Treatment of fungus on toes 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 is at risk?

The condition in which moisture 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 climate, too hot.
• 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 these problems.

Risk factors:

1. There is a risk of infection when performing medical procedures on the feet and pedicures.If the instruments have not been sterilized and a sick person used them before you, the risk of infection is very high.
2. Having excess weight.
3. Foot deformities, especially flat feet.
4. Poor blood circulation.
5. Weakening of the immune system.
6. Psychosomatic disorders.
7. Even an unbalanced and unhealthy diet constitutes a favorable environment for the development of fungi.
8. Undergo antibiotic therapy, as the body's natural defenses are reduced.

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

Symptoms of fungal infection

Since the risk of contracting 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 blisters appear between the fingers.Fluid accumulates in them, and after they burst, cracks appear at the site of the lesion.
3. With such a fungal infection, spots may appear on the skin: yellow or white.
4. Toenails become dull, thicker, and their color may also change.
5. Your feet start 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 feel more comfortable in warm, humid conditions.

If you notice similar symptoms in yourself, you should act immediately, because the earlier you start the disease, the more difficult it will be to fight it later.In addition, 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

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

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

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

Treatment must be carried out immediately upon the appearance of the first symptoms, in which case the duration of therapy is reduced and the chances of success increase.

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 recipes tested:

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

2. The application of paraffin cakes promotes healing and regeneration of the skin between the toes.The paraffin should be heated to a tolerable temperature and applied to the lesion until it cools.Next, soak the leg in a decoction of onion peels for 15 minutes.Afterwards, 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 dried celandine root and iodinol into a paste.If you have an intolerance to iodine, you can use tea tree oil or apple cider vinegar.Apply this compress up to 4 times a day until completely dry.
5. Cut the lemon into slices and apply it to the areas damaged by the fungus.The duration of such treatment is 8-10 days.
6. At first, baths will help, for which it is necessary to use a decoction of aspen bark at the rate of 100 g per 0.5 liter of water.
7. Soothing compress based on furacilin.Dissolve 2 tablets of the product in warm water (250 ml).Soak a gauze bandage in this solution and apply it to the wound like a compress, wrap it with a bandage.Perform the procedure 4 times a day, applying a compress for 5-10 minutes.
8. Grind 2 cloves of garlic and add them to 100 g of hot 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 should not stop, because you need to be treated with such a cream for a whole month.
9. In summer, rowan leaves will be useful;they should be crushed and used for application in a pasty state.The duration of therapy is 10 days.
10. Mix the string, chamomile and dried violet in equal proportions.Pour 1 liter of boiling water over this mixture.Dip the 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, pure 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.Subsequently, it will be necessary to disinfect all the things with which the sick person has come into contact.Textiles: Socks and tights will need to be thrown away.Slippers can be washed in warm water, shoes can be treated with vinegar or citric acid from the inside.

This expression of the fungus will need 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.It is necessary to use the drug for another 14 days after all symptoms disappear.
• The use of a special solution has shown 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, the use of tablets and immunostimulants is necessary.Such drugs are prescribed only by a doctor.

Prevention of fungus between the fingers

Fungus treatment is a long and expensive process, so it is necessary to take preventive measures.Prevention consists of the following measures:

1. In 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 made of natural and breathable materials.
2. The inside of the 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 deodorant 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, it will be more difficult for the fungus to develop and the fight against it will be easier.

You should know that the mushroom 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.The fungus between the toes is uncomfortable and rather unpleasant.To take timely measures, you need to know the symptoms and first aid measures.And in order not to delay the elimination of the disease, you should immediately visit a doctor.