Few people know what the fungus looks like on the skin of the feet, despite the spread of this infection. Due to ignorance, many people take a fungal infection for frequent irritation or an allergic reaction, so they start treatment at an advanced stage when the disease progresses. Fungal infections are resistant, according to statistics 20% of the total population are susceptible to them.
What does a fungal infection look like?
The fungus belongs to the category of infectious diseases that affect the skin, mainly on the feet. There are several types of disease, but the most common is mycosis. The fungus is resistant, can adapt to almost any condition. Even if a person gets rid of the disease, recurrence is often inevitable, as fungal spores continue to live in clothing and footwear. In most cases, mycosis affects the nail plates and the skin of the feet.
Few people know what foot fungus looks like. The fungus is of several types, each with its own symptoms and manifestations:
- the initial stage of the fungus is manifested by reddening of the skin, swelling and microcracks;
- the fungus continues to progress and the skin peels off and is covered with red-pink spots;
- if the disease is not treated properly, then the fungal infection spreads to the nail plates, changing their color, shape and structure.
The last stage is characterized by exfoliation of the skin, as well as the appearance of deep cracks that cause pain and bleeding. At all stages of development, the fungus on the toes manifests itself as itching, which is often unbearable. To accurately represent the onset of the disease, just look at the photos on this topic.
The process of getting a fungal infection
The fungus affects people regardless of their age and occupation. The infection is easily transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person (especially when wearing someone else's shoes). You can also get infected in public places such as baths, saunas and swimming pools. Once on the skin, the fungus gradually begins to destroy the nail plates as it moves throughout the body. Therefore, the advanced stage of the disease is amenable only to complex therapy (creams, ointments, drops and tablets).
The risk group for fungal infection includes certain categories of people:
- employees of enterprises that visit a public shower after a work shift;
- people who play sports professionally;
- servicemen (mostly sailors);
- utility workers;
- miners.
The fungal infection quite often affects hosts and those people whose professional duties are directly related to water.
Skin fungus: diagnosis and treatment
Once you learn what the skin fungus on your feet looks like, you can immediately diagnose this disease. But self-medication in this case is inappropriate, as it is initially necessary to identify the type of pathogen and its form. This can only be done in a medical facility. If a person, by external signs, suspects that he has skin fungus, then he should urgently consult a dermatologist.
The specialist must conduct an initial examination of the patient, take the necessary tests (complete blood count, microscopy). If the diagnosis is confirmed, then the person is prescribed the necessary treatment. These can be creams, topical ointments and oral tablets. Only the doctor decides how to treat the disease, it is not recommended to prescribe antifungal drugs for yourself.
Folk remedies
In the initial stage of the disease or in addition to medical treatment, traditional medicine is perfect. There are several ways to get rid of foot fungus. To cure fungus on the skin, it is recommended to prepare a tincture of plantain or chamomile flowers. To do this, you need to take 2 tbsp. l herbs and pour 200 ml of boiling water. The tincture should be cooled, poured into a basin and the lower legs there for 15-20 minutes. Then wipe your feet thoroughly with a paper towel and smear with birch tar, paying special attention to the affected skin. The procedure should be repeated every day until the signs of the disease disappear completely.
If the nail plates have been affected by the fungus, then the treatment will be longer. Iodine and 9% vinegar are most commonly used in traditional medicine. The liquids should be combined in equal proportions and the affected nails should be lubricated with the resulting medicine. In this case, it is advisable to saw off the nail plate as much as possible.
Folk remedies are very effective in some cases. However, their use in advanced disease is not recommended when the fungal infection has already entered the bloodstream. In this case, it is better to seek the help of specialists who can advise not only competent but also safe treatment.
Skin fungus does not cause significant harm to human health, but very often causes discomfort because the affected areas of skin and nails do not look very attractive. The presence of such a disease prevents a person from accessing public places (swimming pools, saunas, water parks), despite the fact that it is in these institutions that the infection is common. As a preventative measure, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene and monitor your health.