“How to cure foot fungus”, “how to quickly get rid of onychomycosis, foot fungus, gain eternal youth and defeat death.”These are all questions of the same level.Foot fungus cannot be cured quickly and reliably, especially with home methods.You still need a dermatologist.
Mycosis of the foot is a skin disease that is caused by the spread of parasitic fungi and is one of the most common ailments affecting human skin (photo).
The disease is quite difficult to treat and leads to complications, given the fact that it rarely begins on time.
Often, a person infected with a fungal infection does not pay attention to the symptoms and the bacteria manage to “settle” quite firmly on the skin.
Causes of foot fungus
The high prevalence of mycosis of the foot is explained by the fact that the disease is easily transmitted from person to person at the household contact level.
Pathogenic microorganisms “love” a moist and warm environment, which promotes the growth of fungi.
Swimming pools, gyms, baths and saunas - where a person can step barefoot on the floor - are among the first places where you can pick up fungus.
The use of household items and personal belongings of a person with mycosis of the foot (towels, washcloths) inevitably leads to infection.
The second reason for the spread of fungal infection and the formation of mycosis of the foot is non-compliance with personal hygiene rules and excessive sweating of the feet.
Rarely changing socks and putting them on wet feet also creates all the favorable conditions for the growth of fungus on the feet.
Symptoms of foot fungus
There are several forms of mycosis of the foot, the symptoms of which have distinctive characteristics.
Erased form of foot fungus
The symptoms of this form of mycosis of the foot are insignificant and this is the insidiousness of the skin disease.
Slight dryness and peeling of the dermis is accepted by humans as an absolutely normal physiological phenomenon.
While gaps that appear between the fingers are considered diaper rash, they are actually symptoms of exposure to a fungus.
Squamous-hyperkeratic form of foot fungus
The most common form of athlete's foot among the population over 60 years of age is moccasin foot.
It is called so because of the obvious visible signs that appear on the surface of the foot:
- thickened, rough skin over the entire surface;
- cracks, calluses (hyperkeratosis);
- attachment of nail plate lesions;
- color dirty gray, with yellowish tint;
- unpleasant odor;
- separation of the stratum corneum, scales;
- pain when walking and inability to wear shoes.
Vesicular form of foot fungus
Mycoses of the foot, with symptoms in the form of blistering formations with a thick horny coating, are called the wet form of a fungal infection.
The blisters that appear eventually open and become similar to eczema, ulcers, and psoriasis.
In general, athlete's foot manifests itself in different ways.
The disease can begin with cracks in the heels, the formation of blisters that burst and itch, severe diaper rash or roughening of the skin.
Peeling of the skin, when it peels off in large or small flakes from the foot, should not go unnoticed.
An unpleasant odor also appears, the feet quickly sweat, and after being in the shoes, the foot “burns” and itches.
Complications that arise due to a careless attitude to the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves in the form of erosions and painful wounds on the legs, which sometimes cannot be completely healed.
Treatment of foot fungus
New generation antimiotics are used to treat mycosis of the foot.They are not so harmful to the liver and are noticeably effective.
However, the fungus is also insidious in that it quickly develops resistance to various types of drugs, thereby causing relapses.
To cure a fungal infection of the foot, it is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis, identifying which type of mycosis has spread across the skin.To do this, scrape for fungus.
Complex treatment, with a precise regimen of medications, both local and systemic, should be determined only by a specialist, since self-medication leads to aggravation of the problem.
And the third point of successful treatment is the patient’s strict discipline in taking medications, following a diet and taking preventive measures.
Several treatment regimens for mycosis of the foot are used - combination and monotherapy.
And if one drug is selected for monotherapy, it is often for external use.
The combined scheme involves several areas of treatment at once:
- external agents;
- tablets for internal use;
- laser exposure;
- hardware pedicure.
External remedies for foot fungus
The most effective substance that can influence the fungus is a substance that destroys both mold and yeast-like fungi, and can fight dermatophytes and infections of non-fungal origin, which are often associated with mycosis of the foot.
This substance can be presented in various forms - spray, cream or gel, solution, etc.
The products operate on the principle of forming a protective film that can remain on the surface of the skin for up to 72 hours.
External preparations are applied in the amount prescribed by the doctor, but often the procedure is performed 1-2 times a day for 2 to 4 weeks, then the treatment continues, but according to a different scheme.
Before applying ointment or cream, clean the foot.
They do wraps with salicylic acid to get rid of the stratum corneum, soap and soda baths, and use Vaseline-based ointment to soften and remove dead tissue.
Such procedures are carried out in special rooms for therapeutic pedicure, using grinding attachments.
Before treating wet type mycosis of the foot, you should dry the ulcers and blisters with boric acid, brilliant green or iodine.
To prevent the spread of fungus to the nail plates, special varnishes against onychomycosis are prescribed.
But the vesicular form of mycosis will require corticosteroids to be added to the treatment regimen.
How to cure foot fungus - systemic therapy
Taking antimycotics orally is not indicated for all patients with mycosis of the foot.
The drugs are quite toxic, so they are not prescribed to pregnant and lactating women, young children, the elderly, and those with impaired liver function.
According to the instructions included with the drug or according to the regimen prescribed by the doctor, tablet forms of antimycotics are taken.
Recently, drugs that get rid of foot and nail fungus in 1 course have proven themselves well, relieve itching, peeling and irritation of the skin of the feet after the first use.
Folk remedies for treating foot fungus
If there are categorical contraindications for treating mycosis of the foot with medications, then you can try folk remedies.
How to cure foot fungus at home:
- The acid contained in wine vinegar or table vinegar (9%) is an effective folk remedy against fungus.The surface of the skin affected by mycosis is lubricated with it and cotton socks are put on top.Leave it overnight.It is not recommended to use vinegar for those who have wounds or ulcers on their feet.In this case, it is better to reduce the concentration of the folk remedy or replace it with a more gentle one.
- Brewed coffee shows good results.It is necessary to brew the drink stronger and so much that you can completely dip your feet in it.For prevention, folk treatment is carried out on two limbs at once, even if mycosis is observed only on one.Perform the procedure before bedtime.
- Foot baths made from celandine also act as an effective folk remedy that can rid the feet of fungus within a month.Prepare a bath at the rate of 4 tbsp.l per 1 l.water.The herb is boiled, after which the legs are steamed in the warm mixture for up to half an hour.You can also take a stronger collection of herbs for brewing - oak bark, chamomile, knotweed, sage, eucalyptus and fir needles.All of them have excellent antifungal properties.
- You can also use local anesthetic lotions by soaking a cotton swab in the medicinal solution and applying it to the affected area.The folk remedy quickly relieves symptoms - pain and itching.
Prevention of foot fungus
Effective treatment of mycosis of the foot is possible subject to the following preventive measures:
- mandatory disinfection of insoles and inner surfaces of shoes, the more often the better.To do this, use special antifungal sprays for shoes or alcohol;
- It is advisable to change bed linen daily and wash it at high temperatures;
- disinfect the surface of the bathtub or shower stall, and also refuse to visit public bathing establishments during treatment;
- in public places, do not allow yourself to walk barefoot and wipe your feet dry before putting on your shoes;
- All family members need to treat the fungus at once, otherwise someone will constantly become infected;
- follow a diet - do not eat allergenic foods, smoked foods, canned foods, highly salted and peppered foods, and sweets.