Even an avid mushroom picker will not be happy to find a fungus on his feet. This is understandable: often, without causing any discomfort, the disease disfigures the feet and nails, and going to the beach or simply wearing open shoes turns into forbidden fruit.
And if itching and painful sensations arise, if it is difficult to walk, it is not a joke at all. What's more: when actively multiplying, fungi release toxic substances into the blood that have adverse effects on human health and can cause severe allergic reactions, including Quincke's edema.
Therefore, mycosis (that is the name of this disease) must be treated, and it is better to do this at an early stage, before the microscopic fungus turns your feet into "real estate. "
Mycelium on the feet: how to recognize it?
This disease affects both the skin of the feet and the nails. Depending on the type of fungus attacking your feet, symptoms may vary:
- Redness appears on the skin of the legs, which then increases in area and begins to peel and peel. Usually the disease develops in one leg, but if not treated, it spreads to the other leg.
- Small bubbles with a diameter of 2 to 8 millimeters appear on the arch of the foot, which gradually increase in size, merge together, and finally burst, leading to erosion. The affected skin is itchy, and the fungus can spread to the bottom or top of the foot. Sometimes a bacterial infection is added to a fungal infection, and then the contents of the blisters become purulent, the patient complains of severe pain and general malaise.
- The fungus "settles" between the toes, which leads to the formation of painful cracks that increase in size over time. It is difficult for the patient to step on his feet, he feels severe pain. Erosion, ulceration and swelling may occur. In advanced cases, the patient's body temperature rises and the condition worsens.
- Fungus affects the nail, leading to deformation, thickening or thinning, brittleness, discoloration, and growth into the skin. If mycosis is not treated for a long time, then your nails may not return to their original appearance, depriving you of the opportunity to show off a pedicure for the rest of your life.
Often, several types of fungus can be found on the feet at once, and therefore the symptoms of the disease are combined.
What to do with fungus? And what can not be done?
Usually, when a person feels itching or sees redness on the skin, he himself understands that he has been infected with mycosis. But not everyone makes the right decision and consults with a doctor. To this day, they try to treat the fungus with folk remedies, but most likely this will not only have little benefit, but will even cause harm.
What will the doctor do? He will determine the type of fungus that has affected you and prescribe the appropriate medicine for this case. Try to overcome bad luck at home according to your grandmother's recommendations, you can easily waste precious time and bring your feet to a sad state.
Mycosis is also dangerous because it can accompany a person for years, periodically subsiding and instilling false hope that the feet have gotten rid of the fungus. However, after some time, the disease will show its character again, the body will continue to be infected with fungal waste products, and the legs will look increasingly unpleasant.
How can you get a yeast infection?
This disease is contagious from person to person.
Most susceptible to mycosis:
- people with reduced immunity;
- those with damaged areas on the skin of the feet (after an unsuccessful pedicure, injury or excessive effort during hygiene procedures);
- wearing wet socks or shoes (especially in hot weather or when wearing winter shoes in a warm room);
- not taking foot and nail hygiene seriously.
All these factors provide a suitable environment for the development of fungi.
How does mycosis "attack" a person?
- Through the soil or floor covering that a person who has the fungus walks on. Therefore, you should not walk barefoot in unfamiliar places and even at home. Beach sand or sun-heated pebbles are safe, and seawater is the best way to prevent mycosis.
- Swimming pools, saunas, bathing in public places and hotels are very dangerous in terms of infection. Don't forget to bring special shoes with you.
- Do not wear shoes that have been owned by other owners before: it does not matter whether you want to buy them in a second-hand store or just try on a friend's shoes and judge how they look on you.
- Do not use other people's hygiene items - washcloths, towels, etc. Carefully inspect disposable hotel slippers to ensure you get a brand new pair.
Fungal spores can remain viable for several years, and therefore you cannot be sure that the surface you choose to walk on or the shoes of others are safe.
No fungus: we treat mycosis
Specialists at a professional clinic will conduct a series of studies that will identify the type of fungus that has affected your feet and develop a course of treatment.
You will be offered drug treatment with modern antifungal drugs, and you must follow the prescribed dose and duration of taking the drug. Do not interrupt the course if it seems that the mycosis has been defeated - most likely it will only recede for a while.
As an additional medicine, the doctor will recommend an ointment or cream for external use. There are special varnishes for treating nails. If you follow all the recommendations, the fungus will disappear forever.
It is also necessary to take into account the transmission of mycosis. During treatment, you need to protect your family and friends from infection. For this:
- Wash your feet using products recommended by your doctor. After the hygiene procedure, clean the bathtub thoroughly.
- Walk around the house in closed slippers.
- Wash your clothes separately, treat your shoes with an antifungal agent, and change your socks several times a day to prevent your feet from sweating.
- Ventilate the apartment every day and do wet cleaning.
- After completing the treatment, throw away the shoes, socks, towels and washcloths you used during your illness.
Prevention: and no mycosis!
Mycosis is an unpleasant disease that can be completely avoided. Just follow a few simple rules:
- wash your feet carefully and often, but without excessive effort (so as not to damage the skin and nails);
- shoes - only yours;
- pedicure - exclusively with your own tools or in a salon that complies with all rules and regulations;
- wet or sweaty feet are your enemy, immediately change to dry shoes;
- socks - only clean ones;
- walking barefoot is excluded everywhere except the seashore;
- Monitor your health and compliance with your daily routine - fungus is dangerous for a weak body.
For those who take care of their feet, even the contact of fungal spores with the skin does not lead to any consequences: "parasites" cannot develop in unsuitable conditions.
What to do if mycosis develops on your feet? Without wasting time, make an appointment with a dermatologist at a professional clinic, and soon you will regain a light gait.