The group of infectious diseases includes foot fungus, which is a type of mycosis.This pathology is caused by microscopic fungi.Nail plate disease is called onychomycosis.
Fungal infections of the feet
This is a very common disease among men and women.The most common types of mycosis are:
- trichophytosis;
- candidiasis;
- Athlete's foot.
Some fungi can affect both animals and humans.It is necessary to know not only what mycosis is, but also why it develops.The main mechanism of human infection is contact.It is realized in a direct and indirect way.In the first case, fungi get on the feet through contact with the ground, plants or a sick person.Cases of family infection are known.
Indirect transmission of pathogens occurs through contact with animal care items and personal belongings of patients.This can include shoes, towels and scissors, as well as bathing accessories.
Socks, stockings and other personal items are often factors of transmission.Fungus on the feet can develop after visiting public baths and swimming pools.The process also involves the skin of the feet and the nail plates.
Predisposing factors are:
- increased sweating of the feet;
- the presence of blisters and abrasions;
- wearing tight shoes;
- lack of personal hygiene;
- wearing other people's shoes;
- accommodation in student dormitories;
- weakened immunity;
- poor nutrition;
- the presence of other skin diseases;
- hypovitaminosis;
- alcohol addiction;
- smoking;
- walking barefoot;
- endocrine disorders.
This problem is more often encountered by weakened people.
General clinical manifestations
Fungi on the soles of the feet and nails can go unnoticed for a long time.The following symptoms are observed in this disease:
- peeling skin;
- dryness;
- the presence of diaper rash;
- thickening of the skin and nail plate;
- brittle nails;
- redness;
- itching;
- white or yellowish coating;
- presence of erosions;
- skin pain.
Foot fungus looks different.It all depends on the type of pathogen and the underlying disease.Sometimes an unpleasant smell leaves a person.Fungi on the foot do not lead to a worsening of the general condition.There are no symptoms of intoxication, because fungi are opportunistic microbes and are localized in the surface layers of the skin.
Initially, one leg was affected.Then the mushrooms are transferred to the other limb.The following areas are most often involved in the process:
- lower part of the foot;
- spaces between 4 and 5 fingers;
- nail plates.
Depending on the clinical signs, there are squamous, dyshidrotic and intertriginous forms of the disease.In the first case, scales appear on reddened skin.Peeling is observed.Itching is a variable symptom.It does not bother all patients.In the dyshidrotic form of mycosis, blisters appear on the fornix.They can increase in size.After a few days they open.Erosion appears in their place.An area of diaper rash appears.As the erosions dry, scaling is observed.
If the foot skin fungus is complicated by a bacterial infection, the exudate becomes purulent.Pain occurs.Possible fever.Fungal infection sometimes causes the development of intertriginous mycoses.Its main characteristic is the presence of cracks with a white border.Crying develops over time.Pain occurs.Erosion is formed in the area of cracks.This form of the disease occurs in a chronic form with exacerbations in the summer.
Development of onychomycosis of the legs
Along with fungi, onychomycosis can also be found on the feet.In addition, nails are involved in the process.The prevalence of this pathology among the population is 10-20%.In recent years, the number of sick children has been increasing.Fungi actively grow and multiply not only on the skin, but also on the nail plates.
People with varicose veins, hyperhidrosis, flat feet and endocrine diseases often face a similar problem.Fungi multiply inside the nail, which gradually leads to its destruction.If the disease is not treated, it can last for years.The result is separation of the nails.Hyperkeratosis often develops.
There are hypertrophic, normotrophic and atrophic onychomycosis.In the first case, the nail becomes dull and thickened.With atrophy, the color of the plaque changes to brown.His detachment is noticeable.In normotrophic onychomycosis, the shape and size of the nail do not change.With the development of onychomycosis on the feet, the following symptoms are observed:
- decreased nail density;
- discoloration;
- the presence of white or yellow spots;
- itching;
- cracks in the skin;
- peeling;
- plate thickening;
- increased fragility.
If nail fungus is not treated, there is a risk of developing paronychia.In this condition, purulent inflammation of the nail bed occurs.
Overview and treatment tactics
You need to know not only how to get foot fungus, but also how to get rid of it.The treatment regimen is determined by the attending physician.Before that, the following studies will be required:
- Wood's lamp examination;
- scraping microscopy;
- general clinical tests;
- sowing on a nutrient substrate.
Differential diagnosis is carried out with psoriasis, onychodystrophy, lichen planus, congenital pachyonychia, trauma and eczema.
Every experienced dermatovenerologist knows how to treat toenail fungus.Antifungal drugs are used in the form of solutions, creams and varnishes.
Treatment of foot fungus often involves surgery.The affected nail is removed.
For long-term cases of athlete's foot, systemic treatment of foot fungus based on miconazole or ketoconazole may be prescribed.Proper treatment can destroy germs.There are products on the market that make it easier to remove affected nail plates.They are available in patch form.
In order to increase the effectiveness of the treatment of skin fungi on the legs, vitamins, antibiotics (in case of secondary infection) and various ointments based on zinc and salicylic acid are prescribed.
You also have to follow some rules:
- Feet should be washed daily.
- You need to change your socks more often.
- After the end of therapy, old things should be thrown away.
- Socks, tights and stockings should be washed in a separate sink.
- When foot fungus is detected, treatment will be successful if you wear closed slippers.
At the end of the therapy, a control scraping examination is performed.