One of the most common problems that almost everyone has encountered is fungus on the toes. This disease is prevalent because you can be infected anywhere, often going to the gym, swimming pool or walking barefoot on the ground or grass. In this case, it does not matter whether a person complies with the personal hygiene rules.
Like other diseases, this infection requires proper and timely treatment. If you ignore this advice, the disease will progress, the symptoms will start to become more severe, and the skin will become thinner and full of small but painful cracks.
What is a fungus and how does an infection happen?
Toe fungus or fungal disease is an infectious disease. This skin lesion is also called dermatophytosis. In general, there are many bacteria in nature, but not all bacteria can cause human health problems. Mycosis is one of the most common diseases, second only to impetigo, namely furunculosis, streptococcal disease, carbuncle and staphylococcal disease.
As for the fungi that affect the skin of the legs, they are divided into 3 groups, namely:
- Candida. It belongs to the category of yeast-like fungi.
- Animal addiction. Both animals and humans can be infected.
- Loved ones. In this case, you can only get the infection from other people.
How does the fungus show up on the toes?
The initial symptoms of toenail fungus have vague characteristics, so it is difficult to identify the disease from the first day of infection. Sometimes people don’t go to the doctor right away, not because they don’t want to, but because they don’t know what they’re in. In order not to fall into this situation, doctors always recommend seeking help even for the mildest symptoms. In this case, the patient will get rid of this problem as soon as possible.
The main signs of a toe infection are:
- There are light yellow spots and seals on the skin;
- Increased sweating;
- The gap between the fingers starts to itch;
- Spots and skin peeling appear at the infected site.
The intensity of symptoms may also depend on the form of the disease, scaly or interstitial. In the second case, the person will experience swelling, redness, and constant dampness in the legs of the affected area. The characteristic of this form is that it is positioned between the last 4 fingers.
With squamous pathology, white scabs, peeling, and skin lines increase on the legs. In the first few days after infection, patients will feel burning and itching. Without treatment, the skin of the legs will appear abnormally shiny and small gray or white scales will peel off, thereby supplementing the symptoms.
How to treat toe fungus?
Today, patients can choose a variety of drugs that are equally effective against fungus between the toes. In order to get rid of the disease as soon as possible, doctors recommend comprehensive treatments, including the following measures:
- Take medicine.
- Use immunostimulants and vitamin complexes.
- Gels and creams.
notes!Almost all drugs are very effective, but this does not mean that the treatment period will be short. Depending on the status of the body's protective function, the patient will have to fight the fungus for at least 1 month.
Effective medicine for toe fungus
Fungus on the feet is usually treated with varnish, gel or tablets. The expert will choose the most suitable medicine.
How to treat toe fungus with folk remedies?
Together with the medical treatment of the fungus on the toes, experts recommend alternative therapies, but you should consult a doctor when using any remedies. This will avoid allergies and other adverse reactions.
It is recommended that traditional therapists pay attention to the following methods:
- Use apple cider vinegar. This is necessary for the "acidification" of the body. Regardless of food intake, vinegar is dissolved in a glass of water and drank once a day.
- Foot bath. In this case, it is worth pouring 9% of the vinegar into the basin, enough to cover the feet. The liquid should be lukewarm. The whole process does not exceed 15 minutes.
- Vinegar and vegetable oil. From these two ingredients used to treat foot fungus, it is necessary to prepare an ointment in a ratio of 1: 1. It covers the affected area overnight. In order to enhance the impact on the legs, it is worthwhile to wear socks.
The effect of fungal infections on toes
If the fungus on the legs is not treated, this may cause the following deviations:
- When the fungus stays on the finger for a long time, it will increase the sensitivity to other types of fungi, and it will also affect the development of bronchial asthma, allergic dermatitis or other skin diseases;
- Thumb mycosis can affect the development of diabetes or gangrene;
- Without treatment, the infection will spread throughout the body and affect the internal organs. In this case, the patient will have to undergo long-term and more complex treatment. It doesn't matter if it is the fungus on the little toe or other toes.
How to avoid re-infection with mycosis after treatment?
In order to prevent the fungus on the toes from reappearing, you must follow all precautionary rules, which include the following:
- Use rubber slippers when going to the swimming pool or public shower.
- Observe personal hygiene.
- Take multivitamins to enhance the body's protective function.
- Wash your feet before going to bed every day.
- You can't wear other people's shoes.
- Good nutrition and active lifestyle.
- In special circumstances, it is recommended to wear detachable, loose shoes.
- Don't use other people's hygiene products, and don't give your own hygiene products to anyone.
- Don't wear dirty socks.
- For preventive purposes, please use a foot bath.
Anti-fungal treatment of shoes
A special product can be used to treat fungus on the skin of the toes of footwear. It not only helps to get rid of infections, but also eliminates unpleasant odors, and eliminates yeast and dermatitis from shoes.
After the infection is cured, the shoes can be treated with antiseptic. You can buy it in a pharmacy. This tool not only allows you to clean the fungus on your shoes, but also other bacteria that pose a threat to human health.