How to independently recognize foot fungus in the early stages

Skin fungal infections are common.They develop as a result of infection with anthropophilic and zooanthropophilic fungi.You can become infected through personal contact by visiting public baths and saunas, swimming pools and gyms.Fungal pathologies have characteristic clinical manifestations, but not everyone knows what foot mycosis looks like, therefore few people consult a doctor in the early stages.This contributes to the spread of infection.

Symptoms of skin lesions on toes

The first changes caused by a fungal infection are difficult to notice: they do not cause pathological changes in the affected area and do not create discomfort.With a strong immune system, the infection at this stage may clear up on its own;with a decrease in the body's defenses, it will develop and move to the next stage.At this stage, mealy detachments form in the interdigital area.The skin becomes red, dry and cracks.This process is accompanied by severe itching.Feet and heels look healthy.

Symptoms of a fungal infection on toenails

Affected nails look specific, so it is not difficult to recognize the beginning of an infection.The pathological process develops according to the following scenario:

1. The nail plates thicken, their color changes: the pale pink tint disappears and a yellowish-gray color appears.
2. A space appears between the stock and the plate.
3. The nail plate gradually begins to peel off, its edges become brittle.They gradually collapse and collapse.
4. Severe itching occurs in the affected area.It distracts you from daily activities.
5. Irritation and redness form on the skin between the fingers, then painful cracks.
6. The affected area gives off an unpleasant sour odor.

It becomes difficult to cut your nails with regular nail scissors.They cannot be treated with a nail file or special tweezers: the plates crumble.

Symptoms of fungus on the soles of the feet

It is more difficult to determine the signs of foot fungus yourself.The development of the infection causes the appearance of formations on the sole that resemble calluses.The appearance of other symptoms is associated with the form of course of the disease.

It all starts with the scaly form.At this stage, the infection spreads to the entire sole.The skin becomes rough and horny, begins to actively peel off and itches badly.Outwardly, the foot looks like the result of a lack of regular (neglected) pedicure.

Then the hyperkeratotic form develops.During its course, gray thickenings form on the arches.They peel off a lot at the edges.Deep cracks appear in place of old calluses.This process causes intense pain.Doctors call this phenomenon “moccasin foot.”If you look at the sole of the affected foot from above, it seems that a thick yellow-gray insole is stuck to it.The fungal infection spreads to the interdigital space and nails.They change color, peel off and fall apart.

Dyshidrotic form.It is characterized by the appearance on the skin of the feet of blisters filled with a cloudy liquid.This is only possible in advanced forms of infection.When the bubbles collapse, oozing erosions appear in their place, which constantly ooze.Pathogenic bacteria easily enter open wounds.The secondary infection considerably worsens the patient's condition;in this case, it is very difficult to diagnose a fungal infection by external manifestations: the symptoms are similar to the clinical picture of eczema or psoriasis.

Clinical signs of the fungus by stage of the disease

It can take 3 to 14 days from the time of infection to the first symptoms appearing.The duration of the incubation period largely depends on the type of fungus that caused the formation of characteristic symptoms (yeast, mold or Candida fungi) and the state of the immune system.

In its development, a fungal infection goes through three stages:

1. At the initial stage, redness of the affected area, dry skin and peeling are observed.The patient feels slight itching.
2. The intermediate stage is characterized by the spread of the infection to the entire foot.
3. In advanced forms, damage to the nail plates is observed, the skin of the feet becomes covered with cracks, and the stratum corneum separates into large layers.

If there is no etiotropic treatment, the infection enters the chronic phase.It is characterized by alternating remissions and exacerbations.

Differential diagnosis

Diagnosis of the disease begins with an examination of the foot by a dermatologist and anamnesis.Based on their results, the doctor prescribes additional laboratory tests.

Must be done:

1. Scraping the affected area and subsequent microscopy (with its help, the fungal nature of the infection is confirmed).
2. Sow the extracted biological material in special nutrient media.Colonies of pathogenic microorganisms cultivated in this way make it possible to identify the causative agent of the disease and determine its sensitivity to modern antifungal drugs.Based on this laboratory test, a drug treatment regimen is established.

Fungal skin infections must be differentiated from vitiligo, seborrhea, psoriasis, syphilitic leukoderma and neurodermatitis.For these purposes, examination of the skin under Wood's lamp and PCR are used.

How to fight foot fungus

To combat fungal infections, the following products are used:

• antifungal ointments;
• antimycotics tablets;
• traditional medicine.

Ointments are applied to the affected areas twice a day;first of all, the skin of the feet must be steamed and cleaned of the stratum corneum.The duration of taking the tablets is determined by the attending physician.Typically, treatment for the early stages of infection lasts no more than a month;advanced forms are processed within six months.Traditional medicine can significantly speed up the healing process.Doctors recommend their patients to take note of the following recipes.

Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide baths.You need to pour water with a temperature of 37 degrees into a basin, add 20 grams of table vinegar there, then put your feet in the water and warm them for twenty minutes.After that, you need to remove the stratum corneum with pumice, wipe your feet and smear the affected areas of the skin with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide.At the end of the procedure, the affected areas are lubricated with an antifungal cream prescribed by the doctor.

Salt baths and celandine juice.The feet are pre-steamed in saline solution (one teaspoon per liter of water), then lubricated with celandine juice prepared from fresh leaves and grass stems.The procedure ends with the application of an antifungal medication.

Soda baths (20 grams of powder per two liters of water) can relieve inflammation and stimulate ulcer healing.The feet are steamed for fifteen minutes, wiped with a towel and treated with etiotropic ointment.

It is important throughout the treatment to thoroughly disinfect all surfaces with which sore feet come into contact (shoes, clothing, bedding).After treating the affected areas of the skin, you should wash your hands thoroughly, and then treat them with any liquid antiseptic.Violation of the number of drugs taken and their dosage will lead to increased sensitivity of pathogenic microflora, the need to prolong treatment and make certain changes to tablets and ointments.

To prevent relapses, it is important to prevent reinfection.Wear only dry shoes, choose socks made from natural fabrics and use only personal pedicure accessories.