How to identify foot fungus

There are several dermatological diseases called fungi. The general name for such an infection is "mycoses". If we talk about skin diseases on the legs, these are dermatomycoses. If the nail plate is affected, the doctor diagnoses "onychomycosis". This is one of the most common pathologies in humans.

Dermatologists distinguish several types of fungal infections in humans:

• anthropophiles;
• zooanthropophiles;
• candidiasis.

The first causes infections in humans, the second - in humans and animals, and the third - yeast-like.

Causes of fungal pathologies

Fungal spores are found in large quantities in soil, on surfaces and in common areas. We return home by public transport, go to the swing with our children, buy groceries at the supermarket, work with people in the same room and communicate with pets. Why do some people get sick and others don't?

There are groups of the population that are more susceptible to fungal diseases than others. Let's look at them in more detail:

1. People with reduced immunity.When the body is weakened by surgery or serious illness, it becomes less resistant to various infections, including fungal ones.
2. Children and the elderly.Both groups are prone to pathologies due to age-related characteristics. A young body is not yet strong enough and the elderly already have a large number of chronic diseases that weaken the body.
3. People with metabolic diseasescaused by disorders of the thyroid, pancreas, pituitary gland, and circulatory and lymphatic systems.
4. Workers in hazardous industries involving high temperatures.In this environment, conditions are created for the development and spread of foot fungus.
5. Lovers of gyms, saunas, swimming pools.In themselves, these activities are very useful, but failure to comply with basic sanitary and hygienic standards regarding the disinfection of these premises leads to the emergence of a problem such as fungus.

Doctors distinguish the following types of fungal foot diseases: athlete's foot, trichophytosis and candidiasis. It is believed that men are more often affected by fungi, although this is a controversial statement. They are less scrupulous about their health, so the disease is advanced.

Main signs of illness

Visually determining the presence of fungus on the feet is not difficult at all. If you notice redness, your leg begins to itch a lot, even painfully, blisters appear that burst, the skin peels and an unpleasant odor appears, then you have probably contracted a fungal infection.

This can happen if you step barefoot on sports equipment, the floor of a gym, or get an infection from a pet. After all, there are fungi that are transmitted from animals to their owners. Taking a shower after a shift at a factory can also compensate you for this hassle. Using other people's personal hygiene products - soaps, towels and washcloths - is not only unhygienic, but also dangerous.

The disease can start on the skin and later the nails and the area between the fingers are affected. This is a very serious cosmetic defect. Irregularities in the shape of the nail plate. It begins to crumble, change color and may disappear completely. The nail bed becomes inflamed. This is not just a cosmetic defect, it is a pathology that brings physical suffering. It even becomes painful for a person to walk.

How to identify foot fungus

To know exactly what type of dermatomycosis is present, to clarify whether it is really a fungus or a callus, abrasion or callus, you need to consult a dermatologist. To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor performs a visual examination and prescribes laboratory diagnostics: skin and nail samples are taken. This makes it possible to clarify which type of fungus was detected. Only then is appropriate therapy prescribed. Each type is treated differently.

You can identify the fungus yourself using potassium permanganate. This is done like this: dilute a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Place the limb in a bowl of solution and observe. Good, healthy nails darken, but infected nails remain the same color.

Treatment is generally conservative, at home. It consists of the following mandatory points:

• Taking drugs orallyto destroy fungal spores carried by blood and lymph.
• Local treatment.Use of ointments, creams, special liquids to eliminate dermatological manifestations of the fungus. Manipulations are carried out after pedicure and cutting affected nails.
• Sanitary and hygienic measures.They consist of disinfecting clothes and shoes. This destroys the infection spores.

Fungi are complex and recurrent infections, so therapy must be effective. After a certain time, from two weeks to a month, with careful adherence to recommendations, recovery occurs.