The skin between the toes on the toes is often prone to fungal infections. This problem is common among people who lead an active lifestyle and is quite burdensome and unpleasant. Given the high relevance of foot mycoses, they should be given greater attention.
Causes itching and peeling in the interdigital folds
Toes itch and peel due to various pathological processes - allergic reactions, scabies, eczema - but for most people such symptoms arise from fungal infections. The epithelium becomes wet and cracked with foot mycosis, which is a separate nosology in dermatology. It is caused by a pathogenic fungus that affects smooth skin and nail plates. This infection is caused by several pathogens:
- Trichophyton (T. rubrum, T. interdigitale, T. violaceum).
- Epidermophyton (E. floccosum).
- Mold fungi.
Mycosis is an infectious disease that is spread from one person to another in places with high humidity (baths, saunas, swimming pools, beaches) through infected shoes, carpets, benches, etc. Fungal spores are found in large quantities in horn scales. epidermis, with which and transferred.
Predisposing factors
A number of local and general factors contribute to skin lesions, increasing the likelihood of getting a fungal infection between the fingers. The first includes the following:
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).
- Improperly chosen shoes (uncomfortable, made of synthetic materials).
- Anatomical features of the feet (flat feet, tight folds).
- The presence of chafing and diaper rash.
- Injury (mechanical, chemical).
The role of systemic disorders is explained by a decrease in skin barrier resistance and a weakening of the immune defense. Neurotrophic, vascular and endocrine metabolic diseases (polyneuropathy, angiopathy, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, hypovitaminosis) have a negative effect. In addition, the role of meteorological conditions (high temperature and humidity) and pathogen virulence was observed.
Mycosis of the feet with skin lesions between the toes is caused by fungi and develops against the background of local or systemic disorders.
What does mycosis look like?
Mycosis begins on the skin of the interdigital folds, but then spreads to other parts of the foot - sole, back, and lateral surface. In clinical practice, there are several forms of fungal infection:
- Squamous.
- Intertriginous.
- Dyshidrotic.
The squamous form begins with mild redness and slight peeling. They may be limited to a specific area or be widespread. This form is often not noticed by the patient himself, and is therefore the most dangerous from an epidemiological point of view. At first, the fungus affects one leg, but then it can spread to a healthy part.
As it progresses, the squamous form can change into a dyshidrotic form, which is characterized by an acute course with body allergies and the formation of blisters on the arches of the feet. Merging, they form a multi-chamber blister, which, after opening, leaves an eroded focus surrounded by a rim of exfoliated epidermis. Spreading to the lateral surface of the leg, the process merges with the intertriginous form. When epithelialization occurs, the area becomes dry, again turning into squamous.
The focus of fungal infection is often accompanied by itching. It originates from interdigital folds in the most common form - intertriginous, which occurs independently or against a squamous background. Usually the process begins between toes IV and V (less often III and IV). Cracks appear there, surrounded by a rim of peeling epidermis. The fungus can spread to other folds, fingers, and backs of feet. Then, the cry occurs with painful erosion.
The disease is characterized by a long course with periodic exacerbations that occur in the summer. Bacterial flora penetrate more easily through the loose stratum corneum of the epidermis, so the intertriginous form can be complicated by streptococcal infection with the development of erysipelas and thrombophlebitis.
Damage to the interdigital space often occurs in combination with other forms of foot mycosis, which indicates the unity of the pathological process.
Diagnostics
This disease has a rather characteristic clinical picture, so the initial diagnosis is carried out based on the results of a medical examination. To identify the pathogen, microscopy and cultures of scrapings from the affected skin are used. The presence of systemic pathology contributing to the development of mycosis is confirmed by additional methods - biochemical blood tests (glucose, hormone spectrum, immunogram), ultrasound examination of the lower part of the feet, etc.
How to treat pain?
To get rid of fungus effectively, you must first eliminate the conditions that create favorable conditions for its development. If your feet itch and feel sore, it is recommended to pay attention to the following recommendations:
- Wear comfortable and breathable shoes.
- Wear cotton socks.
- After showering and bathing, dry your feet.
- Use private slippers in public places.
When treating foot mycosis, attention is paid to giving up bad habits, a healthy diet (reducing animal fat, sweets, including fresh vegetables, fruits, lactic acid products in the diet), hardening.
In addition to general recommendations that have a therapeutic and prophylactic focus, traditional medicine actively uses the means of drug correction, without which it is impossible to cure mycosis. Therapy can be external or systemic.
Effective creams and ointments
It is necessary to fight the infection with certain drugs that act against the fungus on the toes. For the squamous form, doctors prescribe various creams and ointments, which include various antimycotics. If there is a focus of dense hyperkeratosis on the soles of the feet, treatment begins with peeling procedures using salicylic, lactic acid, resorcinol, and collodion. At night, the medicine intended for external use is placed under a bandage. It contains salicylic acid, which has anti-inflammatory, keratolytic and antiseptic properties, and in the morning you take a soap and soda bath, after which the horny mass will be removed better.
If your skin is wet and cracked
External treatment of the dyshidrotic form with weeping and cracking begins with lotions with boric acid and potassium permanganate. The interdigital space is treated with aniline dye solution, a product for external use intended for the treatment of various skin diseases. The solution contains components that promote rapid wound healing, eliminate inflammatory manifestations and fight pathogenic microorganisms. After the acute inflammatory process has been eliminated, anti-fungal ointments and pastes are applied to the affected area. For secondary pyoderma, drugs with antibacterial components are prescribed.
In the case of mycotic lesions on the skin of the feet, external therapy with antifungal agents, antiseptics, and antibiotics is very important.
Pills
If local agents are ineffective, it is necessary to turn to drugs for internal use. Among the prescribed antifungal drugs are antifungal drugs, antifungal drugs that have a broad spectrum of action against fungi that cause skin, hair and nail diseases, drugs for the treatment of fungal infections, antifungal drugs. When the body is allergic, antihistamines (antihistamine drugs intended for the treatment of allergic reactions) and desensitizing agents (calcium gluconate, sodium thiosulfate, magnesium sulfate) are used. Streptococcal infections can be cured with antibiotics that do not have an activating effect on the microbial flora.
What can be done from folk remedies?
Some traditional medical methods can be an addition to standard therapy. To treat foot fungus, baths using simple and affordable remedies are often used:
- Apple cider vinegar (1 glass per 3 liters of hot water) and soda (5 tablespoons).
- Potassium permanganate (1 g per 2 l).
- Decoction of calendula flowers (250 g per 2 l).
It is recommended to soak your feet in the prepared solution for 20 minutes. Also, you can apply a drop of tea tree essential oil on the skin between the toes, and then wear cotton socks.
Fungus between the toes is a problem that affects many people. To get rid of it as soon as possible, you should not look for possible solutions yourself, it is better to consult a doctor, undergo diagnostics and receive treatment with guaranteed results.