How to recognize foot fungus

There are a number of dermatological diseases called fungi. The general name for such an infection is "mycoses". If we talk about diseases of the skin of the legs, they are dermatomycoses. If the nail plate is affected, the doctor makes a diagnosis of "onychomycosis". This is one of the most common pathologies in humans.

Dermatologists distinguish several types of fungal infections in humans:

• anthropophiles;
• zooanthropophiles;
• candida.

The first cause infections in humans, the second - in humans and animals, and the third - yeast-like.

Causes of fungal pathologies

Fungal spores are found in large quantities in the soil, on surfaces and in common areas. We go home by public transport, go on the swing with the children, buy groceries at the supermarket, work with people in the same room and interact with pets. Why do some people get sick and others don't?

There are population groups that are more susceptible to fungal diseases than others. Let's take a closer look at them:

1. People with reduced immunity.When the body is weakened by surgery or serious illness, it is less resistant to various infections, including fungal ones.
2. Children and the elderly.Both groups are prone to pathologies due to age characteristics. A young body is not yet strong enough, and older people already have a large number of chronic diseases that weaken the body.
3. People with metabolic diseasescaused by disorders of the thyroid gland, pancreas, pituitary gland and circulatory and lymphatic systems.
4. Workers in hazardous industries involving high temperatures.In such an environment, conditions are created for the development and spread of foot fungus.
5. Lovers of gyms, saunas, swimming pools.In themselves, these activities are very useful, but non-observance of basic sanitary and hygienic standards regarding the disinfection of these rooms leads to the appearance of problems such as fungi.

Doctors distinguish the following types of fungal foot diseases: athlete's foot, trichophytosis and candidiasis. It is believed that men are most often affected by the fungus, although this is a controversial statement. They are less scrupulous about their health, so the disease has progressed.

The main signs of the disease

Visually determining the presence of foot fungus is not at all difficult. If you notice redness, your leg begins to itch very, even painfully, blisters appear that burst, the skin peels and an unpleasant odor appears, then you are most likely infected with a fungal infection.

This could happen if you stepped barefoot on sports equipment, on the floor of a fitness club, or contracted an infection from a pet. After all, there are fungi that are transmitted from animals to their owners. Showering after a factory shift can also reward you with this distraction. Using other people's toiletries - soap, towels, washcloths is not only unhygienic, but also dangerous.

The disease can start from the skin, and later the nails and the area between the fingers are affected. This is a very serious cosmetic defect. Irregularities in the shape of the nail plate. It begins to crumble, change color and may disappear completely. The nail bed becomes inflamed. This is not just a cosmetic defect, it is a pathology that brings physical suffering. It even becomes painful for a person to walk.

How to recognize foot fungus

To tell exactly what type of dermatomycosis it is, to clarify whether it is really a fungus or a callus, an abrasion or a corn, you need to visit a dermatologist. To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor performs a visual examination and prescribes laboratory diagnostics: skin and nail samples are taken. This allows you to clarify what type of fungus is detected. Only then is appropriate therapy prescribed. Each type is treated differently.

You can identify the fungus yourself using potassium permanganate. This is done like this: dilute a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Place the limb in a container of solution and observe. Good, healthy nails darken, but infected nails stay the same color.

Treatment is usually conservative, at home. It consists of the following mandatory points:

• Taking drugs orallyfor the destruction of fungal spores transmitted by blood and lymphoma.
• Local treatment.Use of ointments, creams, special liquids to remove dermatological manifestations of fungi. The manipulations are carried out after the pedicure and cutting of the affected nails.
• Sanitary and hygienic measures.They consist of disinfecting clothes and shoes. This destroys slow infections.

Fungi are complex infections that recur, so the therapy must be effective. After a certain time, from two weeks to a month, with careful adherence to the recommendations, recovery occurs.