Modern man, affected by physical inactivity and air pollution, uses dozens of harmful food additives that are detrimental to health.As a result, his immune system weakens and he becomes more susceptible to latent infections.More than 20% of the world's population suffers from dermatomycoses, or fungal infections.The legs are especially often affected.Medical science successfully treats this disease, but due to certain conditions, many people prefer to treat it on their own.Let’s look at how to properly treat foot fungus at home.
Types of Fungal Infections in the Feet
Fungus on the feet is an infection of the epidermis (outer layer of skin) in the interdigital area and nail plate, and microscopic fungi may spread further throughout the body.Reasons for failure may be:
- yeast fungi;
- mold;
- Dermatophytes.
But generally this disease is called dermatomycosis.
The tell-tale signs of fungus depend on the strain causing it.Types of fungal diseases:
- Onychomycosis - This disease affects the nail plate and progresses in different ways.In the first case, the toenails become discolored, cracked and thickened.With atrophy, the nail plate is completely destroyed and the skin beneath it becomes hardened.
- With scaly mycosis, the skin turns 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 up to 5 mm in diameter, which gradually merge with each other to form ulcers.
- Intertriginous mycosis is the most common type of fungus and occurs in the form of cracks in the skin between the toes, usually near the little toe.Characterized by severe itching.
What are the causes of mycoses on the legs?
- Many healthy people strive to stay in shape. They visit fitness clubs, beaches, swimming pools and saunas, where mycotic organisms multiply quickly 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. One carrier of the fungus can infect the entire family.
- Weakened immunity contributes to the spread of mycoses of the legs in older people. Statistics show that men are more likely to become infected with the fungus.
- Drug abuse (glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, antimicrobials, cytostatics) also contributes to the risk of fungal infections of the feet.
- Fungal infections of the feet are possible due to occupational factors.Mining workers, people in the metallurgical industry, military personnel, and maintenance staff of bathhouses, saunas, and sports venues are more susceptible to infection.
- A person's lifestyle and presence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, vascular and somatic diseases, endocrine disorders (especially excessive sweating), osteoarthritis, and excess weight.
- Skin cuts and micro-tears, corns and calluses on feet, bunions.
- Environmental conditions are unfavorable.
Fungus on the feet usually develops in several stages:
- The incubation period depends on the state of the body's immune system.The stronger it is, the later signs of foot fungus will appear.
- After the incubation period, it is characterized by redness, itching and microfissures in the skin.Sometimes swelling occurs in the legs.At this stage, the progression of the infection can be stopped with simple folk remedies.
- In the third stage, the disease becomes more dangerous: the skin peels off, large lesions form, and the skin gradually begins to fall off.The crack deepens, causing significant pain.Deformation of the nail plate.From this period onwards, treatment becomes complex and lengthy.
- Chronic forms of mycosis often recur and can last for years.If the fungus has progressed to this extent, you should seek medical attention immediately to avoid irreversible consequences of the disease.
How to Treat Foot Fungus at Home
Only after a qualified diagnosis (scraping, strain study, microscopic examination) can a specialist prescribe an effective method to combat foot fungus.In addition to medical treatments, folk remedies can also be used to combat fungi.
There are many ways to get rid of foot fungus at home.They have the advantage of being affordable and having minimal contraindications.But even harmless folk remedies should be used in conjunction with basic medicines after consulting a doctor.
The most effective antifungal drugs
Fungi are available in a variety of dosage forms, including tablets, suppositories, creams, ointments and suspensions, sprays and lotions, and have bactericidal properties that prevent bacterial growth.If the disease is in its early stages, these products can quickly remove the fungus from affected skin.
Usually, in the complex treatment of foot mycosis, the following drugs are used:
- Foot Fungus Tablets;
- Antifungal ointment, apply to the sore area twice daily.
In addition to drug treatment, there is an innovative method of treating fungi - the hardware method, which can quickly eliminate the symptoms of fungal disease in sore areas, but does not guarantee that it will not recur.
folk recipes
In addition to the main treatments, folk remedies are also used to treat foot fungus.There are many known ways to solve this problem at home: these are various baths, compresses and antifungal masks based on natural substances.
Among them, the most effective ones for treating fungal diseases 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 them overnight.
- The bath contains 1.5 tablespoons of sea salt.Lake water per liter.
- Copper sulfate.Using it, you can treat foot fungus like this: Fry a teaspoon.Fry this substance in a frying pan until white, then mix it with equal parts of yellow sulfur and goose fat.Mix the ingredients thoroughly and apply the resulting ointment thinly to the feet while still hot.Wash off after 40 minutes.
- Treating fungus with vinegar is the quickest way to solve this problem.Among its types (apples, wine), the most effective is simple 9% vinegar, diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 8, used as a lukewarm bath, 4-5 times a day for 2-3 days.
- Baking soda paste can also help fight foot fungus.Apply it to the affected area of your feet and leave it on for 20 minutes, then wash it off.You can also mix baking soda with salt and apply it to your feet.
- Applying a hydrogen peroxide solution to your feet can help cure fungus.To do this, you should first steam your feet in warm water.Then make a solution of 1 liter of water using 1 teaspoon.soda water and 2 tbsp.Soak the gauze with hydrogen peroxide and wrap your feet with it.Leave on for an hour, then rinse.
- Onion recipes will help you solve this problem.Grate 2 large onions on a coarse grater, squeeze the juice from the pulp and apply to feet.Wait until it's absorbed, put on socks and leave them on overnight, then wash them off your feet in the morning.Garlic juice has a similar effect on fungi.
- Using celandine is also effective against fungi.Mix its juice (5 drops) with half a teaspoon of calendula alcohol tincture, 5 drops of oregano juice, and a teaspoon of water.The resulting mixture is used to treat the affected areas of the legs without rinsing.
care and hygiene rules
You can get rid of fungus quickly by treating it at home with medicated compresses and foot baths, along with prescription medications.Also, special care of the feet should be taken during this period to maintain skin condition and promote recovery.
Wear disposable gloves before treating fungal infected feet and nail areas.
Shoes should be treated with special products (vinegar and mustard powder will do).If possible, they should be replaced with products made from natural materials.After each wear, shoes should be placed on the balcony to ventilate.If it gets wet, be sure to dry it completely and replace the insoles more often.
During a fungal epidemic, do not go to swimming pools, saunas, beaches, or use other people's shoes, slippers, or towels to avoid spreading the fungus to other family members.After recovery, it is recommended to throw away old socks, replace insoles, and treat them with vinegar.This also applies to rubber mats in bathrooms.This is done to eliminate fungal spores that may come back or infect other people's feet.
Prevent relapse and reinfection
To avoid getting a fungal infection on your feet again and get rid of it for good, special attention should be paid to foot hygiene.To do this, you need to remember some simple rules:
- Wear only your own shoes and clothing;
- Choose shoes made from natural materials;
- Don’t leave your steaming feet in your shoes;
- Wash your feet regularly, preferably in the morning, before going to bed and after going out;
- Take care of your shoes: dry them from the inside out and treat them regularly with a special deodorant;
- Supports immunity.
Feet require regular care and attention.Any discomfort in the legs and external changes in the area should be reason to see a specialist.