Fungus between the toes: causes, symptoms and treatment

Unbearable itching and redness of the skin between the toes, and cuts while walking are the first symptoms of the most common skin problem (fungal skin disease). The mycelium of the fungus germinates through the tiny epithelium of the skin and gradually "spreads" to the entire plantar surface of the leg, causing unpleasant moist and flaky areas, painful cracks and deformed nails.

How and how to treat fungus between the toes

Malignant fungi and related factors

The pathogen of the disease is the dermatophyte fungus, of which Trichophyton is considered to be the most common. They live almost everywhere-swimming pools and beaches, people's shoes and animal hair, but this disease does not always cause it. An important factor is the production of the infection gate, and skin fungi can penetrate the infection gate to a sufficient depth.

When the barrier function of the skin weakens, fungi between the toes will appear:

  • When wearing tight, airtight shoes. This is especially true for the hot season, when the released sweat creates conditions for the maceration of the skin and becomes a home for many microorganisms.
  • Scraps and scratches are the gates for fungi to enter. If you have them, don't risk putting on someone else's shoes barefoot and walking barefoot in swimming pools, saunas, and steam baths.
  • Those lovers of cheap pedicures in poorly reputable salons must find an effective remedy to solve the problem of fungus on the feet between the toes. The process itself involves incising the stratum corneum and scrubbing the skin. Non-sterile instruments are likely to be "enriched" by fungi.

Fungus between the toes: symptoms and complications

The fungus between the toes looks like between the toes, because there are several forms of this disease, each of which has special manifestations:

  • The tinea pedis fungus is characterized by three stages-redness, formation of liquid bubbles and dry crust, peeling. Generally, all three stages coexist in the same area of the skin. The insidious dysdrodrotic form of dermatophytes lies in its high similarity to eczema. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, a laboratory smear is required.
  • The scaly form is characterized by redness and severe flaking of the skin.
  • Squamous hyperkeratosis lesions cause severe itching and burning, and seals and scales later appear.
  • Because of the trident shape, the form is very typical. You don't even have to see what the fungus between the toes looks like in the photo: severe itching, burning with flaking and painful cracks, and large lesions often appear epidermal peeling.
  • The tertiary and muscular dystrophy forms of dermatomycosis require careful and delicate treatment, because the secondary microflora can easily penetrate into the weeping lesions and cracks, which will lead to the appearance of abscesses. Although they are chronic diseases, they have a significant inflammatory process and require the use of moisturizers and anti-inflammatory baths.

medical treatement

In the arsenal of modern medicine, there are many drugs used to treat fungus between the toes. Among them are topical ointments and tablets that can destroy the fungus from within. Usually, experts will select drugs based on the analysis of the degree, form, and coverage of the disease. Systemic therapy using pills is only used in advanced cases, when the skin of the entire foot is involved in the process and changes in the characteristics of the nail plate are found.

Antifungal ointments have been divided into generations. However, it should be understood that if you ignore the personal hygiene rules and many preventive measures, even the most effective remedy for inter-toe fungus cannot guarantee its disposal.

Throughout the course of treatment, a gentle pedicure should be performed at least once a week. Subsequently, the frequency can be reduced to once every two weeks.

Since the fungus can survive on socks and shoes, it also needs to be treated. For this, use chlorine-containing liquids such as bleach.

If you are considering how to eliminate the fungus between your toes, remember to change your socks every day. For two or three days, wearing clothes has retained traces of sweat, and parasites live and multiply in it.

The combination of the treatment process selected by the experts and the careful observance of all hygiene rules can guarantee rapid recovery from the disease.

Treat fungus between toes with folk remedies

Traditional medicine has collected many anti-fungal recipes, including products from kitchen cabinets and exotic herbs and medicines. The most accessible of them are:

  • Iodine lubricates the lesion every day, and the obvious effect can be seen within a week.
  • Hydrogen peroxide is popular because of the work of a famous doctor. It has the ability to destroy the fungal cell membrane and form a thin film on the surface of the damaged skin, which can ensure rapid relief of the disease.

If you have already spent a lot of money and are considering how to treat fungus between your toes, you should also try the effects of vinegar. Although the fungus lives in a weakly acidic environment, it cannot tolerate an increase in pH. Lubricate the affected area with 9% vinegar and water in a ratio of 1: 8, and a positive result can be obtained within 2-3 weeks.

The most popular remedies in folk medicine-onions and garlic-also have antifungal effects. Mix their slurry with petroleum jelly at a ratio of 1: 1, and then apply it to the affected area before going to bed.

You have not yet decided how to treat the fungus on the feet between the toes, and don’t forget the damage to shoes and personal hygiene products. This ensures that there will be no recurrence in the near future.