Absolutely everyone can get infected with skin fungus on their feet, and those who often go to saunas, gyms, swimming pools and similar places where the disease develops quickly are especially at risk.Not everyone knows how to get rid of foot fungus, even in the early stages, when it is easiest to eliminate this disease.
Fungal infections: How they can happen
It is easy and difficult to get infected with the fungus at the same time, because its transmission occurs from an infected person to a healthy person, however, if the immune system works normally, this reduces the possibility of infection many times.The following factors increase the likelihood of infection:
- Stressful situations;
- Wearing wet shoes that are not completely dry;
- If your feet sweat a lot and often;
- Reduces immunity;
- Use of antibiotics;
- Foot damage of various types (for example, calluses, wounds).
To protect yourself from nail and toenail fungus, you should minimize the possibility of acquiring this infection.It is important not to forget in what place and under what conditions the risk of infection appears.Keep in mind that nail fungus is an infectious pathology that can only be acquired from someone who already has it.The most common variants of infection include the following:
- People you live with.In most cases, the infection occurs from relatives.Fungi spread through household items: hygiene products, floor coverings, slippers, socks.To protect yourself from infection, you should only use your personal belongings and avoid moving around the apartment with bare feet.
- There are many situations where fungal infections occur in places where people rest in large numbers, without shoes.These places include: beach, bath, wrestling section (sometimes training takes place barefoot).Do not forget, fungal spores are very resistant to temperature fluctuations and can remain on the floor for a long time, after which they end up on your feet.
- There are far fewer situations where infection occurs from socks or shoes purchased not long ago.Fungus can take root on them even in the factory where these items are produced, but there is a high probability of picking up this infection when trying these items.Think about it - you don't know if healthy people are trying on shoes or shoes that you like.
Diagnostic Steps for Suspected Fungal Infections
Many people have a desire to detect an infection when it is not so difficult to get rid of it.However, this means that nail fungus does not develop quickly on the feet, which means it is difficult to detect.Only those who pay special attention to the health of their feet and have certain experience can clearly see it in the first stage of its spread.
At first, the nails receive spots or stripes that cannot be seen;They vary slightly in color, but almost no one pays attention to this.No discomfort or other symptoms.At this stage, it is better to choose traditional methods to fight fungal infections, instead of using drugs.
With the spread of the disease, the spots that appeared before acquire a different color, and their size only increases.Discomfort occurs, and the skin around the nail plate begins to itch.The nail plate thickens slightly and becomes loose, sometimes cracks.At this stage, it is still possible to treat the infection at home.However, the brighter the symptoms of the fungus, the more likely that there will be a need to visit a specialist.Next, the skin begins to redden, change color, and the nail plate thickens so much that it is impossible not to see it.
At what point should you start treating fungus?
How to get rid of foot fungus?The treatment of fungal infections takes a lot of time, and the results in the case of the appropriate initiation of therapy include the presence of discomfort, as well as aesthetic problems, and the persistent effects of the infection on the body as a whole.
It is important to identify the infection immediately that has the following signs:
- Itchy feet, sometimes there is a burning sensation;
- Feet start to smell bad;
- Feet become dry and dead skin.
If such symptoms are observed, it is necessary to immediately visit a dermatologist, who will prescribe certain tests and make the correct diagnosis.After a full examination, the doctor will advise you how to eliminate the fungal infection as soon as possible.
Fungal infection: How to recover completely
Treatment of the disease with drugs usually involves the use of antifungal drugs, including the following substances:
- Ketaconazole;
- Griseofulvin;
- Terbinafine;
- Fluconazole.
The course of therapy is quite long, and in very advanced situations reaches 6 months.Medicines whose effect is aimed at combating fungal infections when taken orally have a large number of adverse reactions and contraindications for use, therefore their use should be monitored by a doctor.
Systemic therapy is combined with local treatment of fungal diseases, and includes the use of various means, for example: solutions, gels, creams, ointments, etc.
Only with a low level of skin damage by fungi or if there are contraindications to the use of any medication, treatment consists of using products for external use.
During the treatment of fungal infection of the feet, it is necessary to throw away all items that were used before the treatment procedure and may be carriers of the fungus: foot brushes, carpets in the bathroom, tights, socks, and even your favorite shoes.There is another option to properly disinfect this item using a compound that contains chlorine.In order not to "share" your problem with your household, use only personal hygiene items.
Therapeutic varnish as a remedy for fungus
If a new fungal infection is identified and the stage is not the most critical, then the treatment can only consist of the use of a special varnish.
At first, this composition causes softening of the nail plate affected by the infection, and after that, affecting the spores of the fungus, it begins to eliminate them.
The main requirement when treating the nail plate with varnish is that you must strictly follow the instructions, because they determine the nuances of using this product.
In most cases this is as follows:
- Before applying medical varnish, you should remove all the peeling layers from the nails.For this purpose, you can use a special file - it comes with the varnish.
- Next, you need to disinfect the surface - for this, use a solution of alcohol and water.
- Only after all the processes described above, you can apply varnish to the infected nail.
Fungus on the feet: Preventive measures
Here are some tips to prevent fungus:
- You only need to buy high quality and comfortable shoes;
- Wash your feet every day;
- Pay attention to the condition of your nails and skin on your feet;
- When in public places, do not walk barefoot.
As you have noticed, it is better to prevent a fungal infection from appearing or start treating it in time than to ignore it, because the situation will only become more complicated, and the treatment procedure itself will take longer.
Do you still think that it is difficult to get rid of fungus quickly?
Advanced stages of the disease can cause irreversible consequences, such as gangrene, blood poisoning.Often the life of a person with an advanced stage can only be saved by limb amputation.
Under no circumstances should the disease begin!