Modern man is subject to a lack of physical activity and the influence of the polluted atmosphere, and the use of dozens of harmful food additives does not contribute to health.Because of this, his immune system weakens and becomes more susceptible 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 circumstances, many prefer to treat themselves.Let's look at how to properly treat foot fungus at home.
Types of fungal infections on the feet
Athlete's foot is an infection of the epidermis (outer layer of skin) of the interdigital area of the feet and nail plates, with possible spread of microscopic fungi further down the body.The defeat can be caused by:
- yeast fungi;
- mold;
- dermatophytes.
But in general, this disease is called dermatomycosis.
The visible signs of fungus depend on the strain that causes it.Types of mycoses:
- Onychomycosis - this disease affects the nail plates and proceeds in different ways.In the first case, the toenails change color, break and thicken.With atrophy, the nail plate is completely destroyed, and the skin under it hardens.
- In scaly mycosis, the skin becomes red and itchy, peeling occurs and the condition turns into painful itching.
- The dyshidrotic form of the fungus 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 closer to the little toe.It is characterized by severe itching.
What are the causes of mycosis of the feet?
- Many healthy people strive to stay in shape.They visit fitness clubs, beaches, swimming pools and saunas, where fungal organisms multiply rapidly in a warm environment.It is in these public places that yeast infections usually occur.
- When a family uses common household shoes, towels, bath and shower mats, and hygiene products.One carrier of the fungus can infect the whole family.
- Weakened immunity contributes to the spread of foot mycoses in the elderly.Statistics show that men are more likely to get infected with the fungus.
- The indiscriminate use of drugs (glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antibacterials, cytostatics) also creates a risk of developing mycotic infections of the feet.
- Fungal infection of the feet is possible due to occupational factors.Mine workers, people working in the metallurgical industry, the military, as well as the maintenance staff of baths, saunas and sports complexes are more often susceptible to infection.
- A person's lifestyle and the presence of chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, vascular and somatic diseases, endocrine disorders (especially excessive sweating), osteoarthritis, excess body weight.
- Cuts and microcracks on the skin, corns and corns on the feet, hallux valgus.
- Adverse environmental situation.
Fungus on the feet usually develops in several periods:
- The incubation stage depends on the state of the human immune system.The stronger it is, the later the signs of mycosis of the feet will appear.
- The period after the incubation period is characterized by redness of the skin, the appearance of itching and microcracks.Sometimes there is swelling of the legs.At this stage, the development of the 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 exfoliate.The cracks deepen, causing significant pain.The nail plates are deformed.Starting from this period, the treatment will be complex and prolonged.
- The chronic form of mycosis is fraught with frequent relapses and can last for several years.If the fungus has progressed to such an extent, you should immediately consult a doctor to avoid irreparable consequences of the disease.
How to cure foot fungus at home
Only after carrying out a qualified diagnosis (scraping, examination of strains, microscopy), the specialist can prescribe effective means to combat foot fungus.In addition to drug therapy, folk remedies can also be used against fungi.
There are many ways to get rid of foot fungus at home.Their advantage is an affordable price and a minimum of contraindications.But even harmless folk remedies should be used in combination with basic medicines after consulting a doctor.
The most effective antifungal agents
There are a number of medicinal forms for fungi in the form of tablets, suppositories, creams, ointments and suspensions, sprays and lotions with fungicidal properties that prevent the development of bacteria.These products can quickly remove the fungus from the affected skin if the disease is in an early stage.
The following drugs are usually used in the complex treatment of foot mycoses:
- tablets for foot fungus;
- antifungal ointment, which is applied 2 times a day to the inflamed areas.
In addition to drug therapy, there is an innovative method of treating fungus - a hardware method that quickly removes the symptoms of mycosis in the inflamed areas, but does not guarantee that there will be no relapses.
Folk recipes
In addition to the main therapy, treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies is used.There are many known methods to deal with this problem at home: these are all kinds of baths, compresses and antifungal masks based on natural substances.
Among them, the most effective for the treatment of mycoses are the following:
- Potassium permanganate solution.It is recommended to steam your feet in a warm bath before going to bed, then wrap them in gauze soaked in this solution and leave overnight.
- Baths containing 1.5 tablespoons of sea salt.l per liter of water.
- Copper sulfate.Using it, you can deal with foot fungus like this: fry 1 tsp.of this substance in a pan until white, then mixed with the same amount of yellow sulfur and goose fat.The ingredients are mixed well and a thin layer of the resulting ointment is applied to the feet while it is warm.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 ordinary 9% vinegar, which is 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.Apply to the affected areas of the legs and leave for 20 minutes, then wash off.You can also mix baking soda with salt and apply it similarly on your feet.
- A foot compress with a peroxide solution will help cure the fungus.To do this, you must first steam your feet in a tub of warm water.Then prepare a solution of 1 liter of water with 1 tsp.soda and 2 tbsp.l. peroxide, soak the gauze and wrap your legs with it.Leave for an hour, then rinse.
- Onion recipes will help you deal with the problem.Grate 2 large onions on a coarse grater, squeeze the juice from the resulting pulp and smear your feet.Wait for it to absorb, put on socks and let it work overnight, and in the morning wash your feet.Garlic juice has a similar effect on fungus.
- It is also effective to use celandine against fungus.Its juice (5 drops) is mixed with half a teaspoon of spirit tincture of calendula and 5 drops of oregano juice, as well as one teaspoon of water.The resulting mixture is treated on the affected areas of the legs without rinsing.
Care and hygiene rules
By using medicated compresses and foot baths against fungus at home along with prescribed medications, you can get rid of them pretty quickly.Special foot care should also be taken to maintain the condition of the skin during this period, as well as promote recovery.
Before treating the areas of the feet and nails affected by a fungal infection, first put disposable gloves on your hands.
Shoes should be treated with special products (vinegar and mustard powder will do).If possible, it should be replaced with products made from natural materials.After each wearing, the shoes should be placed on the balcony for ventilation.If it gets wet, be sure to dry it completely and change the insoles more often.
During the period of a fungal disease, you should not visit the pool, saunas, beaches, use other people's shoes, slippers or towels, so as not to infect other family members with fungi.After recovery, it is advisable to get rid of the old socks and replace the insoles in your shoes, as well as treat them with vinegar.This also applies to rubber mats in the bathroom.This is done to kill fungal spores that can re-emerge or infect other people's feet.
Prevention of relapse and re-infection
To avoid re-infection of the feet with a fungal infection and to get rid of it forever, you should pay special attention to the hygiene of the feet.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 burning feet to be in shoes;
- wash your feet regularly, preferably in the morning, before going to bed and after coming outside;
- take care of your shoes: dry them from the inside, periodically treat them with special deodorants;
- support immunity.
Feet require regular care and attention.Any discomfort in the legs and external changes in their area should be a reason to visit a specialist.