Foot fungus is a skin disease that manifests itself with active reproduction in the epidermis of some types of fungi. Today, both the elderly with weakened immune systems and children are susceptible to this disease. Signs of fungus on the feet depend on the type of pathogen of the infectious process and the volume of the affected foot and nail plate, and at different stages have certain differences, which indicates the progression of the infection. You need to know how to recognize a fungus on your feet, which will allow you to start treatment at the right time and stop its further development.
Symptoms of the disease
The main place for the development of foot fungus most often becomes the area between the toes. This pathology is accompanied by the appearance of symptoms such as burning, severe itching and redness of the epidermis. Furthermore, a person may observe cracked and cracked skin as well as the formation of blisters on the feet and increased dryness of the dermis.
The same symptoms of foot fungus can appear on the toe and are associated with excessive keratinization of the skin. The cunning of such a disease lies in the fact that during its course, the formation of a fungus difficult to treat on the foot is possible, and the wounds themselves are in a state of superinfection.
How to recognize foot fungus and what symptoms may signal the onset of disease development? The first signs of the disease are the appearance of small scales, ie different types of peeling, ranging from small pityriasis to large lamellae. There are different types of fungi that provoke the development of the disease, but they are all characterized by the same signs:
- In the initial stage of its development, the pathology continues without the appearance of pronounced symptoms. First of all, interdigital folds are affected and most often between the third and fourth fingers.
- As the fungal disease progresses, the sides of the feet are affected, gradually spreading to the ankle.
- With a fungal infection of the feet, the skin thickens noticeably, cracks and begins to glow.
- The skin becomes very dry and starts to itch a lot. In addition, the epidermis becomes very red, and its affected areas become inflamed.
- Patients begin to complain of pain and burning in the legs.
- As the disease progresses to a neglected form, blisters begin to appear on the skin. When they open, the affected areas of the skin get very wet and soften.
There are several forms of foot fungus and each of them is associated with the development of certain symptoms.
Forms of pathology
Experts identify the following types of fungi that can affect the skin of the feet:
- interdigital;
- hyperkeratotic (moccasins);
- dishidrotic.
The most common form of interdigital foot fungus is interdigital, which is characterized by the appearance of several signs:
- most often, the area of the fourth and fifth toes becomes the site of localization of this form of fungus.
- as the disease progresses, the skin acquires a characteristic scaly appearance and may be severely cracked;
- between 3, 4, and 5 o'clock a weeping crack or funnel forms, which is surrounded by scales of dry white or green skin.
Fungal interdigital lesions of the skin can be either dry or wet. In case a wet interdigital fungus is detected, the skin looks swollen. With a dry lesion of the epidermis, its peeling and shedding is noticed.
The first sign of a foot mold like moccasins is pain, the manifestation of which is observed in the foot. As the pathology progresses, a gradual thickening of the skin on the foot is observed, which causes the formation of cracks.
This form of foot fungal disease is considered the most difficult and neglected, but it is easy to recognize. A fungal disease can appear in the damage of the nail plates, in this case they acquire a characteristic thickening, are prone to destruction and may even fall off altogether.
The vesicular shape of the fungus is characterized by the formation of bubbles, within which there is a clear liquid. Gradually, such bubbles mature, become turbid and open, which causes the formation of erosions of various sizes. The main localization of the blisters becomes the area closest to the toes, but it is possible for them to appear all over the moccasin.
The vesicular form of a fungal disease is considered quite rare, but much easier to treat. This is due to the fact that the vesicles become the site of localization of the pathogen, ie it does not penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin. When a viral or fungal infection is attached to a vesicular fungal disease, serious skin lesions are observed and treatment becomes difficult.
Specialists distinguish a wiped form of foot fungus, in which all the symptoms are vague. Diagnosing such a pathology is quite problematic, as the affected skin looks like a simple messy foot. In a patient with such foot fungus, the symptoms are yellowing of the nails and peeling of the feet, but they are so mild that the patient does not pay attention.
The erased form of the fungus persists in the wave, i. e. in the hot season it gets worse, and in winter it almost completely disappears. With each weakening of the immune system, a sharp worsening of the disease is observed, which creates difficulties in the treatment of foot fungus.
How to recognize onychomycosis?
Signs of nail fungus can vary significantly at different stages, signaling the progression of the infection. How does toenail fungus start and what signs should I look out for?
- In the first stage, there are no characteristic symptoms of the lesion and barely visible lines and spots appear on the nail. In case you ignore the first signs of the disease and start the fungus, then the accumulation of pus in the area of the periungal plates is possible. The result of such a pathological process is gangrene or amputation of the lower extremities.
- With the second degree of fungal disease, the natural shine of the nails disappears. Gradually, the nail changes color and white and brown streaks form on it. Deformation of the upper part of the nail and its side parts is possible. The advanced stage of bacterial damage of the nails is characterized by their increased fragility, delamination and inflammation of the cuticle. The pathology continues its progression and spreads to other nails and feet.
- In the third stage of onychomycosis, the nail becomes yellow or dirty brown. In addition, it becomes very loose, thickens and remains behind the nail bed. Often, when you wear shoes, severe pain starts and itching of the skin becomes simply unbearable.
There are several types of toenail fungal infections, each of which causes the onset of certain symptoms.
- Hypertrophic onychomycosis is associated with thickening of the nail and its yellowing. The nail crumbles well and a thick epidermis is visible beneath it.
- Atrophic onychomycosis causes thinning of the nail and its destruction, and keratinized skin is visible beneath it.
- Onychomycosis, when affected by fungal fungi, often develops not as an independent disease, but against the background of other pathologies.
The nail can be stained in yellow, brown, green or black. Often a complication develops in the form of inflammation of the periungual bed with the release of pus.
Prevention of pathology
With the normal functioning of the immune system, nail fungus is unlikely to start developing after infection, as the body can cope on its own. In case a fungal infection still affects the feet and nails, then it is necessary to undergo an effective treatment. The sooner the fight against such a pathology begins, the higher the chances of the patient for a complete recovery.
Fighting foot fungus is considered a rather laborious process, so it is easier to prevent the development of the disease. To do this, the following preventive measures must be observed:
- keep feet dry;
- do not wear other people's shoes;
- choose socks that will be made of cotton fabric;
- Do not run barefoot on the beach.
When the first signs of foot fungus appear, you should contact a specialist. It is important to identify the pathology early in its development and prevent further progression, which will help avoid many complications. To understand how to define foot fungus, you should consult a dermatologist.