Fungus on toes treatment at home

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

Who's at risk?

The condition when humidity increases between the fingers does not occur in every person; 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 not suitable for the weather - too warm.
• Patients with diabetes have impaired metabolic processes and initially weakened immunity.
• Men are at risk, because they are the ones who most often suffer from such troubles.

Risk factors:

1. There is a risk of infection when performing medical procedures on the feet and pedicures.If the instruments were not sterilized, and a sick person used them before you, then the risk of infection is very high.
2. Having excess weight.
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. Undergoing antibiotic therapy, as the body's natural defenses are reduced.

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

Symptoms of fungal infection

Since the risk of catching 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 peels off.
2. Small bubbles appear between the fingers.Liquid accumulates in them, and after they burst, cracks appear at the site of the lesion.
3. With such a fungal infection, spots on the skin may appear - yellow or white.
4. Toenails become cloudy, thicker, and their color may also change.
5. Your feet begin to smell unpleasant.

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 immediately take action, because the more you start the disease, the more difficult it will be to fight it later.Moreover, 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

Fungus between the fingers can occur in different forms, which greatly complicates its identification by the patient himself, and therefore delays a visit to the doctor.Options:

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

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

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

Traditional methods of treatment

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

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

2. Applying paraffin cakes promotes healing and regeneration of the skin between the fingers.Paraffin must be heated to a temperature that can be tolerated and applied to the lesion until it cools.Next, immerse the leg in a decoction of onion peels for 15 minutes.After this, rinse with water and salt 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 into a paste.If you have iodine intolerance, you can use tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar.Apply this compress up to 4 times a day until it dries completely.
5. Cut the lemon into slices and apply to areas damaged by the fungus.The duration of such treatment is 8-10 days.
6. At first, baths will help, for which you need to use a decoction of aspen bark at the rate of 100 g per 0.5 liter of water.
7. Soothing compress made from furatsilin.Dissolve 2 tablets of the product in warm water (250 ml).Soak a gauze bandage in this solution and apply it to the injury as a compress, wrap it with a bandage.Do the procedure 4 times a day, applying a compress for 5-10 minutes.
8. Grind 2 cloves of garlic and stir them into 100 g of warm butter.Apply the mixture to the lesions after preliminary steaming of the legs.You can notice an improvement after 7 days of such therapy, but you don’t need to stop, because you need to be treated with such a cream for a whole month.
9. In summer, rowan leaves will help; they should be crushed and used for application in a mushy state.The duration of therapy is 10 days.
10. Mix the string, chamomile and dry violet in equal proportions.Pour 1 liter of boiling water over this mixture.Soak gauze in the resulting infusion and apply to the lesion.

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 that the disease will progress to a more serious stage.

Traditional treatment

First of all, the doctor will conduct an examination and prescribe a treatment regimen.Next, it will be necessary to disinfect all things that the sick person came into contact with.Textiles - socks, 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 will have to be treated for at least 1 month, among 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, since during this period the pathogen has time to adapt to it.You need to use the drug 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, then the use of tablets and immunostimulants is necessary.Such drugs are prescribed only by a doctor.

Prevention of fungus between fingers

Treatment of fungus is a long and expensive process, so preventive measures should be taken.Prevention consists of the following measures:

1. In the 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 that are 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 be worn only from natural materials.

4. The skin between the fingers should 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 a fungus, you should thoroughly wash your feet and treat your skin with lemon juice.
6. It is important to maintain immunity, because if it is strong, then it will be more difficult for the fungus to develop, and the fight against 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.Fungus between the fingers is uncomfortable and quite unpleasant.In order to take timely measures, you should know the symptoms and first aid measures.And in order not to delay getting rid of the disease, you should immediately visit a doctor.