One of the most common diseases of the skin is considered to be a fungus between the toes. The treatment depends in large part on its pathology and the degree of negligence. Very often, in order to eliminate the signs of mycosis are nominated as antifungal agents in various forms. In the initial phase of the disease effective enough the traditional methods that you can use at home without damage to health.
The causes of the disease
At the base of the pathological state is contact with the skin of a fungal infection that causes the fungus toes. In the case of strong immunity of the human body expels the infection, and the disease does not develop. But in many people the immune system is weakened, which becomes an optimal environment for the development of the disease.
Can be infected by a sick person through direct contact, and also during use of the hygiene articles. Towels, shoes, and other things will become a source of infection. Predisposing factors are:
- Dermatological diseases of a chronic nature with periodic exacerbations — eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis.
- Wear it on a constant basis shoes tight and uncomfortable from artificial materials.
- New violation of the rules of personal hygiene.
- Deficiency in the body of vitamins and mineral compounds.
- Reinforcement of the work of the sweat glands, due to the fact that between the toes is wet. This results in the development of infections and intense proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.
- Often lesions of the skin of the feet.
- The violation of metabolic processes.
- Diseases of the lower limbs.
- Sores or wounds not healed in the area of the fingers and stop.
- Fungal infections of the nails, you will transform into a space between the fingers.
At risk are the people who on a constant basis visit sauna, saunas or swimming pools. In these places, the accumulation of the fungal infection, largest, and to infect it only takes a few minutes of being in a bathroom stall, where he remained for the infected person. Very often, the athlete's foot develops in children who attend the school or the nursery school is closely in contact with the sick.
The symptoms of athlete's foot
Before treating the fungus in the feet between the toes, you need to know how it looks and what are the symptoms appear. Often the disease manifests itself as follows:
- The initial phase is not different pronounced symptoms and can pass without trace for many people. The delicate skin between the toes appear to be cracks, which in view of its becomes unhealthy. The skin will dry and flake off in small flakes. The patient discomfort, itching and mild burning sensation. This is especially felt in night time, when the legs are released from the shoes.The active phase follows initial and is manifested the most intense signs. On the spot peeling appear red spots. Itching accompanies the man, leading to irritation of the skin and severe itching.
- Progressive stage characterized by the appearance of bubbles of small size, filled with a clear liquid. When you put yourself in contact with the fabric of the stockings and the shoes, the bubbles will burst, in their place, appears to cry, surface wounds, which often bleed. With time these areas are covered by brown skin or a yellow.
- Launched phase is characterized by the diffusion of the pathological process in the tissues close and the nail plate. Nails yellowed, layered, and crumble. When you try to remove the crust in their place are formed the open wounds, the time not curable. The bacteria on the wound surface rapidly and pass through the deeper layers. Pain accompanies man always prevents the normal circulation, the skin is hyperemic and swollen. Always new bubbles, full of non-liquid and pus. If the therapy is not present, the disease can reach the muscle layer. To get rid of it will be very difficult.
A characteristic symptom athlete's foot at any stage will be the bad smell of the feet even after the recent washing and the treatment of the shoes. In a shoe accumulate bacteria, and it requires cleaning chemicals with disinfectant. The most dangerous complication of the disease process will be the penetration of a fungal infection in the blood and the development of mycosis of the internal organs.
Methods of diagnosis
A dermatologist is sufficient to examine carefully the skin between the fingers, to determine the athlete's foot. But to clarify the diagnosis is made special by scraping with of the affected areas, with the aim of a research on the type of infection.
In laboratory conditions, are bacteriology sowing of the material received, and reveal the exact type of the pathogen. After this specialist may be able to prescribe an appropriate therapy.
An important moment in the diagnosis will identify the causes and mode of transmission of the infection. It is also necessary to determine the stage of the disease. If the patient, before referral to a specialist in contact with other people or family members, it is necessary to perform a preventive treatment of all the families with the purpose of preventing the infection.
Medical therapy
The treatment of fungus toe depends on the degree of the disease. The initial phase can only be cured by external means in the form of ointments or solutions. In execution cases, providing only a combination of preformed drugs vehicles with exterior mirrors adjustable to get the maximum result in the short term.
To determine which option is best, in any case, should only the doctor. Can not be alone to treat athlete's foot at home drugs, because they often have contraindications and side effects, often cause allergic reactions.
If the therapy is ineffective for 4 weeks, the patient's condition worsen, the doctor still takes scraping with the affected place. It is necessary, to determine the sensitivity of the bacteria used the drug.
Recipes alternative medicine
In the house are allowed to use some folk remedies, that help to stop the progression of the disease. The initial stages of fungal infection can treat these means:
- The town of soda and salt. Should be used in the form of baths, dissolving in 3 liters of water a tablespoon of each instrument. The term home therapeutic session — not less than 20 minutes. The water should be warm, but not burning. Repeat the procedure each day, the duration of the course is 2 weeks. The optimal time for the treatment — before going to sleep.
- Decoction herbal base of chamomile, dry celandine and the leaves of plantain will become the best household remedy with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. Preparing it is simple: separate 50 g of each ingredient, chop carefully and boil 3 liters of water for not less than 5 minutes. Filtered the instrument is ready for use after 20 minutes of infusion. In decoction, it is necessary to lower the foot and continue up to complete cooling. Start therapy before going to bed every day for 2-3 weeks.
- Table of vinegar allowed for the newspaper to clean the problem areas between the fingers, or as lotions. The second option is suitable for the initial phase, when the ground defeat small. Lotions made of a cotton swab, pre-soaked in vinegar 9%, and applied to the place of defeat for 20 minutes. Per day is allowed up to 3 treatments. The therapeutic effect is evident after 10 days of regular use.
- Alcoholic solution of iodine 5% allows you to get rid of the fungus for 2 weeks. The treatment must be performed in the morning and in the evening. Before the procedure, the legs, it is recommended that you steam in the hot water bath and wipe dry with a towel. During the treatment should pay attention not only to the skin, but and nail plates, for the infection does not spread. This method is allowed to use only in an initial phase. In case of contact with iodine in an open wound, significantly increases the risk of burn and a deterioration of the condition of the patient.
- Permanganate of potassium in the early stage can be used for the treatment of the affected areas or steam the legs. For the preparation of the solution is necessary in warm water, add a couple of crystals, to obtain a pinkish color. The resulting solution, it is possible to go on the walk for 20 minutes per day or soak a cotton ball and a couple of times a day lubricate the area of inflammation. Usually it is sufficient to 2 weeks of regular use, or another way to get rid of the fungus.
- Birch tar can be purchased at the pharmacy. Must be in pure form, the problem areas and the nail plate. The layer should be thin, exposure time — no more than 40 minutes, because it's pretty aggressive tool and often causes allergic reactions. In case of impossibility to take it only allowed to wash the feet every evening soap tar. The duration of therapy of tar must not exceed 10 days. Soap as a prevention is allowed to use on a constant basis.
The application of any popular remedy requires prior consultation with a specialist in order to avoid complications.
Prevention of infection
Prevent diseases with simple prevention measures. It is necessary to adhere strictly to the rules of hygiene, give preference to socks and shoes from natural materials, in a timely manner to cure any disease of the skin on the legs, or small injury. After visiting the swimming pool or the sauna it is recommended that you manage the legs antiseptic solutions and avoid the use of foreigners to personal hygiene.
If you have appeared the first signs of fungal infection, it is recommended that you begin treatment immediately. This will allow you to get rid of the problem in a short time and to avoid complications.