One of the most common problems that almost everyone has encountered is toe fungus. Such prevalence of the disease is due to the fact that you can get infected anywhere, regularly visiting the gym, swimming pool, or walking barefoot on the ground or grass. In this case, it does not matter at all whether a person adheres to the rules of personal hygiene or not.
Like other diseases, this infection requires proper and timely treatment. If you ignore this recommendation, the disease will progress, the symptoms will begin to appear more intense, and the skin will become thin and covered in small but painful cracks.
What is a fungus and how does infection occur?
Toe fungus or mycosis is an infectious disease. These skin lesions are also called dermatomycosis. Altogether, there are a large number of bacteria in nature, but not all of them can cause human health problems. Mycosis is one of the most common diseases and ranks second after purulent pathologies, that is, boils, streptoderma, anthrax and staphyloderma.
As for the groups of fungi that affect the skin of the legs, they are divided into 3 groups, namely:
- CandidaIt belongs to the group of yeast-like fungi.
- Zooanthropophile. Infection can occur from both an animal and a person.
- Anthropophilic. In this case, you can only get infected from other people.
How does the fungus manifest itself on the toes?
The first symptoms of toenail fungus have vague characteristics, making it very difficult to recognize the disease from the first days of infection. Sometimes people don't go to the doctor right away, not because they don't want to, but because they don't understand where they are. In order not to get into such situations, doctors always recommend, even with the smallest symptoms, to seek help. In this case, the patient will get rid of the problem as soon as possible.
The main signs of a toe infection are:
- spots of a yellowish tint and seals on the skin;
- increased sweating;
- the spaces between the fingers begin to hurt and itch;
- Blemishes and exfoliation of the skin appear at the sites of infection.
The intensity of symptoms may also depend on the form of the disease, scaly or intertriga. In the second case, the person will suffer swelling of the legs, redness and constant humidity in the places affected by the infection. This shape is characterized by the location between the last 4 fingers.
With a scaly form of pathology, white crusts appear on the legs, peeling and increased drawing of skin lines. In the first days after infection, the patient feels burning and itching. If left untreated, the symptoms will be complemented by an unusual glow of the skin on the legs and peeling of small gray or white scales.
How to treat toe fungus?
Today, the patient can choose a variety of drugs that are equally effective in fighting the fungus between the toes. To get rid of the disease as quickly as possible, doctors recommend using complex therapy, which includes the following measures:
- Taking pills.
- The use of immunostimulants and vitamin complexes.
- Gels and creams.
Note!Almost all drugs are very effective, but this does not mean that the treatment period is short. Depending on the state of the body's protective functions, the patient will have to fight the fungus for at least 1 month.
Effective drugs for the treatment of toe fungus.
Foot fungus is usually treated with varnishes, gels, or tablets. The most suitable drug will be selected by a specialist.
How are toe fungus treated with home remedies?
Along with the drug treatment of the fungus on the toes, experts recommend using an alternative therapy, but when using any remedy, you should consult a doctor. This will prevent allergies and other adverse reactions.
Traditional healers are advised to pay attention to the following methods:
- Using apple cider vinegar. This is necessary for the "acidification" of the body. Regardless of food intake, vinegar is dissolved in a glass of water and drunk once a day.
- Foot baths. In this case, it is worth pouring 9 percent vinegar into the container in such an amount that it covers the foot. The liquid should be slightly warm. The procedure takes no more than 15 minutes.
- Vinegar and vegetable oil. From these two components for the treatment of foot fungus, it is necessary to prepare an ointment, in a ratio of 1 to 1. Cover the affected areas overnight. To improve the effect on the leg, it is worth wearing a sock.
Effects of fungal infections on the toes.
If you do not deal with the treatment of fungus on the legs, this can lead to the following deviations:
- when the fungus remains on the fingers for a long period, it can cause increased sensitivity to other types of fungi and also affect the development of bronchial asthma, allergic dermatitis or other skin diseases;
- thumb mycosis can affect the development of diabetes mellitus or gangrene;
- If left untreated, the infection can spread throughout the body and affect internal organs, in which case the patient will have to undergo prolonged and more complex therapy. It does not matter if it is fungus on the little finger or the other.
How to avoid mycosis reinfection after treatment?
To prevent toe fungus from reappearing, you must adhere to all precautionary rules, including the following:
- Use of rubber slippers when visiting the pool or public shower.
- Compliance with personal hygiene.
- Taking vitamin complexes to enhance the protective functions of the body.
- The feet should be washed every day before going to bed.
- You cannot wear someone else's shoes.
- Good nutrition and active lifestyle.
- In special cases, it is advisable to have removable and looser shoes.
- Do not use other people's hygiene items and do not give yours to anyone.
- Don't wear dirty socks.
- For preventive purposes, use foot baths.
Antifungal shoe treatment.
A special product can be used to treat footwear against toe skin fungus. It will not only help clear the infection, but it will also remove the unpleasant odor and remove yeast and dermatitis from your shoes.
After the infection is cured, the shoes can be treated with an antiseptic. You can buy it in a pharmacy, the tool will allow you to clean the shoes not only from fungus, but also from other bacteria, which pose a danger to human health.