Medical sources claim that almost every fifth person has or lives with a condition such as athlete's foot.This disease is known almost all over the planet.The disease appeared in the 19th century and has not stopped expanding its borders since then.As the mushroom wears leather shoes of different quality, the feet are affected.There are many types of the disease.Damage to the nails, the skin between the toes, and the feet is common.
Diseases caused by parasitic microorganisms are called mycoses or onychomycoses.Doctors believe that people with neglected feet are more prone to them than others: corns, cracked heels, calluses.Peeling or drying of the skin is also considered a major cause of foot infections.There are many types of mycoses, because in nature there are several hundred fungal pathogens that can parasitize the human body.The most common: dermatophytes, yeast and mold parasites.
Many people wonder how to recognize the fungus in the first stages, when painful symptoms appear, and what to do to make the insidious disease disappear quickly.There are quite a few answers to the question.
Symptoms of the disease
The medical name of athlete's foot is mycosis.The causative agent of the disease is thought to be a parasitic virus called a fungus.It tries to settle in the cracks of the feet, between the toes, above and below the nails.The disease is helped by sweat, through which it expands the halo of its development in the legs.Any damage to the skin is susceptible to fungi.
The disease destroys keratin, which is responsible for the healthy condition of the nail.There is a fat layer on the skin, the metabolism is not carried out properly, lack of balanced nutrition causes skin diseases.Fungus gets in and problems arise.Restoration of the protective function of the skin requires time and a special treatment system.
Mushroom forms
Doctors have identified four forms of mycosis.
- Interdigital.The first most common type of disease.Its spread is observed in summer.The higher the temperature, the more sick people are registered by doctors.Cracks and sores between the toes can be dry or wet.There is constant itching.In the photo, it is easy to see the appearance of the interdigital form of the disease.
- Foreign.The skin of the lower leg is covered with a callus-like crust.This is especially visible in the photo in the cracked area of the heels.Nails lose their normal appearance.They change their color and shape and begin to grow incorrectly.It is difficult to treat.
- Vesicular.The disease covers the skin of the foot up to the ankle.It reminds of the erosion that is clearly visible in the photo.Ulcers go deep into the body and require treatment prescribed by specialists, and strict adherence to doctors' prescriptions and requirements.
- Deleted.The skin of the foot looks like a surface sprinkled with flour.Cracks are almost invisible.This form is difficult to see in time.Only careful attention to the condition of the feet and the desire to maintain their healthy appearance leads to the timely start of treatment.
There are many types of the disease, each of them has its own symptoms and manifestations of the disease.By studying the signs and differences of each type, you can see them in the photo.
- A fungal infection does not appear on both feet at once.It can be found first on one leg, then on the other.The first symptoms are itching and peeling.You can see or touch blisters on the skin at the site of infection.If the treatment is not started on time, it becomes erosion and changes its appearance.An unpleasant crust will appear between your fingers.Gradually, the nail fungus begins to spread along the foot, the first thing it affects are the nails.At first, you may see yellow streaks and spots, then the nails change shape and begin to thicken.The layers of nails increase.The nail splits and loses its strength.
- Different types of the disease behave differently.There is a type of fungus (dermatophyte) that has no symptoms.And the disease appears immediately on the skin and nails.Urgent medical intervention is required.
- There are options for the reverse course of the disease.The usual manifestation of the disease varies from the inside to the surface.The disease passes from the surface to the nail, the plate lightens and peels off.The nail is unusually white.
- The feet are covered with ulcers.They are small in size and yellow in color.Inflammation appears where the nail grows.Its color is green, close to brown.The nail is quickly destroyed.These are symptoms of yeast species.
- Using potassium permanganate, you can check for the presence of such a species as rubromycosis.Healthy nails will discolor and turn brown from the solution.Toenails affected by the disease will not change color.The skin is also exposed to this type of virus.
Nail fungus
The disease occurs very often in bright and active people who do sports.They visit swimming pools, health sports centers and saunas.Someone else's shoes, standing with bare feet on an untreated surface after the previous visitor, cause the appearance of nail fungus.The disease is contagious, from a sick person to a healthy person in contact with objects or shoes.It is recommended that you always bring your own shoes, even when visiting shoe-sharing locations.Families that put personal hygiene first get great results.Each family member has his own towel and slippers.Towels for the face and feet, changing bedding regularly will prevent the appearance of unpleasant parasites on the feet.Toenail fungus can be caused by foot injuries, especially tight shoes, excessive sweating, and flat feet.
Medical reasons
- Low and weak immunity;
- Diabetes mellitus;
- continuous treatment with antibiotics;
- Improper blood circulation in the legs;
- Features of the structure of the limbs.
Symptoms of nail fungus
- Changing the structure;
- Color change (white, gray, yellow, green, brown);
- increasing the thickness of the nail plate;
- Cracks in nails;
- unpleasant smell;
- The nail plate begins to collapse.
The parasite microbe resides in the space between the nail and the bottom.The nail is higher than normal.The painful area looks unpleasant, aesthetically ugly, protrudes unnaturally and becomes large.
Preventive procedures
- Thorough cleaning of common areas.Bathrooms and toilets should be treated with disinfectants.Treat with products containing bleach, washing clothes, sponges.
- Use special products to reduce foot sweating.These can be powders, talc.
- If a sick person appears in the family, the rest should take precautions.
- Wear comfortable, quality shoes.Avoid the appearance of bumps and injuries.
- Using foot creams.For dry skin - emollient, for excessive sweating - refreshing.
- After washing, feet should be dried well
- Treat your feet with anti-fungal sprays before visiting the bath, swimming pool, sauna, or places where you need to be barefoot or in open shoes.The same can be done after going to these buildings.
- Daily change of socks and tights.
- Treatment of the inner surface of shoes, timely drying, care for them.
- Don't try to wear other people's shoes.
A person suffering from this disease begins to experience many problems.They are associated with changes in the appearance of the nails, physical illness and unpleasant sensations.It is not recommended to start the disease.Nail fungus does not stop in one place, it starts to spread over a wider area and it is possible for the disease to move inside the body.It is important to start treatment on time.It should be done competently and systematically.