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 athlete's foot and nail fungus.
In fact, they cannot be called deadly.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 look aesthetically pleasing, 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.
Fungus on the skin of the legs: how it can manifest itself
The first signs of fungus that has "settled" on the feet can sometimes go unnoticed for a long time, especially if a person has a fairly strong immune system and the body tries to cope with the invading "stranger" on its own for a certain period of time.Signs of foot fungus include:
- skin redness, itching;
- blisters or blisters on the legs;
- cracked heels that take a long time to heal.
Most often, the first symptoms appear as follows: the skin between the toes begins to itch, pimples appear, the skin turns red.A person experiences intense itching that worsens at night.No creams or baths with medicinal herbs help to cope with the problem.I am worried about the severe peeling of the skin.
Sometimes the fungus "attacks" from the heels.In this case, cracks on the heels cannot be cured with folk remedies or pharmaceuticals.If you experience this problem, know that these are signs of a fungal infection and not just the result of scratching or mild inflammation after, for example, rubbing your feet with uncomfortable shoes.
Toenail fungus requires mandatory treatment.Not only does the carrier of the disease risk contracting an additional infection that can easily penetrate through the damaged skin, he also becomes a carrier of the disease.It is not unusual for the symptoms of foot fungus to be seen in literally all members of the family living together.
Signs of foot fungus should not be ignored.However, it is not always possible to recognize the disease yourself, especially when itching and other unpleasant manifestations are just beginning.Therefore, if suspicious symptoms appear, you should consult a dermatologist.He knows how to recognize foot fungus and what methods should be used to combat it.
How to recognize 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 pools or saunas.
There is another type of disease that, unfortunately, does not immediately attract the attention of the victim.It's nail fungus.
Sometimes foot fungus spreads to the nail plate and the skin and nail must be treated at the same time.But it happens that a person observes only damage to the nail, while the skin remains clean.How does nail fungus start?
After you decide to take a foot bath, you may notice a slight change in the color of the nail plate.Most often, at first, only 1 nail is affected - the one on the big toe.The nail looks yellowed and dull.Usually the color of the nail is pink, the plate is quite thin, but there is no increased brittleness or brittleness.If the fungus “visits” you, the nail:
- turns yellow (usually at the edges);
- significantly thickens;
- There are strange stains on the plate.
Carefully examine the adjacent fingers: are there similar changes there?How does fungus first appear?If there is no concomitant disease of the skin of the feet, only a cosmetic defect may remain for a long time: no itching or pain, no discomfort.In this case, a person does not pay attention to the symptoms, thinking that he simply damaged the nail by wearing, for example, too tight shoes.How do you know if it's a fungus?
You will not be able to determine the disease yourself with 100% accuracy.In addition, 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 research.The nail plate will be scraped - this is the only way to determine the presence of a pathogenic fungus.
Signs of foot fungus are a gradual worsening of the situation: without treatment, the affected nail begins to change more and more.The yellowing covers larger and larger areas.Then you may see:
- inflammation of the skin near the nail;
- further color change - to greenish, gray, even black;
- increased fragility and brittleness.
Although the nail becomes very thick and difficult to trim with scissors, it crumbles.Small pieces may break off.
If you continue to pretend that nothing is happening, the fungus can "move" to the neighboring fingers.In addition, the appearance of sharp edges as a result of periodically breaking off pieces of the nail leads to a complication called "ingrown nail".The sharp edge cuts into and gradually grows into the skin roll on the side, causing a person to suffer when walking.The skin becomes red and inflamed.
Over time, toenails become thicker and change color.A person experiences significant 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 if you have recently been in a sauna or bath.The fungus "loves" a warm, moist environment - it is very convenient to breed there.
Maybe you tried on shoes at a non-branded store, or not so long ago a friend gave you her sandals that she wore but then bought new ones?Or do you often exchange slippers at home with members of your household?
Any of these cases can cause an infection.A microscopic crack or wound is enough for fungal spores to penetrate the skin or nail.At the same time, the one who "gave" you the disease may not even suspect that he is its carrier: if he has a strong immune system, the fungus will not bother him.
If you think you have a yeast infection, the first thing you should do is see a dermatologist.You should not self-medicate: firstly, there are different pathogens that are sensitive to different drugs.Secondly, maybe this is not a fungus at all, but another disease.In both cases, self-medication may either not bring results, or "drive" 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 appear as a result of wearing tight shoes that cause deformation of the nail, can be confused with fungus.Another cause of changes that are not related to a fungal infection is the disease of the veins, which leads to a deterioration of the blood supply.As a result, the nail becomes brittle, the color changes, and the person, thinking that he has become infected, begins intensive treatment with gels and varnishes.Naturally, such a "treatment" will be ineffective.
What to do if you suspect fungus
If suspicious symptoms appear, you should not run to the pharmacy for medicines, but visit a doctor and be examined.Until the causes are established, it is necessary to be careful not to become a source of infection for others: refuse to visit the pool or sauna and do not wear other people's shoes.
If a pathogenic fungus is diagnosed, you will need 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 nail plates, it can take up to a year.If the disease is advanced enough, it may be necessary to take antifungal drugs internally along with external remedies.
Be careful with yourself: any disease is easiest to treat in the initial stage.This also applies to fungal infections.Stay healthy!