Different types of fungi on human feet are called mycoses. When the skin is affected, the disease belongs to the group of dermatomycosis (epidermophytosis, trichophytosis), as the dermis is translated from Greek as skin. If the nail is affected, then the disease is defined as onychomycosis.
Causes of the disease
Foot fungus is a common disease that occurs worldwide. More often in cities than in rural areas. The risk group for foot fungus infection includes athletes, shower workers and hot shop workers. Children have thinner skin, which is not protected from external factors, so they are also susceptible to fungal infections. Another reason is increased sweating of the feet as a result of diseases in the body or a congenital feature. Dermatologists believe that the risk of fungal infections of the feet increases with age. Factors contributing to the disease:
- wearing closed uncomfortable faux leather shoes;
- warm environment with high humidity, typical for wearing shoes;
- impaired blood supply to the limbs;
- frequent visits to places with many people;
- weak or malfunctioning immune system;
- wearing unfamiliar shoes.
Rapid infection
Dermatomycosis of the feet is easily transmitted in public from a sick person to a healthy person. Infection occurs through contact surfaces: floors, household items, personal hygiene items, someone else's shoes. The fungus is transmitted by direct contact, multiplies very quickly, which is why it is so easy to become infected. Situations of transmission of fungus in hairdressing salons through tools during pedicures, as well as towels are not excluded. The disease affects the skin of the feet. It is especially common in men, as they spend most of their time in closed shoes. Frequent visits to gyms, bathrooms, military service, where you do not always have to wear your own size shoes - all this creates favorable conditions for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria. The unventilated area of the room is useful for pathogenic fungi for reproduction. The spread of pathogenic flora is very fast. The place where the fungus predominates are the toes and interdigital spaces. Saunas and baths are characterized by high humidity and high temperatures, which is ideal for the development of pathogenic microflora.
Fungal infection can be direct or indirect. You can be infected directly through direct contact with a sick person. Indirect pollution involves the use of objects that have been used by a sick person.
Manifestations of mycoses
The first symptom of the disease is the appearance of skin flakes in the legs. Infection occurs through these elements. Increased sweating is a favorable factor for the reproduction of microbes, as the altered composition of sweat becomes a nutrient for the growth of pathogenic flora.
Remains of socks and dirt also collect between the toes. When a fungal infection is added to the listed factors, redness appears there. The affected area begins to itch unbearably, causing discomfort to the person. The skin begins to peel off, leading to the appearance of painful cracks. When walking there are unpleasant painful sensations due to the presence of wounds on the skin of the foot. The skin begins to thicken and the infection can spread to the nails. If left untreated, mycosis spreads and affects the nails, destroying them. The nail plate first changes color to a white hue. It can subsequently peel off. Cavities form between the nail plate and the nail bed. An unpleasant odor appears on the fungus on the feet. In winter, when wearing closed shoes, the foot is not ventilated, the intensity of the defeat of the feet increases. The treatment of this pathology requires an accurate formulation of the correct diagnosis, as there are many types of fungal pathogens.
The main types of diseases
- The type of membrane (intertriginous form) is the most common. A fungal infection occurs between the fifth and fourth toes. Gradually the skin acquires a scaly structure with elements of cracks. Sometimes a bacterial infection is attached to the fungus, which causes even more damage to the skin of the feet.
- Moccasin-like type. Manifested by pain in the foot. Then the skin thickens, thickens and cracks. Severe fungal lesions catch the nails, which over time can begin to crumble, flake off.
- Vesicular type (dyshidrotic form). It manifests itself with the appearance of blisters under the skin filled with fluid. It often occurs together with a bacterial infection.
Types of fungus on the feet photo with names
There are different types of fungi, they correspond to different diseases. There are four most common types of fungus that cause foot damage.
- Trichophyton rubrum (Trichophytonrubrum) is fraught with rubrophytosis.
- Trichophyton interdigitale (Trichophytoninterdigitale) affects the skin between the toes, involving the entire foot in the disease. Causes epidermophytic disease.
- Trichophyton mentagrophytes leads to complete epidermophytosis.
- Candida albicans is a female fungus. Causes candidiasis of the feet, but this is rare.
Epidermophytosis and trichophytosis (rubromycosis) are skin diseases that are commonly called mycoses of the feet caused by parasitic fungi of the genus dermatophytes.
Classification
Dermatophyte fungi:
- microsporum;
- epidermophyton;
- T.
Fungi causing fungal diseases:
- hendersonula;
- altemaria;
- s.
Pathogenic yeast fungi:
- pityrosporum;
- candida;
- cryptococci;
- malassezia;
- coccidoids;
- histoplasma;
- w.
Precautions
Because mushrooms love a warm, humid habitat, this means that it is necessary to violate these conditions to get rid of them. Therefore, to prevent fungus, feet should be clean and dry. It is important to change your socks and dry your shoes on time. There are special antiperspirants on sale that will block the development of pathogenic microflora. It is better to choose leather shoes to maintain normal metabolic processes between the feet and the environment. The foot will sweat less and the breeding conditions will not be created for the fungus. It is advisable to wear socks at home, which you take off and wash, while germs and dirt will accumulate on the home shoes.
You only need to use your own things, because you do not know about the presence of other people's diseases. Your immune system may not be able to deal with pathogens and become infected. You need to ventilate your shoes more often. When visiting public places, it is advisable to bring personal hygiene items with you. Never walk barefoot on the floor in swimming pools and showers. The use of prophylactic antifungal creams and ointments also helps. After all, swimming pools, locker rooms, saunas and other rooms with high humidity are places for the reproduction of fungi. At home in the bathroom it is better to refuse porous carpets.
Risk group
There are people who are more susceptible to this disease than others. This may be due to problems in the body, such as:
- Overweight;
- circulatory disorders in the legs;
- flat feet and foot deformities;
- impaired immune system;
- people in stress;
- after antibiotic treatment.
Diagnosis of fungal disease of the feet
The doctor conducts a detailed examination of the foot, asks for complaints. Skin samples are taken from the patient to be tested for fungus. A skin fragment with a minor, specially made scratch on the foot is obtained. For analysis, the nail is cut from the place infected with the fungus. The presence of mycosis is determined by special tests. In order to identify the type of fungus, it is cultivated, that is, grown. In rare cases with an advanced stage of the disease, the patient may be prescribed a biopsy. In this case, the prepared material is examined under a microscope.
Methods of treatment
In order to obtain treatment results, it is necessary to clarify the type of fungus and the presence of infections, if any, that have joined it. The extent of the damage is also taken into account.
The basis of membrane-type treatment appears to be the application of antifungal drugs to the affected area. It is convenient to do this even at home. These drugs stop the growth of bacteria or slow down the spread of the disease. Many of these drugs are available without a prescription. The action of the substances is manifested locally, at the site of application on the affected skin. It is important to monitor the dynamics of treatment, if there is no improvement, the drug may not help you.
If there is no effect of the agent used, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist again regarding the appointment of another treatment. You may need to prescribe a stronger medicine. In particularly severe cases of the disease, tablets are prescribed. Many drugs have side effects, so it is necessary to monitor the blood count during treatment with pills. The fungus is very difficult to completely cure because it can recur. Treatment should not be interrupted, otherwise the fungus may show resistance to the components of the drug that affect them. During treatment it is necessary to monitor the cleanliness and dryness of the foot. A moccasin-like form of infection very often causes onychomycosis, ie damage to the nails. Due to the fact that the skin of the feet is thickened and the drugs are more difficult to penetrate inside, this disease is more difficult to cure. In this case, the standard drugs "do not work" and additional therapy is prescribed in the form of pills. Onychomycosis - damage to the toenails by fungi of the genus dermatophytes. The disease can also be caused by yeast and mold. There are several types of onychomycosis:
- Distal subungual. Depending on the area of the nail plate lesion, there are three degrees of damage. If the nail is presented in section and conditionally divided into three parts (in depth), then the defeat of up to two thirds of its volume will correspond to the first two stages of the disease. And when more than 2/3 of the nail is affected by the fungus, this is the third degree. In this case, the root of the nail (matrix) is involved in the disease process, and sometimes the folds of skin on the side of the nail, called peringual ridges;
- proximal subungual. The defeat of the back of the nail plate, where the hole is;
- surface white. This type of onychomycosis is common on the feet;
- totally dystrophic. The last final stage.
In the vesicular type, the doctor may prescribe the removal of the bladder tips. Then all the liquid that flows out of them is wiped off. This area is dried, an antifungal cream or a special compress is applied to it. If a bacterial infection is found, then a course of antibiotics is prescribed. Sometimes the disease is accompanied by fever. Acute infections respond better to treatment than chronic fungal and sluggish processes. In severe cases, hormonal drugs are prescribed. Antifungal drugs are taken until complete recovery. It happens that not all fungi die and when the drugs are canceled, there is a recurrence of the disease.
If the patient is not treated, the disease will become chronic and he will develop a severe bacterial infection. In addition to the foot, the skin of the toes may be involved in the disease.
Traditional medicine offers compresses and lotions to treat nail fungus with the help of tea tree oil, which has an anti-inflammatory effect, as well as garlic. Washing with ordinary detergents does not always kill pathogenic bacteria. To remove the fungus from clothes, underwear should be washed in hot water or, if possible, boiled. We recommend using bleach and hot ironing.