One of the most common problems faced by almost all people is fungus on the toes. This spread of the disease is due to the fact that you can get infected anywhere, regularly visit the gym, swimming pool or walk barefoot on the ground or grass. In this case, it does not matter at all whether a person adheres to the rules of personal hygiene or not.
Like other diseases, this infection requires proper and timely treatment. If you ignore this recommendation, the disease will progress, the symptoms will begin to manifest more intensely, and the skin will become thin and covered with small but painful cracks.
What is a fungus and how does the infection work?
Toe fungus or mycosis is an infectious disease. Such skin lesions are also called dermatomycosis. In general, there are a large number of bacteria in nature, but not all of them can cause human health problems. Mycosis is one of the most common diseases and ranks second after purulent pathologies, ie boils, streptoderma, carbuncles and staphyloderma.
As for the groups of fungi that affect the skin of the feet, they are divided into 3 groups, namely:
- Candida. It belongs to the group of yeast-like fungi.
- Zooanthropophilic. Infection can occur in both animals and humans.
- Anthropophilic. In this case, you can only be infected by other people.
How does the fungus on the toes manifest itself?
The first symptoms of toenail fungus have unclear characteristics, so it is very difficult to recognize the disease from the first days of infection. Sometimes people don't go to the doctor right away, not because they don't want to, but because they don't understand their situation. In order not to fall into such situations, doctors always recommend, even at the slightest symptoms, to seek help. In this case, the patient will be spared the problem as soon as possible.
The main signs of an infection of the toes are:
- yellowish spots and seals on the skin;
- increased sweating;
- the gaps between the fingers begin to hurt and itch;
- spots and exfoliation of the skin appear at the sites of localization of the infection.
The intensity of the symptoms may also depend on the form of the disease, squamous cell or intertrigo. In the second case, the person will suffer from swelling of the legs, redness and constant moisture in places affected by the infection. This shape is characterized by localization between the last 4 fingers.
In the squamous cell form of the pathology, white crusts appear on the legs, peeling, as well as increased drawing of skin lines. In the first days after infection, the patient feels burning and itching. If treatment is lacking, the symptoms will be complemented by an uncharacteristic glow on the skin of the feet and flaking of small gray or white scales.
How to treat fungus on the toes?
Nowadays, the patient can choose different drugs that are equally effective in combating the fungus between the toes. To get rid of the disease as quickly as possible, doctors recommend the use of complex therapy, which includes the following measures:
- Taking pills.
- The use of immunostimulants and vitamin complexes.
- Gels and creams.
Note!Almost all drugs are highly effective, but this does not mean that the treatment period will be short. Depending on the state of the body's protective functions, the patient will have to fight the fungus for at least 1 month.
Effective drugs for the treatment of fungus on the toes
Foot fungus is usually treated with varnishes, gels or tablets. The most appropriate drug will be selected by a specialist.
How to treat fungus on the toes with folk remedies?
Along with the drug treatment of fungus on the toes, experts advise to use alternative therapy, but when using any drug, you should consult a doctor. This will avoid allergies and other side effects.
Traditional healers are advised to pay attention to the following methods:
- Use of apple cider vinegar. This is necessary for the "acidification" of the body. Regardless of food intake, vinegar is dissolved in a glass of water and drunk once a day.
- Foot baths. In this case, it is worth pouring 9 percent vinegar into a basin in such an amount to cover the foot. The liquid should be slightly warm. The procedure lasts no more than 15 minutes.
- Vinegar and vegetable oil. From these two components for the treatment of fungus on the feet it is necessary to prepare an ointment in a ratio of 1 to 1. It covers the affected areas overnight. To enhance the effect on the legs, it is worth wearing a sock.
Effects of fungal infections on the toes
If you do not treat foot fungus, it can provoke the following deviations:
- when the fungus remains on the fingers for a long time, it can cause hypersensitivity to other types of fungi, as well as affect the development of bronchial asthma, allergic dermatitis or other skin diseases;
- mycosis of the thumb can affect the development of diabetes or gangrene;
- if left untreated, the infection can spread throughout the body and affect the internal organs, in which case the patient will need to undergo prolonged and more complex therapy. It doesn't matter if it is a fungus on the little finger or on the other fingers.
How to avoid re-infection with mycosis after treatment?
To prevent the appearance of fungus on the toes, you must follow all safety rules, which include the following:
- Use rubber slippers when visiting the pool or public shower.
- Observance of personal hygiene.
- Taking vitamin complexes to improve the body's defenses.
- The feet should be washed daily before bedtime.
- You cannot wear other people's shoes.
- Good nutrition and active lifestyle.
- In special cases, it is advisable to have removable, looser shoes.
- Do not use other people's hygiene items and do not give yours to anyone.
- Do not wear dirty socks.
- For prophylactic purposes, use foot baths.
Antifungal treatment of shoes
A special product can be used to treat shoes against fungus on the skin of the toes. This will not only help get rid of the infection, but will also remove the unpleasant odor and rid the shoes of yeast and dermatitis.
Once the infection has healed, the shoes can be treated with an antiseptic. You can buy it at a pharmacy, the tool will allow you to clean shoes not only from fungi but also from other bacteria that pose a danger to human health.