Treating toe fungus at home

Such an unpleasant condition as a fungus between the toes is medically called epidemyophytosis of the feet.It is caused by an anthropophilic fungus that grows comfortably between the toes.It is convenient for the pathogen to multiply in this location, as it is almost always warm and humid.

Who is at risk?

The condition in which moisture increases between the toes does not occur in everyone;at risk:

• Athletes.
• People who save money and buy cheap, non-breathable shoes wear synthetic socks.This group also includes people who wear shoes that are inappropriate for the weather - too hot.
• Patients with diabetes have impaired metabolic processes and initially weakened immunity.
• Men are at risk because they are the ones who suffer most from these problems.

Risk factors:

1. There is a risk of infection when performing medical foot procedures and pedicures.If the instruments have not been sterilized and a sick person has used them before you, the risk of infection is very high.
2. Being overweight.
3. Foot deformity, in particular flat feet.
4. Poor blood circulation.
5. Weakening of the immune system.
6. Psychosomatic disorders.
7. An unbalanced and unhealthy diet is also a favorable environment for the development of fungi.
8. Subjected to antibiotic therapy, as the body's natural defenses are reduced.

This disease is transmitted by contact.That is, if there is common use of shoes, towels, cloths and other items.You can catch it (the fungus) by walking on the ground where a sick person has walked (barefoot).Due to the latter method of transmission, there is a risk of infection in bathhouses, saunas, swimming pools and other public places.

Symptoms of fungal infection

As the risk of contracting this disease is quite high, it is worth knowing the characteristic symptoms, including:

1. Destruction of the skin, as the fungus penetrates deeply, the epidermis sloughs off.
2. Small blisters appear between the fingers.Liquid accumulates in them and, after they burst, cracks appear at the site of the injury.
3. With this fungal infection, spots may appear on the skin - yellow or white.
4. Toenails become cloudy, thicker and their color may also change.
5. Your feet start to smell bad.

Most often, the disease develops quickly and unexpectedly for the person himself.It is worth paying attention to the fact that pathogens are most comfortable in warm and humid conditions.

If you notice similar symptoms in yourself, you should act immediately, because the more you start the disease, the more difficult it will be to fight it later.In addition, blisters and cracks between the fingers, as well as defects in the nail plate, are quite painful and interfere with normal life.

Forms of the disease

The fungus between the toes can occur in different ways, which makes it very difficult for the patient to identify and, therefore, delays the medical appointment.Options:

• Light- it is also called erased, stained.This is the primary form, its characteristic symptoms are small cracks and peeling, but not very pronounced.This condition can be cured quickly, thus eliminating future relapses.

• Squamous hyperkeratotic- the itching is pronounced, white crusts form between the fingers, there is intense peeling and burning.This form is considered chronic, if adequate treatment is not carried out, over time the skin develops an unhealthy shine, flakes and flakes.
• Integrated form- reveals itself with redness between the fingers, swelling, constant humidity, peeling of the skin, deep fissures, exudative erosion.Most often, 2 zones suffer: between 3-4 and 4-5 fingers, and the affected areas have clear boundaries.
• Dyshidrotic form- with it there are a large number of blisters with liquid, not only between the toes, but also in other parts of the foot.Itching, erosion and inflammation are also pronounced and spread throughout the foot.

Treatment must be carried out immediately when the first symptoms appear, in which case the duration of therapy is reduced and the chances of success increase.

Traditional treatment methods

The remedies suggested below are only indicated in the initial stages as an additional measure, with conservative treatment prescribed by a doctor.Among the recipes tested:

1. Boil the potato peelings and dip your feet in the remaining water.Leave the skins there and first cool the vegetable broth to a temperature that is comfortable for your feet.After that, the legs need to be rubbed with potato mixture.Then rinse your feet under warm running water, dry and lubricate with pork fat.Similar procedures must be carried out daily until the fungus disappears.

2. The application of paraffin cakes promotes healing and regeneration of the skin between the fingers.The paraffin must be heated to a tolerable temperature and applied to the lesion until it cools.Then immerse the leg in a decoction of onion skins for 15 minutes.After that, rinse with salted water or soda.
3. Mix water and vinegar essence (70%) in equal proportions.Knead the dough with this liquid.It must be applied to the affected area.
4. Mix dry celandine root and iodinol until it forms a paste.If you have an iodine intolerance, you can use tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar.Apply this compress up to 4 times a day until completely dry.
5. Cut the lemon into slices and apply to areas damaged by the fungus.The duration of this treatment is 8 to 10 days.
6. At first, baths help, for which it is necessary to use a decoction of aspen bark in a proportion of 100 g per 0.5 liters of water.
7. Furacilin-based soothing compress.Dissolve 2 tablets of the product in warm water (250 ml).Soak a gauze bandage in this solution and apply it to the injury in the form of a compress, wrap it with a bandage.Do the procedure 4 times a day, applying compress for 5 to 10 minutes.
8. Grind 2 cloves of garlic and mix them with 100 g of hot butter.Apply the mixture to the lesions after preliminary steaming of the legs.You may notice an improvement after 7 days of this therapy, but you do not need to stop as you need to be treated with this cream for a whole month.
9. In summer, rowan leaves help;they must be crushed and used for application in a pasty state.The duration of therapy is 10 days.
10. Mix the string, chamomile and dried violet in equal proportions.Pour 1 liter of boiling water over this mixture.Immerse the gauze in the resulting infusion and apply it to the injury.

You can use the following products for lotions and baths: potassium permanganate, iodine, soda, oak bark, purity essential oil, propolis, decoction of birch buds, poplar, juniper, brewed coffee.

If there is no improvement, you should consult a doctor, as there is a risk of the disease progressing to a more serious stage.

Traditional treatment

First of all, the doctor will perform an examination and prescribe a treatment regimen.Next, it will be necessary to disinfect all objects with which the patient has come into contact.Textiles - socks and tights will have to be thrown away.Slippers can be washed in hot water, shoes can be treated with vinegar or citric acid from the inside.

This expression of the fungus must be treated for at least 1 month, using the most effective methods:

• Ointments, creams, solutions and other local products with the active ingredient tolnaftate or miconazole.In this case, it is necessary to change the product after 14 days, as during this period the pathogen has time to adapt to it.You need to use the medicine for another 14 days after all symptoms disappear.
• The use of a special solution showed good results.Cotton swabs are soaked in it and placed in the area between the fingers.They need to be kept there for 15 minutes.
• If the fungus is present not only between the fingers, but also on the nails, it is necessary to use tablets and immunostimulants.These medications are prescribed only by a doctor.

Preventing fungus between toes

Fungus treatment is a long and expensive process, so preventive measures must be taken.Prevention consists of the following measures:

1. In summer, it is worth wearing open shoes, in which the space between the toes is ventilated.In the cold season, you need to choose closed shoes made from natural, breathable materials.
2. The inside of shoes can be treated with vinegar;the smell, of course, is specific to this method, but it helps to disinfect it from the inside.You can also use special deodorizing sprays.
3. Socks should only be used from natural materials.

4. The skin between the fingers must be dry and clean - in such conditions the fungus simply cannot develop.
5. After visiting a public place where there is a risk of contracting fungus, wash your feet thoroughly and treat your skin with lemon juice.
6. It is important to maintain immunity, because if it is strong, it will be more difficult for the fungus to develop and combating it will be easier.

You should know that the fungus dies when exposed to high temperatures for 15 minutes and when boiled for 4 minutes.Even very low temperatures, including freezing, do not affect pathogens.

Conclusion.The fungus between the toes is uncomfortable and quite unpleasant.To take timely measures, you must know the symptoms and first aid measures.And in order not to delay the elimination of the disease, you must immediately consult a doctor.