Mycosis is an infectious skin disease caused by a fungus.Antifungal cream treatment is usually used, which gives good results but does not last long.The tips below will help prevent toe fungus that can reoccur even after treatment.
Who can get infected
The disease is very common - one in four has interdigital fungus on the feet.If this disease is neglected, its treatment can be very severe.
Fungi are often found in small amounts on human skin, where they cause no harm.But under favorable conditions, they penetrate the epidermis, multiply and cause infection.Favorable conditions for the fungus are warm, moist and airless areas of the skin, for example between the toes.
Almost anyone can get ringworm.But it is more common in people who sweat more or those who wear tight shoes and socks, which also cause excessive sweating of the feet.
Mycosis can be transmitted from person to person.For example, this could happen in a public shower used by athletes or swimmers.Small flakes of fungus-infected skin may fall off while showering.Once a small spot of infection begins to develop, it usually spreads over the skin.
What are the symptoms?
The skin between the little toes is usually affected first.The first signs of fungus, when the infection has just formed on the skin, are insignificant.The onset will become noticeable when the rash starts to spread and the skin starts to itch and peel.Cracks and inflammation will appear on it.Large cracks in the skin between the toes can become larger and can be very painful.Small flakes of the infected skin will peel off.
If interdigital mycosis is not treated, the rash will gradually spread to the entire foot.In some cases it extends to the sole.Often the infection causes scaling all over the sole and sides of the foot.Sometimes mycosis causes large rashes with blisters all over the sole.In this case, we are dealing with foot fungus.
How serious is this?
As a rule, no.Most people successfully treat itchy toes before the infection takes hold.Sometimes the infection spreads to the skin on other parts of the body.These are usually moist and airless areas such as the groin.
Usually, the fungus, including toenail fungus, does not spread deeper, but only on the surface of the skin.However, other microbes (bacteria) can enter the cracks left by neglected or untreated mycosis.Sometimes this can cause more serious foot or leg infections.
It happens that the infection goes to the nail - it can be cured.But in this case, to get rid of the fungus, you will need to take antifungal tablets for several weeks to clear the infection from your nails.That is why it is better to treat interdigital foot fungus in time, as soon as the first symptoms begin to appear.
Treatment of mycosis
Treatment of toenail fungus usually involves the use of various antifungal creams and sprays.You can buy topical antifungals at your local pharmacy or get them with a prescription.
To treat fungus between the toes, it is necessary to apply an antifungal agent directly to the affected area, that is, the skin of the feet.
They are usually sold in the form of creams, but can also be sprays, liquids and powders.These medicines are very good in clearing the skin of fungal infections.However, there is no evidence that one drug is better than another.
During treatment, it often happens that the inflammation disappears quite quickly, but you may need treatment for 1-2 weeks after the rash disappears.This is necessary to completely eliminate the fungus on the skin - which will prevent a recurrence.
If you encounter this disease for the first time and do not know how to cure foot fungus and do not make a mistake in choosing a medicine for treatment, consult a doctor.
For skin, especially inflamed skin, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream combined with a mild steroid ointment.They are usually used for no more than seven days.You may need to continue using just one antifungal cream for a while after that.
Anabolic steroids reduce inflammation and relieve itching and redness for a short period of time.However, the steroid does not completely eliminate the toe fungus and therefore steroid cream alone should not be used for treatment.
Antifungal tablets for toenail fungus are sometimes prescribed for adults if the infection is severe and does not clear up with creams.The tablets are also necessary if the infection, apart from the legs, is located in many places on the skin.
However, this interdigital fungus treatment is not suitable for everyone.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as well as people with liver disease, are not always recommended to use antifungal tablets.Children are usually not prescribed treatment with antifungal drugs.
Although toenail fungus can be passed from person to person, you don't have to stay away from work, school, or sports if you have the fungus.However, in public places, such as a swimming pool or sauna, try to keep your legs covered until the rash is gone.Also, try not to scratch the broken skin as this can spread the infection to other areas.
The following tips can prevent athlete's foot from recurring:
- It is necessary to wash your feet daily and thoroughly dry the skin between the toes after washing.This is perhaps the most important point.Wear socks if your feet are not completely dry.The moist skin between your toes is an ideal place for fungus to grow.
- Do not share other people's towels in public changing rooms.Towels should be washed as often as possible.
- Change your socks daily.Fungi breed in skin scales in unwashed socks.Cotton socks and leather shoes are in many ways better than nylon socks and shoes made of artificial materials, which increase perspiration.
- Try to alternate between different shoes every 2-3 days, this will allow each pair to dry completely after wearing.
- Wear flip-flops or sandals in public changing rooms and showers.This prevents your feet from coming into contact with the floor, which may have scales from other people's skin on it.
- When you're at home, walk barefoot as much as possible - no shoes or socks - to allow air to reach your feet.However, this may not be practical for some.
If your athlete's foot keeps coming back, you can prevent it by regularly using one of the antifungal sprays or creams as a preventative measure.