Medical sources claim that almost every fifth person has or has had a disease such as athlete's foot.This disease is known almost all over the planet.The disease appeared in the 19th century and since then it has not stopped expanding its borders.Fungus affects the feet due to wearing leather shoes of different quality.There are many types of diseases.Damage to the nails, skin between the toes and feet is common.
Diseases caused by parasitic microorganisms are called mycosis or onychomycosis.Doctors believe that people with neglected feet are more susceptible to contracting them than others: with corns, cracked heels, calluses.Peeling or drying of the skin is also considered a major cause of foot infections.There are many types of mycoses, because in nature there are several hundred fungal pathogens that can parasitize the human body.The most common are: dermatophytes, yeast and mold parasites.
Many people ask how to recognize the fungus in the early stages, during the period when painful symptoms appear and what to do to quickly eliminate the insidious disease.There are many answers to the question.
Symptoms of the disease
The medical name for athlete's foot is mycosis.The causative agent is thought to be a parasitic virus called a mold.It tries to settle in the crevices of the feet, between the toes, on and under the nails.The disease is helped by sweat, through which it expands the halo of its development on the leg.Any skin damage is susceptible to fungus.
The disease destroys keratin, which is responsible for the healthy condition of the nails.The skin has a layer of fat, improper metabolism and lack of balanced nutrition lead to skin disorders.Fungi get inside and problems arise.Restoring the protective function of the skin requires time and a specific treatment system.
Mushroom shapes
Doctors have identified four forms of mycosis.
- Interdigital.The first most common type of disease.Its eruptions are observed in summer.The higher the temperature, the greater the number of sick people registered by doctors.Cracks and sores that appear between the toes can be dry or moist.There is constant itching.In the photo it is easy to see the appearance of the interdigital form of the disease.
- External.The skin of the foot below is covered with a crust that resembles a callus.This is especially visible in the photo in the area of the heels, which are covered with cracks.Nails lose their normal appearance.They change color, shape and begin to grow incorrectly.It is difficult to handle.
- Vesicular.The disorder covers the skin of the foot up to the ankle.It reminds you, clearly visible in the photo, of erosion.Ulcers penetrate deep into the body and require treatment prescribed by specialists, and following the prescriptions and requirements of the doctors meticulously.
- Deleted.The skin of the foot resembles a surface sprinkled with flour.The cracks are almost invisible.This form is difficult to see in time.Only careful attention to the condition of the feet and the desire to maintain their healthy appearance leads to timely initiation of treatment.
There are many types of the disease, each of them has its own symptoms and manifestations of the disease.You can see them in the photo, studying the signs and differences of each type.
- Fungal infection does not appear on both feet at once.First it can be found on one leg, then on the other.The first symptoms are itching and burning.On the skin, at the site of infection, you can see or touch blisters.If treatment is not started in time, they will turn into erosion and change their appearance.An unpleasant crust will appear between your toes.Gradually, nail fungus begins to spread along the leg, the first thing it affects are the nails.At first you may notice yellow streaks and spots, then the nails change shape and begin to thicken.The nail layers grow.The nail crumbles and loses its strength.
- Different types of diseases behave differently.There is a type of fungus (dermatophyte) that has no symptoms.And the disease appears immediately on the skin and nails.Urgent medical intervention is required.
- There are variants of the opposite course of the disease.The usual manifestation of the disease from the inside to the surface changes.The disease goes from the surface to the nail, the plaque becomes light and peels off.The nail becomes extremely white.
- The feet are covered with ulcers.They are small in size and yellow in color.Inflammation occurs in the place where the nail grows.The color becomes green, close to brown.The nail is quickly destroyed.These are signs of a yeast species.
- You can check the presence of a type such as rubromycosis using potassium permanganate.Healthy nails will change color from the solution and turn brown.Toenails affected by the disease will not change color.The skin is also exposed to this type of virus.
Nail fungus
The disease appears very often in people who play sports, are smart and active.They visit swimming pools, health sports centers and saunas.Someone else's shoes, standing with bare feet on a surface that has not been treated after the previous visitor, leads to the appearance of nail fungus.The disease is infectious, transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person through contact with objects or shoes.It is always recommended to bring your own shoes, even when visiting places where shared shoes are kept.Families where personal hygiene comes first have excellent results.Each family member has his own towel and slippers.Face and foot towels and constant bed changes will prevent the appearance of an unpleasant foot parasite.Toenail fungus can be caused by injuries to the feet, especially tight shoes, excessive sweating, and flat feet.
Medical reasons
- Low and weak immunity;
- Diabetes mellitus;
- Continuous treatment with antibiotics;
- Improper blood circulation in the legs;
- Features of the structure of the limbs.
Signs of toenail fungus
- Changing the structure;
- Color change (white, gray, yellow, green, brown);
- Increase in the thickness of the nail plate;
- Cracks in the nails;
- Unpleasant smell;
- The nail plate begins to crumble.
The parasitic microbe settles in the space between the nail and the base.The nail becomes taller than normal.The sore point looks unpleasant, aesthetically ugly, protrudes unnaturally and becomes large.
Preventive procedures
- Complete cleaning of common areas.Bathrooms and toilets must be treated with disinfectants.Treat with products containing bleach, washcloths, sponges.
- Use special products to reduce foot sweating.These can be powder, talc.
- If a sick person appears in the family, the rest must take precautions.
- Wearing comfortable, high-quality shoes.Avoid the appearance of calluses and injuries.
- Use of foot creams.For dry skin - emollient, for excessive sweating - refreshing.
- After washing, the feet should be completely dried
- Before visiting a spa, pool, sauna or those places where you will have to take care of bare feet or open shoes, treat your feet with anti-fungal aerosols.The same can be done after going to these premises.
- Daily change of socks and tights.
- Treatment of the inner surface of shoes, drying in time, care for them.
- Don't try on other people's shoes.
A person suffering from this disease begins to experience a lot of discomfort.They are accompanied by changes in the appearance of the nails, physical ailments and unpleasant sensations.The onset of the disease is not recommended.Nail fungus does not stay, it begins to spread over a larger area and it is possible for the disease to pass inside the body.It is important to start treatment on time.It must be performed competently and systematically.