Foot fungus is a skin fungus, or one of the types of mycosis - dermatomycosis, a fungal infection of the skin, foot and nail plates. Mycoses are a fairly common disease that is caused by different types of fungi and can affect different parts of the human body. Mycoses of the skin of the hands, head, body, as well as damage to the mucous membranes and internal organs may also be observed. Damage to internal organs is considered one of the most dangerous types of these diseases, as it has a fairly high probability of death. Fungal skin diseases usually develop under the influence of external factors and can be observed in men and women, as well as in children, adolescents and the elderly.
Medical diagnostic is a clinic where they help in the treatment of many health problems, including dermatological ones. Treatment of mycosis of smooth skin is largely determined by an individual approach and a complex effect on the causative agent of the disease. When selecting a treatment regimen for a patient, the Energo clinic takes into account both the specific course of the disease and the characteristics of the general condition of the patient’s body.
What is mycosis of the feet
Mycosis of the foot is a group of fungal skin diseases, often with simultaneous damage to the nails. These infections cause similar clinical manifestations. They can only be distinguished after a microscopic examination of the skin and nails. Mycosis of the feet is a highly contagious disease. It is transmitted from person to person through household items: rugs in locker rooms, showers and swimming pools, footstools, basins and flooring in baths and saunas. Sharing shoes and socks is dangerous. The surface layer of the skin, which is constantly peeling off, contains a lot of fungi and their spores. Initially, the interdigital folds are affected and skin itching occurs. Subsequently, the infection takes over the entire foot and spreads to the nails. The course of the disease is long-term and requires constant treatment. To prevent mycosis of the foot, in our online store you can buy an effective prophylactic product - Mycospray.
Infection with dermatomycosis
This infectious disease is quite common. If you identify and begin to eliminate the disease in a timely manner, and follow all the doctor’s recommendations, then such effective therapy will give positive results. However, it may also happen that when the disease is advanced, its chronic form develops.
Infection with dermatomycosis occurs through direct contact with a sick person, or through contaminated objects. Such objects may include towels, shoes, and carpets. Some types of fungus live on damp surfaces, such as the floor of a locker room, bathhouse, or shower. The fungus can be contracted from pets suffering from ringworm (ringworm).
The causative agent of the disease is a fungus of the genera Microsporum, Trichophyton, Achorion.
Causes of mycosis of the feet
The cause of the disease is microorganisms of the genus Trichophyton, less commonly mold fungi and Epidermophyton floccosum:
- red trichophyton (Tr. Rubrum) causes up to 95% of all cases of the disease;
- approximately a third of patients also have interdigital trichophyton (Tr. Interdigitale);
- inguinal epidermophyton (E. floccosum) causes the disease in 1% of cases.
The likelihood of infection increases in unfavorable external conditions:
- high humidity;
- tight shoes;
- frequent visits to swimming pools, saunas and other wet areas;
- presence of a sick person in the family.
Some internal diseases also contribute to the development of fungal infections:
- sweaty feet;
- immunodeficiency;
- taking corticosteroid hormones orally;
- flat feet;
- Raynaud's disease, atherosclerosis of peripheral arteries, obliterating endarteritis, varicose veins;
- diabetes.
What happens during the disease
Mycosis of the feet rarely develops on healthy skin. Even if the fungus gets to the surface, it will not be able to penetrate the thick layer of intact epithelium. Under the influence of unfavorable external factors, the epidermis accumulates moisture and loosens. Fungi penetrate into the thickness of the skin and begin to actively multiply. This is further facilitated by vascular diseases and immune disorders, which are accompanied by impaired nutrition and local protective mechanisms on the feet. The proliferation of fungi causes damage to the interdigital areas, intense peeling and discomfort. The rejected epithelium ends up in socks and shoes, becoming a source of re-infection. Therefore, during the treatment of mycosis, it is necessary to treat the inner surface of the shoe with Mycospray.
Diagnosis of ringworm
Very often, skin diseases have similar symptoms, but require different treatment. For this reason, the correct diagnosis can only be made by a specialist by taking a sample of the infected nail or skin for culture (culture) or microscopic examination. Culture can determine the type of fungus, but the process takes some time because the fungus develops slowly.
So, the diagnosis is established on the basis of clinical and epidemiological information, including the results of laboratory examinations. In laboratory examinations, the material used is hair, skin scrapings, scales and crusts from peripheral or infected areas that have not been treated.
During microscopic examination, the pathological material is placed in a Petri dish or on a watch glass and filled with a 10 percent sodium hydroxide solution, after which it is placed in a thermostat for 15-20 minutes or slightly warmed up and split with dissecting needles. The required volume of material is applied to a glass slide in a drop of glycerol (50%), covered with a glass slide and examined under a microscope.
Microscopic examination reveals Trichophyton fungi in the form of straight mycelial hyphae with septa. The spores are oval, round, unicellular, located at the base in chains or clutches.
Microsporum fungi are single-celled round spores located randomly on the surface of the hair or inside it.
Achorion mushrooms, in the form of thin mycelium, consist of rectangular cells with two contours. The spores are multifaceted or round, arranged in groups or chains.
In the differential diagnosis of dermatomycosis, the luminescent method is widely used. If necessary, inoculations are made from the original raw material onto agar.
Symptoms
Conventionally, the following forms of mycosis of the feet are distinguished, which are presented in the photo:
- Squamous: unilateral peeling and mild itching in the arch of the foot. This form often goes unrecognized.
- Intertriginous: the folds between the toes are affected, then the process moves to the back of the foot. Weeping cracks appear, accompanied by itching. A bacterial infection may accompany the development of erysipelas.
- Dyshidrotic: on the arch of the foot, vesicles with light and then cloudy contents form, merging with each other. They open with the formation of painful erosions. This type is accompanied by itching and pain.
Mycosis of the skin of the foot in the acute period can be accompanied by fever, poor health, headache, and enlarged inguinal lymph nodes. When infected with trichophyton, the nail of the 1st or 5th finger is affected, and subsequently the process spreads to all nail plates. First, yellow spots appear at the free edge of the nail, then it thickens, loosens and crumbles. Therefore, to treat foot fungus, you need to use complex action products, for example, Clotrimazole lotion for skin and nails.
Treatment of mycosis of the feet
Therapy is carried out in 2 stages. First, it is necessary to eliminate acute inflammation and remove horny deposits on the feet. Warm foot baths with potassium permanganate and lotions with a solution of boric acid are shown. After removing the dense epithelium, creams containing anti-inflammatory hormones and antibiotics are used. After the inflammation subsides, these creams are replaced with similar ointments. At the second stage of treatment, antifungal ointments and creams (for example, Clotrimazole) are used. They should be applied to clean, dry skin 1 – 2 times a day, lightly rubbing. Not only the affected area is treated, but also the surrounding surface of the foot. The course of treatment takes about a month. Mycosis of the foot is successfully treated with the drug Clotrimazole lotion for skin and nails, which is offered in our online store for residents of Moscow and all regions. Its advantages:
- high activity against the fungus that causes mycosis of the feet;
- safety;
- hypoallergenic;
- affordable price.
Clotrimazole lotion can be used to treat other skin diseases:
- pityriasis versicolor;
- skin candidiasis;
- erythrasma;
- secondary bacterial infection against the background of mycosis.
The medicine is used 2 times a day, gently rubbing it into the affected areas. The skin must first be washed with soap and dried well, especially between the fingers. The course of treatment lasts until the symptoms of the disease disappear and for another 2 weeks. The drug is well tolerated. Only occasionally does it cause skin irritation. It has the only contraindication – the first trimester of pregnancy. Of course, clotrimazole is not used if you are hypersensitive to it. One of the advantages of clotrimazole lotion is the excellent penetration of the drug into the nail plates, which distinguishes it from cream or ointment. Regular use of this drug provides excellent results for mycosis of the feet and nails without the use of additional agents. Nail damage requires oral antifungal medications:
- itraconazole;
- fluconazole;
- griseofulvin;
- terbinafine
At the same time, medicinal varnishes are used, which are applied to the nails 1 – 2 times a week until complete healing.
How can mycetoma be cured?
Is it possible to do without surgery? It is impossible to get rid of fungus in the maxillary sinus without surgical intervention, I will say this right away. No pills, no drops of “dancing with a tambourine” and everything else will give the desired therapeutic effect. First of all, it is necessary to surgically remove the fungal body, remove this mycelium, remove all the fungus from the maxillary sinus.
This can be done either through a nasal surgical approach or an intraoral approach.
How to remove fungus from the maxillary sinus
With intraoral access, a perforation is made in the vestibular wall of the maxillary sinus - access, and evacuation occurs through this hole, i.e. removal of the fungal body, mushroom mycelium. Then the maxillary sinus is well washed, treated with antifungal and antimicrobial drugs and sutured. Subsequently, the patient is prescribed antifungal therapy.
Surgical removal of mycetoma shows good results today, relapses are extremely rare.
Preventive methods
Treatment of a fungal infection takes a long time. Mycosis of the feet requires the use of drugs, the cost of which is quite high. Prevention of the disease is especially important in people with risk factors for the disease. Athletes, swimmers, and hot shop workers are recommended to regularly use antifungal and antibacterial drugs, for example, Mycospray. This product is safe, does not damage the skin and does not cause irritation. With its regular use, the likelihood of becoming infected with foot fungus is sharply reduced. Mycospray is useful for preventing re-infection. To do this, the drug must be sprayed monthly on the inner surface of the shoes. Mycospray is safe even with long-term use. It should be applied to dry, clean skin of the feet before each visit to the pool and other similar places. There are no contraindications to the use of this drug. It should be used with caution only by pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is necessary to eliminate the external causes of the disease:
- wear boots and shoes that fit;
- use high-quality sports shoes made from natural materials;
- wash your feet daily and treat your nails on time;
- fight sweaty feet;
- When visiting a bathhouse, swimming pool, or beach, it is better to use lightweight silicone or rubber slippers.
General strengthening of the immune system, treatment of diabetes and vascular diseases are necessary.
Prevention of ringworm
The best preventative measure is to keep the skin dry and clean. You must also adhere to the following simple rules:
- there is no need to immediately change into house shoes, allowing your feet to “breathe”;
- change your underwear and socks every day;
- dry your feet in the sports locker room or pool shower;
- no need to walk barefoot on beaches and public places;
- in hot weather, you should not wear tight clothes;
- You shouldn’t wear someone else’s or old shoes, you shouldn’t use other people’s things and give your things;
- Carefully inspect your pets' fur for the presence of lichen.
