Fungal infections (mycoses) are among the skin diseases are considered to be the most common. The infection from micro-organism the pathogen is possible in various ways, and a small symptoms of the disease in an early stage of its development, not all the sick time is to seek medical advice. As A result of a pathological process covers most of the limbs (most often the feet) and extending deep into the tissue. Launched the fungus in the foot curable, but to defeat the infection completely, it is sometimes necessary for a couple of months resistant to therapy.
The causes of appearance of mold on the legs
The fungus in the foot develops due to penetration into the subcutaneous levels of spores of pathogenic microorganisms. Defeat only the stop of the skin called dermatomycoses, the destruction of the nail plate, under the action of a fungus – onychomycosis.
The infection from micro-organism to the pathogen occurs in two ways – direct and indirect. In the first case, the spores of the fungus can be found in the ground, on the tiles, and wood surfaces. According to the infection is transmitted through personal things – towels, slippers, towels, and manicure devices.
Fungal microorganisms that a lot of time to maintain their vitality in hot and humid conditions, this is why the infection occurs most often in swimming pools, beaches, bathrooms, gyms and saunas.
The risk of penetration of a microorganism in the skin repeatedly increases, if there are cracks – abrasions, scratches, cereal. Susceptibility to the attacks of fungi increases under the influence of predisposing to the disease factors, it is this:
- reduced resistance of the body, i.e. the lack of the working of the immune system;
- the non-observance of rules of hygiene;
- increased sweating;
- diseases of the endocrine system, which flows to the violation of metabolic processes. Fungal infections are characteristic for the diabetic patients;
- violation of the circulation in the area of the lower limbs, which may be associated with vascular pathologies or deformations of the stop;
- wearing tight, poorly ventilated shoes. Of the foot, being in such conditions, always sweat, occur scratches and abrasion, meaning it is created suitable for the reproduction of the fungus of environment;
- age. The fungal infection is typical for children and older people, in these categories of patients with thin skin, and its protective properties reduced, which creates the conditions for entering the inside of the infection.
- excessive dryness of the skin. A hydrated skin is on the surface of the fabric of the grease film that prevents the penetration of pathogens. With the increased dryness such protection, which allows the spores of a fungus easily penetrate inside.
The likelihood of developing a fungal infection is much higher, if on a body act different triggering the disease factors.
Types of mushrooms
Illness depending on the type of mushroom is classified in:
- èpidermofitiû. It is called flexible Trichophytonmcntagrophytes;
- rubrofitiû. Out in 70% of cases of mycosis stop.
Depending on the localization of the pathological process distinguish:
- mycosis between the toes (to ringworm). Often takes place in the form of intertriginous (acute) fungal infection;
- plantar athlete's foot. The main signs – flaking of the skin, which with the progression of the disease enters the actinic;
- disgidroticheskaya stop. The pathological process begins with the formation of skin rashes, similar to the form with the allergic manifestations;
- a deeper form of mycosis. The infection affects and surface and deep are the layers of the covering of the skin stop;
- onychomycosis – fungal infection of the nail plates. Rarely loses a block, in most cases, is a complication of the plantar surface mycosis.
The symptoms of the disease
The initial phase of the disease often proceeds with erased signs. The appearance of peeling spots, little redness and itching is often not taken seriously, and the use of various external medicines by itching and inflammation reduces the symptoms, but when this fungus dies. That is, the infection continues to grow and becomes chronic. The symptoms of the disease depend on the form of the disease and its duration.
- interdigital form of the mycosis is characterized by the appearance of redness and burning between the toes. The inflammatory process not, rarely the infection spreads beyond the spaces between the toes. Usually, in the winter, the symptoms calmed down, and in the summer aggravated;
- the fungal infection proceeds with the desquamation of the epidermis, and redness of the individual sections of the foot. Periodically we experience a severe itching;
- the hyperkeratotic form. Characterized by the formation an aqueous papules or plaques cyanotic color with a rough surface. The individual foci may merge with each other, in the wake of the leaks;
- disgidroticheskaya form. The main signs – the emergence of a large number of aqueous bubbles, which are geolocated and in their place remain the wounds. In the advanced phase of this type of disease is often confused with eczema.
- onychomycosis is manifested in a change of color of the nail plate, the advent on her bright or dark spots and stripes, and layering of the nail, and its thickening.
When you see the burning, redness, flaking, itching on the feet and on the legs it is necessary to consult a doctor. In an early stage of the disease can be easily cured by external means.
Diagnostics
With suspected fungal infection it is necessary to consult a dermatologist. A medical expert on the basis of complaints submitted by the patient and exposes the diagnosis. But to confirm and determine the type of pathogen are required of laboratory tests. Their conduct sets the type of micro-organism which it is necessary to choose the treatment regimen.
Methods of treatment
Drug therapy is chosen according to the initial stages of the disease, the patient's age, concomitant diseases and complications. The treatment must be global, is to use external system of medicines, the methods of the people.
In addition, the doctor may prescribe a multivitamin complex, which improves the functioning of the immune system. The expression of itch in the acute phase of the disease, relieve the irritation, help antihistamines. When you connect the secondary infection is necessary, a course of therapy with antibacterial drugs.
The fungus is necessary to remove, and objects of personal use. In the first place, it is necessary to treat shoes with disinfectants, and it is better not to replace with a new one.
When an infection is detected, we must not forget that it is possible contamination by fungi and other members of the family. Before recovery, you should only use the individual articles for personal hygiene, towels and slippers. The spores of the fungus well destroyed under the effect of high temperatures, and then need to iron the linen and the bed linen and also socks.
Local preparations
Local antifungal agents is ointments, gels, emulsions, and solutions. Apply the external drugs onto the affected skin stop after their treatment. For this it is enough to do for the foot bath with potassium permanganate, sodium bicarbonate, or soap. The time of the procedure – 15 minutes, after the skin dry, and apply assigned to the instrument.
During the systemic administration for onychomycosis is before applying ointment or solution, it is necessary to remove the top of the hit the nail. The nail plate is softened with the help of special keratolytic funds. If you do not, then the components of the ointment does not enter into the lower layers of the nail, i.e. where to develop colonies.
With the defeat of the nail system tools by fungus sometimes it is necessary to drink for 12 months and more. The scheme of administration of the drugs to the patient assigns the doctor.
Folk remedies
How to get rid of mold in the walk in the house? You need to remember that the use of all kinds of "grandma's recipes" as the primary therapy contributes to the fact that the infection fades, but completely does not pass. This leads to the fact that the fungus with the new time activated. Then folk antifungal agents should be combined with drug therapy.
Defeat the fungal infection stop, it is possible, by using tubs for bathing, just at the base of the ointment, rubbing it.
- antifungal properties have the bathroom with the addition of salt, sodium bicarbonate, and soap. In 5 liters of hot water it is necessary to take 2 tablespoons of salt and baking soda, grate in a solution of a quarter of a piece of soap. In this water legs hold up half-an-hour, then dried and applied to the skin and nail antifungal medication;
- tip intervals and outbreaks of fungal infections of the feet, it is possible to lubricate beech tar. The procedure better than spending the night, foot wear clean socks;
- apple cider vinegar serves to mix with an equal quantity of alcoholic solution of iodine. The resulting liquid swab moistened and well coated with their hit stop;
- garlic, olive oil. Garlic cloves need to be reduced to a pulp, and connect with cream, butter or pork fat. Obtained the ointment is used for the treatment of stop.
Treatment for fungus on legs popular ways takes place a couple of weeks in a row. It is desirable to periodically change the means, is to increase the effectiveness of the therapy.
Prevention of infection
Prevent the infection is not always possible. But it is possible to reduce the risk of fungal infections micro-organisms to a minimum. It is necessary to respect the following rules.
- In public places, where the required two pairs of shoes, just take her.
- Do not use other personal hygiene items.
- Formed on the foot abrasion, corn and abrasion treated in a timely manner.
- Wearing only high-quality, well-ventilated shoes.
- Always respect the rules of hygiene.
The probability of developing any type of infection decreases when a good job immunity. Improve the state of defenses helps diet, vitamin, cure. Necessarily need, and to treat all chronic diseases.
Conclusion
Nail fungus – is not a threat, but is extremely annoying in its manifestations and consequences of the disease. Cope with the infection with the help of modern medicines it is possible in a few days, but on one condition – timely treatment to the doctor.