Symptoms and treatment of foot fungus

A fungal infection most often affects the toes or nails. This disease affects adults and children. To prevent the pathology from becoming chronic, you need to know the signs of foot fungus and what this disease looks like.

Main signs of the disease

Of all skin diseases, mycosis of the feet is the most common. You can contract the disease by ignoring basic hygiene rules. Sometimes it is very difficult to cure mushrooms.

For each person, foot fungus begins and develops in his own way. Here are the most common signs by which you can recognize foot fungus:

• characteristic cracks appear between the fingers;
• You can tell that a fungus has appeared by the characteristic itching of the feet and between the toes;
• the skin of the feet is very dry, often flakes and becomes rough;
• blisters appear between the fingers, which burst when destroyed;
• the infection can spread to neighboring areas;
• Reddish spots appear on the skin which cause considerable discomfort;
• You can also recognize foot fungi by their unpleasant odor.

When the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should immediately consult a dermatologist. If you do not do this in advance, it will be much more difficult to treat the fungus.

Signs of fungus depending on the type of pathogen

This disease develops due to different types of pathogens. The symptoms of foot damage will be different in each case.

1. If a yeast fungus develops on the feet, the toenail gradually becomes thinner and detaches from the bed. The skin of the foot is hyperemic (takes on a red tint).
2. With the development of epidermophytes, the nail becomes yellow and covered with spots. The skin on the feet peels off and gives off an unpleasant odor. A characteristic symptom of this type of fungus is increased dryness of the skin.
3. When mold appears, the nail plate can suddenly change color. The skin turns red if the pathogen gradually spreads to the entire foot. A person is bothered by itching, and the skin may break. In this case, pain and other unpleasant sensations appear while walking.

Only a doctor can determine the type of pathogen. This cannot be done at home. And if you practice self-medication, you can only harm yourself. Your legs will suffer and the skin fungus will spread more and more.

Signs of some forms of fungi

Depending on the affected area and the degree of development, different forms of the pathology are distinguished. Everyone's symptoms are different. Knowing the first signs of foot disease, you can start treatment for mycosis in a timely manner.

1. Interdigital dermatophytosis is the most common stage of the disease. Become more active in spring and summer, when your feet sweat more. Cracks and wounds appear between the fingers. You may notice the presence of scales on their skin. The foot looks absolutely healthy. Often a person feels itching.
2. The erased form appears to a less pronounced extent. You notice flaking between the toes. In this phase of the disease, a strong unpleasant odor spreads from the feet: it seems to be due to increased bacterial activity.

The disease can manifest itself in various forms. Let's get acquainted with their signs so that we know how to identify the fungus on the feet, and if it develops, start treatment. It should be remembered that in the advanced stages of the disease the nail is completely destroyed. It is almost impossible to restore it.

Scaly type

This mushroom is characterized by intense peeling of the epidermis. Furthermore, the skin areas between the toes and the sides of the foot are most affected. There are no signs of the inflammatory process. In the photo of the first signs of foot fungus, areas of hyperemia are noted. The scaly fungus looks like this:

• the stratum corneum thickens;
• the skin shines, sometimes becomes thick;
• the pattern on the skin becomes more distinct;
• the fungus gradually spreads to the toes, the entire foot and affects the nails;
• sometimes lamellar scales appear on the epidermis;
• The patient does not feel any other unpleasant sensations.

Dyshidrotic type

With this fungus, small blisters filled with fluid appear on the skin. They are usually located on the side of the foot. Then they gradually move to the inner side of the fingers. How to recognize fungi on the feet of the dyshidrotic type:

• the bubble is usually single, but if there are many of them, they merge into one large one;
• if left untreated, the fluid contained in the blisters gradually darkens;
• If the blister ruptures, an erosion with a crust appears in its place.

With this type of foot fungus there is a very high risk of bacterial infection. The infection enters the body through open skin lesions.

Intertriginous type

This type of mushroom is the most common. Initially, the person does not feel any symptoms. Up to a certain point the skin on the toes does not change. Cracks and layers subsequently appear. The skin is not affected, but may sweat.

Candidiasis of the feet

The characteristic symptoms of this fungal infection are as follows:

• the lesion is the 3rd or 4th toe;
• the skin is red and swollen;
• There is a blister around the lesion where there is a layer of peeled skin;
• There are pustules and blisters nearby.

If a bacterial infection penetrates the affected area, it leads to an increase in local temperature. Swelling is evident on the skin of the legs. In severe cases, a person experiences general hyperthermia.

Signs of fungal nail infection

A person's toenails can also be affected. The disease can be distinguished by the following symptoms.

1. Noticeable change in the color of the nail plate. Depending on the type of pathology of the patient, the nail takes on different shades. Sometimes it can change only on one part of the nail plate.
2. Nails crumbling. It only happens in advanced stages. If the nail is completely infected, it is destroyed.
3. Changes in the structure of the nail.

There are several types of onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nails.

1. Atrophic appearance. The nail plate seems very thin. It darkens, sometimes acquiring a grayish-brown color. The nail gradually detaches from its bed. The skin underneath becomes keratinized and loosens.
2. With the normotrophic form of foot fungus, the plaque changes shade. Spots appear on it: white, yellow, green and even black. The nail structure is not affected.
3. In the hypertrophic form the plaque gradually thickens and becomes porous. The affected area appears very unsightly and in some cases causes pain when walking. At the sides it crumbles and collapses without care.

Some types of onychomycosis

Depending on the degree of spread of the disease, its forms are distinguished.

1. Lateral onychomycosis is the most common. A small yellow spot first appears on the free edge of the nail. In the future you will notice how it increases and the nail plate thickens. While walking, a person feels uncomfortable. The spread of an unpleasant odor is noted. Lateral onychomycosis is difficult to treat.
2. Superficial onychomycosis is characterized by damage only to the upper layers of the plaque. It doesn't thicken, but over time it becomes chalk-like.
3. The rarest form of the disease is subungual onychomycosis. The skin thickens noticeably in the nail fold. The nail turns white and loses its transparency.

General principles of treatment

Any treatment of pathology begins with diagnosis. Only then will it be possible to prescribe an adequate remedy. Self-medication usually leads to a worsening of the condition of the legs. Let's get acquainted with the most common methods of therapy.

1. At the first signs of fungal infection, special paints, plasters, ointments and sprays are used. They must be used for a long time and according to the instructions.
2. If local therapy is ineffective, complex antifungal drugs are prescribed. They are used orally.
3. Surgical removal of the affected nail.
4. Laser therapy.
5. In advanced forms of the disease, systemic drugs are prescribed.

You can avoid the occurrence of an unpleasant disease by following hygiene rules. You should avoid using other people's personal hygiene products (towels, slippers). When the first signs of the disease appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Types of mycosis

Fungal foot infections usually appear between the toes. It is caused by several types of fungi. This problem is often inherent in adults, since children's sweat can disarm the fungus.

Mycotic lesions can be of various types:

• candidiasis: occurs when the body's resistance decreases, more often in women;
• epidermophytosis is an exclusively "male" disease that develops due to excessive sweating;
• Rubromycosis is a highly contagious form that can occur even in young children.

Signs and forms of the disease

The signs of a fungal infection may vary depending on the age of the patient, the state of the immune system and the nature of the blood circulation.

In a person with a strong immune system, the fungus can remain on the skin for several months without manifesting itself. You may experience mild itching and slight redness of the skin.

Treatment and best remedies

Advanced mycosis is treated with fungicidal tablets and antifungal ointments. The latter are used after washing and drying your feet.

It is recommended to use folk remedies only at the initial stage of the disease, as well as to relieve itching. They must be used with extreme caution as some rely on cauterization of the skin and can cause burns.

As for traditional medicine, they are used at the patient's own risk. Be especially careful when using formulations containing vinegar, celandine or manganese, as this can cause skin burns.

In parallel with drug treatment, you can use baths with oak bark, chamomile or sage. A soda bath effectively reduces itching.

Preventive measures

While there are effective and inexpensive treatments for foot fungus on the market, it is best to prevent the problem from developing. Prevention of fungal infections consists of:

• in daily hygiene;
• wear individual shoes (especially in showers, bathrooms and public swimming pools);
• regularly treat the inside of shoes with ammonia;
• daily change of socks;
• strengthen and maintain immunity.

These are basic and simple measures that anyone can do. But if an infection occurs, to prevent relapse, it is necessary to treat the foot fungus with drugs for another 14 days after the complete disappearance of all symptoms of mycosis.

Foot fungus: symptoms and treatment, photo of foot fungus

Foot fungus is one of the most common diseases in dermatological practice. It occurs mainly in cultures where it is customary to wear shoes most of the time and affects up to 70% of the adult population.

Most often, foot fungus is observed in the elderly, as well as in those whose immunity is significantly weakened, for example, in diabetes, AIDS, circulatory disorders of the lower extremities and other diseases of this type.

Often the term "fungus or mycosis of the foot" refers to the damage caused by the fungal mycelium to the plantar skin of the feet, the nails and the interdigital spaces.

Pathogens

Among the numerous types of fungi, the main causative agents of foot mycosis are the following:

• Trichophyton rubrum,
• Trichophyton mentagrophytes,
• Epidermophyton floccosus.

Other causative agents of fungal foot infections, which are not so common:

• Trichophyton tonsurans is the causative agent of mycosis in children in America,
• Candida,
• Scytalidium hyalinum,
• Scytalidium dimidiatum.

All pathogens of fungal infections have adapted to parasitize the stratum corneum of the skin, producing special enzymes that destroy keratin. In addition, their membranes (cell walls) contain manan, special substances that suppress local immunity and contribute to the development of chronic inflammation.

Routes of infection and factors contributing to the disease

It is believed that some types of foot fungal pathogens are able to maintain their viability in flakes of exfoliated skin for a year. To become infected with a fungus, it is enough for such skin scales with the pathogen to stick to the legs and then fall into conditions suitable for reproduction: moisture and heat.

The most common foot fungal infections occur:

1. In public places: bathrooms, sunbeds, swimming pools, saunas, even just sand.
2. In the family: shared house shoes, lack of individual foot towels, poor level of hygiene.
3. Habits: exchanging shoes, socks, wearing someone else's shoes (for example, the hosts' slippers during the visit).

Factors contributing to infection:

1. A decrease in local protective forces due to circulatory disorders (for example, with vasculitis, obliteration of atherosclerosis of the lower extremities), some chronic diseases (HIV, other immunodeficiency states, diabetes mellitus, etc. ).
2. Prolonged sweating of the feet in athletes during prolonged training, in summer when wearing closed or poorly ventilated shoes.
3. Cracks and macerations on the skin of the feet.

In general, men get sick more often than women; with age the frequency of fungal infections of the feet increases. Groups at risk for fungal foot infections are:

• miners,
• military personnel,
• bathroom attendants,
• regular visitors to baths and saunas,
• athletes.

Types of disease

According to the location of the pathological focus of the skin of the foot affected by the fungus:

1. Interdigital mycosis (dermatophytosis). It is most often observed in the form of chronic (squamous) or acute (intertriginous) forms.
2. Plantar mycosis. Very often it manifests itself as peeling and keratinization of the skin of the foot.
3. Dyshidrotic dermatophytosis. Blisters and vesicles form on the skin of the foot and often resemble allergic dermatitis.
4. Deep mycosis. In this case not only the superficial but also the deep layers of the skin are affected.
5. Onychomycosis. Toenail fungal infection.

Depending on the type of pathogen, the main fungal diseases of the feet are:

1. Athlete's disease caused by Trichophyton mcntagrophytes.
2. Rubrophytosis, caused by Trichophyton rubrum.

Rubrophytosis of the feet: main types and symptoms

Rubrophytosis is the most common fungal foot disease. It occurs in almost 70-90% of cases.

Symptoms

The classic form of rubrophytosis is characterized by redness and moderate thickening (lichenification) of the skin. The affected skin is shiny, with an accentuated pattern, a dry surface with flour-like flakes accumulated in the area of the grooves and folds.

Usually the disease begins with the third or fourth interdigital fold, which are the narrowest. The fungus then spreads to other spaces between the toes, the plantar part and the back of the foot.

The following forms are characteristic of rubrophytia:

Frequently encountered:

• scaly form (the main symptom is scaly skin),
• keratinizing form - presence of "calluses", thickenings.
• intertriginous (opreloid),
• dyshidrotic (with blistering),
• mixed form (diaper irritation, blisters).

On the foot

Erased squamous rubrophytia has the least pronounced symptoms and proceeds almost unnoticed by the patient. Its main symptoms:

1. Interdigital spaces: desquamation, presence of floury scales, small superficial cracks.
2. There are practically no complaints or a slight itching may bother you.

In this form, rubrophytosis can last a long time. However, progression of the disease is gradually observed, leading to the appearance of hyperkeratotic and mixed forms. Little by little there are:

• increased dryness of the skin of the feet,
• roughening of the skin,
• the appearance of rough calluses on the sole and lateral areas of the foot,
• formation of deep, painful cracks in the heel area.

With rubrophytosis of the feet, 3 main types of skin peeling are observed:

1. Mealy.The natural folds and furrows of the skin appear to be dusted with flour.
2. Ring shaped. Red spots with a fringe of exfoliated epithelium.
3. Large lamellar. In this case, the skin peels off in large plaques.

In interdigital spaces

During heavy sweating of the feet, wearing poorly ventilated shoes or improper treatment, the spaces between the toes periodically begin to get wet. The skin becomes swollen, eroded, with deep cracks. The main complaints of patients at this stage are itching, pain, burning.

Without timely and effective treatment, the process gradually worsens, manifested by increased pain and itching, which intensify with movement. Large blisters appear on the skin of the interdigital spaces and lateral surfaces of the fingers, which then turn into erosions, surrounded by a border of whitish epidermis.

On the nails

Nail plates of the toes with rubrophytosis:

• thickened,
• dilapidated,
• yellowish-gray or with a brown tinge,
• chiseled white spots that subsequently extend to the entire nail.

Sometimes they separate from the nail bed, thicken and take on the appearance of a bird's claw or an ingrown toenail, causing further discomfort to patients.

Complications of rubrophytosis

As a rule, rubrophytia spreads to other parts of the body: hands, smooth skin, vellus hair. The pathogen enters new areas of the skin through the lymphogenic system and by contact (for example, transferred from the hands when washing the feet).

1. Hands: Damage to palms and nails.
2. Smooth skin: lesions on the face, inguinal-femoral folds, buttocks, legs.

In this case the mycosis manifests itself with round pink-red or pink spots with a tendency to merge and grow peripherally. Their surface is covered with scales, and along the edges there is an inflammatory ridge with small bubbles and crusts.

If rubrophytia has spread to large folds, itching occurs.

Athlete's foot: types and symptoms

Athlete's foot occurs much less frequently than rubrophytosis and has the same forms of the disease:

1. Deleted.
2. keratinizing.
3. Diaper rash.
4. With the formation of bubbles.
5. The athlete's nails.

Subsequently, plaque-like thickenings of bluish-red skin appear on the lateral surfaces and sole of the foot. In the center of the rash there are layers of scales, the boundaries of the lesions are clear. In the spaces between the fingers, the epidermis acquires a whitish tint.

With athlete's foot, patients are bothered by itching, increased dryness and pain of the skin.

The opreloid (intertriginous) form of epidermophytosis is characterized by redness, swelling, and maceration of the interdigital folds. Cracks often form and pain is felt.

When the pathogen affects the arch of the foot, a dyshidrotic form is often observed with the formation of blisters which, after opening, look like wet erosions of pink or red color.

Athlete's foot most often occurs on the big toe (I) and little toe (V). In the thickness of the nail, closer to the free edge, yellowish spots and stripes are formed, which gradually increase and occupy the entire nail. Subsequently, the nail begins to crumble, sometimes breaking away from the nail bed.

Acute epidermophytosis Podvysotskaya

The main symptoms of this form of athlete's foot:

• swelling of the feet, fingers,
• abundance of vesicles,
• weeping erosions,
• maceration of the interdigital folds,
• swollen inguinal lymph nodes,
• increase in body temperature,
• heachache,
• difficulty walking due to pain,
• general weakness.

Onychomycosis of the toes: symptoms and types

In addition to the causative agents of rubrophytosis and epidermophytosis, onychomycosis can be caused by yeast fungi of the genus Candida, as well as some other fungi.

The most typical symptoms of onychomycosis, starting closer to the free edge of the nail:

• discolouration, loss of natural shine,
• thickening of the nail plate,
• the appearance of subungual hyperkeratosis,
• destruction of the nail, detachment from the nail bed.

With onychomycosis, there are 2 main types of nail damage:

1. Normotrophic: white and yellowish stripes are visible in the thickness of the nail.
2. Atrophic: thinning, destruction of the nail plate, its detachment.

Diagnosis of fungal foot infections

A specialist in the treatment of fungal infections of the feet is a dermatologist who, if necessary, can involve other specialists in the treatment.

After a conversation with the patient, clarification of complaints and characteristics of the onset and course of the disease, the doctor will examine the affected surface and prescribe some types of additional examinations, for example:

1. Microscopic examination with further treatment of the material with potassium hydroxide.
2. Wood's lamp examination.
3. Inoculum of suspicious biological material on special media for the growth of fungi, as well as on media for bacteria.

Treatment

Treatment for any fungal infection of the feet must be prescribed by a doctor to achieve complete recovery.

In general, the treatment of foot mycosis is based on the following therapeutic principles:

1. Fight against the infectious agent. In the initial stages of the disease, local drugs are usually prescribed: antifungal ointments, creams, lotions. In severe cases, use systemic antifungal agents.
2. Increase immunity and improve local blood circulation, curing the underlying disease.
3. Desensitizing therapy. Since mycosis of the feet is often accompanied by allergic reactions, anti-allergic drugs are prescribed accordingly, which will help improve the patient's condition.

Treatment at home

• To effectively treat mycosis of the feet it is necessary to remember that fungi multiply in a humid environment. By excluding moisture, fungi will not develop and the chances of recovery will increase.
• Protect your family members from fungal diseases. You should explain to them that from now on you will not be able to walk barefoot in the apartment, especially in the bathroom or shower. After taking a bath or shower, you should treat the tub itself, the tub and the floor with a disinfectant.
• Wash your feet every day with soap, picking up any loose pieces of skin with a napkin so that nothing gets under your nails.
• After washing your feet, be sure to dry the spaces between the toes with toilet paper or a hair dryer, then apply an antifungal agent prescribed by your doctor. Treatment must be continued for several months even in cases where the manifestations of mycosis disappear completely.
• Use the powder while wearing shoes.
• Wear white cotton socks (cleaned every day). Used socks should be boiled or soaked in disinfectant for 10 minutes. Shoes should be disinfected using antifungal sprays.

Prevention of mycosis of the feet

Timely treatment of diseases that can reduce the body's defenses or compromise blood circulation.

Conclusion

Foot fungus is one of the most common fungal skin infections. In most cases, following simple prevention rules helps to avoid the disease, and timely treatment begins to completely eliminate mycosis.