Mycosis of the feet is one of the most common diseases caused by parasitic fungi. In medical practice, there are several types of this pathology. It is important to identify the fungus on the foot at the very beginning of its development. Then it will be faster and easier to get rid of it. In this case, you will not need any special treatment, and even more so, surgical intervention. With weak manifestations of fungal activity, it is enough to use antifungal ointments or baths using folk recipes.
Fungus and its varieties
![A foot affected by a fungal infection](/images/articles/335/A%20foot%20affected%20by%20a%20fungal%20infection.jpg)
Despite the prevalence of foot fungus, not every infected person knows what a foot fungus looks like.
Below are the main types of mycoses:
- Squamous or scaly.
- Intertriginous. It is characterized by the type of intertrigo of the skin.
- Hypertrophic, atrophic, and normotrophic onychomycosis. The difficulty in treating these diseases lies in the fact that all varieties can be combined with each other.
- Dyshidrotic. It is marked by a violation of the work of the sweat glands.
At different stages of development, this pathology looks different. Mycosis of the feet is the common name for two diseases: epidermophytosis and rubromycosis, the development process of which proceeds in the same way.
![Dry, flaky skin of the feet is a sign of scaly mycosis](/images/articles/335/Dry,%20flaky%20skin%20of%20the%20feet%20is%20a%20sign%20of%20scaly%20mycosis.jpg)
Scaly mycosis
At the initial stage, the fungus is manifested by the defeat of one foot, and after a certain time the disease passes to the other.
The skin turns red and then flakes. The area of areas of redness in all patients is different and depends on the stage of development. Many people are not bothered even by itching in the affected area, the skin may not flake off. That is why they turn to a dermatologist only when the legs are affected by the last stage of the disease.
Dyshidrotic fungal infection
![Dyshidrotic foot fungus](/images/articles/335/Dyshidrotic%20foot%20fungus.jpg)
Every person who suspects the appearance of this disease should know what a foot fungus of any form of development looks like. This pathology is characterized by the appearance of miniature vesicles on the arch of the foot. Very little time passes, and they unite, turning into large bubbles, the shell of which is soon broken and the superficial lesion of the skin becomes visually noticeable.
Pathology can spread throughout the leg with the appearance of areas of diaper rash. In this case, the patient begins to itch, painful sensations appear. After everything heals, peeling begins.
The most unpleasant ailment is the formation of a bacterial fungus. In this case, a cloudy liquid and pus flows out of the bursting bubbles. At this stage of the development of pathology, there is a slight increase in temperature and unbearable pain. The skin of the feet is swollen.
The process of the dyshidrotic form of mycosis can last for several months. Periods of improvement in the condition of the feet alternate with relapses.
Intertriginous fungus
![Cracked skin between the toes is a symptom of an intertriginous fungus](/images/articles/335/Cracked%20skin%20between%20the%20toes%20is%20a%20symptom%20of%20an%20intertriginous%20fungus.jpg)
This type of fungus on the skin of the feet is the most common. It appears independently or together with the squamous form of pathology. The disease is manifested by cracks in the skin, around which a white rim forms, and then the skin begins to flake off. The space between the fingers becomes wet. The patient experiences itching and burning. Surface defects of the skin appear, accompanied by severe pain.
The protective functions of the skin are reduced and it becomes loose. This promotes the penetration of the streptococcal infection into the skin. Purulent inflammation appears, characterized by redness, itching, swelling and severe pain.
Intertriginous fungus is most often characterized by a long chronic course of the disease process. In winter, pain usually subsides, and in summer it becomes aggravated again.
Onychomycosis or nail fungus
![With onychomycosis, there is a deformation of the nail plate.](/images/articles/335/With%20onychomycosis,%20there%20is%20a%20deformation%20of%20the%20nail%20plate.%20.jpg)
When the first signs of the disease appear, the patient's task is to contact a dermatologist in a timely manner, and he will determine how to remove the fungus on the legs.
Onychomycosis of the nails is a more dangerous disease than fungal infection of the feet, since it takes much longer to heal.
Varieties of fungal infection affecting the nail plate:
- Atrophic onychomycosis. First of all, the nail becomes thinner, then it collapses.
- Hypertrophic onychomycosis. The thickness of the nail increases, acquiring a yellow color. Growth in length stops. The nail plate begins to crumble and exfoliate.
- Onychomycosis caused by molds. This pathology does not develop on its own. It usually progresses against the background of other diseases. In this case, the nail plate can be painted in any color, from black to green. The periungual roller is often inflamed.
In its neglected form, the disease affects the entire body, and even penetrates into the internal organs. Pathological changes often begin to develop from the edge of the nail plate. Stripes, spots, and other "patterns" appear first.
Treatment methods
![Toenail before and after the treatment of the fungus](/images/articles/335/Toenail%20before%20and%20after%20the%20treatment%20of%20the%20fungus.png)
Not every patient knows how to remove fungus from the feet, but dermatologists do. Treatment primarily involves blocking the development of a fungal infection. In order to prevent re-infection of the feet with a fungus, complex treatment is used:
- External therapy course. Antifungal ointments, creams, sprays are used in the treatment.
- The course of treatment with the use of antimycotic drugs.
- Use of antihistamines. They are taken in case of severe itching and hypersensitivity to irritants that cause allergies.
- The course of therapy with the intake of vitamins and mineral elements.
- Antibacterial drugs. They are used in case of bacterial infection of the body.
By visiting a doctor, a person will find out how to treat fungus of nails, heels and the space between the fingers. With an advanced form of the disease, the doctor usually prescribes a complex treatment with taking pills and using ointments. Systemic drugs are prescribed to those patients who have already begun a severe course of the process.
For the treatment of a fungal infection on the legs at home, the following folk recipes are used:
- Vinegar. Due to its antiseptic properties, wine vinegar is used for baths.
- Salt and soda. They are dissolved in water in equal amounts and make baths that help remove fungus on the feet.
- Oak bark, calendula inflorescences, blackberries. Do the washing of the affected areas of the feet with a decoction of these medicinal herbs.
The most effective is the complex treatment of the fungus with the use of ointments and medications of various pharmacological actions. Treatment will never be required if you listen to the recommendations of doctors and periodically carry out preventive measures.
Antifungal drugs
The fungus of the feet and interdigital space is removed with effective fungicidal drugs.
Since the fungus can manifest itself in any form, a specialist must select an effective remedy to combat this infection. Some drugs are toxic and can cause side reactions; they are taken under the strict supervision of a physician. A quick positive result of treatment depends on the correct diagnosis of not only the disease, but also the stage of its development.