Absolutely anyone can get infected with foot fungus, and those who often go to 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.
Yeast infection: how it can happen
Getting infected with the fungus is simple and difficult at the same time, because it is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person, however, if the immune system is functioning normally, it reduces the probability of infection many times over.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;
- Foot injuries of various types (for example, calluses, wounds).
To protect yourself from nail and foot fungus, you should minimize the possibility of getting 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 a contagious pathology that can only be acquired from a person who already has it.The most common variants of the infection include the following:
- The people you live with.In most cases, the infection occurs from relatives.The fungus spreads through household items: hygiene products, floor coverings, slippers, socks.To protect yourself from infection, use only your personal belongings and avoid walking around the apartment barefoot.
- There are many situations in which fungal infection occurs in places where people relax en masse, without shoes.These places include: beaches, swimming pools, wrestling sections (sometimes training takes place barefoot).Remember, fungal spores are very resistant to temperature fluctuations and can stay on the floor for a long time, after which they end up on your feet.
- There are much fewer situations in which the infection occurs from socks or shoes bought not so long ago.Fungus can take root on them even in the factory where these products are manufactured, but there is a high probability of picking up this infection when trying these items.Think about it - you don't know if a healthy person has tried on the shoes or sneakers that you liked.
Diagnostic measures for suspected fungal infection
Many people have a desire to discover the 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, that is, it is difficult to detect it.Only those who pay special attention to the health of their feet and have some experience can clearly notice it in the first stages of its spread.
At first, the nail gets barely noticeable spots or streaks;they differ a lot in color, but almost no one pays attention to that.No discomfort or other symptoms.At this stage, it is best to opt for traditional methods of fighting fungal infections, rather than using drugs.
With the further spread of the disease, the previously formed spots acquire a different color, and their size only increases.Discomfort occurs, and the skin around the nail plate begins to itch.The nail plate thickens a little and becomes loose, sometimes cracks.At this stage, it is still possible to treat the infection at home.However, the brighter the symptoms of the fungus, the more likely it is that there will be a need to visit a specialist.Then 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 treatment for fungus?
How to get rid of foot fungus?The treatment of a fungal infection takes a long time, and the results in the case of untimely initiation of appropriate therapy include both the presence of discomfort and an aesthetic problem, as well as the continuous impact of the infection on the body as a whole.
It is important to promptly recognize an infection that has the following signs:
- Feet itch, sometimes burning occurs;
- Feet start to smell bad;
- The feet become dry and the skin peels.
If such symptoms are observed, it is necessary to urgently visit a dermatologist who will prescribe certain tests and make a correct diagnosis.After a complete examination, the doctor will advise you on how to eliminate the fungal infection as soon as possible.
Yeast 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 therapy is quite long, and in very advanced situations it reaches 6 months.Medicines whose action is aimed at suppressing fungal infections when taken orally have a large number of side effects and contraindications for use, which is why their use should be monitored by a doctor.
Systemic therapy is combined with local treatment of fungal disease, and includes the use of various agents, for example: solutions, gels, creams, ointments, etc.
Only with a low degree of skin damage by fungus or if there are contraindications to the use of any medication, the treatment consists exclusively of the use of products for external use.
During the treatment of a fungal infection of the feet, it is necessary to throw in the trash all those items that were in use before the start of the treatment, and which may be carriers of fungi: 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 products.
Therapeutic varnishes as a remedy for fungi
If the 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 causes softening of the nail plate affected by the infection, and then, affecting the fungal spores, it begins to eliminate them.
The key requirement when treating the nail plate with varnish is that you must strictly adhere to the instructions, because it specifies the nuances of using this product.
In most cases, these are the following:
- Before using medical varnish, it is necessary to remove all the layers that peel off from the nail.For this purpose, you can use a special file - it is included in the varnish.
- Then you need to disinfect the surface - for this use a solution of alcohol and water.
- Only after all the processes described above can you 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 daily;
- Pay due attention to the condition of your nails and the skin on your feet;
- When 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 process itself will take much longer.
Do you still think it's hard to get rid of fungus fast?
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 amputating a limb.
In no case should you start the disease!