Mycosis of the feet (ICD code 10 B35. 3) is a fungal infection of the skin of the legs caused by parasitic dermatophytes. It occurs in about 20% of adults. The infection occurs through microtrauma, scratches, abrasions, wounds. The development of the disease is favored by wet feet, diabetes mellitus, and weakened immunity.
Among people with endocrine disorders, immunodeficiency states, the prevalence reaches 50%. Most often, the disease progresses chronically with alternating periods of remission and exacerbations. In 40-50% of cases, mycosis of the feet causes onychomycosis or a fungal nail infection.
Where and why does the infection occur?
Mycosis of the feet is a contagious disease that is easily transmitted through direct contact with a carrier of the fungus or through household items. For example, through shoes, socks, a towel, manicure supplies, rubber mats in the shower. In 70 - 95% of cases, the causative agent of mycosis of the feet is Trichophyton red (Tr. Rubrum).
Generally, the infection occurs in public places with high humidity, where there are favorable conditions for the reproduction and spread of the pathogen. Such places include swimming pools, public showers, saunas, water parks, gym locker rooms. If a person infected with a fungus walks barefoot on the floor or covers himself in the shower, infectious particles will be left behind. And if later a healthy person enters this place barefoot, the pathogen will fall on her skin. In this case, the fungus does not always manifest itself immediately and causes the characteristic symptoms of the disease. With strong immunity, the absence of health problems, a person remains simply a carrier of the infection, but at the same time does not get sick.
The risks of contracting fungi and the development of mycosis of the feet increase:
- damage to the integrity of the skin;
- violation of the blood supply to the extremities, in which the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues worsens, regeneration processes slow down, local immunity weakens;
- diabetes mellitus, high blood glucose levels create favorable conditions for the growth of the fungus, the progression of infection;
- excessive sweating;
- dry skin, leading to micro-cracks;
- old age;
- blood diseases;
- prolonged use of antibiotics, drugs that suppress immunity;
- vitamin deficiency;
- Wear shoes that are impervious to air and create a "greenhouse effect. "
Symptoms and types of the disease
Mycoses of the feet manifest in different ways, the type of pathogen and the severity of the injury affect thesymptom . The first signs of the disease appear in the folds between the toes, and from there they spread to the sole, lateral, back and nails.
The photo shows what mycosis feet look like.
When the nails become infected, thickening, loss of shine, clouding of the plate are noted. The nail acquires a yellow, gray tint, becomes brittle, crumbles.
The first clinical symptoms of mycosis of the feet include dryness, peeling of the skin and painless cracks in the folds between the toes. This form of the disease is called erased. Flaking and cracking at first does not cause pain, itching or discomfort. Only a doctor can notice the first unexpressed signs of a yeast infection. In addition to erasure, other clinical forms of mycosis of the feet are also distinguished, each of which has its own symptoms.
Scaly
In the scaly form of mycosis of the feet, there is scaling in the creases between the toes and on the sides. As a general rule, there are no signs of inflammation. Redness, nail damage, itching, thickening of the stratum corneum, which makes the skin shine, is possible. The papillary lines become more pronounced and the skin surface becomes dry and covered with lamellar scales. In this case, the patient does not feel itching or other unpleasant sensations.
Hyperkeratotic
Appears as a rash on the vaults. The surface of the elements of the rash is covered with grayish-white layered scales. There is a detachment of the epidermis, single vesicles. When fused with each other, the eruptions form large indistinct foci that spread throughout the plant, including the lateral and dorsal surfaces. Along with the flaking foci, there are areas of hyperkeratosis or thickening of the skin. They look like calluses with cracks on top. With a hyperkeratotic form of mycosis of the feet, the affected area is similar to the manifestations of psoriasis or eczema. A person is concerned about dryness, itching, and sometimes pain.
Intertriginous
The intertriginous form of mycosis of the feet is similar to the symptoms of diaper rash. Hence the name of lat. intertrigo - "diaper rash". Most often, the skin is affected in the intervals between the third and fourth, fourth and fifth fingers. It turns bright red, edematous. Crying wounds, deep and painful cracks form. Unlike diaper rash, the lesions in intertriginous mycosis are round with clear outlines, with a white outline separating along the edges of the epidermis. The person experiences itching, burning, pain.
Dyshidrotic
Dyshidrotic forms of mycosis of the feet are characterized by multiple vesicles with a thick apex, located mainly in the arches. The rash spreads to large areas of the soles, as well as the spaces between the fingers and the skin of the fingers. Merge to form large bubbles. Instead of the bursting bubble, wet erosion appears. With the growth of inflammation, the skin becomes red and swollen. At the stage of vesicle formation, the patient feels excruciating itching.
Diagnosis
If you suspect mycosis on the feet, you should see a dermatologist. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will examine the legs, ask what symptoms are bothering the person, how long ago and after they appeared. Take a scraping of the affected area for microscopic analysis, cultural investigation to identify a specific type of pathogen. Also, your doctor may order blood tests.
How to treat mycosis of the feet?
The mycologist or dermatologist deals with the treatment of mycosis of the skin of the feet. Taking into account the clinical form of the disease, the severity of the injury, the visible changes, the doctor will select an appropriate therapy.
Complications of a fungal infection in the legs can lead to a yeast infection in the hands. Mycosis of the feet sometimes leads to secondary bacterial infections, especially when there are oozing wounds on the skin.
External fungicidal agents (ointments, creams), tablets for oral administration are prescribed to combat the fungus. Only local therapy is effective for the mildest forms of mycosis of the feet. According to clinical guidelines, oral medications are prescribed in severe cases.
If necessary, the treatment is complemented with anti-inflammatory, drying, antiseptic, antiallergic drugs, agents that promote the regeneration of damaged tissues. If there are signs of a bacterial infection, antibiotic therapy is prescribed.
With onychomycosis, the areas infected with the fungus are cleaned with hardware. For further processing of nails, local antifungal agents are prescribed - varnish, cream or ointment.
The duration of the treatment is from two weeks to one month. If not only the skin is affected, but also the nails, the treatment is delayed. This is due to the fact that the nail grows slowly. To get rid of the infection, a completely healthy nail plate needs to grow back.
When the doctor's prescriptions are followed, mycosis can be treated successfully. But if, noticing an improvement, the patient stops taking drugs, this leads to a return of the infection, its transition to a chronic form. It is necessary to complete the full course, even if the symptoms of the disease have already disappeared.
Very important in the treatment of mycosis of the feet, foot care, personal hygiene, diet, selection of comfortable shoes that do not damage the affected areas.
What to do for prevention?
To avoid fungal infections of the feet and nails or reduce the risks of their development, the following recommendations will help:
- keep chronic diseases in which blood circulationin the lower part the limbs are damaged or the body's defenses are reduced;
- Wash your feet daily with soap and water, then dry them with a towel, especially the creases between the toes;
- ventilate your shoes and change your socks daily;
- Wear closed rubber slippers when visiting public showers, saunas, swimming pools, baths;
- in case of excessive sweating, use foot antiperspirants, shoe disinfectants, do not wear other people's shoes, socks, stockings;
- Do not use someone else's towel or cloth.
If you find even slight peeling of the skin on your legs or cracks between your toes, it is worth getting tested for fungus. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment will help avoid complications, extensive damage, discomfort, pain when walking, and a bacterial infection.