Few people know what a fungus on the skin of the feet looks like, despite the prevalence of this infection. It is out of ignorance that many people mistake a fungal infection for a common irritation or allergic reaction, so they start treatment at an advanced stage when the disease progresses. Fungal infections are resilient, according to statistics, 20% of the total population are susceptible to them.
What does a fungal infection look like?
Fungi belong to the category of infectious diseases that affect the skin, mainly on the feet. There are several types of the disease, but the most common is mycosis. Mushrooms are elastic, can adapt to almost any condition. Even if a person gets rid of the disease, relapse is often inevitable, as fungal spores continue to live on clothes and shoes. In most cases, mycosis affects the nail plates and the skin of the feet.
Few know what a foot fungus looks like. Fungi are of several types, each of which has its own symptoms and manifestations:
- the initial stage of the fungus is manifested by redness of the skin, swelling and microcracks;
- the fungus continues to progress, and the skin is removed and becomes covered with red-pink spots;
- if the disease is not treated properly, then the fungal infection spreads to the nail plates, changing their color, shape and structure.
The last stage is characterized by exfoliation of the skin, as well as the appearance of deep cracks that cause pain and bleeding. At all stages of development, the fungus on the fingers appears as itching, which is often unbearable. To accurately represent the appearance of the disease, just look at the pictures on this topic.
The process of getting a fungal infection
The fungus affects people regardless of their age and professional activity. The infection is easily transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person (especially when you put your shoes on someone else). You can also become infected in public places such as baths, saunas and swimming pools. Getting into the skin, the fungus gradually begins to destroy the nail plates as they move throughout the body. This is why the advanced stage of the disease gives only complex therapies (creams, oils, drops and tablets).
The risk group for contracting a fungal infection includes certain categories of people:
- employees of enterprises taking part in a public shower after a shift;
- people who do sports professionally;
- military personnel (mainly naval);
- service workers;
- miners.
Fungal infection often affects housewives and those people whose professional duties are directly related to water.
Skin fungus: diagnosis and treatment
Once you have learned what a skin fungus on the feet looks like, you can immediately diagnose this disease. But self-medication in this case is inappropriate, as it is first necessary to identify the type of pathogen and its form. This can only be done in a medical institution. If a person, from external signs, suspects that there is a fungus on the skin, then he urgently needs to consult a dermatologist.
The specialist must necessarily perform an initial examination of the patient, take the necessary tests (complete blood count, microscopy). If the diagnosis is confirmed, then the person is prescribed the necessary treatment. These can be creams, day ointments and oral tablets. Only the doctor decides how to treat the disease, it is not recommended to prescribe antifungal drugs for yourself.
Folk remedies
In the initial stage of disease development or in addition to drug treatment, traditional medicine is perfect. There are several ways to get rid of foot fungus. To cure the fungus on the skin, it is recommended to prepare a tincture of plantain or chamomile flowers. To do this, you need to take 2 tbsp. l herb and pour 200 ml of boiling water. The tincture should be cooled, poured into a tub and the bottom of the feet there for 15-20 minutes. After that, wipe your feet thoroughly with a paper towel and smear with birch tar, paying special attention to the affected skin. The procedure should be repeated daily until the signs of the disease disappear completely.
If the nail plates are affected by the fungus, then the treatment will be longer. Of the traditional medicines, iodine and 9% vinegar are the most commonly used. The fluids should be combined in equal proportions and the affected nails should be lubricated with the resulting remedy. In this case, it is advisable to remove the nail plate as much as possible.
Folk remedies are very effective in some cases. However, their use is not recommended in an advanced stage of the disease, when the fungal infection has already penetrated into the bloodstream. In this case, it is better to turn to specialists for help, who can advise not only competent but also safe treatment.
Skin fungi do not cause significant harm to human health, but very often cause discomfort, as the affected areas of skin and nails do not look very attractive. The presence of such a disease prevents a person from having access to public places (swimming pools, saunas, water parks), despite the fact that it is in these institutions that infection is common. As a preventative measure, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene and monitor your health.