Unfortunately, the number of patients suffering from fungal infections is increasing very quickly.This is because people neglect the basic rules of personal hygiene.Fungus on the feet progresses very quickly and brings a lot of discomfort to a person.And in order to know how to treat this disease, first of all, how many infections occur and how the disease manifests itself in order to make a correct diagnosis in the early stages of its development.
Routes of infection
Infection with fungal diseases can occur in several ways:
- direct path;
- indirectly.
In the first case, the fungus "settles" in the human body through direct contact with soil, wet plates, sick people and animals, and some types of plants.
In the second case, infection occurs through household items used by a sick person.For example, by visiting and wiping your feet or hands with a towel and wiping, the probability of contracting a fungal infection is 60%.
At the same time, some factors play an important role in this work, which increases the body's susceptibility to fungi.Namely:
- Age (fungal infection is most often observed in children due to defects in the body's defense mechanisms and thin skin);
- weakened immune system;
- dysfunction of the nervous and endocrine systems (it greatly affects the protective functions of the body);
- increased work of sweat glands;
- Sweating (in some cases, the composition of the secretion of the sweat glands, as a result, creates a favorable environment for the development of fungi).
Types of fungal infection
Before talking about how to treat 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 occurs most often in rooms where humidity and temperature are at least 10 degrees higher.Examples of such a building are swimming pools, saunas, gyms, baths, etc.
In this case, epidermophytosis can be found on all objects in the room.These are:
- bathing suits;
- towels;
- Oil clothing;
- thermometers;
- mats etc.
This type of fungus mainly affects the male part of the planet's population.The main reason for infection is the increased activity of the sweat glands on the skin of the feet.
Another common type of fungal infection is trichophytosis.It is one of the most contagious diseases transmitted by:
- Bathroom accessories;
- Sports equipment;
- shoes and socks;
- Other general items.
Men are also most susceptible to this disease.Moreover, as they grow, the probability of infection with trichophytosis is greater.This disease is especially common among athletes and employees of baths, saunas and swimming pools.
Candidiasis is another common form of fungal infection of the feet.The person who causes the disease is the fungus Candida, which is present on the skin of every person and is not actually a disease.This fungus begins to parasitize only when favorable conditions arise.And they appear when a person's immunity decreases.
The fungus enters the body through direct contact with contaminated objects and food.They are absolutely everywhere.Fermented dairy products and meat are rich in these fungi.
The "activation" of Candida's life activity is influenced by the following factors:
- damage to the skin;
- decreased immunity;
- increased sweating;
- The increased content of fungi in the ambient air (there is especially a lot of it for the production of meat products).
Symptoms of a fungal infection
Symptoms of athlete's foot include:
- itching and burning;
- exhaustion of unpleasant smell;
- peeling of the skin;
- white coating on the skin (more like powder);
- 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 the affected skin surfaces.
How to treat athlete's foot?
Only a doctor should treat fungal diseases.The thing is that you can only eliminate the external manifestations of the disease at home.A fungal infection affects the whole body and not the upper layers of the epidermis.Penetrating through the skin, the fungus comes into contact with the capillaries and through them penetrates into the blood vessels 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 drugs should be taken only as prescribed by a doctor.After all, there are more than 500 types of mushrooms in the world, each of them has its own characteristics and resistance to various aggressive substances.Therefore, the same antifungal agent may help some people cope with the symptoms of the disease, but not others.
When visiting a doctor, a scrap will be taken from the affected surface to determine what type of fungus is located on the foot.Then they will conduct a series of tests to exclude the development of complications.After that, after receiving all the necessary information about the patient's health, the doctor will prescribe the appropriate treatment that can quickly get rid of 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 for fungal infections can last several months, in some cases it can be extended up to 6 months.If the infection is not completely treated, symptoms will begin to appear within a few weeks of stopping the medication.
To treat fungi, a fungal agent is often used to prevent the development of pathogenic microorganisms.This product is available in the form of ointments for both external use and tablets for oral administration.
Often, doctors combine several means at once to achieve the maximum effect of treatment.After a week of taking the drug, the patient is tested again to make sure that the treatment has brought positive results.
Treatment of fungi with folk remedies
How to treat foot fungus at home?There is no way.Why?We have already answered this question - the fungus colonizes the whole body, and not only the upper epidermis of the skin.Therefore, at home, you can only eliminate the symptoms of the disease and alleviate your condition, but nothing else.Therefore, you should not expect "miracles" from traditional medicine.
So, you can relieve itching at home with a bag of vinegar.To prepare, you will need a strong solution of wine vinegar, which you need to soak your feet for a few minutes.But before doing this, your feet should be washed under water with soap and dried.
After the procedure, you should put socks on your feet, which should be pre-moistened in a solution of wine vinegar.After a few days of this procedure, the itching will disappear and the manifestations of the fungus will decrease.
Baths based on salt and soda are also good for fighting fungal infections.The fungus is afraid of these substances, so it dies quickly.To prepare a healing bath, you will need a liter of water in which you need to dissolve a spoonful of table salt and baking soda.
Soak your feet in this solution for 15 minutes, then rinse with warm water and pat dry.2-3 procedures will help to get rid of the external manifestations of the fungus.
Various medicinal plants help to fight the symptoms of fungal infections.You can prepare a decoction for washing the affected feet from the following ingredients:
- calendula inflorescences;
- oak bark;
- Dried blackberries;
- Verbena Offinalis.
To prepare the verdict, take all the herbs in equal amounts and mix them well.Then take 3 tbsp.l.Herbal mixture, pour a glass of water on top and boil on low heat for 15 minutes.
After that, the broth should be slightly cooled and strained, and then the limbs should be washed with it every day.In addition, you can moisten a bandage in this solution and apply it to the affected areas for 15-20 minutes.
If you do not have the opportunity to use all these herbs, you can overcome the manifestations of the fungus with the help of regular coffee.Brew strong coffee and mix in a liter of hot water.Then lower your feet inside and soak in the solution for 15 minutes.Then wash your feet in warm water and dry them.
A bath based on milkweed helps to fight the manifestations of fungi on the feet.To prepare, you need to take fresh grass and pour several liters of boiling water.Then brew and filter.There is no need to dilute the infusion with water.Just pour it into a basin and soak your feet for 15 minutes.This bath should be used every day for two weeks.
Mushroom cream at home
At home, you can prepare a cream to treat the affected surfaces.
To prepare the cream you need:
- Silent wood ash;
- pork fat.
These ingredients should be mixed together until smooth.Of course, it is better to use a mixer for this.The cream should be used every 12 hours, apply to cleanse and dry the skin of the feet.
You can prepare a cream for fungal infection using the following ingredients:
- yellow sulfur;
- gas oil;
- copper sulfate.
All ingredients should be taken in equal amounts and thoroughly mixed.Then transfer to a small pot, put on fire and bring to a boil.Then the cream should stand in a dark, cool place and cool.This cream should be used only once a day.But before applying, you need to wash your feet in warm water.
It compresses and masks against fungi on the feet
Treatment of foot fungus can also be done with the use of masks and compresses.For example, you can use a compress made with onion and garlic.To do this, take a small onion and a head of garlic, peel it and grind it with a meat grinder.
Then apply the resulting mixture to the affected area, wrap it with plastic and put warm socks on your feet.Leave the compress overnight.Some symptoms of the disease will disappear in the morning.The procedure should be carried out daily until the fungus on your feet bothers you.
If the fungal infection has spread to your toenails, then you can use a mixture made of vinegar, glycerin and alcohol.All ingredients need to take 1 tsp.and mix well.Then the resulting liquid should be applied to the nails (like a few drops).It should be done every day until the affected nail recovers.
Remember that a fungal infection requires an integrated approach to treatment.Therefore, only traditional medicine will not be enough.Requires oral antifungal medications.But you should not buy yourself at a pharmacy on the advice of a pharmacist.You should see a doctor.Only he can really help you overcome this disease and forget about it for many years.