The intolerable itching and redness of the skin between the toes, cutting pains when walking are the first symptoms of the most common dermatological problem: fungal skin lesions. Germinating through the delicate epithelium of the skin, the mycelium of the fungus gradually "spreads" over the entire plantar surface of the legs, causing unsightly wet and scaly patches, painful cracks and nail deformation.
Malignant fungi and related factors
The causative agent of the disease is dermatomycete fungi, among which the genus Trichophyton is considered the most common. They live almost everywhere: in swimming pools and beaches, in people's shoes and in animal hair, but the disease is not always caused. An important factor is the creation of an infection gate through which the dermatomycete can penetrate to a sufficient depth.
The fungus between the toes appears when the barrier functions of the skin are weakened:
- When closed and tight shoes are worn. This is especially true for the hot season, when the sweat released creates the conditions for the maceration of the skin to become the abode of many microorganisms.
- Abrasions and scratches are doors ready for fungus entry. If you have them, you shouldn't risk trying on someone else's shoes barefoot, walking barefoot in the pool, sauna, and steam room.
- An effective remedy for foot fungus between the toes should be sought by lovers of cheap pedicures in dubious salons. The procedure itself involves cutting the cuticles and rubbing the skin, and non-sterile instruments can be "enriched" with fungus.
Fungus between the toes: symptoms and complications
The appearance of the fungus on the legs between the toes cannot be unequivocally described, since the disease has several forms, each of which is characterized by special manifestations:
- Dyshidrotic foot fungus is characterized by three stages: redness, formation of bubbles with liquid and drying crusts, peeling. As a general rule, all three phases coexist in the same areas of the skin. The insidiousness of the dyshidrotic form of dermatomycosis lies in its great similarity to eczema. For an accurate diagnosis, a laboratory smear test is required.
- The scaly form is characterized by severe redness and peeling of the skin.
- The squamous-hyperkeratotic lesion causes severe itching and burning, the seals and scaling scales appear a little later.
- With the intertriginous form, the manifestations are so typical that you do not even have to look at what the fungus between the toes looks like in the photo: severe itching, burning is accompanied by painful peeling and cracking, and rather large foci. of epidermal exfoliation appear often.
- Intertriginous and dysridrotic forms of dermatomycosis require caution and delicate treatment methods, because secondary microflora can easily penetrate into suppurating foci and cracks, which will lead to the appearance of abscesses. Despite the chronic course, they have pronounced inflammatory processes, which requires the use of emollient ointments and anti-inflammatory baths.
Drug treatment
In the arsenal of modern medicine, there are various drugs for the treatment of fungus between the toes. Among them are both topical ointments and tablets that destroy the fungus from the inside. As a rule, a specialist selects a drug based on an analysis of the degree of development of the disease, its form and coverage. Systemic pill therapy is used only in advanced cases, when the skin of the entire foot is involved in the process and characteristic changes are found in the nail plates.
Antifungal ointments have been divided for several generations. But, it should be understood that even the most effective remedy for the fungus between the toes does not guarantee elimination if you neglect the rules of personal hygiene and a number of precautions.
Throughout the treatment, a gentle pedicure should be performed at least once a week. Subsequently, the frequency can be reduced to once every two weeks.
Since the fungus can survive on socks and shoes, they also need to be treated. To do this, use liquids that contain chlorine, such as bleach.
If you are thinking about how to get rid of fungus between your toes, remember to change your socks every day. For two or three days in a row, the use of clothing already retains traces of sweat, in which the parasites live and multiply.
Only a combination of a course of therapy selected by a specialist and careful observance of all hygiene rules can guarantee a speedy recovery from the disease.
Treatment of the fungus between the toes with folk remedies.
Traditional medicine has compiled many recipes to combat fungi, including both kitchen cabinet products and very exotic herbs and medicines. The most accessible among them are:
- Iodine, daily lubrication of lesions with which visible results are obtained in a week.
- Hydrogen peroxide, which gained popularity thanks to the works of a famous doctor. Its ability to destroy the cell membranes of the fungus and form a film on the damaged skin surface ensures rapid relief from the disease.
If you have spent a lot of funds and are thinking about how to treat the fungus between the toes, you should also try the effect of vinegar. Despite the fact that the fungus lives in a slightly acidic environment, it does not tolerate an increase in pH. Lubrication of the affected areas with a solution of 9% vinegar and water in a ratio of 1: 8 gives positive results in 2-3 weeks.
The most popular remedies of folk medicine, onion and garlic, also have an antifungal effect. The porridge prepared from them is mixed with petroleum jelly in a 1: 1 ratio and applied to the affected skin before going to bed.
You have not decided how to treat the fungus on the feet between the toes, do not forget about its destruction in shoes and personal hygiene items. This is what guarantees the absence of relapses in the very near future.