Modern man is exposed to physical inactivity and polluted atmosphere, and the use of dozens of harmful food additives does not add to health.Therefore, his immune system weakens and becomes more prone to infections that lurk at every turn.More than 20% of the world's population is infected with dermatomycosis or fungal infections.The feet are especially often affected.Medicine successfully treats this disease, but due to certain conditions, many people prefer to treat themselves.Let's see how to properly treat foot fungus at home.
Types of fungal infections on feet
The appearance of fungi on the feet is an infection of the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) of the interdigital zone of the feet and nail plates, it is possible for microscopic fungi to spread further throughout the body.The reason for the defeat may be:
- yeast mushrooms;
- mold;
- dermatophytes.
But generally this disease is called dermatomycosis.
The visible signs of fungus depend on the strain that causes it.Mycosis types:
- Onychomycosis - this disease affects the nail plates and progresses in different ways.In the first case, toenails change color, break and thicken.With atrophy, the nail plate is completely destroyed and the skin under it hardens.
- With scaly mycosis, the skin turns red and begins to itch, peeling occurs, and the condition turns into painful itching.
- The dyshidrotic form of fungi is characterized by the formation of watery bubbles with a diameter of up to 5 mm, which gradually merge with each other and form ulcers.
- Intertriginous mycosis is the most common type of fungus, appearing as cracks in the skin between the toes, usually near the little toe.It is characterized by severe itching.
What are the causes of mycoses on the legs?
- Many healthy people try to stay in shape.They visit fitness clubs, beaches, swimming pools and saunas, where mycotic organisms multiply rapidly in a warm environment.It is in these public places that fungal infections usually occur.
- When a family uses common household shoes, towels, bath and shower mats, as well as hygiene products.A fungus carrier can infect the whole family.
- Weakened immunity contributes to the spread of foot mycoses in the elderly.Statistics show that men are more prone to fungal infections.
- Indiscriminate use of drugs (glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antibacterial, cytostatic drugs) also causes the risk of developing mycotic infections in the legs.
- Fungal infection of the feet is possible due to occupational factors.Miners, people working in the metallurgical industry, military personnel, as well as maintenance workers of baths, saunas and sports complexes are more susceptible to infection.
- A person's lifestyle and the presence of chronic diseases, for example, diabetes, vascular and somatic diseases, endocrine disorders (especially excessive sweating), osteoarthritis, excess body weight.
- Cuts and microcracks of the skin, corns and calluses on the feet, hallux valgus.
- Unfavorable environmental situation.
Fungus on the feet usually develops in several periods:
- The incubation period depends on the state of the human immune system.The stronger it is, the later the symptoms of mycosis of the feet appear.
- The period after the incubation period is characterized by redness of the skin, itching and the appearance of microcracks.Sometimes there is swelling of the legs.At this stage, the development of infection can be stopped with simple, even folk remedies.
- In the third stage, the disease becomes more dangerous: the skin peels off, large lesions form, and the skin gradually begins to erode.Cracks deepen, causing significant pain.The nail plates are deformed.Starting from this period, the treatment will be complex and long.
- The chronic form of mycosis is often full of relapses and can last for several years.If the fungus has progressed this far, you should consult a doctor immediately to prevent irreversible consequences of the disease.
How to treat toenail fungus at home
Only after a qualified diagnosis (scratches, strain study, microscopy) is performed, a specialist can prescribe effective means to combat foot fungus.In addition to drug therapy, folk remedies against fungi can also be used.
There are many ways to get rid of foot fungus at home.Their advantage is affordable price and minimal contraindications.But even harmless folk remedies should be used together with the main drugs in consultation with a doctor.
The most effective antifungal agents
There are a number of dosage forms for fungi in the form of tablets, suppositories, creams, ointments and suspensions, sprays and lotions with fungicidal properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria.If the disease is at an early stage, these products can quickly remove the fungus from the affected skin.
Typically, the following drugs are used in the complex treatment of foot mycoses:
- tablets for athlete's foot;
- antifungal ointment applied to painful spots 2 times a day.
In addition to drug therapy, there is an innovative method of treating fungi - a hardware method that quickly eliminates the symptoms of mycosis in painful areas, but does not guarantee that there will be no relapses.
Folk recipes
In addition to the main therapy, the treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies is used.There are many well-known ways to fight this problem at home: these are all kinds of baths, compresses and anti-fungal masks based on natural substances.
Among them, the most effective for the treatment of mycoses are the following:
- A solution of potassium permanganate.Before going to bed, it is recommended to steam your feet in a hot bath, then wrap them in gauze soaked in this solution and leave them overnight.
- Baths with sea salt at the rate of 1.5 tbsp.l.liter of water.
- Copper sulfate.Using it, you can cope with foot fungus as follows: fry 1 tsp.of this substance in a frying pan until it turns white, then mix it with the same amount of yellow sulfur and gas oil.Mix the ingredients well and while warm, apply a thin layer of the resulting ointment on your feet.Wash off after 40 minutes.
- Using vinegar for fungus is the fastest way to get rid of the problem.Among its types (apple, wine), the most effective is simple 9% vinegar diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 8, used as a slightly warm bath 4-5 times a day for 2-3 days.
- A baking soda paste will also help fight foot fungus.It is applied to the damaged areas of the legs and kept for 20 minutes, then washed off.You can also mix baking soda with salt and apply it on your feet in the same way.
- A foot compress with a peroxide solution will help treat the fungus.To do this, you should first steam your feet in a hot water bath.Then prepare a solution of 1 tsp with 1 liter of water.soda and 2 tbsp.l.peroxide, soak the gauze and wrap your feet with it.Leave it for an hour, then wash it off.
- Onion recipes will help to overcome the problem.Grate 2 large onions, squeeze the juice from the resulting pulp and apply it to your feet.Wait until it is absorbed, put it in socks and leave it overnight and wash your feet in the morning.Garlic juice has a similar effect on fungi.
- Using celandine against fungi is also effective.Its juice (5 drops) is mixed with half a teaspoon of calendula alcohol tincture and 5 drops of oregano juice, as well as a teaspoon of water.The resulting mixture is used to treat the affected areas of the feet without rinsing.
Care and hygiene rules
You can get rid of it pretty quickly by using medicated compresses and foot baths for fungus at home along with prescribed medications.Also, during this period, special attention should be paid to the feet in order to maintain the condition of the skin, as well as to promote its regeneration.
Put disposable gloves on your hands before treating the areas of the feet and nails affected by the fungal infection.
Shoes should be treated with special products (vinegar and mustard powder will do).If possible, it should be replaced with products made of natural materials.Shoes should be placed on the balcony for ventilation after each wear.If it gets wet, be sure to dry it completely and change the pads more often.
In order not to infect other family members with fungus during the period of fungal disease, you should not visit the pool, saunas, beaches, use other people's shoes, slippers or towels.After recovery, it is advisable to get rid of old socks and replace the insoles of your shoes, as well as treat them with vinegar.This also applies to rubber mats in the bathroom.This is done to destroy fungal spores that can reproduce or infect other people's feet.
Prevention of relapse and re-infection
To prevent re-infection of feet with fungal infection and get rid of it forever, you should pay special attention to foot hygiene.To do this, you need to remember a few simple rules:
- wear only your own shoes and clothes;
- choose shoes made of natural materials;
- do not allow steaming feet to be in shoes;
- wash your feet regularly, preferably in the morning, before going to bed and after coming from outside;
- take care of your shoes: dry them from the inside, periodically treat them with special deodorants;
- supports immunity.
Feet require regular care and attention.Any discomfort in the legs and external changes in their area should be a reason to consult a specialist.