Modern man is susceptible to physical inactivity and the influence of a polluted atmosphere, and the use of dozens of harmful additives in food does not contribute to health.Because of this, his immune system weakens and he becomes more and more prone to infections that lurk at every turn.More than 20% of the world's population is infected with dermatomycosis, i.e. fungal infections.Legs are especially often affected.Medicine successfully treats this disease, but due to certain circumstances, many people prefer to treat themselves.Let's see how to properly treat foot fungus at home.
Types of fungal foot infections
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 along the body.Defeat can be caused by:
- yeast fungi;
- mould;
- dermatophytes.
But generally this disease is called dermatomycosis.
The visible signs of the fungus depend on the strain that causes it.Types of mycosis:
- Onychomycosis - this disease affects the nail plates 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 under it hardens.
- In scaly mycosis, the skin becomes red and starts to itch, peeling occurs, and the condition turns into a painful itch.
- The dyshidrotic form of the fungus is characterized by the formation of water bubbles with a diameter of up to 5 mm, which gradually merge with each other and form ulcers.
- Intertriginous mycosis is the most common type of fungus, which appears in the form of cracks in the skin between the fingers, usually closer to the little finger.It is characterized by severe itching.
What are the causes of mycosis on the legs?
- Many healthy people strive to stay in shape.They visit fitness clubs, beaches, swimming pools and saunas, where mycotic organisms multiply rapidly in a warm environment.Fungal infections most often occur in these public places.
- When the family uses normal household shoes, towels, bath and shower mats, as well as hygiene products.One carrier of the fungus can infect the whole family.
- Weakened immunity contributes to the spread of foot mycoses in the elderly.Statistics show that men are more likely to contract the fungus.
- Indiscriminate use of drugs (glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antibacterials, cytostatics) also causes the risk of developing mycotic infections on the feet.
- Fungal infection of the feet is possible due to occupational factors.Mining workers, people involved in the metallurgical industry, the military, as well as maintenance personnel of baths, saunas and sports complexes are more 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 on 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 signs of foot mycosis will appear.
- The period after 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.
- In the third stage, the disease becomes more dangerous: the skin peels off, large lesions form, and the skin gradually begins to peel off.The cracks deepen, causing significant pain.The nail plates are deformed.Starting from this period, the treatment will be complex and long-term.
- The chronic form of mycosis is full of frequent relapses and can last for several years.If the fungus has progressed to such an extent, consult a doctor immediately to avoid irreversible consequences of the disease.
How to cure foot fungus at home
Only after carrying out qualified diagnostics (scraping, study of strains, microscopy), an expert can prescribe effective means to fight foot fungus.Along with 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 medicines in consultation with a doctor.
The most effective antifungal agents
There are a large number of 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 the fungus from the affected skin if the disease is in its early stages.
The following drugs are usually used in the complex treatment of foot mycoses:
- Tablets for athlete's foot;
- antifungal ointment, which is applied 2 times a day to painful places.
In addition to drug therapy, there is also an innovative method of fungal treatment - a hardware method that quickly eliminates the symptoms of mycosis in painful places, but does not guarantee that there will be no recurrence.
Folk recipes
In addition to the main therapy, the treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies is used.There are many well-known methods for solving this problem at home: these are all kinds of anti-fungal baths, compresses and masks based on natural substances.
Among them, the most effective for the treatment of mycosis are the following:
- Potassium permanganate solution.It is recommended to scald your feet in a warm bath before going to bed, then wrap them in gauze soaked in this solution and leave them overnight.
- Baths containing 1.5 tablespoons of sea salt.l.per liter of water.
- Copper sulfate.Using it, you can deal with foot fungus like this: fry 1 tsp.these substances in a pan until they turn white, then mix with the same amount of yellow sulfur and goose fat.Mix the ingredients well and, while they are warm, apply a thin layer of the resulting fat on your feet.Wash off after 40 minutes.
- Using vinegar for fungus is the fastest way to get rid of the problem.Of its types (apple, wine), the most effective is simple 9% vinegar 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.
- Baking soda paste will also help in the fight against 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 to your feet in a similar way.
- Compressing the foot with a peroxide solution will help to treat the fungus.To do this, you must first steam your feet in a tub of warm water.Then prepare a solution of 1 liter of water with 1 tsp.soda and 2 tbsp.l.of peroxide, soak the gauze and wrap your feet with it.Leave it for an hour and then wash it off.
- Recipes with onions will help you deal with the problem.Grate 2 large onions on a coarse grater, squeeze the juice from the resulting pulp and apply to the feet.Wait for it to be absorbed, put on socks and leave overnight, and in the morning wash your feet.Garlic juice has a similar effect on fungi.
- The use of celandine against fungi is also effective.Its juice (5 drops) is mixed with half a teaspoon of alcoholic tincture of calendula and 5 drops of oregano juice, as well as with 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 medicated compresses and foot baths against fungus at home along with prescribed medication, you can get rid of them very quickly.Also, special care should be taken of the feet in order to maintain the condition of the skin during this period, as well as to encourage recovery.
Before treating the areas of the feet and nails affected by the 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, the shoes should be placed on the balcony for ventilation.If it gets wet, be sure to dry it completely and change the pads more often.
During the period of fungal disease, you should not visit the swimming pool, saunas, beaches, or use other people's shoes, slippers or towels, so as not to infect other family members with the fungus.After recovery, it is recommended to get rid of old socks and replace insoles in shoes, and also treat them with vinegar.This also applies to rubber mats in the bathroom.This is done to destroy the fungal spores that can reoccur or infect other people's feet.
Prevention of relapse and re-infection
In order to avoid re-infection of the feet with a fungal infection and get rid of it forever, special attention should be paid to foot hygiene.To do this, you need to remember a few simple rules:
- wear only your own shoes and clothes;
- choose shoes made of natural materials;
- do not allow steaming 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, occasionally treat them with special deodorants;
- they 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.