In England, athlete's foot is called "athlete's foot".Only one in five people is such an “athlete”.Fungus between the toes is a very common and unpleasant condition, but fortunately there are many effective ways to combat it.
Around 80% of the population suffers from skin fungus.Due to the increased density and sweating, the skin on the feet is more susceptible to mycoses.A fungal infection manifests itself through peeling and itching, but can also be asymptomatic and only cause the appearance of compactions (calluses, corns - hyperkeratosis on the heels and arches of the feet).
If the infection is left untreated, it will spread.A patient can infect others and spread germs in their own body.
Causes of fungi
So why the “athlete’s foot symptom”?The fungus multiplies most easily in a humid and warm environment and is also susceptible to microtrauma to the skin.And athletes always have an abundance of both - feet that are constantly chafed from training and socks that are always soaked in sweat.Ideal conditions for mushroom growth.
You may have become infected in a public place with a warm and humid environment - a swimming pool, sauna, bathhouse or hotel bathtub.Or you walked in uncomfortable artificial shoes that caused your feet to constantly chafe and sweat.Or maybe you accidentally tried on the shoes of a person who was sick with a fungus.In addition, people with weakened immune systems due to illness or vitamin deficiency are at high risk of infection.
fungal symptoms
- The folds of skin peel away a little - as if they were sprinkled with flour;
- Cracks have appeared between the fingers that itch and cause pain;
- Feet often sweat;
- Thickenings have formed on the sole skin;
- The nails have become uneven, possibly covered with growths, flaking, spots or streaks (gray or yellow) have appeared.Over time, the condition of the nails worsens and the spots increase in size.
If a crack appears between the fingers surrounded by peeling skin, you should definitely see a dermatologist.The specialist conducts an examination and detects symptoms not only at the site of injury, but also in other parts of the limb.
Fungal treatment
The most important thing when treating athlete's foot is patience.Because the fungus on the skin is cured after at least a month of treatment, on the nails – after about a year.
It's best to ask your doctor how to treat fungus between your toes.However, if there is no possibility of going to the clinic yet, self-medication is the better option.The most important thing is that you cannot delay treating the fungus, otherwise it will spread to other parts of the body - thighs, buttocks, stomach, chest.
Treatment of fungus between toes is carried out with the following drugs:
- Anoint.To treat fungus, ointments based on tolnaftate or miconazole are used.It is better to change the ointment every 10-14 days to avoid dependence.You need to use ointments until the fungus completely disappears.After that, it is advisable to extend the treatment for another 2 weeks to avoid a relapse.
- Compresses from a medicinal solution.Soak a cotton swab in the solution and place it between your fingers.Hold for 15-20 minutes.
- Soda.Take a small amount of baking soda and dissolve it in water.Rub the affected areas with baking soda.
- pills.If your nails are severely affected, you will most likely receive general treatment.
- Immunostimulants.Patients with fungus are often prescribed immunostimulants.
After successful treatment, it is very important to disinfect all shoes (ideally replace them with new ones).Otherwise, there is a risk of reinfection - literally from yourself. To disinfect, use a 25% formaldehyde solution or 30% vinegar, treat the shoes thoroughly and place them in polyethylene for 2 hours.After the specified time, the shoes must be aired.
Prevention of athlete's foot disease
To prevent yourself from being attacked again by such an unpleasant disease as athlete's foot, take the following precautions:
- If possible, only wear shoes made of leather or suede and avoid artificial materials.The skin does not breathe in it and the foot often does not feel comfortable - this leads to “painful” sweating, abrasions and wounds.
- When you come in from the street, don't forget to treat your shoes with a special deodorizing spray.
- Do not wear or try on someone else's shoes.Wear socks before trying on shoes in the store.
- After visiting the swimming pool, bathhouse or sauna, rinse your feet thoroughly and then dry them with a towel.The fungus does not grow in dry environments.After the feet have dried, it is a good idea to treat them with lemon juice - the fungus coagulates in the acid.
- To prevent the appearance of fungus, you can use antifungal ointment.The ointment is applied to clean, dry feet.
- As already mentioned, the fungus is more often transmitted by people with weakened immune systems.Therefore, eat more fruits and vegetables, drink juices and herbal teas.
Take care of yourself and stay healthy!