The skin between the toes is often prone to fungal infections. This problem is common among people who lead an active lifestyle and is quite burdensome and unpleasant. Considering the high relevance of foot mycoses, they should receive increased attention.
Causes of itching and peeling in interdigital folds
Toes itch and flake due to various pathological processes—allergic reactions, scabies, eczema—but for many people these symptoms arise from a fungal infection. The epithelium becomes moist and cracks with mycosis of the feet, which is a separate nosology in dermatology. It is caused by pathogenic fungi that affect smooth skin and nail plates. The infection is caused by several pathogens:
- Trichophyton (T. rubrum, T. interdigitale, T. violaceum).
- Epidermophyton (E. floccosum).
- Mold fungi.
Ringworm is a contagious disease that is transmitted from one person to another in places with high humidity (baths, saunas, swimming pools, beaches) through infected shoes, carpets, benches, etc. the epidermis, with which and are transferred.
Predisposing factors
Several local and general factors contribute to skin lesions, increasing the likelihood of developing a fungal infection between the toes. The first includes the following:
- Excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).
- Incorrectly selected shoes (uncomfortable, made of synthetic materials).
- Anatomical features of the foot (flat feet, tight folds).
- Presence of abrasions and diaper rash.
- Injuries (mechanical, chemical).
The role of systemic disorders is explained by a decrease in the resistance of the skin barrier and a weakening of the immune defense. Neurotrophic, vascular and metabolic endocrine diseases (polyneuropathy, angiopathy, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, hypovitaminosis) have a negative impact. Furthermore, the role of meteorological conditions (high temperature and humidity) and the virulence of the pathogen stands out.
Foot mycosis with skin lesions between the toes is caused by a fungus and develops against the background of local or systemic disorders.
What does ringworm look like?
Ringworm begins on the skin of the interdigital folds, but then spreads to other parts of the foot - the sole, back and side surfaces. In clinical practice, there are several forms of fungal infection:
- Flaky.
- Intertriginous.
- Dyshidrotic.
The scaly form begins with slight redness and slight peeling. They may be limited to certain areas only or become widespread. This form often goes unnoticed by the patient and is therefore the most dangerous in epidemiological terms. At first, the fungus affects one foot, but later it can spread to the healthy side.
As it progresses, the scaly form can evolve into the dyshidrotic form, which is characterized by an acute course with allergization of the body and the formation of blisters on the arch of the foot. Merging, they form multi-chambered blisters that, after opening, leave eroded foci surrounded by a border of exfoliated epidermis. Spreading to the lateral surfaces of the foot, the process combines with the intertriginous form. As epithelialization occurs, the areas dry out, becoming scaly again.
Foci of fungal infection are often accompanied by itching. It comes from the interdigital folds in the most common form - intertriginous, which occurs independently or in the context of the squamosal. Typically, the process begins between the IV and V fingers (less often III and IV). Cracks appear there, surrounded by a border of exfoliated epidermis. The fungus can spread to other folds, toes and the back of the foot. Later, crying occurs with painful erosions.
The disease is characterized by a long course with periodic exacerbations that occur in the hot season. Bacterial flora more easily penetrates through the loose stratum corneum of the epidermis, so the intertriginous form can be complicated by streptococcal infection with the development of erysipelas and thrombophlebitis.
Damage to the interdigital spaces often occurs in combination with other forms of foot mycosis, which indicates the unity of pathological processes.
Diagnosis
The disease presents a very characteristic clinical picture, which is why the initial diagnosis is made based on the results of a medical examination. To identify the pathogen, microscopy and culture of scrapings from the affected skin are used. The presence of a systemic pathology contributing to the development of mycosis is confirmed by additional methods - biochemical blood test (glucose, hormonal spectrum, immunogram), ultrasound examination of the lower extremities, etc.
How to treat the wound?
To effectively get rid of the fungus, you must first eliminate the conditions that create favorable conditions for its development. If you experience itching and pain in your foot, it is recommended that you pay attention to the following recommendations:
- Wear comfortable, breathable shoes.
- Wear cotton socks.
- After showering and bathing, dry your feet.
- Wear personal slippers in public places.
When treating foot mycosis, attention is paid to giving up bad habits, healthy eating (reducing animal fats, sweets, including fresh vegetables, fruits, lactic acid products in the diet), hardening.
In addition to general recommendations with a therapeutic and prophylactic focus, traditional medicine actively uses means of drug correction, without which it is impossible to cure mycosis. Therapy can be external or systemic.
Effective creams and ointments
It is necessary to combat the infection with specific medications that act against toe fungus. For the scaly form, the doctor prescribes various creams and ointments, which include several antimycotics. If there are dense foci of hyperkeratosis on the soles of the feet, treatment begins with exfoliating procedures using salicylic acid, lactic acid, resorcinol and collodion. At night, a medicine for external use is placed under the bandage. It contains salicylic acid, which has anti-inflammatory, keratolytic and antiseptic properties, and in the morning you take a shower with soap and soda, after which the horny masses will be better removed.
If your skin gets wet and cracks
External treatment of the dyshidrotic form with weeping and fissures begins with lotions with boric acid and potassium permanganate. The interdigital spaces are treated with aniline dye solutions, a product for external use intended for the treatment of various skin diseases. The solution contains components that promote rapid wound healing, eliminate inflammatory manifestations and fight pathogenic microorganisms. After eliminating the acute inflammatory process, antifungal ointments and pastes are applied to the affected areas. For secondary pyoderma, medications with antibacterial components are prescribed.
In the case of mycotic lesions of the skin of the feet, external therapy with antifungals, antiseptics and antibiotics is of decisive importance.
Pills
If local agents are ineffective, it is necessary to switch to medications for internal use. Among the prescribed antifungals are an antifungal, an antifungal medication that has a broad spectrum of action against fungi that cause skin, hair and nail diseases, a medication for treating fungal infections, an antifungal medication. When allergizing the body, antihistamines (an antihistamine drug intended for the treatment of allergic reactions) and desensitizing agents (calcium gluconate, sodium thiosulfate, magnesium sulfate) are used. Streptococcal infections can be cured with antibiotics that do not have an activating effect on the microbial flora.
What can be done with folk remedies?
Some traditional medicine methods can be a complement to standard therapy. To treat foot fungus, baths with simple and affordable remedies are often used:
- Apple cider vinegar (1 glass for every 3 liters of hot water) and soda (5 tablespoons).
- Potassium permanganate (1 g per 2 l).
- Decoction of calendula flowers (250 g per 2 l).
It is recommended to soak your feet in the prepared solution for 20 minutes. Additionally, you can apply a drop of tea tree essential oil to the skin between your toes and then put on cotton socks.
Fungus between the toes is a problem that affects many people. To get rid of it as quickly as possible, you should not look for possible solutions on your own, it is better to consult a doctor, undergo diagnostics and receive treatment with a guaranteed result.