Throughout our life, we often encounter various diseases.Some of them are dangerous and require immediate treatment.There are also those that do not cause much harm to health, and we sometimes live with them for years without taking any measures to get rid of the disease.These diseases include athlete's foot and toenail fungus.
Indeed, they cannot be called deadly.However, it is necessary to fight with them, because, firstly, they slowly "annoy" the immune system, destroy the body's defense system, and secondly, they do not look aesthetically pleasing, which causes all the complexes in the infected person.How to recognize athlete's foot?Let's take a look at the main symptoms of athlete's foot.
Fungus of the skin of the feet: how it can manifest itself
The first signs of a "settled" fungus on the feet can sometimes go unnoticed for a long time, especially if a person has a strong enough immune system and the body tries to cope with the invading "stranger" for a certain period of time.Symptoms of athlete's foot include:
- redness of the skin, itching;
- blisters or blisters on the legs;
- cracked heels that take a long time to heal.
Often, the first symptoms are as follows: the skin between the toes begins to itch, pimples appear, the skin becomes red.The person experiences severe itching, which worsens at night.No cream or bath with medicinal plants helps to overcome the problem.I am worried about severe peeling of the skin.
Sometimes the fungus "attacks" from the heels.In this case, cracks on the heels cannot be treated with folk remedies or pharmaceutical means.If you experience this problem, know that these are signs of a fungal infection and not just a result of scratching or mild inflammation after, for example, rubbing your feet with uncomfortable shoes.
Toenail fungus requires mandatory treatment.Not only does the carrier of the disease not only run the risk of contracting an additional infection that can easily pass through the damaged skin, but he also becomes a carrier of the disease.It is not unusual for the symptoms of athlete's foot to be observed in all members of the family living together.
Symptoms of athlete's foot should not be ignored.However, it is not always possible to recognize the disease yourself, especially when itching and other unpleasant manifestations have just begun.Therefore, if suspicious symptoms appear, you should consult a dermatologist.He knows how to identify athlete's foot and what methods to use to fight it.
How to recognize and what to do
So, we know what the manifestations of foot fungus are, and now we will carefully examine ourselves, especially after frequent visits to pools or saunas.
There is another type of disease, which, unfortunately, does not immediately attract the attention of the victim.This is nail fungus.
Sometimes the athlete's foot spreads to the nail plate, and both the skin and the nail must be treated at the same time.However, it happens that a person only notices damage to the nail, while the skin remains clean.How does nail fungus start?
After you decide to give yourself a foot bath, you may notice a slight change in the color of the nail plate.Most often, at first only 1 nail is affected - the one on the big toe.The nail looks yellow and pale.Normally, the color of the nail is pink, the plate is quite thin, but there is no increased fragility or fragility.If the fungus "visits" you, nail:
- turns yellow (usually from the edges);
- thickens significantly;
- There are strange stains on the plate.
Carefully check the neighboring fingers: are there similar changes?What does the mushroom look like at first?If there is no accompanying disease of the skin of the feet, it can remain only a cosmetic defect for a long time: no itching or pain, no discomfort.At this time, a person ignores the symptoms, thinking that he just damaged the nail by wearing too tight shoes, for example.How do you know if it is fungus?
You yourself will not be able to determine the disease with 100% accuracy.Moreover, even a doctor does not need a visual examination to make a diagnosis.If the fungal nature of the disease is suspected, he will send the patient for tests.The nail plate will be scraped off - this is the only way to detect the presence of a pathogenic fungus.
Symptoms of toenail fungus are a gradual worsening of the condition: without treatment, the affected nail begins to change more and more.Jaundice covers more and more areas.Then you can see:
- inflammation of the skin near the nail;
- further color change - greenish, gray, even black;
- increased fragility and fragility.
Dırnaq çox qalınlaşsa və dırnaq qayçı ilə kəsmək çətin olsa da, parçalanır.Small pieces may break.
If you continue to pretend that nothing is happening, the fungus can "move" to neighboring fingers.In addition, the appearance of sharp edges due to the detachment of periodic pieces from the nail leads to the so-called "sunken nail".The sharp edge is cut and gradually turns into a skin roll on the side, which causes a person to suffer when walking.The skin becomes red and inflamed.
Over time, toenails thicken and change color.Bir şəxs yayda hovuza baş çəkə bilməməsi və açıq ayaqqabı geyə bilməməsi səbəbindən əhəmiyyətli narahatlıq yaşayır.
How can you get infected?
If you find suspicious symptoms in yourself, remember if you have recently been in a sauna or bath.The fungus "loves" a warm, humid environment - it is very comfortable to multiply there.
Maybe you tried on shoes in a store without "signs" or a friend gave you a pair of sandals that he wore a while ago, but then bought a new one?Or do you often exchange slippers with your family members at home?
Any of these conditions can lead to infection.A microscopic crack or wound is enough for fungal spores to penetrate the skin or nail.At the same time, the one who "gives" you the disease may not suspect that he is its carrier: if he has a strong immune system, the fungus will not bother him.
If you think you have a yeast infection, the first thing you should do is visit a dermatologist.You should not treat yourself: firstly, there are different pathogens that are sensitive to different drugs.Secondly, maybe this is not a fungus at all, but another disease.In both cases, self-treatment may either not result, or may "deepen" the disease, and then it will be difficult to cope with it.
This is especially true for nail fungus.Dystrophic changes in the nail plate, which can sometimes be seen as a result of wearing tight shoes that cause deformation of the nail, can be confused with fungus.Another cause of changes not related to fungal infection is venous disease, which leads to poor blood supply.As a result, the nail becomes brittle, changes color, and believing that it is infected, the person starts intensive treatment with gels and varnishes.Of course, such "treatment" will be ineffective.
What to do if you suspect a fungus
If suspicious symptoms appear, you should not run to the pharmacy for medicine, you should visit a doctor and undergo tests.Until the causes are determined, special care should be taken not to become a source of infection for others: refuse to go to the pool or sauna and do not wear other people's shoes.
If a pathogenic fungus is diagnosed, you will have to undergo a course of treatment.If the skin is affected, it will take about a month or two;if there are problems with the nail plates, it can take up to a year.If the disease has advanced enough, it may be necessary to take antifungal drugs together with external agents.
Take care of yourself: any disease is easiest to treat at the initial stage.This also applies to fungal infections.Be healthy!