Throughout our lives, we often face various illnesses.Some of them are dangerous and require immediate treatment.And there are those who do not seem to harm health much, and we sometimes live with them for years without taking any measures to get rid of the disease.These diseases include foot skin fungus and toenail fungus.
Indeed, they cannot be called mortal.However, it is necessary to fight them, because, on the one hand, they slowly “undermine” the immune system, destroying the body's defense system, and on the other hand, they do not look aesthetically pleasing, which gives rise to whole complexes in the infected person.How to recognize a foot fungus?Let's take a look at the main signs of foot fungus.
Foot skin fungus: how it can manifest itself
The first signs of a fungus that has “settled” 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 “foreign” invader on its own for some time.Signs of foot fungus include:
- skin redness, itching;
- blisters or blisters on the feet;
- cracked heels that take a long time to heal.
Most often, the first symptoms appear as follows: the skin between the toes begins to itch, pimples appear and the skin turns red.The person experiences severe itching, which gets worse at night.No creams or baths with medicinal herbs help to cope with the problem.I'm worried about severe peeling of the skin.
Sometimes the fungus “attacks” from the heels.In this case, cracked heels cannot be cured using folk remedies or pharmaceutical remedies.If you're experiencing this problem, know that these are signs of a fungal infection, not just the result of scratching or mild inflammation after, say, rubbing your feet with uncomfortable shoes.
Toenail fungus requires mandatory treatment.Not only does the carrier of the disease run the risk of contracting an additional infection, which can easily penetrate through damaged skin, but he also becomes a carrier of the disease.It is not uncommon for symptoms of foot fungus to be seen in literally all family members living together.
Signs of foot fungus should not be ignored.However, it is not always possible to recognize the disease on your own, especially when the itching and other unpleasant manifestations are just beginning.Therefore, if suspicious symptoms appear, you should consult a dermatologist.He knows how to identify foot fungus and what methods should be used to combat them.
How to recognize and what to do
So, we know what the manifestations of foot fungus are and now we will carefully examine ourselves, especially after frequent visits to swimming pools or saunas.
There is another type of disease that, unfortunately, does not immediately attract the attention of the victim.It's a nail fungus.
Sometimes foot fungus spreads to the nail plate and the skin and nail need to be treated at the same time.But it happens that a person only observes damage to the nail, while the skin remains clean.How does nail fungus appear?
Once you decide to give yourself a foot bath, you may notice a slight change in the color of the nail plate.Most often, at first, only one nail is affected: the one located on the thumb.The nail appears yellowed and dull.Normally, the color of the nail is pinkish, the plate is quite thin, but there is no increased brittleness or fragility.If the fungus “visits” you, the nail:
- turns yellow (usually from the edges);
- thickens considerably;
- There are strange spots on the plate.
Carefully examine neighboring fingers: are there similar changes?How does the fungus appear at first?If there is no concomitant disease of the skin of the feet, it can be a cosmetic defect for a long time: there is no itching and pain, there is no discomfort.In this case, the person does not pay attention to the symptoms, thinking that they have simply damaged the nail by wearing, for example, shoes that are too narrow.How do you know if it's a fungus?
You will not be able to determine the disease yourself with 100% accuracy.Additionally, even a doctor does not need a visual examination to make a diagnosis.If he suspects the fungal nature of the disease, he will refer the patient for tests.The nail plate will be scraped - this is the only way to detect the presence of a pathogenic fungus.
The signs of foot fungus are a gradual deterioration of the situation: without treatment, the affected nail begins to change more and more.The yellowing covers increasingly large areas.Then you can see:
- inflammation of the skin near the nail;
- further color change – to greenish, gray, even black;
- increased fragility and fragility.
Even if the nail becomes very thick and difficult to cut with nail scissors, it will crumble.Small pieces may break off.
If you continue to act as if nothing has happened, the fungus may “move” to neighboring fingers.Additionally, the appearance of sharp edges due to periodic breakage of pieces of the nail leads to a complication called “ingrown toenail.”The sharp edge cuts and gradually grows into the skin rolled to the side, causing the person to suffer while walking.The skin becomes red and inflamed.
Over time, nails become thicker and change color.A person experiences significant discomfort due to the inability to visit the pool and wear open shoes in summer.
How can you get infected?
If you detect suspicious signs at home, remember if you have recently been to a sauna or public bath.The mushroom "loves" a warm and humid environment - it is very convenient for it to reproduce there.
Maybe you tried on shoes in a store without "brands" or not so long ago a friend gave you her sandals that she was wearing, but then bought new ones?Or do you often exchange slippers at home with members of your household?
Any of these cases can trigger an infection.A microscopic crack or wound is enough for fungal spores to penetrate the skin or nail.At the same time, the one who "gave" the disease to you may not even suspect that he is its carrier: if he has a strong immune system, the fungus will not bother him.
If you think you have contracted a fungus, the first thing to do is see a dermatologist.You should not self-medicate: firstly, there are different pathogens susceptible to different drugs.Secondly, it may not be a fungus at all, but another disease.In both cases, self-medication may either not give results, or “sink” the disease deeper, and then it will be difficult to cope with it.
This is especially true for nail fungus.Sometimes dystrophic changes in the nail plate, which can appear as a result of wearing tight shoes causing deformation of the nail, can be confused with fungi.Another cause of changes not related to fungal infection is venous disease, which leads to deterioration of blood supply.As a result, the nail becomes fragile, the color changes and the person, believing himself to be infected, begins intensive treatment with gels and varnishes.Naturally, such “treatment” will be ineffective.
What to do if fungus is suspected
If suspicious symptoms appear, you should not run to the pharmacy for medicine, but consult a doctor and get tested.Until the reasons are established, you should be especially careful not to become a source of infection for others: refuse to go to the swimming pool or sauna and do not wear someone else's shoes.
If a pathogenic fungus is diagnosed, you will need to undergo treatment.If the skin is affected, it will take about a month or two;if there are problems with the nail plates, it can take up to a year.If the disease has progressed sufficiently, it may be necessary to take antifungal medications internally as well as external agents.
Be attentive to yourself: any disease is easier to cure at the initial stage.This also applies to fungal infections.Be healthy!