If you recognize foot fungus in its initial stages and start treatment promptly, you have a good chance of recovering quickly with a minimal amount of antifungal medication, whereas long-term use is in most cases harmful to health (especially to the liver).Unfortunately, not always and not everyone is able to react promptly to the first signs of the appearance of a fungal infection, since the symptoms in the initial stages are very similar to harmless skin manifestations.You know when you notice a yellow spot on your toe deck, your first thought is: nothing, I'll cut it off and healthy clean nails will grow back, or I hit myself somewhere and it'll be over soon.Or if there is slight peeling in the interdigital folds, 90% of cases are due to dry skin, so start using moisturizing cream for treatment.But behind all these “harmless” appearances, there’s often the familiar and nasty foot fungus lurking.
Predisposing factors and sources of infection
Pregnancy may lead to the development of fungal diseases because during this period, a woman's immunity may drop sharply and her hormones may be imbalanced.
Like many diseases, foot fungus does not develop on its own; it requires a favorable environment for its emergence and progression.There are many factors and concomitant diseases that can cause this disease:
- Immunity drops sharply;
- Lack of or violation of personal hygiene;
- increased sweating;
- diabetes;
- obesity;
- flatfoot;
- Lower extremity vascular disease;
- persistent scrapes and wounds;
- Surgical intervention etc.
We've listed the most common causes of foot fungus, but even a poor diet or long-term use of antibiotics can contribute to the development of fungal disease.
Infections most often occur after using a sick person's shoes or going to a public bathroom.The spread of fungal diseases through nail equipment has also increased rapidly in recent years.Other sources of infection include:
- Personal hygiene products for patients (loofah, pumice stone);
- Items belonging to an infected person (socks, stockings, shoes, slippers, pants);
- Bathroom, shower, gym floors (especially wooden floors).
The pathogens of foot fungus are highly resistant to the environment and are characterized by their ability to lie dormant for long periods of time on wood, towels and socks.The onset period is spring and autumn.
How to identify foot fungus in the early stages?
Here, experienced dermatologists recommend paying attention not only to external symptoms, but also to internal ones.Have you noticed that everyone goes to bathhouses, swimming pools, beaches and sunbathes, but fungus only affects certain people?The problem is that its development requires a favorable environment - lowering the body's resistance.This may occur when there is concomitant disease or recent treatment with antibiotics or hormonal drugs.
Let’s talk about the symptoms of skin fungus on the feet.Main symptoms include:
- Cracks appear in the interdigital folds;
- peeling skin between fingers;
- Hardening of the skin on the heel;
- peeling skin on feet and fingers;
- Nail plate deformation (thickening or thinning);
- Nail color change (yellow, brown, black);
- Redness and swelling of feet;
- Red spots appear on thighs and inner legs;
- The entire surface of the foot is covered with scales;
- Itching of varying intensity (depending on location and pathogen);
- Foul odor (most common in people who sweat excessively).
Deep mycoses may appear with blisters, scabs, and fissures, along with severe itching and pain.In some cases, the affected area causes severe pain that makes it impossible to stand.This can cause temporary disability and mobility problems.
Variety and classification
As you know, fungal diseases can be caused by different pathogens, and based on this, the location of the lesions can vary.Most commonly, foot fungus can be caused by:
- Dermatophytosis;
- Candidiasis;
- Deep fungal disease.
Today, all foot mycoses are considered separate diseases, caused by different pathogens and found in various parts of the leg, but they are all unified under one name - foot fungus.The most common of these are:
- Rubrofitiya Station.Accounts for approximately 60% of all mycoses of the foot.It is highly contagious and prevalent among certain groups of people.The initial stage of rubromikoza of the feet is characterized by lesions between the toes and folds on the toes.Subsequently, the sole and inside of the foot are involved in the process.Damage to nail plastic caused by rubrofitii is observed in every three patients.Often combined with fungi on the hands, especially rubromikoze generalized.
- Epidermal mycosis.These include two different diseases - epidermopathy of the foot and epidermopathy of the inguinofemoral folds.In both cases, the lesions are concentrated in the legs.Epidermatitis of the foot is characterized by lesions in the folds between the toes, soles, and dorsum of the feet.Less commonly, the process spreads to the nails (usually the fifth and first toes).The lesions are covered with scales and scabs.There are varying degrees of itching.In acute cases, general malaise and headache may occur.Epidermopathy inguinalis presents as large, scaly plaques in the groin, inner calves, thighs, and perianal areas.The skin lesions can reach large swaths, accompanied by mild itching, peeling, and swelling.
- Onychomycosis.The prevalence of fungal nail infections is steadily increasing every year.Today alone (according to mid-2016 statistics) 10-18% of Russians are diagnosed with onychomycosis of varying severity.Environmental and social factors play an important role in its development.People with problems with their vascular, immune and endocrine systems are also at risk.The prevalence is 1.3 times higher in men than in women.Onychomycosis is very rare in children, with the highest incidence occurring in people aged 50 to 70 years.
- Candidiasis.Although rare, there are still cases where Candida can cause damage to the feet.In isolated cases, candidal balanoposthitis can spread from the genitals to the perianal area and inguinal femoral folds.More commonly, yeast-like fungi are found on the nails.At the initial stage, there is pain in the nail fold, and pus may flow when pressed.Over time, its color will turn tan.
Erythema can also occur on smooth skin, but this lesion is rarely seen on the legs.But rubromikozu in the groin is characterized by damage to the inside of the leg and the appearance of red spots.
Treatment and Prevention
Diagnosis of leg fungus includes examination of clinical findings, taking scrapings from the lesion, microscopic examination (to find mycelium), and bacterial culture to identify fungal cultures.Do not use any means to treat lesions before seeking medical attention!Differential diagnosis with eczema, rash, and contact dermatitis.
Treat epidermophyton and rubrophyton in the groin with topical medications (most commonly clotrimazole).The prognosis is good and treatment time rarely exceeds 1 month.As a preventive measure, it is recommended to treat the affected area with an alcohol-based solution; if itching occurs, you can take antihistamines.
The situation with foot mycoses and onychomycoses is more complicated because, even in the initial stages, they are difficult to treat and prone to recurrence.The most effective method is considered to be a combination of topical and systemic drugs, strictly observing the rules of dosage, personal hygiene and disinfection.The combination of diflucan capsules and terbinafine ointment has proven effective (treating lesions twice daily for a month).When dealing with athlete's foot, great attention is paid to the handling of shoes and socks, which can easily lead to recurrence.It is recommended to boil the socks or wash them at a temperature of 90 degrees; the insoles and shoes inside must be treated with a chlorhexidine solution.
Most importantly, remember that foot fungus found today in its initial stages can be successfully treated with the help of modern medications, but advanced onychomycosis and foot fungus may take months or even years to treat.