Unfortunately, the number of patients suffering from fungal infections is increasing very quickly.And the reason for this is the people themselves, who neglect the basic rules of personal hygiene.Fungus on the feet progresses very quickly and causes a person great discomfort.And in order to know how to treat this disease, it is necessary, firstly, to know exactly how infection occurs, and secondly, how the disease manifests itself in order to make a correct diagnosis at the initial stage of its development.
Routes of infection
Infection with fungal diseases can occur in several ways:
- direct route;
- indirect.
In the first case, the fungus “settles” on the human body through direct contact with soil, wet tiles, sick people and animals, as well as some types of plants.
In the second case, infection occurs through household items that a sick person uses.For example, if you came to visit and wiped your feet or hands with someone else's towel, the chance of getting a fungal infection is 60%.
At the same time, several factors play an important role that increase the body's susceptibility to the fungus.Namely:
- age (fungal infections are most often observed in children due to imperfections in the body's defense mechanisms and thin skin);
- weakened immune system;
- Disruption of the functionality of the nervous and hormonal systems (they severely impair the protective functions of the body);
- increased work of sweat glands;
- Composition of sweat (in some cases, the composition of the secretion of the sweat glands changes, creating a favorable environment for the development of fungi).
Types of fungal infections
Before we talk about the treatment of athlete's foot, it is necessary to talk about the types of fungal infection.After all, it can be different and therefore the treatment of the disease is different.
The most common type of fungal infection is athlete's foot.This disease affects not only the skin of the feet, but also the nails.Infection with this type of fungal infection most often occurs in rooms where there is high humidity and temperatures of at least 10 degrees.Examples of such premises are swimming pools, saunas, gyms, baths, etc.
In this case, epidermophytosis can be found on all objects in the room.These are:
- washcloth;
- towels;
- oilcloths;
- Thermometer;
- mats and so on.
This type of fungus predominantly affects the male part of the world's population.Because the main reason for infection is increased activity of the sweat glands on the skin of the legs.
Another common form of fungal infection is trichophytosis.This is one of the most contagious diseases that is transmitted through:
- bathroom accessories;
- sports equipment;
- shoes and socks;
- other common items.
Men are also most susceptible to this disease.In addition, the older they get, the greater the likelihood of infection with trichophytosis.This disease is particularly common among athletes and employees of pools, saunas and swimming pools.
Candidiasis is another common form of fungal infection of the feet.The causative agent of the disease is the Candida fungus, which occurs on the skin of every person and is not actually a disease.This fungus only begins to parasitize when favorable conditions exist.And they arise when a person's immunity weakens.
The fungus enters the body through direct contact with contaminated objects and food.They are absolutely everywhere.This fungus is particularly common in fermented milk products and meat.
The “activation” of the vital activity of the Candida fungus is influenced by the following factors:
- damage to the skin;
- reduced immunity;
- increased sweating;
- increased fungal content in the ambient air (particularly many fungi are found in workshops for the production of meat products).
Symptoms of a fungal infection
The symptoms of athlete's foot are as follows:
- itching and burning;
- Reduction of unpleasant odor;
- peeling of the skin;
- white coating on the skin (more like dust);
- change in the color and shape of the nail plates;
- destruction of nails;
- increased sweating of the feet.
In some cases, fluid-filled pustules and blisters may form near affected skin surfaces.
How do you treat athlete's foot?
Fungal infections should only be treated by a doctor.The thing is that at home you can only eliminate the external manifestations of the disease.Because a fungal infection affects the entire body and not just the upper layers of the epidermis.The fungus penetrates through the skin, comes into contact with capillaries and through them enters the arteries, and then spreads throughout the body.For this reason, the treatment of fungal diseases should include not only antifungal drugs for external use, but also agents for oral administration.
However, such medications should only be taken as prescribed by a doctor.After all, there are more than 500 species of mushrooms in the world, each of which has its own properties and thresholds of resistance to various aggressive substances.For this reason, the same antifungal medication may help some people cope with the symptoms of the disease, but not others.
During a visit to the doctor, a scraping of the affected surface will be done to determine what type of fungus has settled on his feet.They will then perform a series of tests to rule out the development of complications.After receiving all the necessary information about the patient's health, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment that can quickly eliminate the unpleasant external manifestations of the disease.
However, it should be noted that the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease is not yet a sign of complete healing.Treatment of a fungal infection can take several months, in some cases it can be extended up to 6 months.If the infection is not fully treated, symptoms will appear within a few weeks of stopping the medication.
To treat fungi, a fungistatic agent is often prescribed that inhibits the development of pathogenic microorganisms.This product is available both in the form of ointments for external use and in the form of tablets for oral administration.
Most often, doctors combine several remedies at once to achieve the maximum effect of treatment.After taking the medication for a week, the patient is tested again to ensure that the treatment is producing positive results.
Treatment of fungus with folk remedies
How to cure athlete's foot at home?Absolutely not.Why?We have already given the answer to this question above: the fungus colonizes the entire body and not just the upper epidermis of the skin.Therefore, at home you can only eliminate the symptoms of the disease and alleviate your condition, but nothing more.Therefore, you should not expect a “miracle” from traditional medicine.
So at home you can relieve the itching with a bath in wine vinegar.To prepare it, you will need a strong wine vinegar solution, in which you need to soak your feet for a few minutes.However, beforehand, the feet should be washed thoroughly under running water with soap and wiped dry.
After the procedure, you should put socks on your feet, which also need to be pre-moistened in a wine vinegar solution.After a few days of using this procedure, the itching should disappear and the manifestations of the fungus will subside.
Salt and soda-based baths also help fight fungal infections.The fungus is afraid of these substances and therefore dies quickly.To prepare a healing bath, you need a liter of water, in which you need to dissolve a tablespoon of table salt and baking soda.
Soak your feet in this solution for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water and wipe dry.2-3 procedures will help you get rid of the external manifestations of the fungus.
Various medicinal herbs help combat the symptoms of a fungal infection.You can prepare a decoction for washing the affected feet from the following ingredients:
- marigold inflorescences;
- oak bark;
- dried blackberries;
- Verbena officinalis.
To prepare the decoction, take all the herbs in equal quantities and mix them well.Then take 3 tbsp.l.Herb mixture, pour over a glass of water and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes.
After that, the broth should be cooled slightly and strained, and then the limbs should be washed with it daily.In addition, you can moisten a bandage in this decoction and apply it to the affected areas for 15-20 minutes.
If you do not have the opportunity to use all of these herbs, you can fight the manifestations of the fungus with the help of regular coffee.Brew strong coffee and stir it into a liter of warm water.Then lower your feet in and leave them in the solution for 15 minutes.Then rinse your feet with warm water and dry them.
A bath based on spurge helps to combat fungal symptoms on the feet.To prepare it, you need to take fresh grass and pour several liters of boiling water over it.Then let it steep and strain.The infusion does not need to be diluted with water.Simply pour it into a bowl and let your feet soak in it for 15 minutes.This bath should be used daily for two weeks.
Mushroom cream at home
At home, you can also make a cream to treat affected surfaces.
To prepare the cream you will need:
- sifted wood ash;
- pork fat.
These ingredients must be mixed together until a smooth mass is obtained.Of course, it is better to use a mixer for this.The cream must be applied to clean and dry skin of the feet every 12 hours.
You can also prepare an anti-fungal cream with the following ingredients:
- yellow sulfur;
- goose fat;
- Copper sulfate.
All ingredients must be taken in equal quantities and mixed thoroughly.Then put it in a small saucepan, put on fire and bring to the boil.The cream should then stand in a dark, cool place and cool down.This cream only needs to be used once a day.But before applying it, you also need to wash your feet in warm water.
Compresses and masks against athlete's foot
The treatment of athlete's foot can also be done through the use of masks and compresses.For example, you can use a compress made from onions and garlic.To do this, take a small onion and a clove of garlic, peel them and grind them through a meat grinder.
Then apply the resulting mixture to the affected area, wrap it with plastic wrap and put warm socks over your feet.Leave the compress on overnight.In the morning, some symptoms of the disease disappear.The procedure should be carried out daily until the fungus on your feet no longer bothers you.
If the fungal infection has spread to your toenails, you can use a mixture of vinegar, glycerin, and rubbing alcohol.All ingredients must be taken 1 tsp.and mix well.Then the resulting liquid should be applied to the nails (literally a few drops).This should be done every day until the affected nail recovers.
Remember that a fungal infection requires an integrated treatment approach.Therefore, traditional medicine alone will not be enough.Requires oral antifungals.However, you should not buy them yourself in a pharmacy on the advice of a pharmacist.You should consult a doctor.Only he can really help you overcome this disease and forget about it for many years.