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 contribute to health.Therefore, his immune system weakens and he becomes more prone to infections that lurk at every corner.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 fungi on the feet is an infection of the epidermis (outer layer of the skin) of the interdigital area of the feet and nails, with the possible spread of microscopic fungi throughout the body.Defeat can be caused by:
- yeast mushrooms;
- mold;
- dermatophytes.
But in general this disease is called dermatomycosis.
The visible signs of the fungus depend on the strain causing it.Types of mycosis:
- Onychomycosis: This disease affects the nails and 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 hardens.
- With scaly mycosis, the skin turns red and begins to itch, scaling 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 and appears as cracks in the skin between the toes, usually closest to the little toe.Characterized by severe itching.
What are the causes of leg mycosis?
- Many healthy people make an effort to stay fit.They frequent fitness clubs, beaches, swimming pools and saunas, where fungal organisms multiply rapidly 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.A carrier of the fungus can infect the entire family.
- Weakened immunity contributes to the spread of mycosis of the legs in older people.Statistics show that men are more likely to contract the fungus.
- The indiscriminate use of drugs (glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antibacterials, cytostatics) also carries the risk of developing fungal infections on the feet.
- Fungal infection of the feet is possible due to professional factors.Miners, people involved in the metallurgical industry, military personnel, as well as maintenance personnel of baths, saunas and sports complexes are most often susceptible to infections.
- A person's lifestyle and the presence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, vascular and somatic diseases, endocrine disorders (especially excessive sweating), arthrosis, 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 phase depends on the state of the human immune system.The stronger it is, the later the signs of foot mycosis 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 in the legs.At this stage, the development of the infection can be stopped with simple, even folk remedies.
- In 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.The nail plates are deformed.From this period the treatment will be complex and prolonged.
- The chronic form of mycosis is fraught with frequent relapses and can last for several years.If the fungus has progressed to this 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 (scraping, study of stumps, microscopy), a specialist can prescribe effective means to combat foot fungi.In addition to drug therapy, folk remedies can also be used against fungi.
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 after consulting a doctor.
The most effective antifungal agents
There are numerous dosage forms for fungi 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 fungi from the affected skin if the disease is in its early stages.
Typically, in the complex treatment of foot mycosis, the following drugs are used:
- foot fungus tablets;
- 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 quickly eliminates the symptoms of mycosis in painful areas, but does not guarantee that there will be no relapses.
Popular recipes
In addition to the main therapy, treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies is used.There are many known methods of dealing with this problem at home - these are all kinds of antifungal baths, compresses and masks based on natural substances.
Among these, the most effective for the treatment of mycosis are the following:
- Potassium permanganate solution.It is recommended to bathe 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 tablespoons.the.per liter of water.
- Copper sulphate.Using it, you can cope with foot fungus like this: fry 1 tsp.of this substance in a pan until white, then mix with the same amount of yellow sulfur and goose fat.Mix the ingredients thoroughly and, while they are warm, apply a thin layer of the resulting ointment to your feet.Wash off after 40 minutes.
- Using vinegar for mushrooms is the fastest way to eliminate 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 baking soda paste will also help fight 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 on your feet.
- A foot compress with a peroxide solution will help cure the fungus.To do this, you should first steam your feet in a warm water bath.Then prepare a solution of 1 liter of water with 1 tsp.soda and 2 tbsp.the.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 the juice from the resulting pulp and apply it to the feet.Wait until it is absorbed, put on socks and leave it on overnight, then wash it off your feet in the morning.Garlic juice has a similar effect on mushrooms.
- It is also effective to use celandine against fungi.Its juice (5 drops) is mixed with half a teaspoon of alcoholic tincture of calendula 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.
Rules of care and hygiene
Using medicinal compresses and foot baths against fungus at home along with prescribed medications, you can get rid of them quite quickly.Additionally, special attention should be paid to the feet to maintain skin condition during this period, as well as aid recovery.
Before treating areas of the feet and nails affected by a fungal infection, first put disposable gloves on your hands.
Shoes need to 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 use, the 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 throw away old socks and replace shoe insoles, as well as 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 other people's feet.
Prevention of relapses and re-infections
To avoid reinfection 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 smoking feet to be in shoes;
- wash your feet regularly, preferably in the morning, before going to bed and after going 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.