Absolutely anyone can get infected with fungus on the skin of their feet, and those who often visit the sauna, gym, swimming pool and similar places where this disease develops quickly are especially at risk.Not everyone knows how to get rid of foot fungus, even in the initial stages, when it is easiest to eliminate the disease.
Fungal infection: how it can happen
It is easy and difficult to get infected with a fungus at the same time, since its transmission is from an infected person to a healthy person, but if the immune system is functioning normally, this reduces the probability of infection many times.The following factors increase the likelihood of infection:
- Stressful situations;
- Wearing wet shoes that are not completely dry;
- If your feet sweat a lot and often;
- Reduced immunity;
- Use of antibiotics;
- Leg damage of various types (e.g. calluses, wounds).
To protect yourself from toenail and toenail fungus, you need to minimize the possibility of contracting this infection.It is important not to forget in which places and under what circumstances the risk of infection occurs.Keep in mind that nail fungus is an infectious pathology that can only be contracted by a person who is already sick.The most common types of infection include the following:
- The people you live with.In most cases, the infection occurs from relatives.Fungi are spread through household items: hygiene products, flooring, slippers, socks.To protect yourself from infection, you should use only your personal belongings and avoid moving around the apartment with bare feet.
- There are many situations when the fungal infection appears in places where people relax en masse, without shoes.These places include: beaches, baths, wrestling sections (sometimes training is done barefoot).Remember that fungal spores are very resistant to temperature fluctuations and can remain on the floor for a long period of time, then end up on your feet.
- There are much fewer situations where the infection occurs from socks or shoes purchased not so long ago.Fungi can take root on them even in the factory where these items are made, but there is a high probability that you will get this infection when you try these items.Think about it - you don't know if a healthy person has tried on the shoes or sneakers you liked.
Diagnostic measures in case of suspected fungal infection
Many people are willing to find an infection when it will not be so difficult to get rid of it.However, the point is that nail fungus does not develop quickly on the feet, ie.hard to find.Only those who pay special attention to the health of their feet and have some experience can clearly see it in the first stages of its spread.
Initially, the nail gets barely noticeable spots or streaks;they differ a lot in color, but almost no one pays attention to this.No discomfort or other symptoms.At this stage, it is better to choose the traditional methods of combating fungal infections, rather than using drugs.
With the further spread of the disease, the spots that appeared earlier acquire a different color and their size only increases.Discomfort appears and the skin around the nail plate begins to itch.The nail plate thickens a little and loosens, sometimes cracks.At this stage, it is still possible to treat the infection at home.However, the more severe the symptoms of the fungus, the more likely you will need to see a specialist.After that, the skin begins to redden, its color changes, and the nail plate thickens so much that it is simply impossible not to notice.
At what point should you start treating the fungus?
How to get rid of foot fungus?The treatment of a fungal infection takes a long time, and the results of the untimely initiation of appropriate therapy include both the presence of discomfort and an aesthetic problem and the long-term impact of the infection on the body as a whole.
It is important to promptly identify an infection that has the following signs:
- The legs itch, sometimes there is a burning sensation;
- Feet start to smell bad;
- The feet become dry and the skin peels.
If such symptoms are noticed, it is necessary to urgently visit a dermatologist, who will prescribe certain tests and make the correct diagnosis.After a complete examination, the doctor will advise you on how to remove the fungal infection as quickly as possible.
Fungal infection: how to recover completely
Treatment of the disease with drugs usually involves the use of antifungal drugs, which include the following substances:
- Ketaconazole;
- Griseofulvin;
- terbinafine;
- fluconazole.
The course of treatment is quite long and in very advanced cases reaches 6 months.Medicines whose effect is aimed at combating fungal infections when taken orally have a huge number of side effects and contraindications for use, therefore their use should be monitored by a doctor.
Systemic therapy is combined with local treatment of fungal diseases and includes the use of various means, for example: solutions, gels, creams, ointments, etc.
Only with a low degree of damage to the skin from fungi or if there are contraindications to the use of any drugs, the treatment consists exclusively of using products for external use.
During the treatment of a fungal infection of the feet, it is necessary to throw into the trash all those items that were in use before the start of the treatment procedure and may be carriers of fungus: foot brushes, bathroom rugs, tights, socks, and even your favorite sneakers.There is another option for proper disinfection of these items using chlorine-containing compounds.In order not to "share" your problem with your household, use only personal hygiene items.
Therapeutic varnishes as a means of treating fungus
If a fungal infection has just been identified and its stage is not the most critical, then the treatment can only consist of the use of special varnishes.
Initially, this composition softens the nail plate affected by the infection, and then, acting on the fungal spores, begins to eliminate them.
The main requirement when treating the nail plate with varnish is strict adherence to the instructions, as they indicate the nuances of using this product.
In most cases, these are the following:
- Before using the medical varnish, you need to remove all exfoliated layers from the nail.For this purpose, you can use a special file - it is included in the varnish set.
- After that, you need to disinfect the surface - for this, use a solution of alcohol and water.
- Only after all the processes described above, you can apply nail polish to the infected nail.
Fungus on the feet: preventive measures
Here are some tips to prevent fungus:
- You should buy only high-quality and comfortable shoes;
- Wash your feet every day;
- Pay the necessary attention to the condition of the nails and the skin of your feet;
- When you are in public places, do not walk barefoot.
As you may have noticed, it is better to prevent the appearance of a fungal infection or start treating it in time than to ignore it, because then the situation will only become more complicated and the treatment procedure itself will take much longer.
Do you still think it is difficult to get rid of fungus quickly?
An advanced stage of the disease can cause irreversible consequences, such as gangrene, blood poisoning.Often the life of a person in an advanced stage can be saved only by amputation of a limb.
In no case should the disease be started!