Few people know what the skin fungus on the feet looks like, despite the prevalence of this infection. Out of ignorance, many people confuse a fungal infection with a common irritation or allergic reaction, so they begin treatment at an advanced stage when the disease progresses. Fungal infections are elastic, according to statistics, 20% of the total population is 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 mushroom is elastic, it can adapt to almost all conditions. Even if a person gets rid of the disease, relapse is often inevitable because the fungal spores still live in clothing and footwear. In most cases, mycosis affects the nail plates and the skin of the feet.
Few people know what a fungus on the foot looks like. The fungus is of several types, each of which has its own symptoms and manifestations:
- the initial stage of the fungus is manifested by redness of the skin, swelling and microcracks;
- the fungus continues to thrive, and the skin peels off and is covered with reddish-pink spots;
- if the disease is not treated properly, the fungal infection spreads to the nail plates, changing their color, shape and structure.
The last stage is characterized by peeling 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 as itching, which is often unbearable. To accurately show the appearance of the disease, just look at the pictures on this topic.
The process of getting a fungal infection
The fungus affects people regardless of age and professional activity. 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. Arriving on the skin, the fungus gradually begins to destroy the nail plates, as it moves around the body. Therefore, the advanced stage of the disease is suitable only for complex therapy (creams, ointments, drops and tablets).
The risk group for fungal infection includes certain categories of people:
- company employees attending a public shower after a work shift;
- people who play sports professionally;
- military personnel (mostly sailors);
- utility workers;
- miners.
Fungal infection quite often affects housewives and those people whose professional duties are directly related to water.
Skin fungi: diagnosis and treatment
Knowing what the fungus looks like on the skin on your feet, you can immediately diagnose this disease. But self-medication in this case is not appropriate, because 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, according to external signs, suspects that he has a fungus on the skin, then he must immediately consult a dermatologist.
The specialist must necessarily 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 a doctor decides how to treat the disease, it is not recommended to prescribe antifungal drugs for yourself.
Folk remedies
In the initial stage of disease development or with drug 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 flowers or chamomile. To do this, you need to take 2 tbsp. l herbs and pour with 200 ml of boiling water. The tincture must be cooled, poured into the basin and 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 must be repeated every day until the signs of the disease completely disappear.
If the fungus has affected the nail plates, the treatment will be longer. Of the traditional medicine, iodine and 9% vinegar are most commonly used. The fluids must be combined in equal proportions, and the affected nails must be lubricated with the resulting medicine. In this case, it is recommended to wash the nail plate as much as possible.
Folk remedies are in some cases very effective. However, their use is not recommended in the advanced phase of the disease, when the fungal infection has already penetrated the bloodstream. In this case, it is better to seek the help of experts who can advise not only competent, but also safe treatment.
Skin fungi do not cause significant damage to human health, but very often cause 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 the infections are in these institutions. As a preventative measure, you must follow the rules of personal hygiene and monitor your health.