In medical circles, mycosis is a group of diseases caused by fungi. If the skin is damaged, dermatomycosis is diagnosed, and if the nail plate is damaged, onychomycosis is diagnosed. In most images, the pathologies are combined. Fungi on the legs are caused by the negative influence of anthropophilic, zooanthropophilic microorganisms. Infection with yeast-like fungi from the Candida family is somewhat less common. Let's see what types of fungal diseases occur and how to cure fungus between the toes.
Types of mushrooms
Fungi are divided into several varieties - dermatophytes, molds and yeast-like parasites. They provoke the development of candidiasis, rubrophytosis, onychomycosis, epidermophytosis. Depending on the symptoms, other divisions into types also differ. There are membranous, vesicular and moccasin types of the disease.
For information, infection occurs directly - through contact with the ground, vegetation, with a sick person or animal, or indirectly - through contact with household items that a sick person touches.
Fungi on the skin between the toes can be of the following types:
- Athlete's foot. The pathology is accompanied by damage to the space between the fingers, as well as the nail plate. In most movies, grown men are sick;
- Rubrophytia. The disease progresses slowly and there are no symptoms in the early stages of infection. In the absence of proper treatment, the nail plate will soon be affected;
- Candidiasis of the interdigital space is relatively rare. Divided into several types. The first is vesicular-pustular. Distinctive signs include severe hyperemia and swelling. The second - hyperkeratotic - the stratum corneum of the dermis thickens, there is severe peeling;
- Intertriginous form. It is diagnosed more often in the summer. It usually affects the space between the third and fourth toes, somewhat less often fungi are found on the little finger;
- The deleted form has a minimal number of symptoms. Patients complain of cracks in the interdigital space, slight burning and itching.
Treatment of interdigital fungus is prescribed after the specific pathogen is identified. To do this, the patient undergoes tests. Based on the results of laboratory diagnostics, a treatment regimen is recommended. It consists of drugs for external use, tablets taken internally (in neglected scenes).
Fungus causes and symptoms
Before we learn how to treat foot fungus, let's consider the reasons for the activation of pathogenic microflora and the symptoms of the disease. Definitely, the main reason is the proliferation of fungi in the affected area.
You can get infected in public places, when you use other people's items for personal hygiene; Infection is often observed in the family circle when one of the household members becomes ill.
Worth knowing: factors that increase a person's susceptibility to fungi include age - children are more susceptible due to immature defense mechanisms and the state of the immune system - a weakened body cannot resist the action of fungi.
Fungus between the toes occurs for the following reasons:
- High humidity. This condition is caused by low-quality shoes, socks made of synthetic materials and hyperhidrosis of the lower extremities.
- Blood circulation disorder. This problem is observed in chronic pathologies - diabetes, hypertension. It is also found in experienced smokers and alcohol addiction.
- Lower extremity injury. The fungus penetrates the wound and begins to multiply rapidly. Practice shows that even with good immunity, the body cannot cope on its own.
Other reasons are dermatological diseases - psoriasis, eczema, old age, metabolic disorders in the body, etc.
Fungi on the fingers are accompanied by constant itching and burning, which significantly reduces the patient's quality of life. Initially, one toe is affected, but if the disease is not diagnosed in time and treatment with drugs for foot fungus is not started, the pathology progresses rapidly and spreads to other toes, feet and ankles.
Fungus between the fingers is manifested by symptoms:
- Peeling of the skin in the interdigital fold;
- The appearance of small cracks that cause discomfort;
- Itching and pain in the affected area;
- Sole sealing.
If the nail plate is damaged, the color of the nail changes and its natural shine is lost. The nail becomes thicker, easily injured, crumbles and breaks.
Initially, clinical symptoms are not very pronounced, itching does not cause much concern. As the disease progresses, the symptoms intensify. Most often, the treatment of interdigital fungus on the toes requires the use of two or more drugs, since the picture has advanced due to the patient's late request for help.
Methods for the treatment of fungi
If fungus appears between the fingers, consult a dermatologist. The doctor performs a physical examination and issues a referral for laboratory diagnostics. Based on the results, medications are recommended for toenail fungus.
How to get rid of pathogenic microorganisms? Local agents will help in this - creams, gels and ointments, sprays, emulsions. They do not enter the bloodstream and are used several times a day. It is recommended to use for mild fungal infections.
If an advanced fungal infection is diagnosed, and the area of the problem area is large, then oral tablets are prescribed. They work from the inside, disrupting the cell membrane of the parasite, which leads to their death. The doctor independently determines the method of administration and dosage; Side effects may develop if the recommended dose is exceeded.
Fungus between the toes can be treated with the following medicines:
- Tablet form.
- Local agents.
You can supplement the treatment of fungus between the toes with folk remedies - baths based on chamomile, baking soda, lotions with laundry soap, vinegar and other ingredients of natural origin.
Important: in order to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment, confirmation by laboratory methods is required - the analysis is done after 14 days of therapy and after 30 days. Only getting negative results indicates the effectiveness of the course.
Antifungal agent
The antifungal agent is antimycotic, helps to eliminate fungi and works quickly and effectively. The use of the drug is carried out only on the advice of a doctor. The drug has several forms of release - gel, spray, cream and tablets, solution.
The principle of action of the drug is to block the ability of fungi to reproduce, which is why they die. When used externally, the product accumulates in the affected area, which contributes to its high efficiency.
The dosage of the tablet form for an adult is usually 250 mg per day. If the fungus is treated in a child, the dose is determined according to body weight. The duration of the therapeutic course varies from 2 to 6 weeks. Spray and ointment are used 1-2 times a day. The treatment lasts 1 month. At the doctor's recommendation, the course of treatment can be extended by several weeks.
Side effects of tablets:
- Headache;
- Weakened taste perception;
- Vertigo;
- Allergic reactions;
- Decreased appetite;
- Disorder of the digestive tract;
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Painful sensations in the abdomen.
Contraindications for use are organic intolerance to the drug, impaired liver and kidney function. Patient reviews state that the product quickly relieves unpleasant symptoms - after a few days of treatment, the severity of clinical manifestations decreases.
Antifungal drug for systemic use against fungi
Dosage forms - ointment, cream, spray and tablets. It is often prescribed to treat a fungal infection that is localized between the toes. The ointment/cream is applied in a thin layer to the dried and cleaned skin area. Rubbing is not recommended. The frequency of application is twice a day.
The dosage of tablets is determined individually. Reception takes place over several weeks. For children, the dose is determined according to weight and age. The drug has a harmful effect on pathogenic microorganisms and is a powerful drug. Tablets should not be prescribed in the following situations:
- Liver dysfunction;
- Lactose intolerance;
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- hypersensitivity;
- Children under the age of three;
- Patient weight up to 20 kg.
Important: with simultaneous use of anti-fungal drugs and alcohol, the likelihood of toxic liver damage increases.
Such creams are well tolerated. Only some patients have allergic reactions. In this case, the drug prescriptions should be adjusted. You cannot choose analogues yourself.
To prevent the appearance of fungi, it is recommended to treat shoes with antifungal agents; strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations and do not stop treatment; adhere to hygiene rules; After water treatments, wipe your feet dry.