The epidermophytosis of the feet is a fungal disease, which is caused by the pathogens of dermatophytes that settled on the skin of a person, from the genus of trichophytons.
There is a complex infection of nails and skin in the feet and between the toes that are interconnected.
The diseases of some professions who are in heat and high humidity, favorable for the development of fungi are especially susceptible to diseases - these are athletes, miners or people simply do not follow their foot hygiene.
The reasons for the appearance
The main condition for the appearance of the disease is infection of the skin of the legs, that is, the ingress of fungal dispute.This happens in public places or in direct contact with the carrier through personal hygiene products, for example, shoes or socks.
The main places of accumulations of various fungi are public showers, baths, saunas, locker rooms and so on.
In addition, favorable conditions should be created for the development of the fungus, which is facilitated by the following factors:
- increased humidity;
- Sweating of the legs;
- long -term wearing uncomfortable shoes;
- low -quality socks or shoes with insufficient ventilation;
- professional activities (sports, work), when the legs are in constant warmth and experience waterlogging;
- vein thrombosis;
- Diseases of blood vessels;
- diabetes mellitus;
- weakened immunity;
- overwork;
- Stress and nervous overstrain.
The fungus is not always activated when it gets on the feet, as the body has its own protective functions.The disease occurs only in the presence of pathologies.
For example, the socks squeeze blood vessels, and the level of blood supply is reduced, or the legs are constantly warm with high humidity and the acidity of the skin decreases, creating favorable conditions.
This is also facilitated by stress and overwork that reduce the body's protection against any pathogens.
Symptoms and stages of fungus
The disease is characterized by forms and stages of epidermophytosis.The main symptoms characteristic of all forms are peeling and redness of the skin between the toes and on the feet.There are four stages of the disease:
Erased or mild stage
Between the toes, light foci of peeling of the skin are observed, the feet are clean.The patient practically does not feel discomfort or other unpleasant symptoms.
Squamous-hyperkeratotic stage
At this stage, the disease is more clearly manifested.On the phalanges of the fingers and between them, as well as on the sides of the feet, there are seals of the skin of a brown or bluish tint.
The skin is peeling with dry scales.The patient has increased dryness of the legs.Forms of white and yellow may appear similar to corns.
Infected places exude itching.An unpleasant odor comes from the legs.
Intriginal stage
The legs are constantly wet and charming.Between the toes there are similarities of edema.Bloating of white or yellow skin appears.
The skin is peeling over the entire surface of the feet and toes.There may be sores, cracks and erosion, which at times bleed, if damaged.
The patient experiences constant discomfort, itching or weak pain, especially when walking.Skin detachment is significant, as well as seals.
Dyshidrotic stage
On the entire surface of the feet and between the toes, formations resembling bubbles appear.They accumulate a liquid that oozes with damage to the walls of the bubble.
After that, swelling and inflammation of the skin may occur.The feet and fingers constantly itch, and the legs acquire a strong musty smell that cannot be suppressed with soap or other means.
Complications
In addition, the disease falls on the nails that gradually turn yellow, then deform and exfoliate.This happens in every third case of epidermophytic, if tightened with treatment.
In the most advanced cases, the fungus "throws" into other parts of the body, causing the appearance of stains on the skin, an allergic reaction or other pathologies.
Treatment
To treat the disease, you must contact a mycologist.Various tests and studies will be carried out on the basis of which suitable treatment will be prescribed.
Therapy is aimed at destroying the fungus.For this, funds are used both for internal use and local, moreover, at the same time.
Medicines
The treatment of the fungus occurs at home and lasts, depending on the stage, from 2-3 months to 1 year. To suppress the activity of the fungus from the inside, use the drug 2-chlorin-4-nitrophenol.
In parallel, the affected areas should be treated with local drugs (creams, gels, ointments):
- Clotrimazole.
- Tolnaftat.
- Mikonazole.
- TERBINAFINE.
- Econazole Nitrate.
- Naphthyfin hydrochloride and others.
When purulent secretions and inflammation appear, itraconazole is usually prescribed.A systematic approach allows you to more effectively deal with infection.
The choice of drugs and the course of treatment is carried out by the attending physician based on the clinical picture.
Folk remedies
The means of traditional medicine are used as an additional measure of the fight against the fungus, but not independent.
Folk recipes can only help in the initial stages of the disease.Consider some of them:
- Vaseline and salicylic acid.For 1 teaspoon of petroleum jelly, half of the tablet of aspirin or salicylic acid is taken, mixed and applied to the area between the toes, slightly rubbing.This will help stop the spread of the fungus and relieve unpleasant symptoms.
- A decoction of herbs.The following herbs that have an antifungal and anti -inflammatory effect should be taken: chamomile, horsetail, St. John's wort and eucalyptus leaves.All herbs are taken in equal amounts (1 teaspoon per 0.5 l of water).The water is brought to a boil and boiled for 10 minutes, after which it is additionally insisted for 30 minutes.In the decoction, the legs are soared, gradually adding hot water.
- Sea buckthorn oil.A cotton swab is moistened in oil, which wipe the affected areas.This is a good antiseptic that relieves pain, itching and inflammation.
- Soda, salt and soap.In a basin of hot water, a piece of laundry soap and 1 tablespoon of soda and salt are dissolved.The setting procedure of the legs is carried out every day, preferably before bedtime.This will help cleanse the skin from keratinized parts and will better affect the effectiveness of drugs that penetrate deeper into the tissues of the fingers and feet.
- Boric acid.For treatment, a solution (2%) of boric acid is used, which wipe the legs with a cotton swab.This is a strong antiseptic for fungi.However, you should be careful and not carry out the procedure too often so as not to get a chemical burn.
Shoes and underwear
In addition to direct treatment, you still need to monitor the condition of shoes and linen.This is important, since therapy can be meaningless if it is neglected by hygiene.
Shoes should be constantly dried, and socks can be changed every day.It is useful to treat daily shoes with formalin for disinfection.
After conducting water procedures, the legs are thoroughly wiped with a clean dry towel, especially between the toes.Then immediately apply medicinal creams or ointments that the doctor prescribed.
With increased sweating of the legs, a decoction or infusion of oak bark, as well as ordinary vinegar, helps.
The main thing is to keep your legs always dry, since moisture is a favorable environment for the development of the fungus.
Prevention
There are a number of preventive measures aimed at preventing relapse or infection with a fungus on the legs:
- wash your legs several times a day, wiping them dry;
- You can not use other people's socks, shoes or a towel;
- Daily shoes always need to be dried before used;
- In public places, use slippers or other shoes, and then use disinfectants to reduce the risk of infection;
- shoes should be comfortable and not cause sweating of the legs;
- regularly visit a doctor for preventive examinations for any disease;
- eat properly;
- Reduce the use of alcohol and sweet food.
Conclusion
Epidermophytosis is a very unpleasant disease, as it spoils the appearance of the legs and causes a strong unpleasant odor.
The legs constantly sweat and begin to really stink.This interferes with normal life and fetters a person.
First of all, the disease affects personal life and, therefore, treatment should begin at the first symptoms, given the risk of infection with the fungus of others.
At the initial stage, the disease is easily therapy, and recovery occurs after a couple of months.However, in an advanced state, this can take a year or more, so it is not necessary to delay.