Modern people suffer from physical inactivity and the effects of polluted air, and the use of dozens of harmful food additives does not help health.As a result, his immune system is weakened and susceptible to lurking infections wherever he goes.More than 20% of the world's population is infected with dermatological or fungal infections.Legs are especially often affected.Medicine has successfully treated this disease, but due to certain circumstances, many people prefer self-treatment.Let's see how to properly treat foot fungus at home.
Types of fungal infections of the feet
The appearance of fungus on the feet is an infection of the epidermis (outer layer of skin) of the interdigital area of the foot and the nail plates, with the possibility of microscopic fungal spread throughout the body.Failure can be due to:
- yeast;
- mold;
- dermatological cells.
But in general this disease is called dermatosis.
Visible signs of fungus depend on the strain of fungus causing 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 underneath hardens.
- With tinea capitis, the skin turns red and begins to itch, peeling occurs and the condition turns to painful itching.
- The dyshidrotic form of the fungus is characterized by the formation of blisters up to 5 mm in diameter, which gradually fuse with each other to form ulcers.
- Interstitial athlete's foot is the most common type of fungus, appearing as cracks in the skin between the toes, usually closer to the little toe.Characterized by intense itching.
What causes foot fungus?
- Many healthy people try to stay in shape.They visit fitness clubs, beaches, swimming pools and saunas, where fungal organisms multiply rapidly in warm environments.It is in these public places that fungal infections often occur.
- When a family shares shoes, towels, bath and shower mats, and hygiene products.One person carrying the fungus can infect the whole family.
- Weakened immunity contributes to the spread of athlete's foot in older adults.Statistics show that men are more likely to get fungal infections.
- Indiscriminate use of drugs (glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressants, antibacterial drugs, cytostatic drugs) also poses a risk of developing fungal infections of the feet.
- Fungal foot infections can occur due to occupational factors.Miners, those working in the metallurgical industry, the military, as well as maintenance staff 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, diseases of the blood vessels and body, endocrine disorders (especially excessive sweating), osteoarthritis, overweight.
- Small cuts and cracks in the skin, corns and calluses on the feet, valgus.
- Environmental conditions are not favorable.
Fungus on the feet often develops in several periods:
- The incubation period depends on the state of the human immune system.The stronger it is, the later signs of fungal disease in the feet will appear.
- The post-incubation period is characterized by redness, itching, and small cracks.Sometimes there is swelling of the legs.At this stage, the development of infection can be prevented with simple, even folk remedies.
- In the third stage, the disease becomes more dangerous: the skin peels off, large lesions form and the skin begins to gradually peel off.The cracks become deeper and deeper, causing significant pain.The nail plate is deformed.Starting from this stage, treatment will be complex and lengthy.
- The chronic form of mycosis usually recurs frequently and can last several years.If the fungus has progressed to this level, you should consult a doctor immediately to avoid irreparable consequences of the disease.
How to treat foot fungus at home
Only after conducting a qualified diagnosis (scraping, strain study, microscopy) can a specialist prescribe effective means to combat foot fungus.In addition to drug treatment, folk remedies can also be used to treat fungus.
There are many ways to get rid of foot fungus at home.Their advantages are affordable price and minimal contraindications.But even harmless folk remedies should be used in combination with basic medications in consultation with a doctor.
The most effective antifungal medicine
There are several mushroom dosage forms in the form of tablets, suppositories, creams, ointments and suspensions, sprays and lotions that have fungicidal properties that help prevent bacterial growth.These products can quickly clear the fungus from the affected skin if the disease is in its early stages.
Most often, in the complex treatment of foot fungus, the following drugs are used:
- foot fungus treatment tablets;
- antifungal ointment, apply twice a day to the painful area.
In addition to drug treatment, there is also an advanced method of treating fungus - hardware method that helps to quickly eliminate the symptoms of fungus in the painful area, but does not guarantee a recurrence.
Folk recipes
In addition to the main treatment method, we also use folk remedies to treat foot fungus.There are many known methods for solving this problem at home: these are antifungal baths, compresses and masks based on natural substances.
Among them, the most effective ways to treat fungal diseases are:
- Potassium permanganate solution.You should steam your feet in a warm bath before going to bed, then wrap them with gauze soaked in this solution and leave overnight.
- Bath containing sea salt at a rate of 1.5 tablespoons.I.per liter of water.
- Copper sulfate.Using it, you can deal with foot fungus like this: fry 1 tsp.Put this substance in a frying pan until white, then mix with the same amount of yellow sulfur and goose fat.Mix the ingredients thoroughly and, while still warm, apply a thin layer of the resulting ointment to your feet.Wash off after 40 minutes.
- Using vinegar to treat fungus is the fastest way to get rid of the problem.Among its varieties (apple, wine), the most effective is simple 9% vinegar, diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 8, used in warm steam baths 4-5 times a day for 2-3 days.
- The baking soda mixture 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 the same on your feet.
- Compressing your feet with a peroxide solution will help cure the fungus.To do this, you should first steam your feet in a warm bath.Then prepare a solution of 1 liter of water with 1 tsp.soda and 2 tbsp.I.peroxide, soak the gauze and wrap the leg with it.Leave for an hour, then rinse.
- Onion recipes will help you cope with the problem.Grind 2 large onions on a coarse grinder, squeeze the juice from the pulp and apply to your feet.Wait until it's completely absorbed, put on socks and leave overnight, then wash 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 calendula tincture and 5 drops of oregano juice, as well as a teaspoon of water.The resulting mixture is used to treat affected areas of the legs without rinsing.
Rules of care and hygiene
By using at-home antifungal compresses and foot soaks along with prescribed medications, you can recover fairly quickly.In addition, special attention should be paid to the feet to maintain the condition of the skin during this period as well as promote recovery.
Before treating fungally infected areas of the feet and nails, first put disposable gloves on your hands.
Shoes should be treated with special products (vinegar and mustard powder will do).If possible, replace with products made from natural ingredients.After each wearing of shoes, place them on the balcony for ventilation.If it gets wet, be sure to dry it completely and change the insole more often.
During the period of fungal disease, you should not go to the swimming pool, sauna, beach or use other people's shoes, sandals, or towels to avoid spreading the fungus to other family members.After recovery, you should throw out old socks and replace shoe inserts, and treat them with vinegar.This also applies to rubber mats in the bathroom.This is done to kill fungal spores that could recur or infect another person's feet.
Prevention of relapse and reinfection
To avoid re-infection with athlete's foot and recover permanently, you should pay special attention to foot hygiene.To do this, you need to remember a few simple rules:
- only bring your own shoes and clothes;
- choose shoes made from natural materials;
- Do not leave your feet steamed in shoes;
- Wash your feet regularly, preferably in the morning, before going to bed and after returning from outside;
- care for your shoes: dry from the inside, periodically treat 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.