Interdigital mycosis is a fungal infection of the skin in the spaces between the toes, caused by opportunistic organisms and anthropophilic fungi.
Causes of mycoses
The cause of any mycosis is contact with an infected person, wearing shoes or sharing personal hygiene items with him. The possibility of infection increases in those whose immunity is reduced - due to chronic diseases, taking certain medications or due to lack of vitamins.
At risk are patients with:
- disorders in the functioning of the endocrine system;
- diabetes mellitus and its complications (in particular, diabetic foot);
- allergic dermatitis;
- varicose veins;
- obesity;
- increased sweating;
- immune disorders;
- hormonal disorders;
- metabolic disorders in the body, etc.
The skin of the feet after a short pedicure is extremely sensitive to fungus. And wearing shoes that are too tight can make the situation worse.
Symptoms
Interdigital mycosis in the initial stages is manifested by slight itching of the skin between the fingers. Later, peeling of the skin, redness and the appearance of cracks are added to this symptom.
If you do not take measures and consult a specialist, the problem gradually worsens - burning, diaper rash and swelling of the area between the toes appear. Small blisters that are prone to coalescence may begin to form in the interdigital folds. When such bubbles burst, weepy erosions remain in place and become crusted. This condition is dangerous because of infection - wounds can become irritated.
It is important to note that with a long course of interdigital mycosis, the forms of the disease can transform into each other or develop in parallel.
Interdigital mycosis can also occur in a hidden form - in this case, the patient periodically experiences unpleasant symptoms of the disease (usually during and after water procedures and with excessive sweating of the feet).
Diagnosis of fungus between the fingers
As practice shows, in approximately every third case of skin lesions between the fingers, a fungal infection is diagnosed.
When prescribing treatment for mycosis, the podiatrist takes into account many factors: the presence or absence of accompanying pathologies in the patient, the clinical appearance of the disease, its form and degree.
The diagnosis of a specific pathogen is the key to effective treatment and successful recovery. To determine which fungi need to be fought, the podiatrist can prescribe laboratory tests and bacterial culture to the patient.
How to treat interdigital fungus?
For interdigital mycoses, complex therapy is carried out. It includes:
- local antifungal medications (creams, creams, ointments, etc. );
- It is also possible to take oral antifungal agents.
The course of treatment is determined individually for the patient. Traditional medicine (compresses, baths, creams from medicinal plants, etc. ) can be used as an auxiliary method, but only after consultation with a specialist.
If mycosis develops against the background of internal diseases, local therapy is combined with the treatment of the underlying pathology.
Contraindications and possible complications
Interdigital mycosis requires referral to a specialist and complex therapy. Without timely treatment, it quickly spreads throughout the leg and affects the nails.
In addition, in patients with mycosis, the sensitivity of the body to viral diseases increases, and the risk of bacterial infection and allergic reactions increases.
Strict adherence to the podiatrist's recommendations and a full course of treatment are important. Pathogens can become resistant to the drugs used, and combined with repeated infections, this makes it much more difficult to remove the infection - even if there are positive dynamics, the course of treatment cannot be interrupted.
Advice and recommendations from a podiatrist
To avoid fungal infection, it is necessary to strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene - first of all, this applies to personal hygiene items and shoes.
- Do not wear someone else's shoes and use only individual bath towels.
- Do not walk barefoot in a bath, sauna or swimming pool - this is an ideal environment for the growth of fungi, as it is always warm and with high humidity.
- If you have excessive sweating of the skin of the feet, you should consult a pediatrician about the use of drugs against hyperhidrosis.
- Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight and avoid synthetic socks and stockings, which do not allow the skin to "breathe".
To take care of the skin of the feet, podiatrists recommend giving priority to hardware methods - the shortened pedicure is considered outdated and unsafe today. It is very difficult to control how pedicure tools are processed - the risk of infection increases significantly. With a hardware pedicure, the possibility of infection is excluded.