Mycosis is an infectious skin disease caused by a fungus. Antifungal cream treatment is usually given, which gives good results, but not in the long run. The tips below can help prevent fungus between the toes that recurs after treatment.
Who can get ringworm and how can it be prevented?
Mycosis is a fungal infection that affects the feet. This condition is very common - every fourth person has an interdigital fungus on their feet. If this disease starts, its treatment can be very cumbersome. Fungal pathogens (fungi) are often found in small amounts on human skin, where they usually do no harm. However, under favorable conditions, they can penetrate the epidermis, multiply and cause infection. Favorable conditions for the fungus are warm, moist and airless areas of the skin, for example between the toes.
Almost anyone can get ringworm. But this is more common in people who sweat more, or in those who wear thick shoes and socks, which also causes excessive sweating of the feet. Mycosis can spread from person to person. For example, this can happen in a public shower used by athletes or swimmers. Small flakes of fungus-infected skin can fall off during a shower. Once a small portion of the infection begins to develop, it tends to spread to the skin. About where else you can get the fungus is written here.
What are the symptoms of foot fungus?
The skin between the little fingers will usually be affected first. The first signs of the fungus, when the infection has just formed on the skin, are insignificant. The manifestation will become noticeable when the rash begins to spread, the skin begins to itch and flake. Cracks and inflammations may appear on it. Large fissures (fissures) of the skin between the toes can increase and be very painful. Small scales from infected skin can peel off. If your interdigital mycosis is not treated, the rash can gradually spread throughout the leg. In some cases, it extends to the sole. Often the infection causes flaking of the entire sole and walls of the foot. Sometimes mycosis causes large blisters all over the sole. In this case we are dealing with foot fungus.
Is ringworm between the fingers serious?
As a rule, no. Most people successfully treat itchy toes before the infection spreads. Sometimes the infection spreads to the skin of other parts of the body. These are usually moist and airless areas, such as the groin. Usually, the fungus, including the fungus on the feet between the toes, does not spread deeper, but only on the surface of the skin. However, other microbes (bacteria) can get into cracks left over from neglected or untreated mycosis. It can sometimes cause more serious infections of the feet or legs.
It happens that the infection spreads to the nail - it can be cured. But in this case, to get rid of the fungus, it will take several weeks of taking antifungal pills to clear the infection from the nails.
Therefore, the treatment of interdigital fungus on the feet is best done in a timely manner as soon as the first symptoms begin to appear.
Treatment of mycosis
Treatment of fungus between the fingers usually involves the application of various antifungal creams and sprays. You can buy topical antifungals at your nearest pharmacy or get prescription ones. To treat fungus between the toes, it is necessary to apply the antifungal agent directly on the affected area, ie the skin of the feet. There are different types and brands of drugs. They are usually sold in the form of creams, but can also be sprays, liquids and powders. The preparations are very good for clearing the skin of fungal infections. However, there is no evidence that one remedy is better than another.
It is necessary to use drugs as recommended. This depends on the different treatments, so read the instructions carefully before treating the fungus between your toes. It often happens that the inflammation seems to disappear quite quickly, but you may need to be treated for 1 to 2 weeks after the rash clears. This is necessary to completely remove the fungus on the skin - which will prevent recurrence.
If this is the first time you have encountered this disease and you do not know how to cure foot fungus and do not make a mistake when choosing a drug for treatment, it is better to consult a doctor.
For skin, especially inflamed skin, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream combined with a mild steroid ointment. They are usually used for no more than seven days. You may need to continue using only one antifungal cream for a while after that. Anabolic steroids reduce inflammation for a short time and can relieve itching and redness. However, the steroid does not completely eliminate the fungus between the toes and thus the steroid cream itself should not be used for treatment.
Antifungal pills for fungus between the toes are sometimes prescribed to adults if the infection is severe and cannot be cleared with creams. The tablets are also needed if the infection is found in many areas of the skin other than the feet.
However, the treatment of fungus between the fingers using the above procedures is not the same for everyone.
Antifungal pills are not always recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or for people with liver disease. Some people may be prescribed another medicine that interacts with antifungal pills. Children do not usually receive antifungal medications.
While skin fungus between the toes can spread from person to person, you don't have to stay away from work, school, or sports if you have the fungus. However, in public places such as a swimming pool or sauna, try to keep your feet covered until the rash disappears. Also, try not to scratch the damaged skin, as this can spread the infection to other areas.
The following tips can prevent recurrent mycosis:
- You should wash your feet daily and dry the skin between your toes well after washing. This is probably the most important moment. Wear socks if your feet are not completely dry. The moist skin between the toes is an ideal environment for the growth of fungi.
- Do not use foreign towels in public locker rooms! Towels should be washed as often as possible.
- Change your socks daily. Mushrooms can grow in skin scales in unwashed socks. Cotton socks and leather shoes are in many ways better than nylon socks and shoes made of artificial materials that increase sweating.
- Try to alternate different shoes every 2-3 days, this will allow each pair to dry completely after wear.
- Wear flip flops or plastic sandals in public locker rooms and showers. This prevents your feet from touching the floor, which may have flakes on the skin from other people.
- When you are at home, walk barefoot for as long as possible - without shoes or socks, so that the air can reach your feet. However, this may not be practical for some people.
- If the mycosis persists, you can prevent recurrence by regularly applying one of the antifungal sprays or creams as a preventative measure. It can be used daily as a preventive measure.