Mycotic lesions of the skin and stratum corneum are extremely unpleasant. But these infections are quite common: all-knowing statistics claim that a fifth of humanity has experienced all the "charm" of getting to know them. One type of pathology is the fungus between the fingers, which without the necessary treatment will soon spread to the nails. It won't be easy to deal with, but deliverance is still possible. Complex therapy will help in the fight against the disease, but it must be carried out patiently and competently.
What is interdigital foot fungus and what do they look like?
Three types of fungi cause finger infections: mold, yeast, and dermatophytes. Each of them has their own preferences. Microorganisms from the mold family settle in those parts of the legs where it is warm and moist, so they most often appear where there is already a similar lesion. Yeast fungi do not despise nails or skin. Dermatophytes are the most common culprits of mycosis; thumb fungus and interdigital pathology are their "specializations". What all species have in common is a preference for heat and high humidity.
Symptoms of the fungus in the initial stage are quite mild. It can be suspected if the following signs are present:
- cracks that suddenly appear on the foot and fingers, most often the history begins with the little toe;
- the skin around the cracks peels off;
- mild itching, which disappears without a trace after hygiene procedures.
When the fungus begins to multiply actively, the symptoms can no longer be ignored: red spots appear, intense peeling, burning and itching are possible. The occurrence of bubbles with transparent contents cannot be ruled out. As cracks deepen, they become erosions. The inflammatory process leads to tissue swelling.
If this period is neglected, then the advanced stage of the fungus begins:
- transparent blisters between the fingers turn into ulcers that burst, creating sores;
- itching, burning intensifies, intense pain appears;
- Mycosis, having spread to the nails, begins to destroy them.
Such symptoms can no longer be ignored. Going to the doctor becomes the only option to regain health.
Causes of interdigital mycosis
Fungus between the toes has no shortage of victims, on the contrary, the number of infected people is even increasing. The reason for this sad picture is ignorance of hygiene rules. Since these pathogens like high humidity and heat, and their entry points are wounds on the skin, the risk increases if the following factors are present:
- visiting public places where a person walks barefoot or uses other people's shoes, towels or cloths for washing clothes;
- tight shoes that lead to microtrauma;
- excessive sweating combined with a careless attitude towards hygiene procedures;
- reduced immunity;
- varicose veins;
- hormonal imbalance;
- dysbiosis.
Risk of mycotic infection
Some people don't think that foot fungus is a serious problem. But this opinion is wrong. The biggest danger is the chronic form of the disease that leads to nail damage, which in itself greatly affects the quality of life. A person with mycosis is a source of infection that can "reward" the whole family, and the fungus between the fingers of a child or an elderly person is full of major health problems.
If the disease is left to chance, the body will suffer from toxins that are created as a result of the action of fungi. Fungal infections in some cases cause severe allergic reactions. Against the background of mycosis, immunity is suppressed, which is especially dangerous for children and the elderly. As a result, a "non-serious" disease will lead to the penetration of many other infections - bacterial or viral - with consequences of varying degrees of severity.
How to treat foot fungus
Not everyone can get rid of fungus quickly, so it is better to prepare in advance for a long battle. The therapy is usually carried out at home, so first it is necessary to undergo an examination in order to find out the real culprit. After determining it, the doctor (dermatologist or mycologist) will prescribe a comprehensive treatment.
Pills
An infection that has reached an advanced stage requires oral medication. For this type of therapy, effective antifungal tablets and capsules are used, which help to get rid of the plague quickly.
- The drug from the allylamine group is most often prescribed. He copes with the fungus on the finger in 3-4 weeks. The maximum daily dose is 250 mg.
- A triazole derivative is the next broad-spectrum drug. Its intake is limited to two tablets a day. It is necessary to complete two two-week courses, with a break of 21 days between them.
- The product from the triazole group are capsules that are used for various skin diseases. The medicine also helps against foot fungus between the toes. There are 2 options for taking: either once a day, 50 mg, or once a week, but immediately 150 mg. The course of therapy is 4-6 weeks.
Fats
Oral medicines must be supplemented with medicines for external use - creams or ointments. They are the first answer to the question of how to get rid of toenail fungus. Topical remedies are numerous, and their costs vary.
All ointments will be effective if one condition is met: the feet must first be steamed in a solution of soap and soda, and then dried well.
- The imidazole derivative is the leader of the sympathies of those who decided to destroy foot fungus at home. The reason is efficiency and reasonable price. The medicine is applied to clean fingers and nails 2-3 times a day. The duration of the course is individual, controlled by the doctor. After symptoms disappear, it is recommended to continue treatment for 2 weeks or longer.
- The agent from the imidazole group is used twice a day, the duration of therapy is 4-6 weeks, but in advanced cases it is necessary to apply the composition for a few more days. When the fungus spreads to the nails, fat pads are made.
- In the category of external products is a cream from the allylamine group. The active ingredient is the substance that gives the cream its name. The cream is applied 1-2 times a day, and if the feet are affected, the application period is up to 4 weeks. If the nail plates are already affected by mycosis, it is recommended to treat the feet for 3 to 6 months.
The main rule is the regularity of procedures and compliance with prescribed deadlines. In other cases, treatment may become ineffective.
Baths
This folk treatment of fungus between the fingers at home will not take much time, but it will give an effect if the stage of mycosis is easily cured.
- Coffee.For the procedure you will need ground coffee: 10 tablespoons. l. pour over 2 liters of boiling water. When the "potion" has cooled, lower your feet into it. Bathing your feet with coffee twice a day is allowed.
- Sagebrush.For preparation, take a liter of boiling water and 150 g of herbs. Prepare the decoction in a water bath for 30 minutes. The duration of the procedure is at least half an hour.
- Boric acid- a well-known remedy for fungus between the toes. For a bath, take 40 g of powder that dissolves in water (50-60 °C). There is no need to overdo the procedure, do it 2-3 times a week.
- Salt and soda.Pour warm water into a bowl, add 1 tbsp. l. sodium chloride and carbonate. Keep your feet in the bath for at least 15 minutes, then rinse with water.
- Celandine.2 tbsp. l. pour a liter of boiling water over the herbs, cover and wait for it to cool to room temperature. The duration of the procedure should be at least quarter of an hour.
These procedures do not always help and do not help everyone. This characteristic is characteristic not only of folk methods. But that doesn't mean you should give up: there are many ways to cure toenail fungus.
Compressions
This type of treatment is good because the drugs stay on the affected areas for a long time, as many of them are recommended to be kept overnight. The following folk remedies are recommended in this category:
- Propolis.An alcohol tincture is used for poultices. Cotton is moistened in it, which is then fixed between the fingers. The procedures last a week and a half.
- Birch tar.Before applying the composition, the feet are well scalded and cleaned of dead skin. Dry feet are lubricated with tar, especially the space between the toes is treated with care. This poultice is kept for at least an hour, and then the excess tar is removed with a towel. It is forbidden to wash the feet for 2 days. The total number of procedures is 4-5 times.
- Garliccrushed, then mixed with salt. Garlic wraps should not be kept for too long. The product is left for 1-2 hours.
- Ammonia.Take 1 tablespoon per glass of water. l. Then a piece of gauze is soaked in the solution and wrapped around the foot. A bag is placed on top, and a sock on top of it. It is necessary to perform about 8-10 procedures.
- Onionas effective as garlic. Only in this case juice is used. The compresses are left overnight. If the skin between your fingers becomes wet and you are bothered by a strong burning sensation, you can mix the juice with petroleum jelly in equal proportions.
Physiotherapy
To achieve success, the complex treatment of interdigital foot fungus includes physiotherapeutic procedures:
- Ozone therapy.This procedure significantly accelerates the growth of a healthy nail when the disease is very advanced. During the procedure, both the plate and the skin are saturated with ozone and oxygen, which stimulates the growth of nails, while simultaneously destroying the fungal infection. Not only fungi on the skin of the toes, but also absolutely all types of mycoses are successfully treated.
- Laser treatment.During this operation, only those cells where the fungus has settled are destroyed. The course of therapy includes 4-10 procedures. No prior preparation is required, but parallel drug treatment is necessary.
Diet
In order to successfully defeat toenail fungus, it is important to change the way you eat.
Some foods from the diet must be either completely excluded or their consumption must be severely limited. This includes:
- alcoholic beverages;
- Pastry products, flour products;
- fermented milk products containing sugar;
- sweets;
- sausages;
- canned food;
- smoked meat;
- meat;
- semi-finished products.
The following is allowed:
- cereals (only semolina and rice are excluded);
- coffee;
- milk and fermented milk products without sugar;
- sea food;
- vegetables, greens;
- nuts, seeds;
- boiled fish;
- butter and vegetable oil;
- tea;
- eggs.
How to prevent the disease from recurring
In order for mycosis of the fingers to disappear forever, you must adhere to the following rules:
- Wear shoes that fit your feet to avoid toe injuries. It is better to give preference to natural materials. Frequent disinfection of footwear is necessary.
- After public places, feet need preventive measures: wash them and lubricate them with lemon juice, and great attention should be paid to the toes.
- Daily changing of socks is mandatory. It is better to opt for cotton products.
- It is forbidden to change shoes and bedding, as well as to use other people's towels and pedicure items.
- Strengthening the immune system is a priority, so your diet should always contain fruits, juices and vegetables.
For skin and toenail care, a pedicure is recommended every month and a half.