Different types of fungi on human feet are called mycoses. When the skin is affected, the disease refers to the group of dermatomycosis (epidermophytosis, trichophytosis), as dermatitis is translated from Greek as skin. If the nail is affected, then the disease is defined as onychomycosis.
Causes of the disease
Foot fungus is a common disease that occurs all over the world. More common in cities than in rural areas. The risk group for contracting foot fungus includes athletes, shower workers, and hot shop workers. Children have thinner skin that is not protected from external factors, so they are also susceptible to fungal infections. Another reason is increased sweating of the feet, as a result of diseases in the body or an innate feature. Dermatologists believe that the risk of contracting fungus on the feet increases with age. Factors contributing to the disease:
- wearing uncomfortable leather closed shoes;
- warm environment with high humidity, typical when wearing shoes;
- violation of blood supply to the extremities;
- frequent visits to crowded places;
- a weak or malfunctioning immune system;
- wearing foreign shoes.
Rapid infection
Dermatomycosis of the feet is easily transmitted in public places from a sick person to a healthy person. Infection occurs through contact surfaces: floors, household items, personal hygiene items, someone else's shoes. The fungus is transmitted through direct contact, it multiplies very quickly, so it is very easy to get infected. Situations of fungal transmission in hair salons through tools during a pedicure, as well as towels, are not excluded. The disease affects the skin of the feet. It is especially common in men, as they spend most of their time in closed-toe shoes. Frequent visits to gyms, baths, military service, where you do not always have to wear your shoe size - all this creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria. An unventilated area of the room is beneficial for fungi that cause diseases for reproduction. The spread of pathogenic flora is very rapid. The place where the fungus predominates are the toes and interdigital spaces. Saunas and baths are characterized by high humidity and high temperatures, which is ideal for the development of pathogenic microflora.
Fungal infection can be direct or indirect. Directly, you can become infected through direct contact with a sick person. Indirect contamination involves the use of objects that have been used by a sick person.
Manifestations of mycoses
The first symptom of the disease is the appearance of scales on the skin in the foot area. Through these elements, infection occurs. Increased sweating is a favorable factor for the reproduction of microbes, as the changed composition of sweat becomes a nutrient for the growth of pathogenic flora.
Remnants of dirt and threads from socks are also collected between the toes. When a fungal infection is added to the factors listed, redness occurs there. The affected area begins to itch unbearably, causing discomfort to the person. The skin begins to peel, which causes painful cracks to appear. When walking, there are unpleasant painful sensations due to the presence of sores on the skin of the foot. The skin begins to thicken, and the infection can spread to the nails. If left untreated, the fungus spreads and affects the nails, destroying them. The nail plate first changes its color to a white color. Afterwards, she can go outside. Gaps are formed between the nail plate and the nail bed. With a fungus on the feet, an unpleasant odor appears. In winter, when wearing closed shoes, the foot does not ventilate, the intensity of the foot lesion increases. For the treatment of this pathology, an accurate formulation of the correct diagnosis is necessary, because there are many types of fungal pathogens.
The main types of the disease
- Membrane type (intertriginous form) is the most common. A fungal infection is observed between the fifth and fourth toes. Gradually, the skin acquires a scaly structure with elements of cracks. Sometimes a bacterial infection is attached to the fungus, which causes even more damage to the skin of the feet.
- Moccasin-like type. Manifested by pain in the legs. Then the skin thickens, thickens and cracks. Severe fungal lesions seize the nails, which over time can begin to crumble, peel off.
- Vesicular type (dyshidrotic form). It is manifested by the appearance of blisters under the skin, filled with fluid. It often persists along with a bacterial infection.
Types of mushrooms on foot picture with names
There are different types of fungi, they correspond to different diseases. There are four most common types of fungi that cause foot injuries.
- Trichophyton rubrum (Trichophytonrubrum) is fraught with rubrophytosis.
- Trichophytonin interdigitale (Trichophytoninterdigitale) affects the skin between the toes, including the entire foot in disease. Causes epidermophytosis disease.
- Trichophyton mentagrophytes leads to complete epidermophytosis.
- Candida albicans is a female fungus. Causes candidiasis of the feet, but this is rare.
Epidermophytosis and trichophytosis (rubromycosis) are skin diseases collectively called foot mycoses, caused by parasitic fungi of the genus Dermatophytes.
Distribution
Dermatophyte fungi:
- microsporum;
- epidermofiton;
- t
Molds that cause fungal diseases:
- hendersonula;
- altemaria;
- s
Pathogenic yeast fungi:
- pityrosporum;
- candidate;
- cryptococcus;
- malassezia;
- coccidoids;
- histoplasma;
- w
Preventive measures
Since fungi want a warm and humid habitat, this means that it is necessary to violate these conditions in order to get rid of them. Therefore, to prevent fungus, the feet should be clean and dry. It is important to change socks and dry shoes on time. There are special antiperspirants on sale that will block the development of pathogenic microflora. It is better to choose leather shoes to maintain normal metabolic processes between the feet and the environment. The foot will sweat less, and the conditions for reproduction will not be created for the fungus. It is advisable to wear socks at home, which you remove and wash, while germs and dirt will accumulate on the house shoes.
It is necessary to use only your own things, as you do not know about the presence of other people's diseases. Your immunity may not be able to withstand pathogens and become infected. You need to air your shoes more often. When visiting public places, it is advisable to bring personal hygiene items with you. Never walk barefoot on the floor in swimming pools and showers. The use of prophylactic antifungal creams and oils also helps. Above all, swimming pools, locker rooms, saunas and other rooms with high humidity are breeding grounds for fungi. At home in the bathroom, it is better to reject porous carpets.
Risk group
There are people who are more susceptible to this disease than others. This may be due to problems in the body, such as:
- excess weight;
- violation of blood circulation in the legs;
- flat feet and foot deformities;
- damaged immune system;
- people under stress;
- after treatment with antibiotics.
Diagnosis of fungal foot disease
The doctor performs a detailed examination of the foot, requests complaints. Skin samples are taken from the patient to be tested for the fungus. A fragment of skin deals with a small, specially made scratch on the foot. For analysis, the nail is cut from the site infected with the fungus. The presence of mycosis is determined by special tests. To identify the type of fungus, it is cultivated, i. e. grown. In rare cases, with an advanced stage of the disease, the patient may be prescribed a biopsy. In this case, the prepared material is examined under a microscope.
Treatment methods
To get results from the treatment, it is necessary to clarify the type of fungus and the presence of infections, if any, have joined it. The degree of damage is also taken into account.
The basis of membrane-type treatment appears as the application of antifungal drugs to the affected area. Conveniently suitable for doing this at home as well. These drugs stop the growth of bacteria or slow down the spread of the disease. Many of these drugs are available without a prescription. The action of the substances occurs locally, at the site of application on the affected skin. It is important to monitor the dynamics of treatment, if there is no improvement, the medicine may not help you.
If there is no effect from the agent used, then it is necessary to consult again with a dermatologist about the appointment of another treatment. You may need to prescribe a stronger medicine. In particularly severe cases of the disease course, tablets are prescribed. Many medications have side effects, so it is important to monitor your blood count during pill treatment. Fungi are very difficult to cure, as they can recur. Treatment should not be interrupted, otherwise the fungus may show resistance to the herb ingredients that affect them. During treatment, it is necessary to monitor the cleanliness and dryness of the foot. With a moccasin-like form of infection, onychomycosis often occurs, i. e. nail damage. Due to the fact that the skin on the feet is thickened and it is more difficult for the medication to penetrate inside, this disease is more difficult to cure. In this case, standard medicines "do not work" and additional therapy in the form of pills is prescribed. Onychomycosis - damage to toenails by a fungus of the genus Dermatophytes. The disease can also be caused by yeast and mold. There are several types of onychomycosis:
- Distal sublingual. Depending on the area of the nail plate lesion, three degrees of damage are distinguished. If the nail is presented in one section and conditionally divided into three parts (in depth), then the lesion up to two-thirds of its volume will correspond to the first two stages of the disease. And when more than 2/3 of the nail is affected by the fungus, this is already the third degree. In this case, the root of the nail (matrix) is involved in the disease process, and sometimes also the folds of skin on the sides of the nail, called periungal ridges;
- proximal subcolor. Loss of the back of the nail plate, where the hole is;
- white surface. This type of onychomycosis is common on the feet;
- total dystrophic. The final stage of finishing.
In the vesicular type, the doctor may prescribe the removal of the bladder tips. Then all the liquid that comes out of them is extinguished. This area is dried, an antifungal cream or a special compress is applied to it. If the presence of a bacterial infection is determined, then a course of antibiotics is prescribed. Sometimes the disease is accompanied by fever. Acute infections respond better to treatment than chronic fungal processes and lethargy. In severe cases, hormonal drugs are prescribed. Antifungal medications are taken until complete recovery. It happens that not all fungi die and when the medication is canceled, a relapse of the disease occurs.
If the patient is left untreated, the disease will become chronic and he will develop a severe bacterial infection. In addition to the foot, the skin of the toes can be involved in disease.
Traditional medicine offers compresses and lotions for the treatment of nail fungus using tea tree oil, which has an anti-inflammatory effect, as well as garlic. Washing with regular detergents does not always destroy pathogenic bacteria. To remove the fungus from clothes, linen should be washed in hot water or, if possible, boiled. We recommend the use of bleach and hot ironing.