Medical sources claim that almost one in five people have or have had a condition such as athlete's foot.This disease is known almost all over the planet.The disease appeared in the 19th century and has not stopped expanding its borders since then.Fungi affect the feet due to wearing leather shoes of different quality.There are many types of diseases.Damage to toenails, skin between toes and feet is common.
Diseases caused by parasitic microorganisms are called mycoses or onychomycoses.Doctors believe that people with neglected feet are more susceptible to infection with them than others: with calluses, cracked heels, calluses.Flaky or dry skin is also considered a major cause of foot infections.There are many varieties of mycoses, since in nature there are several hundred fungal pathogens that can parasitize the human body.The most common are: dermatophytes, yeast parasites and molds.
Many people wonder how to recognize the fungus in the first stages, in the period of the appearance of painful symptoms, and what to do to quickly disappear the insidious disease.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 legs, between the toes, on and under the nails.The disease is aided by sweat, by which it expands the halo of its development on the legs.Any damage to the skin is susceptible to fungus.
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 diseases.Fungi get inside and problems appear.Restoring the skin's protective function requires time and a specific treatment system.
Fungal forms
Doctors identify 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 patients registered by doctors.Cracks and sores that appear between the 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 leg below is covered with a crust resembling a callus.This is especially visible in the photo in the area of the heels, which are covered with cracks.Nails lose their normal appearance.They change color, shape and begin to grow irregularly.It is difficult to treat.
- Vesicular.The disorder involves the skin of the leg up to the ankle.It reminds, clearly visible in the photo, of erosion.Ulcers penetrate deep into the body and require treatment prescribed by specialists, strictly following the doctors' prescriptions and requirements.
- Deleted.The skin of the foot looks like a surface sprinkled with flour.The cracks are hardly noticeable.This form is difficult to see in time.Only careful attention to the condition of the feet and the desire to maintain their healthy appearance leads to timely initiation 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 picture, having studied the signs and differences of each type.
- The fungal infection does not appear on both feet at the same time.First it can be found on one leg, then on the other.The first symptoms are itching and peeling.On the skin, at the site of the infection, you can see or touch blisters.If treatment is not started on time, they will turn into erosion and change their appearance.An unpleasant crust will appear between your fingers.Gradually, nail fungus begins to spread to the foot, with the first thing that affects the nails.Initially, you may notice yellow streaks and spots, then the nails change shape and begin to grow thick.Nail layers increase.The nail crumbles and loses strength.
- Different types of diseases behave differently.There is a type of fungus (dermatophytes) that has no symptoms.And the disease immediately appears on the skin and nails.Urgent medical attention 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 passes from the surface to the nail, the plate becomes light and peels off.The nail becomes unusually white.
- The feet are covered with ulcers.They are small in size and yellow in color.The inflammation occurs in the place where the nail grows.The color becomes green, close to brown.The nail is quickly destroyed.These are signs of a type of yeast.
- You can check the presence of a species such as rubromycosis 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 very often in people who play sports, are bright and active.They visit swimming pools, health sports centers and saunas.Stranger's shoes, standing with bare feet on a surface that has not been treated since the previous visitor, lead to the appearance of nail fungus.The disease is infectious, it is transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person through contact with things or shoes.It is always recommended to wear your own shoes, even when visiting places where shoes are shared.Families where personal hygiene comes first have excellent results.Each family member has their own towel and slippers.Towels for the face and feet, as well as a constant change of bed linen will prevent the appearance of the 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;
- Permanent treatment with antibiotics;
- Improper blood circulation in the legs;
- Features of the structure of the limbs.
Signs of toenail fungus
- Change in structure;
- Color change (white, gray, yellow, green, brown);
- Increasing the thickness of the nail plate;
- Cracks in nails;
- unpleasant smell;
- The nail plate begins to crumble.
The parasitic microbe settles in the space between the nail and the base.The nail becomes taller than normal.The sore spot looks unpleasant, aesthetically unsightly, protrudes unnaturally and becomes large.
Preventive procedures
- Comprehensive cleaning of common areas.Bathrooms and toilets must be treated with disinfectants.Treat with products containing bleach, towels, sponges.
- Use special products to reduce foot sweating.These can be powders, talc.
- If a sick person appears in the family, the others must take precautions.
- Wear comfortable, high-quality shoes.Avoid the appearance of calluses and injuries.
- Use of foot creams.For dry skin - softening, for excessive sweating - refreshing.
- After washing, the feet should be dried well
- Before visiting a bath, pool, sauna or places where you will have to get a haircut barefoot or in open shoes, treat your feet with antifungal sprays.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, care for them.
- Don't try on other people's shoes.
A person suffering from this disease begins to experience many inconveniences.They are associated with changes in the appearance of the nails, physical ailments and unpleasant sensations.It is not recommended to start the disease.Fungi on the nails do not stand still, they begin to spread over a larger area, and it is possible for the disease to enter the body.It is important to start treatment on time.It must be done competently and systematically.