Even an avid mushroom picker will not be happy to find a fungus on his feet. This is understandable: often, without causing discomfort, the disease disfigures feet and nails, and going to the beach or simply wearing open shoes becomes forbidden fruit.
And if sensations of itching and pain appear, if it is difficult to walk, it's no joke. Furthermore: when actively multiplying, fungi release toxic substances into the blood that harm human health and can cause serious allergic reactions, including Quincke's edema.
Therefore, mycosis (that's the name of this disease) must be treated, and it is better to do it at the initial stage, before microscopic fungi turn your feet into "immobile".
Mycelium on the legs: how to recognize it?
The disease affects both the skin of the feet and the nails. Depending on the type of fungus that attacked your feet, symptoms may vary:
- Redness appears on the skin of the foot, which increases in area and begins to peel and flake. The disease usually develops in one leg, but if left untreated, it spreads to the other.
- Small blisters with a diameter of 2 to 8 millimeters appear on the arch of the foot, which gradually increase in size, merge and eventually burst, leading to erosion. The affected skin is itchy and the fungus can spread to the bottom or top of the foot. Sometimes a bacterial infection is added to the fungal infection, and then the contents of the blisters become purulent, the patient complains of severe pain and general malaise.
- The fungus "settles" between the toes, which leads to the formation of painful cracks that increase in size over time. It is difficult for the patient to step on his foot, he feels severe pain. Erosion, ulcers and swelling may occur. In advanced cases, the patient's body temperature increases and the condition worsens.
- The fungus affects the nails, which leads to their deformation, thickening or thinning, brittleness, discoloration and ingrown growth in the skin. If ringworm is left untreated for too long, your nails may not return to their original appearance, depriving you of the opportunity to sport a pedicure for the rest of your life.
Often, several types of fungus can be found on the foot at the same time, and therefore the symptoms of the disease are combined.
What to do with fungi? And what not to do?
Usually, when a person feels itching or sees redness on the skin, he himself understands that he has contracted ringworm. But not everyone makes the right decision and consults a doctor. To this day, they try to treat the fungus with folk remedies, but it is very likely that this will not only bring little benefit, but even cause harm.
What will the doctor do? He will determine what type of fungus has affected you and prescribe appropriate medications for that case. Trying to deal with misfortune at home according to your grandmother's recommendation, you can easily waste precious time and leave your feet sad.
Ringworm is also dangerous because it can accompany a person for many years, periodically giving way and inspiring false hopes that the feet have gotten rid of the fungus. However, after some time, the disease will again manifest its character, the body will continue to be infected with fungal residues, and the legs will acquire an increasingly unpleasant appearance.
How can you get infected with a fungus?
This disease is transmitted from person to person.
More susceptible to ringworm:
- people with reduced immunity;
- those with damaged areas of the skin on the feet (after unsuccessful pedicures, injuries or excessive exertion during hygiene procedures);
- wearing wet socks or shoes (especially in hot weather or when wearing winter shoes in a warm environment);
- not taking foot and nail hygiene seriously.
All of these factors provide a suitable environment for the development of the fungus.
How does ringworm "attack" a person?
- Through the soil or floor coverings where a person with fungus has passed. Therefore, you should not walk barefoot in unfamiliar places and even at home. Beach sand or pebbles warmed by the sun are practically safe and sea water is an excellent means of preventing ringworm.
- Swimming pools, saunas, showers in public places and hotels are very dangerous in terms of infection. Don't forget to bring special shoes.
- Don't wear shoes that once belonged to another owner: it doesn't matter if you want to buy them from a second-hand store or just try on a friend's shoes and evaluate how they look on you.
- Do not use other people's hygiene items - washcloths, towels, etc. Carefully examine your hotel disposable slippers to make sure you get a completely new pair.
Fungal spores can remain viable for several years and therefore you can never be sure that the surface you decide to walk on or someone else's shoes are safe.
No fungus: we treat ringworm
Specialists at a professional clinic will carry out a series of studies that will identify the type of fungus that has affected your feet and develop a treatment.
You will be offered drug treatment with modern antifungals and you must follow the dosage and duration of use of the prescribed medications. Do not interrupt the course if it seems to you that the ringworm has been defeated - it is likely that it has only subsided for a while.
As an additional remedy, the doctor will recommend an ointment or cream for external use. There are special varnishes for nail treatment. If you follow all the recommendations, the fungus will disappear forever.
It is also necessary to take into account the contagiousness of ringworm. During treatment, you need to protect your family and friends from infections. For this:
- Wash your feet with products recommended by your doctor. After hygiene procedures, clean the bathtub thoroughly.
- Walk around the house in closed slippers.
- Wash clothes separately, treat shoes with antifungal agents, and change socks several times a day to keep your feet from sweating.
- Ventilate the apartment every day and carry out wet cleaning.
- After completing treatment, throw away the shoes, socks, towels and washcloths you used during your illness.
Prevention: and no ringworm!
Ringworm is an unpleasant disease that can be completely prevented. Just follow a series of simple rules:
- wash your feet well and regularly, but without excessive effort (so as not to damage your skin and nails);
- shoes - only yours;
- pedicure - exclusively with your own tools or in a salon that complies with all rules and regulations;
- wet or sweaty feet are your enemies, immediately put on dry shoes;
- socks - only clean ones;
- walking barefoot is excluded everywhere except the sea coast;
- Monitor your health and follow your daily routine - the fungus is dangerous for a weakened body.
For those who take care of their feet, even the contact of fungal spores with the skin has no consequences: the "parasite" simply cannot develop in unsuitable conditions.
What to do if mycosis occurs on the feet? Without wasting time, make an appointment with a dermatologist at a professional clinic and you will soon regain your previous lightness of gait.