Modern man is subject to physical inactivity and the influence of a polluted atmosphere, and the use of dozens of harmful food additives does not bring health benefits.Therefore, your immune system weakens and becomes more prone to infections that lurk at every turn.More than 20% of the world's population is infected with dermatomycosis or fungal infections.The legs are especially affected.Medicine successfully treats this disease, but due to certain circumstances, many prefer to treat it themselves.Let's look at how to properly treat foot fungus at home.
Types of fungal foot infections
The appearance of fungus on the feet is an infection of the epidermis (outer layer of skin) of the interdigital area of the feet and nail plates, with possible spread of microscopic fungi throughout the body.Defeat can be caused by:
- yeast fungi;
- mold;
- dermatophytes.
But in general this disease is called dermatomycosis.
The visible signs of the fungus depend on the strain that causes it.Types of mycoses:
- Onychomycosis - this disease affects the nail plates and progresses in different ways.In the first case, the toenails change color, break and thicken.With atrophy, the nail plate is completely destroyed and the skin beneath it hardens.
- In scaly ringworm, the skin turns red and becomes itchy, peeling occurs, and the condition turns into painful itching.
- The dyshidrotic form of the fungus is characterized by the formation of watery blisters with a diameter of up to 5 mm, which gradually merge to form ulcers.
- Intertriginous mycosis is the most common type of fungus, occurring as cracks in the skin between the toes, usually closer to the little toe.Characterized by intense itching.
What are the causes of mycoses on the legs?
- Many healthy people struggle to stay in shape.They frequent gyms, beaches, swimming pools and saunas, where mycotic organisms multiply quickly in a hot environment.It is in these public places that fungal infections often occur.
- When a family uses common shoes, towels, bath and shower mats, as well as hygiene products.A carrier of the fungus can infect the entire family.
- Weakened immunity contributes to the spread of leg mycoses in elderly people.Statistics show that men are more likely to be infected by the fungus.
- The indiscriminate use of medications (glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antibacterials, cytostatics) also causes a risk of developing mycotic infections in the feet.
- Fungal infection of the feet is possible due to occupational factors.Miners, people involved in the metallurgical industry, military personnel, as well as maintenance personnel in baths, saunas and sports complexes are most susceptible to infection.
- A person's lifestyle and the presence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, vascular and somatic diseases, endocrine disorders (especially excessive sweating), osteoarthritis, excess body weight.
- Cuts and microcracks in the skin, corns and calluses on the feet, hallux valgus.
- Unfavorable environmental situation.
Foot fungus usually develops in several periods:
- The incubation stage depends on the state of the human immune system.The stronger it is, the later signs of foot mycosis will appear.
- The period following the incubation period is characterized by redness of the skin, the appearance of itching and microcracks.Sometimes there is swelling in the legs.At this stage, the development of the infection can be stopped with simple and even folk remedies.
- In the third stage, the disease becomes more dangerous: the skin peels off, large lesions form and the skin begins to gradually exfoliate.The cracks deepen, causing significant pain.The nail plates are deformed.From this period onwards, the treatment will be complex and time-consuming.
- The chronic form of ringworm has frequent relapses and can last for several years.If the fungus has progressed so much, you should immediately consult a doctor to avoid irreparable consequences of the disease.
How to cure foot fungus at home
Only after carrying out qualified diagnostics (scraping, studying strains, microscopy), a specialist will be able to prescribe effective means to combat foot fungus.In addition to drug therapy, folk remedies can also be used against fungus.
There are many ways to get rid of foot fungus at home.Its advantage is an affordable price and a minimum of contraindications.But even harmless folk remedies should be used in combination with basic medicines, after consulting a doctor.
The most effective antifungal agents
There are several pharmaceutical forms for fungi in the form of tablets, suppositories, creams, ointments and suspensions, sprays and lotions with fungicidal properties that prevent the growth of bacteria.These products can quickly remove fungus from affected skin if the disease is at an early stage.
Typically, in the complex treatment of foot mycoses, the following medications are used:
- pills for foot fungus;
- antifungal ointment, which is applied twice a day to wounds.
In addition to drug therapy, there is an innovative method of treating fungus - a hardware method that quickly eliminates the symptoms of mycosis in painful areas, but does not guarantee that there will be no relapses.
Popular recipes
In addition to the main therapy, treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies is used.There are many known methods for dealing with this problem at home: these are all kinds of baths, compresses and antifungal masks based on natural substances.
Among them, the most effective for treating mycoses are the following:
- Potassium permanganate solution.It is recommended to steam your feet in a hot bath before going to bed, then wrap them with gauze soaked in this solution and leave overnight.
- Baths containing sea salt in a proportion of 1.5 tablespoons.I.per liter of water.
- Copper sulfate.With it, you can deal with foot fungus like this: fry 1 tsp.of this substance in a frying pan until it turns white, then mix it with the same amount of yellow sulfur and goose fat.Mix the ingredients well and, while still hot, apply a thin layer of the resulting ointment to your feet.Wash off after 40 minutes.
- Using vinegar for fungus is the quickest way to get rid of the problem.Among its types (apple, wine), the most effective is simple 9% vinegar, which is diluted in water in a ratio of 1 to 8, used as a slightly warm bath 4 to 5 times a day for 2 to 3 days.
- A baking soda paste also helps combat foot fungus.It is applied to the affected areas of the feet and left for 20 minutes and then washed off.You can also mix baking soda with salt and apply it in a similar way to your feet.
- A foot compress with peroxide solution will help cure the fungus.To do this, you must first steam your feet in a tub of warm water.Then prepare a solution of 1 liter of water with 1 tsp.soda and 2 tbsp.I.hydrogen peroxide, wet the gauze and wrap your feet with it.Leave for an hour and then rinse.
- Onion recipes will help you deal with the problem.Grate 2 large onions on a coarse grater, squeeze the juice from the resulting pulp and apply to your feet.Wait until it is absorbed, put on socks and leave overnight, and wash your feet in the morning.Garlic juice has a similar effect on fungi.
- It is also effective to use celandine against fungi.Its juice (5 drops) is mixed with half a teaspoon of calendula alcohol tincture and 5 drops of oregano juice, as well as a teaspoon of water.The resulting mixture is used to treat the affected areas of the legs without rinsing.
Care and hygiene rules
By using medicated compresses and foot baths for fungus at home along with prescription medications, you can get rid of it quickly.In addition, special care must be taken with the feet to maintain the condition of the skin during this period, in addition to promoting recovery.
Before treating areas of the feet and nails affected by a fungal infection, first put disposable gloves on your hands.
Shoes must be treated with special products (vinegar and mustard powder will do).If possible, it should be replaced with products made from natural materials.After each use, shoes should be placed on the balcony for ventilation.If it gets wet, dry it completely and change the insoles more frequently.
During the period of fungal illness, you should not visit swimming pools, saunas, beaches, or use someone else's shoes, slippers or towels, so as not to infect other family members with the fungus.After recovery, it is advisable to get rid of old socks and replace the insoles of your shoes, as well as treat them with vinegar.This also applies to rubber mats in the bathroom.This is done to destroy fungal spores that may reappear or infect other people's feet.
Preventing relapses and reinfections
To avoid reinfecting the feet with a fungal infection and eliminate it for good, special attention should be paid to foot hygiene.To do this, you need to remember a few simple rules:
- wear only your own shoes and clothes;
- choose shoes made from natural materials;
- do not allow steaming feet to remain in shoes;
- wash your feet regularly, preferably in the morning, before going to sleep and after leaving the house;
- take good care of your shoes: dry them from the inside, periodically treat them with special deodorants;
- support immunity.
Feet require regular care and attention.Any discomfort in your legs and external changes in your area should be a reason to consult a specialist.