Throughout our lives, we often encounter various diseases.Some of them are dangerous and require immediate treatment.And there are those that do not seem to cause much damage to health, and sometimes we live with them for years without taking any measures to get rid of the disease.These diseases include foot skin fungus and toenail fungus.
In fact, they cannot be called mortal.However, it is necessary to combat them because, firstly, they slowly "weaken" the immune system, destroying the body's defense system, and secondly, they do not have a pleasant aesthetic appearance, which gives rise to entire complexes in the infected person.How to recognize foot fungus?Let's take a look at the main signs of foot fungus.
Fungus on the skin of the feet: how it can manifest
The first signs of a fungus that has "settled" on the feet can sometimes go unnoticed for a long time, especially if a person has a fairly strong immune system and the body tries to cope with the "foreign" invader on its own for a certain period of time.Signs of foot fungus include:
- skin redness, itching;
- blisters or blisters on the feet;
- cracked heels that take a long time to heal.
Most often, the first symptoms manifest themselves as follows: the skin between the fingers begins to itch, pimples appear and the skin turns red.The person experiences intense itching that worsens at night.No cream or bath with medicinal herbs helps to cope with the problem.I am concerned about severe peeling of the skin.
Sometimes the fungus “attacks” from the heels.In this case, cracked heels cannot be cured with home remedies or pharmaceutical remedies.If you encounter this problem, know that they are signs of a fungal infection and not simply the result of scratching or slight inflammation after, for example, rubbing your feet in uncomfortable shoes.
Toenail fungus requires mandatory treatment.The carrier of the disease not only risks contracting an additional infection, which can easily penetrate through damaged skin, but also becomes a carrier of the disease.It is not uncommon for foot fungus symptoms to be seen in literally every family member who lives together.
Signs of foot fungus should not be ignored.However, it is not always possible to recognize the disease on your own, especially when itching and other unpleasant manifestations have just begun.Therefore, if suspicious symptoms appear, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist.He knows how to identify foot fungus and what methods should be used to combat it.
How to recognize and what to do.
So, we know what the manifestations of foot fungus are and now we will examine ourselves carefully, especially after frequent visits to swimming pools or saunas.
There is another type of disease that, unfortunately, does not immediately attract the victim's attention.This is a nail fungus.
Sometimes foot fungus spreads to the nail plate and it is necessary to treat both the skin and the nail at the same time.But it happens that a person only observes damage to the nail, while the skin remains clean.How does nail fungus start?
Once you decide to take a foot bath, you may notice a slight change in the color of your nail plate.Very often, only one nail is affected at first: the one on the thumb.The nail looks yellowish and dull.Normally, the color of the nail is pink, the plate is quite thin, but there is no increased brittleness or brittleness.If the fungus “visits” you, the nail:
- turns yellow (usually from the edges);
- thickens significantly;
- There are strange spots on the plate.
Carefully examine neighboring fingers: are there similar changes there?How does the fungus appear at first?If there is no concomitant disease of the skin of the feet, it may remain only a cosmetic defect for a long time: there is no itching or pain, there is no discomfort.In this case, the person does not pay attention to the symptoms, thinking that the nail was simply damaged by wearing, for example, excessively narrow shoes.How do you know if it is a fungus?
You yourself will not be able to determine the disease with 100% accuracy.Furthermore, not even a doctor needs a visual examination to make a diagnosis.If you suspect the fungal nature of the disease, you will refer the patient for testing.The nail plate will be scraped;This is the only way to detect the presence of a pathogenic fungus.
Signs of foot fungus are a gradual deterioration of the situation: without treatment, the affected nail begins to change more and more.The yellowish color covers increasingly larger areas.Then you will be able to see:
- inflammation of the skin near the nail;
- further color change: to greenish, gray and even black;
- increased fragility and frailty.
Although the nail becomes very thick and difficult to cut with nail scissors, it crumbles.Small pieces may break.
If you continue to pretend that nothing is happening, the fungus can "move" to neighboring fingers.In addition, the appearance of sharp edges as a result of the periodic detachment of pieces of the nail causes a complication called “ingrown toenail.”The sharp edge gradually cuts and grows into the skin on the side, causing the person to suffer when walking.The skin becomes red and inflamed.
Over time, toenails become thicker and change color.A person experiences great discomfort due to the inability to visit the pool and wear open shoes in the summer.
How can you get infected?
If you find suspicious signs in yourself, remember if you have recently been in a sauna or bathhouse.The fungus "loves" a warm, humid environment;it is very convenient for him to breed there.
Maybe you tried on shoes in a store without “brands” or not long ago a friend gave you her sandals, which she wore, but then bought new ones?Or do you often exchange slippers at home with members of your household?
Any of these cases can trigger an infection.A microscopic crack or wound is enough for fungal spores to penetrate the skin or nail.At the same time, the person who “infected” you with the disease may not even suspect that he is its carrier: if you have a strong immune system, the fungus will not bother you.
If you think you have contracted a fungus, the first thing you should do is visit a dermatologist.You should not self-medicate: first of all, there are different pathogens that are sensitive to different drugs.Secondly, perhaps it is not a fungus at all, but another disease.In both cases, self-medication may not give results or "deepen" the disease and then it will be difficult to cope with it.
This is especially true in the case of nail fungus.Sometimes dystrophic changes in the nail plate, which can appear as a result of wearing tight shoes that cause deformation of the nail, can be confused with fungus.Another reason for changes not related to fungal infection is venous disease, which causes a deterioration in the blood supply.As a result, the nail becomes brittle, the color changes and the person, believing that he has become infected, begins intensive treatment with gels and varnishes.Naturally, that “treatment” will be ineffective.
What to do if you suspect a fungus
If suspicious symptoms appear, you should not go to the pharmacy for medicine, but visit a doctor and get tested.Until the reasons are established, it is necessary to take special care not to become a source of infection for others: refuse to visit the pool or sauna and do not wear other people's shoes.
If a pathogenic fungus is diagnosed, you will need to undergo treatment.If the skin is affected, it will take one to two months;if there are problems with the nail plates, it can take up to a year.If the disease has progressed enough, it may be necessary to take antifungal medications internally along with external agents.
Be attentive to yourself: any disease is easier to cure at the initial stage.This also applies to fungal infections.Be healthy!