Mycosis, or fungus, is an unpleasant disease that is caused by parasitic microorganisms - fungi. This is quite common and can occur in both adults and children. The fungus can appear on different parts of the body, but most often affects the skin of the feet and hands, as well as nails. This causes physical discomfort and the affected areas look extremely unattractive.
Fungus is not a "harmless" disease. Its waste products are toxic, can weaken the immune system and even lead to allergies. Therefore, he needs timely treatment, which must be prescribed by a doctor. Many are concerned about how to get rid of foot fungus, what treatments can be used to treat the problem at home.
Why do fungi appear?
The appearance and development of skin fungus is associated with the presence of pathogens in the skin that multiply very quickly. The fungus is most often located between the toes, but can also affect the heels, feet, palms and nails. There may be several reasons why it occurs. Fungi love a humid and warm environment. Increased sweating of the feet creates all the conditions for "accommodation" of infection in the skin.
Visiting public places such as swimming pool, sauna, gym, changing rooms and shared shower is the main way to get infected with ringworm. At the same time, direct contact with a person or other things is not even necessary: the spores of the fungus are volatile and present in the air. Also, the fungus occurs due to lack of proper personal care and personal hygiene.
Poor quality shoes that prevent the skin of the feet from breathing can also be a factor in the onset of the disease. The disease can also develop in people whose work is associated with constant contact with yeast (confectioner, cook, winemaker). The fungus can also appear on the background of weakened immunity due to chronic diseases (diabetes, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis).
The fungus starts on the skin of the feet between the toes. There are symptoms such as itching, redness of the skin, scaling. Then cracks form, the skin thickens, scales appear. There may also be liquid blisters on the skin that burst and heal poorly. If left untreated, the infection multiplies rapidly and can spread to nails and hands. The skin of the hands affected by the fungus becomes very dry and covered with scales.
Between the fingers, the skin may change color, crack and peel off. In general, the symptoms of the fungus on the hands and feet are the same. Symptoms that indicate the appearance of fungus on the nails: the infection begins to affect the nail from the edge and then reaches the base. The nail plate becomes cloudy, thickens, the nail changes shape, deforms. There are also symptoms such as the appearance of streaks on the nail and a change in its color: from white, yellow to brown or even black.
Fungus is a problem that the body begins to fight. Therefore, allergic symptoms in the form of blisters and erosions on the skin are possible.
Causes of fungus in children
Fungus on the feet and hands is a fairly common problem in children. First of all, this is due to the fact that the immune system of children is not yet sufficiently developed and therefore may be subject to various influences, including fungal infection. In addition, the predisposition of children to various fungal diseases is determined by the characteristics of their skin: low bactericidal activity of sweat and sebaceous glands, increased ability to absorb water.
In the process of learning about the world, the child is in close contact with the environment in which pathogens of fungal diseases are widespread (for example, the disease can occur after contact with a sick animal or soil). In addition, in kindergarten or school, the child comes into contact with a large number of other children, who may also be carriers of the skin disease.
Infection in children can occur both through direct contact and after the use of household items that contain fungal spores: toys, towels, someone else's shoes. It is enough to run barefoot or try something on someone else - and the disease may already manifest itself. The symptoms of the disease do not differ from those in adults.
Factors provoking the appearance of fungal diseases in children are beriberi, poor ecology, lack of culture of personal hygiene. Parents should listen to the child's complaints, check the skin regularly. It is mandatory to treat the fungus, because this disease can cause allergies and weaken the immune system in children.
Prevention and preventive measures will protect your child from disease. Therefore, you should consult a dermatologist as soon as possible. The doctor will be able to diagnose and prescribe the right treatment.
fungal treatment
If you notice in yourself or your children any signs or symptoms of fungus on the feet or hands, then you should urgently contact a specialist. Only a doctor will be able to correctly diagnose and determine the methods of removing the fungus on the feet and hands. Proper diagnosis is essential, as the external symptoms of the infection may overlap with those of other diseases (such as psoriasis).
Depending on the cause of the disease, the neglect of the disease and the health of the patient, the doctor prescribes local, systemic (taking pills) or mixed treatment. Topical application involves the use of a special ointment, varnish or spray. If the patient has no contraindications, then the doctor prescribes a course of antifungal tablets that will help destroy the fungus "from within". Of course, it is best to use combination therapy when the treatment of the problem is carried out in all directions.
In some cases of fungal infection, the doctor may recommend nail removal. But simply removing the nail will not solve the problem, because the fungus will still be present in the body and will manifest over time. This procedure makes treatment more effective because antifungal drugs can penetrate the lesion more easily. Today, this procedure is painless and does not require surgery.
There are special products that stick to the nail and "dissolve" it within 3-4 days. The treatment of fungus on the feet and hands is quite difficult. The treatment itself can last up to 1 year. In addition to the therapy prescribed by the doctor, treatment of the fungus at home should also be carried out using some recommendations.
- Complete disinfection of the living space. Do a general cleaning of the place where you live. Pay special attention to the bathroom. Wash the tub as well as the floor and walls with detergent. Rinse the container with hot water after each wash. The carpet on the floor in the bathroom should be rubber so that fungus does not settle in it.
- It is necessary to wash your feet with household or tar soap. These types of soaps have antifungal and disinfectant properties. In addition, they will help to slightly dry the wounds that may appear due to the fungus.
- After water treatments, dry your feet with a hair dryer or dry them well with a paper towel, as the fungus can remain normal.
- Do not walk around the house barefoot and do not sit with your feet on sofas.
- Throw away your old slippers. Walk around the house either in socks made of natural materials or in rubber open slippers.
- Treat the rest of the shoes with apple cider vinegar or formalin.
- The items from the manicure set must be individual and not be used by any of the family members. Wipe the scissors and nail files with alcohol after each use.
- Sleep in cotton socks that need to be changed daily.
- Bed linen must be changed at least once a week.
- Socks, stockings or tights - change daily. They should be washed in hot water. Socks after washing can be ironed well.
Of course, it is better to prevent the disease than to treat it later. That is why prevention is needed to protect yourself from the disease as much as possible. When visiting swimming pools, saunas and other public places, use only your personal belongings (towel, towel). Never walk barefoot. Even if you use the shower in a public place, do not take off your slippers. They should be made of rubber, not sponge.
After visiting the pool, at home you should wash the slippers well with laundry soap and dry them. For everyday wear, choose quality shoes made of natural and breathable materials. Wearing shoes that are not breathable will make your feet sweat, which creates a favorable environment for the development of fungal disease.
Prevention of fungal infections includes careful self-care, regular water treatments, timely change of linen and bed linen.
Get rid of fungus at home
Among other things, you can use traditional medicine at home. In combination with the treatment prescribed by your doctor, this will help to quickly remove the fungus.
- Apple cider vinegar is a disinfectant and antifungal agent. Apply vinegar on a cotton swab and apply on the affected areas. If there are open wounds and sores on the skin, then you should not make such lotions. In this case, make a foot bath with a weak solution of apple cider vinegar.
- Foot baths can also be made with sea salt. For this you need 3 tablespoons of salt per liter of warm water. It is better to use salt that does not contain dyes and flavors. Immerse your feet in this solution for 10-15 minutes. It can be applied to the affected areas as a compress.
- Folk healers know how to remove fungus on the feet and hands at home with the help of ordinary onions. Grate the onion and squeeze the juice from it. Wet a cotton swab with juice and apply on the affected areas. Do not rinse, but leave until the juice dries. The procedure should be performed daily.
- Clay is another way to fight fungus. Take the pharmacy clay (sold in powder form) and dilute it with lukewarm water to the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply the product on the affected areas until completely dry. Then rinse with water.
- Celery juice is a universal remedy for many skin diseases at home. If you break a branch of celandine, then it will start to appear orange juice. With this juice it is necessary to lubricate the areas affected by the fungus. The procedure should be performed twice a day.
- Another effective remedy is sold in the pharmacy - birch tar. After a shower, apply to sore spots and leave it with clean socks. The procedure is best performed at night.
- You can also get rid of the fungus with the help of ordinary soda. Take a small amount of soda, dilute it with water to a paste. It is necessary to make an application of this porridge daily, to hold 15 minutes.
- Among the recommendations on how to cure foot fungus at home, there are tips for using ammonia. Dilute 1 tbsp ammonia in a glass of water. Moisten a handkerchief with the solution and wrap it around the affected limb. Place the bag on top and secure with a sock. The procedure is best performed at night.
Prevention can protect you from fungal infections. But if you still find anxious symptoms in yourself or your children, contact your doctor immediately. Only a doctor knows how to get rid of the fungus in the shortest possible time and without harming the body, he will be able to make the correct diagnosis.
Do not self-medicate. Self-medication at home can not only harm but also exacerbate the problem. Traditional medicine can be effective, but only if treatment with alternative methods is allowed and approved by the doctor.