How to identify foot fungus

There are a number of dermatological diseases called fungus. The general name for such an infection is "mycoses". If we are talking about diseases of the skin of the legs, these are dermatomycosis. If the nail plate is affected, the doctor makes a diagnosis of "onychomycosis. "This is one of the most common pathologies in humans.

Dermatologists distinguish several types of fungal infections in humans:

• anthropophiles;
• zooanthropophiles;
• candida.

The first cause infections in humans, the second - in humans and animals, and the third - yeast-like.

Causes of fungal pathologies

Fungal spores are found in large quantities in the soil, on surfaces, and in common areas. We go home on public transport, go to the swing with our children, buy groceries at the supermarket, work with people in the same room, and communicate with pets. Why do some people get sick and others not?

There are groups of the population that are more susceptible to fungal diseases than others. Let's look at them in more detail:

1. Persons with reduced immunity.When the body is weakened by surgery or a serious illness, it is less resistant to various infections, including fungal ones.
2. Children and elderly people.Both groups are prone to pathologies due to age-related characteristics. A young body is not yet strong enough, and older people already have a large number of chronic diseases that weaken the body.
3. Persons with metabolic diseasescaused by disorders of the thyroid, pancreas, pituitary gland and circulatory and lymphatic systems.
4. Workers in hazardous industries involving high temperatures.In such an environment, conditions are created for the development and spread of foot fungus.
5. Lovers of gyms, saunas, swimming pools.In themselves, these activities are very useful, but failure to comply with basic sanitary and hygienic standards regarding the disinfection of these premises leads to the emergence of a problem such as fungus.

Doctors distinguish the following types of fungal diseases of the feet: athlete's foot, trichophytosis and candidiasis. It is believed that men are most often affected by fungi, although this is a controversial statement. They are less scrupulous about their health, so the disease is advanced.

Main signs of diseases

Visually determining the presence of fungus on the feet is not at all difficult. If you notice redness, your leg begins to itch severely, even painfully, blisters appear that burst, the skin peels off, and an unpleasant odor appears, then most likely you have contracted a fungal infection.

This could happen if you stepped barefoot on sports equipment, the floor of a fitness club, or caught an infection from a pet. After all, there are fungi that are transmitted from animals to their owners. Taking a shower after a shift at a factory can also reward you with this nuisance. Using other people's toiletries - soap, towels, washcloths is not only unhygienic, but also dangerous.

The disease can begin with the skin, and later the nails and the area between the fingers are affected. This is a very serious cosmetic defect. Irregularities in the nail plate form. It begins to crumble, change color, and may disappear altogether. The nail bed becomes inflamed. This is not only a cosmetic defect, it is a pathology that brings physical suffering. It even becomes painful for a person to walk.

How to identify foot fungus

In order to say exactly what type of dermatomycosis is present, to clarify whether it is really a fungus or a callus, abrasion or corns, you need to visit a dermatologist. To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor performs a visual examination and prescribes laboratory diagnostics: skin and nail samples are taken. This allows you to clarify which type of fungus has been detected. Only then is appropriate therapy prescribed. Each type is treated differently.

You can identify the fungus yourself using potassium permanganate. This is done like this: dilute a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Place the limb in a bowl of solution and observe. Good, healthy nails darken, but infected nails remain the same color.

Treatment is usually conservative, at home. It consists of the following mandatory points:

• Taking drugs orallyto destroy fungal spores carried by blood and lymph.
• Local treatment.The use of ointments, creams, special liquids to eliminate dermatological manifestations of the fungus. Manipulations are carried out after pedicure and cutting of affected nails.
• Sanitary and hygienic measures.They consist of disinfecting clothes and shoes. This destroys the spores of the infection.

Fungi are complex, recurrent infections, so therapy must be effective. After a certain time, from two weeks to a month, with careful adherence to the recommendations, recovery occurs.