Even an avid mushroom picker will not be happy to find a fungus on his feet. This is understandable: often, without causing any discomfort, the disease disfigures the feet and nails, and going to the beach or simply wearing open shoes turns into forbidden fruit.
And if itching and painful sensations arise, if it is difficult to walk, it becomes no joke at all. Moreover: when actively multiplying, fungi release toxic substances into the blood that have a detrimental effect on human health and can cause severe allergic reactions, including Quincke's edema.
Therefore, mycosis (that is the name of this disease) must be treated, and it is better to do this at the initial stage, before microscopic fungi turn your feet into "real estate. "
Mycelium on legs: how to recognize it?
The disease affects both the skin of the feet and nails. Depending on the type of fungus that attacked your feet, symptoms may vary:
- Redness appears on the skin of the foot, which then increases in area and begins to peel and flake off. Usually the disease develops on one leg, but if left untreated, it spreads to the other.
- Small bubbles with a diameter of 2 to 8 millimeters appear on the arch of the foot, which gradually increase in size, merge together, and eventually burst, leading to erosion. The affected skin is itchy, and the fungus can spread to the bottom or top of the foot. Sometimes a bacterial infection is added to the fungal infection, and then the contents of the blisters become purulent, the patient complains of severe pain and general malaise.
- The fungus "settles" between the toes, which leads to the formation of painful cracks that increase in size over time. It is difficult for the patient to step on his foot; he feels severe pain. Erosion, ulcers and swelling may develop. In advanced cases, the patient’s body temperature rises and the condition worsens.
- The fungus affects the nails, which leads to their deformation, thickening or thinning, brittleness, discoloration, and ingrowth into the skin. If mycosis is not treated for a long time, then your nails may not return to their original appearance, depriving you of the opportunity to flaunt a pedicure for the rest of your life.
Often, several types of fungi can be found on the foot at once, and therefore the symptoms of the disease are combined.
What to do with fungus? And what not to do?
Usually, when a person feels itching or sees redness of the skin, he himself understands that he has contracted mycosis. But not everyone makes the right decision and consults a doctor. To this day, they are trying to treat the fungus with folk remedies, but it is very likely that this will not only have little benefit, but will even cause harm.
What will the doctor do? He will determine what type of fungus has affected you and prescribe medications appropriate for this case. Trying to cope with the misfortune at home according to your grandmother’s recommendation, you can easily waste precious time and bring your feet to a sad state.
Mycosis is also dangerous because it can accompany a person for many years, periodically subsiding and instilling false hope that the feet have gotten rid of the fungus. However, after some time, the disease will again manifest its character, the body will continue to become infected with waste products of fungi, and the legs will take on an increasingly unpleasant appearance.
How can you become infected with a fungus?
This disease is transmitted from person to person.
Most susceptible to mycosis:
- people with reduced immunity;
- those with damaged areas of the skin of the feet (after an unsuccessful pedicure, injuries or excessive effort during hygiene procedures);
- wearing wet socks or shoes (especially in hot weather or when wearing winter shoes in a warm room);
- not taking foot and nail hygiene seriously.
All these factors provide a suitable environment for the development of fungus.
How does mycosis "attack" a person?
- Through soil or floor coverings that a person with fungus has passed through. Therefore, you should not walk barefoot in unfamiliar places and even at home. Sun-warmed beach sand or pebbles are practically safe, and sea water is an excellent means of preventing mycosis.
- Swimming pools, saunas, showers in public places and hotels are very dangerous in terms of infection. Don't forget to take special shoes with you.
- Don't wear shoes that have been previously owned by another owner: it doesn't matter whether you want to buy them at a second-hand store or just try on a friend's shoes and evaluate how they look on you.
- Do not use other people's hygiene items - washcloths, towels, etc. Carefully examine disposable hotel slippers to make sure you get a completely new pair.
Fungal spores can remain viable for several years, and therefore you can never be sure that the surface you decide to walk on or someone else's shoes is safe.
No fungus: we treat mycosis
Specialists at a professional clinic will conduct a series of studies that will identify the type of fungus that has affected your feet and develop a course of treatment.
You will be offered drug treatment with modern antifungal drugs, and you must follow the dosage and duration of taking the prescribed drugs. Do not interrupt the course if it seems to you that mycosis has been defeated - it is likely that it has only receded for a while.
As an additional remedy, the doctor will recommend an ointment or cream for external use. There are special varnishes for treating nails. If you follow all the recommendations, the fungus will go away forever.
It is also necessary to take into account the contagiousness of mycosis. During treatment, you need to protect your family and friends from infection. For this:
- Wash your feet using products recommended by your doctor. After hygiene procedures, thoroughly clean the bathtub.
- Walk around the house in closed slippers.
- Wash your clothes separately, treat your shoes with antifungal agents, and change your socks several times a day to prevent your feet from sweating.
- Ventilate the apartment every day and do wet cleaning.
- After completing treatment, throw away the shoes, socks, towels, and washcloths that you used during your illness.
Prevention: and no mycosis!
Mycosis is an unpleasant disease that can be completely avoided. Just follow a number of simple rules:
- washing your feet thoroughly and regularly, but without excessive effort (so as not to damage the skin and nails);
- shoes - only your own;
- pedicure - exclusively with your own tools or in a salon that complies with all regulations and rules;
- wet or sweaty feet are your enemy, immediately change into dry shoes;
- socks - only clean ones;
- walking barefoot is excluded everywhere except the sea coast;
- Monitor your health and adherence to your daily routine - the fungus is dangerous for a weakened body.
For those who take care of their feet, even the contact of fungal spores with the skin does not lead to any consequences: the "parasite" simply cannot develop in unsuitable conditions.
What to do if mycosis does develop on your feet? Without wasting time, make an appointment with a dermatologist at a professional clinic, and then very soon you will regain your former lightness of gait.