We talk about what mycosis is, what symptoms of lesions on the skin and nails are characteristic of this disease, and how to treat the fungus.
What is mycosis?
Mycosis, or fungus, is an infectious disease with a high degree of contagion caused by parasitic fungi. It can affect both humans and animals. The infection affects the skin of the face and body, scalp, mucous membranes (including internal organs), and nail plates.
The disease is prone to relapse, so it can be difficult to recover from the fungus without consulting a doctor.
The causes of the fungus
Infection with a fungus can occur through direct contact with the carrier of the infection or surfaces and objects on which there are spores of pathogenic fungi. Some pathogens of the fungus are considered to be opportunistic, for example the genus Candida. That is, they live in the body and sometimes even bring benefits, but in certain situations they provoke disease.
However, harmful fungi do not always cause disease. Usually, a healthy person's immune system can easily cope with a fungal infection and prevent it from spreading throughout the body. What are the prerequisites for the development of mycoses?
Decreased immunity
As with any infection, the fungus is more likely to infect people with compromised immune systems. People who have recently had an infectious disease and have been taking antibacterial agents for a long time are at high risk of mycoses. Cancer patients treated with cytotoxic drugs are also susceptible to fungal infections. This includes people with immunodeficiency such as HIV and AIDS.
Disregard of personal hygiene
The fungus often affects people who neglect personal hygiene - not using a custom foot towel, not wearing flip-flops in the gym shower or by the pool, trying on shoes in a store without socks.
In beauty salons, mycosis can appear if the masters do not properly process the tools for manicure and pedicure.
Certain chronic diseases
Especially those associated with poor healing of skin lesions - wounds, calluses, cracks. For example, the skin of people with diabetes is more sensitive and regeneration processes slow down. Injured areas become the gateway for fungal infections and more.
Individual characteristics
These include excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) that develops on its own or as a symptom of an illness. The structural features of the foot play an important role - the narrow interdigital space in combination with hyperhidrosis creates favorable conditions for the development of the fungus.
Also, wearing tight shoes predisposes to the appearance of fungus, as it provokes the formation of calluses and injures the nail plate.
Types of mushrooms
Currently there is no unified classification of mycoses, but most often fungal diseases are considered in terms of the prevalence of the process. Superficial mycoses include:
- Keratomycosis - the fungus occurs only in the top layer (stratum corneum) of the skin of the face and body (versicolor versicolor);
- Dermatomycosis / Dermatophytosis - covers the epidermis, dermis, hair follicles and nails (onychomycosis);
- Candidiasis - mycosis of the mucous membranes ("thrush"), skin folds caused by Candida fungi.
Systemic mycoses affect not only the skin and mucous membranes, but also internal organs (histoplasms).
According to the origin of the causative agents of fungal infections, they are divided into:
- Yeast,
- moldy,
- Domiforms.
Of these, only the first are part of normal human microflora. The rest of the mushrooms act as pathogens.
With laboratory diagnostics - smears or scrapes from infected tissues - the type of fungal pathogen can be reliably determined. For systemic fungal diseases, a blood test is part of the diagnosis. Investigations help rule out pathologies with similar symptoms, such as: B. a fungal T-cell lymphoma of the skin.
Signs of skin mycoses and nail fungus
The course of the fungal disease is largely due to the diversity of the causative fungus itself. In general, however, superficial mycoses show similar symptoms of damage. Skin mycoses are characterized by symptoms such as:
- Discoloration of the skin due to a fungal disease - redness or discoloration of the affected tissue;
- the formation of scaly or weeping patches and plaques that can merge into one as the disease progresses;
- Itching in the focal point of inflammation;
- the appearance of crusts.
When the scalp is affected, hair loss and fragility are observed. Dandruff can also be caused by yeast infections. On the face, the fungus is often found in the crease of the eyelid.
When mycosis affects the feet, painful cracks, burning, itchy blisters, thickening and swelling of the skin are observed. Occasionally, an unpleasant odor may appear when a lesion appears, the skin between the fingers is the most susceptible place to fungus. If a bacterial infection occurs, purulent ulcers appear on the skin.
Symptoms of onychomycosis: what does the nail look like when damaged?
- the affected nail during the disease turns yellow, black, brown or any other shade;
- the nail plate becomes fragile, thickened or, on the contrary, thinner;
- the nail is often separated from the bed and forms a "pocket";
- Change in the relief or shape of the nail plate in the event of illness;
- Inflammation of adjacent tissues (periungual fold).
Toenails, especially those on the big toes, are more likely to be affected by onychomycosis than on the hands.
Preparations for treating mushrooms: how to choose
Medicines used to prevent and treat fungal infections are called antifungal drugs. According to the mechanism of action directed against fungi, antifungal drugs can be divided into two types:
- fungicidal - destroy the spores of the fungal infection;
- fungistatic - inhibits the activity of microorganisms (but does not kill them) and prevents the spread of infections.
The strength of the drug itself is directly related to the sensitivity of a particular fungus to the drug, as well as the dosage of the drug itself. Therefore, one and the same agent can show both fungicidal and fungistatic properties against different fungal pathogens. But, like many antibiotics, antifungal drugs are often versatile and have a wide range of effects.
Oral administration of drugs for the treatment of fungal diseases is justified in cases where the infection:
- does not respond to local therapy,
- is systemic,
- affects the internal organs. In the most advanced cases, antifungal drugs are prescribed in solutions for injection.
An example of an effective drug that treats systemic fungal lesions and extensive superficial skin and nail diseases is fluconazole. Forms of release - tablets, capsules, powders for suspensions, liquids for injections.
Therefore, for the effective treatment of skin mycoses and nail fungus, it is better to use drugs for external use, since they do not have a systemic effect and almost do not cause side effects. Local remedies come in the form of:
- Anoint;
- Creams;
- Drip solutions (also for nails);
- Spray solutions;
- antifungal nail polishes.
Before taking any medication for the fungus, it is necessary to read the instructions or consult a doctor.
Means for treating fungus on the skin of the body and feet
Review of funds for the treatment of fungi of the scalp, body and legs, as well as nails, is for informational purposes only. Data on antifungal drugs are taken from official instructions. Before using them, be sure to read the note or consult your doctor.
Clotrimazole
Antifungal for external use. The effect on the pathogen of the fungus is dose-dependent.
- The drug has a fungistatic effect in small concentrations and fungicidal in large concentrations.
- Effective against dermatomycetes, yeasts and molds, pink lichen pathogens and some bacteria. Resistance to clotrimazole drugs is relatively rare in susceptible fungi.
- As a local remedy, the drug is used in the treatment of fungal lesions of smooth skin, interdigital cracks in the legs, secondary complicated mycoses, fungi from diaper rash of the skin.
- The duration of local drug treatment depends on the severity of the disease, the effectiveness of treatment and the specific form of release.
In gynecological practice, it is used in the treatment of thrush, as well as a disinfectant before childbirth.
Examples of drugs containing clotrimazole for the treatment of mycotic diseases of the skin of the body and legs
creamApply a thin layer to the cleansed skin area 2 - 3 times a day. Treatment of dermatomycosis lasts at least 4 weeks, pityriasis versicolor - 1 to 2 weeks. With fungal diseases of the skin of the legs, the course is continued 2 weeks after the symptoms of the lesion are eliminated.
powderit should be applied to the skin 3 to 4 times a day, with improvements being seen after 3 to 5 days of treatment. Also, to prevent recurrence of the disease or complications of the fungus, they are used within 2 weeks of recovery.
solutionfor external use requires twice application to the affected areas during the day.
Compared to a creamy texture, ointments penetrate the skin longer, but make the crusts soft.
creamwhich contains the glucocorticoid beclomethasone in addition to clotrimazole, which relieves itching and inflammation in the affected areas of the skin, has an antiallergic effect and reduces exudation (fluid release from wounds).
It is indicated for the treatment of advanced and uncomplicated mycoses of various parts of the body, the skin of the feet, including those with eczema. The product is applied to the prepared skin 2 to 3 times a day.
- A cream that contains three active ingredients - clotrimazole, beclomethasone and gentamicin. The latter is an antibiotic.
- The cream is used twice a day for secondary infected dermatoses, dermatomycosis and epidermophytosis of the arms, legs and feet.
- The duration of the cream treatment is no more than 4 weeks.
Terbinafine
Medicinal products with a predominantly fungicidal effect against dermatophytes, molds, yeasts and yeast-like fungi. It can be used internally for systemic diseases as well as externally.
- Terbinafine tablets are used for mycoses of the scalp, fungi of the skin and nails, common skin lesions with fungi, candidiasis of the mucous membranes and epidermis.
- Externally, the drug is used for the treatment and prevention of dermatomycosis of the smooth skin of the body, including the legs and feet, groin area, diaper rash, fungal infection, pityriasis versicolor.
Examples of products containing terbinafine for the treatment of mycotic skin diseases
creamcan be used from 12 years of age. In the treatment of mycoses of the skin of the trunk, legs and feet, it is used once a day for 1 week. In the case of coarsening of the skin, cracks, itching and peeling, the treatment is extended 1 to 2 times a day for up to 2 weeks. A similar scheme applies to cutaneous candidiasis and versicolor lichen.
In the case of a diaper rash, gauze can be applied over it to relieve discomfort, especially at night.
Aerosolthe duration of treatment for skin fungi is reduced to 1 week (1 time per day), but it is only suitable for adults. The skin must be thoroughly hydrated in order for the product to be applied in sufficient quantities.
Dermgelit is used for mushrooms like the spray. It is chosen when there is increased sweating of the feet as it has a drying effect due to its high alcohol content. In addition, the gel consistency of the drug has a cooling effect that relieves itching.
Naftifin
Antifungal agent with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Promotes the rapid disappearance of itching and inflammation. The fungicidal and fungistatic effect depends on the burden of the pathogen.
It is used in the treatment of nail fungus, pityriasis versicolor, mycosis of large wrinkles and feet, bacterial complex fungus.
Examples of remedies with naftifine for the treatment of mycotic diseases of the body skin
Creams and solutions for external use.
The method of application of both forms is the same: the preparations are applied to the dried and cleansed skin in the affected area and capture 1 cm of healthy tissue. For dermatomycosis and candidiasis of the skin, the treatment lasts up to 4 weeks, if necessary it can be extended to 8 weeks.
Ketoconazole
Antifungal agent with fungicidal and fungistatic effects. It has an antibacterial effect against streptococci and staphylococci. It is used in dermatomycosis of smooth skin and scalp, inguinal folds, candidiasis.
Means for treating nail fungus
In the treatment of nail fungus, special medical varnishes are often used. The composition of many of them as an active ingredient includes amorolfine, an effective means for external use with a wide spectrum of action.
This drug exhibits fungicidal and fungistatic effects by destroying the cell membrane of fungi. After application, the product soaks the nail and penetrates the bed during the day. The therapeutic concentration in the nail is reached 7 to 10 days after the first application.
The degree of fungal infection:
- should not affect more than 2/3 of the nail surface;
- If the prevalence of nail fungus is higher, contact your doctor for an effective antifungal tablet.
Before applying the products, you must remove the top layer from the affected areas using the files usually included in the kit. Files should not be used on healthy nails.
After preparing the plate, treat the surface thoroughly with an alcohol swab to additionally disinfect, degrease and remove the sawed-off particles of the nail. Using the applicator, completely cover the nail with an even layer of varnish. The drying time for nails is around 3 minutes. Avoid getting the composition on the adjacent soft skin to avoid dry skin.
Treatment for nail fungus continues until the nail plate is completely restored and it is so easy to get rid of. Therefore, you need to be patient because the process takes about 6 months for fingernails and 9-12 months for toenails. The application process is repeated 1 to 2 times a week.
During the treatment period, you should refrain from extending artificial nails and using decorative coatings. Although some products allow cosmetic coverage of the affected nail plate, it is best to avoid it. Why?
The nail structure affected by the fungus becomes looser and more susceptible to external influences. As a result, the pigment contained in the decorative varnish eats its way deeper and can influence the final color of the "healed" nail.
The drugs can be used not only to treat but also to prevent fungal nail infections. They are not suitable for children, pregnant and nursing mothers.
Some "skin" agents containing naftifine are also effective in treating onychomycosis. Shows fungicidal properties against fungal dermatophytes, has a fungistatic effect on fungi of the genus Candida.
Before using the products, nails showing signs of fungal infection are also prepolished with a nail file and trimmed with scissors. Then it is applied to the entire surface twice a day and covered with a thick bandage.
The course of treatment is 6 months, with complicated forms - 8 months, after which it is used for 2 weeks to prevent relapse.
Antifungal drugs have contraindications. When using it at home, do not be guided by reviews, only official instructions.