Throughout our lives, we often encounter various diseases.Some of them are dangerous and require immediate treatment.Others don't seem to pose much of a health risk, and sometimes we live with them for years without doing anything to rid ourselves of the disease.These diseases include foot skin fungus and toenail fungus.
In fact, they cannot be called fatal.However, it is necessary to fight against them, because, firstly, they slowly "break" the immune system and destroy the body's defenses, and secondly, they look unsightly, which leads to the development of entire complexes in the infected person.How to identify foot fungus?Let’s start by looking at the main symptoms of foot fungus.
Foot skin fungus: how it manifests itself
The first signs of fungus "colonizing" on the feet can sometimes go unnoticed for a long time, especially if a person has a fairly strong immune system, and the body tries to cope with the invading "stranger" on its own for some time.Signs of foot fungus include:
- Redness and itching of the skin;
- Blisters or blisters on the feet;
- Cracked heels take a long time to heal.
Most commonly, the first symptoms appear as the skin between the toes begins to itch, pimples appear, and the skin becomes red.Patients experience severe itching that worsens at night.No ointment or herbal bath will solve this problem.I'm worried about severe peeling of my skin.
Sometimes the fungus "attacks" from the heel.In this case, cracks in the heel cannot be healed using folk remedies or medicinal treatments.If you are experiencing this problem, know that these are signs of a fungal infection and are not just the result of a scratch or minor inflammation (such as after rubbing your foot with uncomfortable shoes).
Onychomycosis requires mandatory treatment.A carrier of the disease is not only at risk of contracting additional infections that can easily penetrate damaged skin, but he also becomes a carrier of the disease.It is not uncommon to observe symptoms of foot fungus in nearly all family members who live together.
Signs of foot fungus should not be ignored.However, you are not always able to recognize the disease yourself, especially when itching and other unpleasant symptoms first begin.Therefore, if suspicious symptoms occur, a dermatologist should be consulted.He knows how to identify foot fungus and what methods are needed to combat it.
How to recognize and what to do
So, now that we know what foot fungus looks like, it’s time to take a closer look at ourselves, especially after frequent trips to the pool or sauna.
Unfortunately, there is another disease that does not immediately come to the attention of its victims.This is a type of onychomycosis.
Sometimes foot fungus spreads to the nail plate, and both the skin and nails must be treated immediately.But as it happens, only damage to the nails is observed, while the skin remains clear.How does onychomycosis start?
Once you decide to wash your feet, you may notice a slight change in the color of your nail plate.Most commonly, only 1 nail is affected initially - the one on the thumb.Nails look yellow and dull.Normally, the nail color is pink and the nail plate is thin, but without increased brittleness or brittleness.If fungus "visits" you, your nails will:
- Yellowing (usually starting from the edges);
- significantly thickened;
- There are strange spots on the plate.
Examine the adjacent fingers carefully: are there similar changes there?How did fungi first appear?If the skin of the feet does not have accompanying diseases, then only cosmetic defects can remain for a long time: there is no itching or pain, no discomfort.In this case, the person does not pay attention to the symptoms, thinking that he has simply damaged his nails by wearing, for example, shoes that are too narrow.How do you know if it's fungus?
You cannot determine a disease with 100% accuracy on your own.And, even a doctor doesn't need a visual inspection to make a diagnosis.If he suspects the fungal nature of the disease, he will refer the patient for testing.The nail plate will be scraped - this is the only way to detect the presence of the disease-causing fungus.
Symptoms of foot fungus are a gradual worsening of the condition: if left untreated, the affected nail begins to undergo more and more changes.The yellowing area is getting bigger and bigger.Then you might see:
- Inflammation of the skin near the nails;
- Further color changes - into green, gray or even black;
- Increased brittleness and brittleness.
Even if the nail becomes thick and difficult to trim with nail clippers, it can chip.Small pieces may break.
If you continue to pretend that nothing is happening, the fungus will "move" to adjacent fingers.Additionally, the sharp edges that develop from the periodic loss of nails can lead to a complication called "ingrown nails."The sharp edges cut into and grew into the rolls of skin on the sides, making walking painful.The skin becomes red and inflamed.
Over time, toenails can thicken and become discolored.People experience significant discomfort due to the inability to go to the pool and wear open-toed shoes in the summer.
How did you get infected?
If you notice something suspicious, remember if you've been to a sauna or bathhouse recently.This fungus “likes” warm, moist conditions – perfect for its reproduction.
Maybe you tried on shoes in a store that didn't have "marks" on them, or maybe a friend gave you sandals she was wearing not long ago but then bought new ones?Or do you often exchange slippers with your family at home?
Any of these conditions may trigger infection.Tiny cracks or wounds are enough for fungal spores to penetrate the skin or nails.At the same time, the person who "infected" you with the disease may not even suspect that he is a carrier of the disease: if he has a strong immune system, the fungus will not bother him.
If you think you have a fungal infection, the first thing you should do is see a dermatologist.It is not advisable to self-medicate: First of all, different pathogens are sensitive to different drugs.Second, maybe it's not a fungus at all, but another disease.In both cases, self-medication either has no effect or pushes the disease deeper, making it difficult to cope with it.
This is especially true for onychomycosis.Sometimes, dystrophic changes in the nail plate may occur due to deformation of the nails caused by wearing tight shoes, which may be confused with fungus.Another cause of changes unrelated to fungal infections is venous disease, which can cause the blood supply to deteriorate.As a result, nails become brittle, their color changes, people think they are infected and begin intensive treatments with gels and varnishes.Such "treatment" is naturally ineffective.
What to do if you suspect fungus
If you develop suspicious symptoms, instead of running to the pharmacy to buy medication, see your doctor and get tested.Until the cause is identified, special care must be taken not to become a source of infection for others: refuse to go to the swimming pool or sauna, do not wear other people's shoes.
If a disease-causing fungus is diagnosed, you will have to undergo a course of treatment.It will take about a month or two if the skin is affected, or up to a year if there are problems with the nail plate.If the disease has progressed far enough, internal antifungal medications may be needed along with topical medications.
Take care of yourself: Any illness is easiest to treat in its early stages.This also applies to fungal infections.In good health!