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 add to health.Therefore, his 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 often affected.Medicine successfully treats this disease, but due to certain circumstances, many prefer to treat themselves.Let's look at how to properly treat foot fungus at home.
Types of fungal infections on the feet
The appearance of fungus on the feet is an infection of the epidermis (outer layer of skin) of the interdigital zone of the feet and nail plates, with the possible spread of microscopic fungi further throughout the body.The defeat may be caused by:
- yeast fungi;
- mold;
- dermatophytes.
But in general this disease is called dermatomycosis.
The visible signs of fungus depend on the strain that causes it.Types of mycoses:
- Onychomycosis - this disease affects the nail plates, and it 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 underneath it hardens.
- With scaly mycosis, the skin turns red and begins to itch, 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 with each other to form ulcers.
- Intertriginous mycosis is the most common type of fungus, occurring in the form of cracks in the skin between the toes, usually closer to the little toe.Characterized by severe itching.
What are the causes of mycoses on the legs?
- Many healthy people strive to stay in shape.They visit fitness clubs, beaches, swimming pools and saunas, where mycotic organisms multiply quickly in a warm environment.It is in these public places that fungal infections usually occur.
- When a family uses common house shoes, towels, bath and shower mats, as well as hygiene products.One carrier of the fungus can infect the entire family.
- Weakened immunity contributes to the spread of mycoses of the legs in older people.Statistics show that men are more likely to become infected with the fungus.
- Indiscriminate use of medications (glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antibacterial, cytostatic drugs) also causes the risk of developing mycotic infections on the feet.
- Fungal infection of the feet is possible due to occupational factors.Mine workers, people involved in the metallurgical industry, the military, as well as maintenance personnel of baths, saunas and sports complexes are more often 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 of the skin, corns and calluses on the feet, hallux valgus.
- Unfavorable environmental situation.
Fungus on the feet usually develops in several periods:
- The incubation stage depends on the state of the human immune system.The stronger it is, the later the signs of mycosis of the feet 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 of the legs.At this stage, the development of the infection can be stopped with simple, even folk remedies.
- At the third stage, the disease becomes more dangerous: the skin peels off, large lesions form, and the skin gradually begins to exfoliate.The cracks deepen, causing significant pain.Nail plates are deformed.Starting from this period, treatment will be complex and protracted.
- The chronic form of mycosis is fraught with frequent relapses and can last for several years.If the fungus has progressed to such an extent, 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 (scrapings, study of strains, microscopy), a specialist can 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.Their advantage is an affordable price and a minimum of contraindications.But even harmless folk remedies should be used in combination with basic medications in consultation with a doctor.
The most effective antifungal agents
There are a number of dosage forms for fungus 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 the affected skin if the disease is in its early stages.
Typically, in the complex treatment of foot mycoses, the following drugs are used:
- tablets for foot fungus;
- antifungal ointment, which is applied 2 times a day to sore spots.
In addition to drug therapy, there is an innovative method of treating fungus - a hardware method that eliminates the symptoms of mycosis in sore areas quickly, but does not guarantee that there will be no relapses.
Folk 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 anti-fungal masks based on natural substances.
Among them, the most effective for the treatment of mycoses are the following:
- Potassium permanganate solution.It is recommended to steam your feet in a warm bath before going to bed, then wrap them with gauze soaked in this solution and leave overnight.
- Baths containing sea salt at the rate of 1.5 tbsp.l.per liter of water.
- Copper sulfate.Using it, you can cope with foot fungus like this: fry 1 tsp.of this substance in a frying pan until white, then mix with the same amount of yellow sulfur and goose fat.Mix the ingredients thoroughly and, while warm, apply a thin layer of the resulting ointment to your feet.Wash off after 40 minutes.
- Using vinegar for fungus is the fastest way to get rid of the problem.Among its types (apple, wine), the most effective is simple 9% vinegar, which is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 8, used as a slightly warm bath 4-5 times a day for 2-3 days.
- A paste of baking soda will also help combat foot fungus.It is applied to the affected areas of the feet and left for 20 minutes, then washed off.You can also mix baking soda with salt and apply it similarly to your feet.
- A foot compress with peroxide solution will help cure the fungus.To do this, you should first steam your feet in a bath of warm water.Then prepare a solution of 1 liter of water with 1 tsp.soda and 2 tbsp.l.peroxide, soak gauze and wrap your feet with it.Leave for an hour, then rinse.
- Onion recipes will help you cope with the problem.Grate 2 large onions on a coarse grater, squeeze out the juice from the resulting pulp, and apply to your feet.Wait until it is absorbed, put on socks and leave it on overnight, and wash it off your feet in the morning.Garlic juice has a similar effect on fungus.
- It is also effective to use celandine against fungus.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 medicinal compresses and foot baths for fungus at home along with prescribed medications, you can get rid of it quite quickly.Also, special care should be taken for the feet to maintain the condition of the skin during this period, as well as promote recovery.
Before treating areas of the feet and nails affected by a fungal infection, first put disposable gloves on your hands.
Shoes should 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 wearing, shoes should be placed on the balcony for ventilation.If it gets wet, be sure to dry it completely and change the insoles more often.
During the period of fungal disease, you should not visit the pool, 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 in your shoes, and also treat them with vinegar.This also applies to rubber mats in the bathroom.This is done to destroy fungal spores that can recur or infect the feet of other people.
Prevention of relapse and re-infection
To avoid re-infection of the feet with a fungal infection and get rid of it forever, you should pay special attention 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 be in shoes;
- wash your feet regularly, preferably in the morning, before bed and after coming from outside;
- take 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 the legs and external changes in their area should be a reason to visit a specialist.