Medical sources say that nearly one in five people have or have had a disease such as foot fungus.This disease is known to almost the entire planet.The disease appeared in the 19th century and has not stopped expanding its borders since then.The fungus affects the feet because you wear leather shoes of different quality.There are many types of diseases.Damage to toenails, the skin between toes, and feet is common.
Diseases caused by parasitic microorganisms are called mycosis or onychomycosis.Doctors believe that people with neglected feet are more susceptible to contracting them than others: with corns, cracked heels, calluses.Flaking or dry skin is also considered a major cause of foot infections.There are many varieties of mycosis, because in nature there are several hundred fungal pathogens that can parasitize the human body.The most common are: dermatophytes, yeasts and mold parasites.
Many people wonder how to recognize the fungus in the early stages, in the period when painful symptoms appear, and what to do to quickly make the insidious disease disappear.There are many answers to the question.
Symptoms of the disease
The medical name for foot fungus is mycosis.The causative agent is believed to be a parasitic virus called a fungus.It tries to settle in the cracks of the feet, between the toes, above and below 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 fungi.
The disease destroys keratin, which is responsible for the health of the nail.The skin has a layer of fat, improper metabolism and lack of balanced nutrition lead to skin disorders.The fungus enters and problems appear.Restoring the protective function of the skin requires time and a specific treatment system.
Mushroom shapes
Doctors have identified four forms of mycosis.
- Interdigital.The first most common type of disease.Its outbreaks are observed in summer.The higher the temperature, the greater the number of sick people registered by doctors.Cracks and sores that appear between your 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 underneath becomes covered with a crust that resembles 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's difficult to treat.
- Vesicular.The disorder covers the skin of the leg up to the ankle.Remember, clearly visible in the photo, erosion.Ulcers penetrate deep into the body and require treatment prescribed by specialists and strictly following the prescriptions and requirements of doctors.
- Cancelled.The skin of the foot resembles a surface sprinkled with flour.The cracks are almost invisible.This shape is difficult to see in time.Only careful attention to the condition of the legs and the desire to maintain their healthy appearance lead to the timely start 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, after studying the signs and differences of each type.
- The fungal infection does not appear on both legs at the same time.First it can be found on one leg, then on the other.The first symptoms are itching and scaling.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 the fingers.Gradually, the nail fungus begins to spread down the leg, the first thing it affects is the nails.At first you may notice yellow streaks and spots, then your nails change shape and start to get thick.The layers of the nails increase.The nail crumbles and loses strength.
- Different types of diseases 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 to the nail, the plaque becomes light and peels off.The nail becomes unusually white.
- The feet become covered in 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 some kind of yeast.
- You can check for a type like rubromycosis by 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 most often in people who play sports, are bright and active.They visit swimming pools, wellness and sports centers and saunas.Someone else's shoes, standing barefoot on a surface that has not been treated after the previous visitor, leads to the appearance of nail fungus.The disease is contagious, it is transmitted from sick person to 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 achieve excellent results.Each family member has their own towel and slippers.Towels for the face and feet and constant change of bed linen prevent the appearance of an unpleasant parasite on the feet.Toenail fungus can be caused by injuries to the feet, especially 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);
- Increase 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, cosmetically 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, wipes, sponges.
- Use special products to reduce sweating of the feet.These can be powders, talc.
- If a sick person appears in the family, the others must take precautions.
- Wear comfortable, high-quality shoes.Avoids the appearance of calluses and lesions.
- Using foot creams.For dry skin - softening, for excessive sweating - refreshing.
- After washing the feet should be dried thoroughly
- Before visiting a bathhouse, swimming pool, sauna or those places where you will have to comb your hair barefoot or in open shoes, treat your feet with antifungal 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, caring for them.
- Don't try on other people's shoes.
A person suffering from this disease begins to experience a lot of discomfort.They are associated with changes in the appearance of nails, physical diseases and unpleasant sensations.It is not recommended to start the disease.Nail fungus does not stop, it begins to spread over a larger area and it is possible for the disease to penetrate inside the body.It is important to start treatment on time.It must be carried out competently and systematically.