“How to cure foot fungus”, “how to quickly get rid of onychomycosis, foot fungus, achieve eternal youth and defeat death”.These are all questions of the same level.Foot fungus cannot be cured quickly and reliably, especially with home methods.You still need a dermatologist.
Foot mycosis is a skin disease caused by the spread of parasitic fungi and is one of the most common disorders affecting human skin (photo).
The disease is quite difficult to treat and leads to complications, as it rarely starts on time.
Often a person infected with a fungal infection does not pay attention to the symptoms, and the bacteria manage to "settle" quite firmly on the skin.
Causes of foot fungus
The high prevalence of foot mycosis is explained by the fact that the disease is easily transmitted from person to person at the level of family contact.
Pathogenic microorganisms "love" a humid and warm environment, which favors the growth of fungi.
Pools, gyms, bathrooms and saunas – where a person may walk barefoot on the floor – are among the first places where one can contract fungi.
The use of household items and personal items of a person with foot mycosis (towels, washcloths) inevitably leads to infection.
The second reason for the spread of fungal infection and the formation of mycosis of the foot is non-compliance with personal hygiene rules and excessive sweating of the feet.
Rarely changing socks and putting them on wet feet also creates all the favorable conditions for fungus growth on the feet.
Symptoms of foot fungus
There are different forms of foot mycosis, the symptoms of which have distinctive characteristics.
Erased form of foot fungus
The symptoms of this form of foot mycosis are insignificant and this is the insidiousness of the skin disease.
A slight dryness and flaking of the dermis is accepted by humans as an absolutely normal physiological phenomenon.
Although gaps between the toes are considered diaper rash, they are actually symptoms of exposure to a fungus.
Squamous-hyperkeratic form of foot fungus
The most common form of athlete's foot among the population over the age of 60 is moccasin foot.
It is called this because of the obvious visible signs that appear on the surface of the foot:
- thickened and rough skin over the entire surface;
- cracks, calluses (hyperkeratosis);
- attack of lesions of the nail plate;
- dirty gray color, with yellowish tinge;
- unpleasant odor;
- separation of the stratum corneum, scales;
- pain when walking and inability to wear shoes.
Vesicular form of foot fungus
Mycoses of the foot, with symptoms in the form of blistering formations with a thick horny coating, are called the wet form of a fungal infection.
The blisters that appear over time open up and become similar to eczema, ulcers and psoriasis.
In general, athlete's foot manifests itself in different ways.
The disease may begin with cracked heels, bursting and itchy blisters, severe diaper rash, or roughening of the skin.
Peeling of the skin, when it comes off in large or small flakes from the foot, should not go unnoticed.
An unpleasant odor also appears, the feet sweat quickly, and after being in the shoes, the foot “burns” and itches.
Complications that arise due to a negligent attitude to the symptoms of the disease manifest themselves in the form of erosions and painful wounds on the legs, which sometimes cannot be completely healed.
Foot fungus treatment
New generation antimyotics are used to treat foot mycosis.They are not that harmful to the liver and are remarkably effective.
However, the fungus is also insidious because it quickly develops resistance to various types of drugs, thus causing relapses.
To treat a fungal foot infection it is necessary to establish an accurate diagnosis, identifying which type of mycosis has spread to the skin.To do this, scrape the mushrooms.
Complex treatment, with a precise regimen of drugs, both local and systemic, should be determined only by a specialist, since self-medication leads to an aggravation of the problem.
And the third point of successful treatment is the patient's strict discipline in taking medications, following a diet and taking preventive measures.
Different treatment regimens are used for foot mycosis: combination and monotherapy.
And if a drug is selected for monotherapy, it is often for external use.
The combined scheme involves several treatment areas at once:
- external agents;
- tablets for internal use;
- laser exposure;
- Hardware pedicure.
External remedies for foot fungus
The most effective substance that can affect the fungus is a substance that destroys both mold and yeast-like fungi and can fight dermatophytes and infections of non-fungal origin, which are often associated with mycosis of the foot.
This substance can be presented in various forms: spray, cream or gel, solution, etc.
The products work on the principle of the formation of a protective film that can remain on the surface of the skin for up to 72 hours.
External preparations are applied in the amount prescribed by the doctor, but often the procedure is carried out 1-2 times a day for 2-4 weeks, then the treatment continues, but according to a different scheme.
Before applying ointment or cream, clean your foot.
They make compresses with salicylic acid to eliminate the stratum corneum, soap and soda baths and use petrolatum-based ointments to soften and remove dead tissue.
Such procedures are carried out in special rooms for therapeutic pedicure, using grinding accessories.
Before treating wet-type foot mycosis, it is necessary to dry the ulcers and blisters with boric acid, brilliant green or iodine.
To prevent the spread of fungi on the nails, special varnishes against onychomycosis are prescribed.
But the vesicular form of mycosis will require the addition of corticosteroids to the treatment regimen.
How to cure foot fungus: systemic therapy
Taking oral antifungals is not indicated for all patients with foot mycosis.
The drugs are quite toxic, so they are not prescribed to pregnant and breastfeeding women, young children, the elderly and those with impaired liver function.
According to the instructions attached to the drug or according to the regimen prescribed by the doctor, antifungal tablets are taken.
Recently, drugs that eliminate foot and nail fungus in 1 cycle have proven themselves effective, they relieve itching, peeling and irritation of the skin of the feet after the first use.
Folk remedies for treating foot fungus
If there are categorical contraindications for the treatment of foot mycosis with drugs, you can try folk remedies.
How to cure foot fungus at home:
- The acid contained in wine vinegar or table vinegar (9%) is an effective folk remedy against fungi.The surface of the skin affected by mycosis is lubricated with it and cotton socks are put on top.Leave it overnight.The use of vinegar is not recommended for those with wounds or ulcers on their feet.In this case, it is better to reduce the concentration of the folk remedy or replace it with a more gentle one.
- The brewed coffee shows good results.It is necessary to prepare the strongest drink and so much that you can completely immerse your feet in it.For prevention, folk treatment is carried out on two limbs at once, even if mycosis is observed only on one.Perform the procedure before going to sleep.
- Foot baths based on celandine also serve as an effective folk remedy capable of freeing the feet from fungi within a month.Prepare a bath at the rate of 4 tablespoons.l for 1 l.waterfall.The grass is boiled, after which the legs are steamed in the hot mixture for up to half an hour.You can also take a stronger collection of herbs for brewing: oak bark, chamomile, knotweed, sage, eucalyptus and fir needles.All have excellent antifungal properties.
- You can also use local anesthetic lotions by soaking a cotton ball in the medicinal solution and applying it to the affected area.The folk remedy quickly relieves the symptoms: pain and itching.
Prevention of foot fungus
Effective treatment of foot mycosis is possible with the following preventive measures:
- mandatory disinfection of insoles and internal surfaces of shoes, the more often, the better.To do this, use special antifungal shoe sprays or alcohol;
- It is recommended to change bed linen daily and wash it at high temperatures;
- disinfect the surface of the tub or shower cubicle and also refuse to frequent public bathing establishments during the treatment;
- in public places, do not walk barefoot and dry them before putting on shoes;
- All family members must treat the fungus immediately, otherwise someone will be constantly infected;
- follow a diet: do not eat allergenic foods, smoked foods, canned foods, very salty and peppery foods and sweets.