not rush to the pharmacy to get medicine, but visit a doctor and get tested.Until the reasons are established, special care should be taken not to become a source of infection for others: refuse to go to the pool or sauna and do not wear someone else's shoes.
If a pathogenic fungus is diagnosed, you will have to undergo a course of treatment.If the skin is affected, it will take about a month or two;if there are problems with the nails, it can take up to a year.If the disease has progressed sufficiently, it may be necessary to take antifungal drugs internally along with external agents.
Be attentive to yourself: any disease is easier to cure at the initial stage.This also applies to fungal infections.Be healthy!