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, the immune system is weakened and becomes more vulnerable to infections that lurk at all times.More than 20% of the world's population is infected with dermatomycosis, or a fungal infection.The feet are especially often affected.Medicine successfully treats this disease, but due to certain circumstances, many choose to treat themselves.Let's see how to properly treat toenail 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 the skin) of the interdigital zone of the foot and the nail plate, with the possibility of spreading the microscopic fungus further throughout the body.Losses may be caused by:
- yeast fungi;
- mold;
- dermatophytes.
But in general 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 plate, and it develops in different ways.In the first case, the toenail changes color, breaks and thickens.With atrophy, the nail plate is completely destroyed, and the skin under it hardens.
- With scaly mycosis, the skin becomes 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 big toe.Characterized by severe itching.
What are the causes of mycoses on the feet?
- 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.It is in public places that fungal infections usually occur.
- When the family uses normal household shoes, towels, bath and shower mats, and hygiene products.One fungus carrier can infect the whole family.
- Weak immunity contributes to the spread of foot mycoses in the elderly.Statistics show that men are more likely to be infected with fungus.
- Indiscriminate use of drugs (glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antibacterials, cytostatic drugs) also causes the risk of getting mycotic infections on the feet.
- Fungal infections on the feet may be caused by 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 exposed 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, overweight.
- Cuts and micro cracks on the skin, corns and calluses on the feet, hallux valgus.
- Unfavorable environmental conditions.
Fungus on the feet usually develops in several periods:
- The stage of incubation depends on the state of the human immune system.The stronger, the longer the 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 in the legs.At this stage, the development of the infection can be easily stopped, even with 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.The crack deepens, causing significant pain.The nail plate changes shape.Starting from this period, the treatment will be complex and protracted.
- The chronic form of mycosis is full of frequent relapses and can last for several years.If the fungus has grown to such a level, you should immediately see a doctor to avoid the consequences of an irreparable disease.
How to cure athlete's foot at home
Only after conducting qualified diagnostics (scraping, studying strains, microscopy), a specialist can prescribe an effective way to combat foot fungus.In addition to drug therapy, folk remedies can also be used against fungi.
There are many ways to get rid of toenail fungus at home.Their advantages are reasonable prices and minimal contraindications.But harmless folk remedies should be used in combination with basic medicines in consultation with a doctor.
The most effective antifungal agent
There are several dosage forms for fungus in the form of tablets, suppositories, creams, ointments and suspensions, sprays and lotions with fungicidal properties that inhibit bacterial growth.This product can quickly remove the fungus from the affected skin if the disease is in the early stages.
Usually, in the complex treatment of foot mycoses, the following drugs are used:
- tablets for athlete's foot;
- antifungal ointment, which is used 2 times a day on the sore spot.
In addition to drug therapy, there are innovative methods of treating fungus - hardware methods that eliminate the symptoms of mycosis in the diseased area quickly, but do not guarantee that it will not recur.
Folk recipes
In addition to the main therapy, the treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies is used.There are many known methods to deal with this problem at home: these are all kinds of anti-fungal baths, compresses and masks based on natural ingredients.
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 in gauze soaked in this solution and leave overnight.
- A bath containing sea salt at the rate of 1.5 tablespoons.l.per liter of water.
- Copper sulfate.Using it, you can overcome foot fungus like this: fry 1 tsp.this material in a pan until white, then mix with an equal 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.
- Baking soda paste will also help fight foot fungus.It is applied to the affected leg and left for 20 minutes, then washed off.You can also mix baking soda with salt and apply the same to your feet.
- Foot compresses with a peroxide solution will help cure the fungus.To do this, you need to steam your feet first in a warm water bath.Then prepare a solution of 1 liter of water with 1 teaspoon.soda and 2 tbsp.l.peroxide, soak a gauze pad and wrap your feet in it.Leave it for an hour, then rinse.
- Onion recipes will help you overcome this 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 it overnight, and wash 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 alcohol 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 leg area without rinsing.
Care and hygiene rules
By using medicated compresses and foot baths for fungus at home along with prescribed medications, you can get rid of it 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 fungal infection, put disposable gloves on your hands first.
Shoes should be treated with special products (vinegar and mustard powder will do).If possible, it should be replaced with products made from natural ingredients.After each use, the shoes should be placed on the balcony for ventilation.If it gets wet, make sure it is completely dry and change the insole more often.
During the period of fungal disease, you should not visit swimming pools, saunas, beaches, or use other people's shoes, slippers, or towels, so as not to infect other family members with fungi.After recovery, it is advisable to throw away the 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 other people's feet.
Prevention of recurrence and reinfection
To prevent re-infection of the feet with fungal infections and get rid of them forever, you should pay special attention to foot hygiene.To do this, you need to remember a few simple rules:
- wear your shoes and clothes only;
- choose shoes made of natural materials;
- do not let steaming feet be in shoes;
- wash your feet often, preferably in the morning, before going to bed and after going outside;
- take care of your shoes: dry them from the inside, treat them periodically with a special deodorant;
- supports immunity.
Feet need regular care and attention.Any discomfort in the legs and external changes in their area should be a reason to visit a specialist.