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, your immune system weakens and you become 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 affected.Medicine successfully treats this disease, but due to certain circumstances, many prefer to treat themselves.Let's see how to properly treat foot fungus at home.
Types of fungal infections in the feet.
Foot fungus is an infection of the epidermis (outer layer of skin) of the interdigital area of the feet and nail plates, with the possible spread of microscopic fungi throughout the body.The defeat can be caused by:
- yeast mushrooms;
- 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 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.
- With scaly mycosis, the skin turns red and begins to itch, peeling occurs, and the condition becomes painfully itchy.
- The Dyshidrotic form of the fungus is characterized by the formation of watery blisters up to 5 mm in diameter, which gradually fuse together to form ulcers.
- Intertriginous mycosis is the most common type of fungus and occurs in the form of cracks in the skin between the fingers, usually closer to the little finger.It is characterized by intense itching.
What are the causes of mycoses in the legs?
- Many healthy people strive to stay in shape.They visit gyms, beaches, swimming pools and saunas, where fungal organisms multiply rapidly in a warm environment.It is in these public places where fungal infections usually occur.
- When a family uses common household 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 be infected with the fungus.
- The indiscriminate use of medications (glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antibacterials, cytostatics) also causes the risk of developing fungal infections of the feet.
- Foot fungus infection is possible due to occupational factors.Mining workers, people involved in the metallurgical industry, the military, as well as maintenance personnel in baths, saunas and sports complexes are most 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 in the skin, hardness and calluses on the feet, hallux valgus.
- Unfavorable environmental situation.
Foot fungus usually develops in several periods:
- The incubation stage depends on the state of the human immune system.The stronger it is, the later signs of mycosis on 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 home remedies.
- In the third stage, the disease becomes more dangerous: the skin peels off, large lesions form, and the skin begins to gradually exfoliate.The cracks deepen and cause intense pain.The nail plates are deformed.From this period onwards, 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 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, home remedies against fungus can also be used.
There are many ways to get rid of foot fungus at home.Its 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 various 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 eliminate fungus from 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 quickly eliminates the symptoms of mycosis in sore areas, but does not guarantee that there will be no relapses.
Popular recipes
In addition to the main therapy, foot fungus treatment with folk remedies is used.There are many known methods to deal with this problem at home: these are all kinds of antifungal baths, compresses and 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 tablespoons.l.per liter of water.
- Copper sulphate.Using it, you can cope with foot fungus in this way: fry 1 tsp.of this substance in a frying pan until it becomes white, then mix with the same quantity of yellow sulfur and goose fat.Mix the ingredients well and, while it is hot, apply a thin layer of the resulting ointment to your feet.Wash after 40 minutes.
- Using vinegar for fungus is the quickest way to get rid of the problem.Among its types (apple, wine), the most effective is 9% simple vinegar, which is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 8 and 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 a peroxide solution will help cure the fungus.To do this, you must 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.l.peroxide, soak a piece of gauze and wrap your feet with it.Leave it on for an hour and 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 your feet.Wait until it is absorbed, put on socks and leave them on overnight and wash your feet in the morning.Garlic juice has a similar effect on fungi.
- It is also effective to use celandine against fungi.Its juice (5 drops) is mixed with half a teaspoon of calendula alcohol tincture and 5 drops of oregano juice, plus a teaspoon of water.The resulting mixture is used to treat the affected areas of the legs without rinsing.
Care and hygiene standards.
By using medicated compresses and foot baths for fungus at home along with prescribed medications, you can get rid of them quite quickly.Likewise, special care must be taken with 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 must be treated with special products (vinegar and mustard powder are enough).If possible, it should be replaced with products made from natural materials.After each use, the shoes should be placed on the balcony to ventilate.If it gets wet, be sure to dry it completely and change the insoles more frequently.
During the period of fungal illness, you should not visit the pool, saunas, beaches or wear 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 shoe insoles, as well as treat them with vinegar.This also applies to rubber bathroom mats.This is done to destroy fungal spores that can reappear or infect other people's feet.
Prevention of relapses and reinfections.
To avoid reinfection of the feet with a fungal infection and get rid of it forever, it is worth paying special attention to foot hygiene.To do this, you must remember a few simple rules:
- wear only your own shoes and clothing;
- choose shoes made from 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 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.