Mycosis, or fungus, is an unpleasant disease caused by parasitic microorganisms - fungi. It is quite common and can occur in both adults and children. The fungus can appear on different parts of the body, but most often affects the skin of the feet and hands, as well as the nails. It causes physical discomfort and the affected areas look extremely unattractive.
Fungi are not a "harmless" disease. Its wastes are toxic, can weaken the immune system and even lead to allergies. Therefore, he needs timely treatment, which should be prescribed by a doctor. Many are concerned about the questions of how to get rid of foot fungus, what treatment can be used to treat the problem at home.
Why the fungus appears
The appearance and development of a skin fungus is associated with the presence of pathogens in the skin, which multiply very quickly. The fungus is most often located between the toes and can also affect the heels, feet, palms and nails. There may be several reasons why it appears. Mushrooms love a humid and warm environment. Increased sweating of the feet creates all the conditions for an infection to "settle" on the skin.
Visiting public places like swimming pools, saunas, gyms, locker rooms and shared showers is the main way to touch mycosis. At the same time, direct contact with a person or other people's things is not even necessary: fungal spores are volatile and are present in the air. Also, fungus appears from lack of proper personal care and personal hygiene.
One of the factors in the occurrence of the disease can also be poor quality shoes that do not allow the skin of the feet to breathe. The disease can also develop in persons whose work activity is associated with constant contact with a yeast fungus (pastry chef, cook, winemaker). The fungus can also appear against the background of weakened immunity, due to chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis).
The fungus starts on the skin of the feet between the toes. There are symptoms such as itching, skin rash, peeling. Then cracks form, the skin thickens, scales appear. There may also be liquid blisters on the skin that burst and heal poorly. If left untreated, the infection multiplies rapidly and can spread to the nails and hands. The skin of the hands affected by the fungus becomes very dry and scaly.
Between the fingers, the skin may change its color, crack and peel. In general, the symptoms of fungus on the hands and feet are the same. Symptoms that indicate the appearance of a mold on the nails: the infection begins to touch the nail from the edge and then reaches the base. The nail plate becomes turbid, thickens, the nail changes its shape, deforms. There are also symptoms such as the appearance of streaks on the nails and the change of its color: from white, yellow to brown or even black.
Fungi are a problem with which the body begins to struggle. Because of this, allergic symptoms are possible in the form of blisters and erosions on the skin.
Causes of fungus in children
Fungus on the feet and hands is a fairly common problem in children. First of all, this is due to the fact that the immune system of children is not yet sufficiently developed and therefore can be subject to various influences, including a fungal infection. Moreover, the predisposition of children to various fungal diseases is also determined by the characteristics of their skin: low bactericidal activity of sweat and sebaceous glands, increased ability to absorb water.
In the process of learning the world, the child is in close contact with the environment in which the pathogens of fungal diseases are prevalent (for example, the disease may appear after contact with a sick animal or soil). In addition, in kindergarten or school the child comes in contact with a large number of other children who may also be carriers of the skin disease.
Infection in children can occur both through direct contact and after using household items that contain fungal spores: toys, towels, someone else's shoes. Just run barefoot or try someone else's stuff - and the disease can already show up. The symptoms of the disease are no different from those in adults.
Factors that provoke the appearance of fungal diseases in children are beriberi, poor ecology, lack of a culture of personal hygiene. Parents should listen to the child's complaints, regularly examine the skin. It is necessary to treat the fungus, because it is this disease that can cause allergies and weaken the immune system in children.
Preventive and preventative measures will keep your child from getting sick. Therefore, you should consult a dermatologist as soon as possible. The doctor will be able to diagnose and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
treatment of fungi
If you notice in yourself or in children any signs or symptoms of the appearance of a fungus on the legs or arms, then you should urgently contact a specialist. Only a doctor will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and determine methods on how to remove the fungus on the feet and hands. Proper diagnosis is essential because the external symptoms of the infection may overlap with those of other diseases (such as psoriasis).
Depending on the causative agent of the disease, the negligence of the disease and the health condition of the patient himself, the doctor prescribes local treatment, systemic (taking pills) or mixed. Topical application involves the use of a special oil, spray or spray. If the patient has no contraindications, then the doctor prescribes a course of antifungal tablets that will help destroy the fungus "from within". Of course, it is better to use combination therapy when the treatment of the problem is carried out in all directions.
In some cases of fungal infection, the doctor may recommend nail removal. But simply eliminating the nail will not solve the problem, because the fungus will still be present in the body and will appear over time. This procedure makes treatment more effective because antifungal medications can penetrate the lesion more easily. Today, this procedure is painless and does not require surgery.
There are special products that stick to the nails and "disperse" it within 3-4 days. Treating fungus on the legs and arms is quite difficult. The treatment itself can last up to 1 year. In addition to the therapy prescribed by the doctor, the treatment of fungus at home should also be carried out using some recommendations.
- Complete disinfection of living space. Do a general cleaning of the place where you live. Pay special attention to the bathroom. Wash the tub, as well as the floor and walls, with a cleaner. Rinse the container with hot water after each wash. The carpet on the bathroom floor should be made of rubber so that no fungus settles on it.
- It is necessary to wash the feet with household soap or tar. These types of soaps have antifungal and disinfectant properties. In addition, they will help to slightly dry out the scars that may appear due to the fungus.
- After water procedures, dry your feet with a hair dryer or dry them thoroughly with a paper towel, as the fungus may remain on the usual one.
- Do not walk around the house barefoot and do not sit with your feet on the upholstered furniture.
- Throw away your old slippers. Walk around the house either with socks made of natural materials, or with open rubber slippers.
- Treat the rest of the shoes with apple cider vinegar or formalin.
- Items from the manicure set should be individual and not used by any family member. After each use, wipe the scissors and nail files with alcohol.
- Sleep in cotton socks, which should be changed daily.
- Bed linen should be changed at least once a week.
- Socks, stockings or tights - change daily. They should be washed in hot water. Socks after washing can be well ironed.
Of course, it is better to prevent the disease than to treat it later. Therefore, prevention is necessary to protect yourself from the disease as much as possible. When visiting swimming pools, saunas and other public places, use only your personal belongings (towels, washing cloth). Never go barefoot. Even if you use the shower in a public place, do not remove the slippers. They should be made of rubber, not sponge material.
After visiting the pool, at home you should wash your slippers thoroughly with laundry soap and dry them. For everyday wear, choose quality shoes made from natural and breathable materials. Wearing non-breathable shoes will make your feet sweat, which creates a favorable environment for the development of a fungal disease.
Prevention of fungal infections includes careful self-care, regular water procedures, timely change of underwear and bedding freedoms.
Removing mushrooms at home
Among other things, at home, you can use traditional medicine. In combination with the treatment prescribed by your doctor, this will help in the rapid removal of the fungus.
- Apple cider vinegar is a medicine that has disinfectant and antifungal properties. Apply vinegar to a cotton swab and apply to the affected areas. If there are open sores and sores on the skin, then you should not make such creams. In this case, take a foot bath with a weak solution of apple cider vinegar.
- Foot baths can also be made with sea salt. For this you need 3 tablespoons. l. salt per liter of warm water. It is better to use salt, which does not contain color and flavor. Soak your feet in this solution for 10-15 minutes. Can be applied to the affected areas as a compress.
- Traditional healers know how to remove fungus on the feet and wings at home with the help of an ordinary onion. Grind the onion and squeeze the juice from it. Coat a cotton ball with juice and apply on the affected areas. Do not rinse, but leave until the liquid dries. The procedure should be performed daily.
- Clay is another way to fight fungus. Take the pharmacy clay (sold in powder) and dilute with cold water to the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply the product on the affected areas until completely dry. Then rinse with water.
- Celandine juice is a universal remedy for treating many skin diseases at home. If you break a celandine branch, then the orange juice will start to appear from it. With this liquid, it is necessary to lubricate the areas affected by the mold. The procedure should be done twice a day.
- The pharmacy sells another effective remedy - birch tar. After the shower, apply to sore spots and leave on with clean socks. The procedure is best done at night.
- You can also get rid of fungus with the help of ordinary soda. Take a small amount of soda, dilute with water to a solid state. It is necessary to make an application daily from this sludge, hold for 15 minutes.
- Among the recommendations on how to cure foot fungus at home, there are tips on using ammonia. 1 st. l. dilute the ammonia in a glass of water. Paint a handkerchief with the solution and wrap the affected limb with it. Put the bag on top and secure it with a sock. The procedure is best done at night.
Prevention can protect you from a fungal infection. But if you still find alarming symptoms in you or your children, contact your doctor immediately. Only a doctor knows how to get rid of the fungus in the shortest possible time and without harming the body, he will be able to make the correct diagnosis.
Do not self-medicate. Self-medication at home can not only hurt, but also make the problem worse. Traditional medicine can be effective, but only if treatment with alternative methods is allowed and approved by the doctor.