During our life 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 harm to health, and we sometimes live with them for years without taking any measures to get rid of the disease.These diseases include athlete's foot and toenail fungus.
Indeed, they cannot be called deadly.However, they should be fought, because, first, they slowly "undermine" the immune system, destroying the body's defense system, and second, they do not look aesthetically pleasing, which creates whole complexes in the infected person.How to recognize foot fungus?Let's look at the main signs of foot fungus.
Fungi on the skin of the feet: how they can manifest
The first signs of fungi that have "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 fight the invading "foreigner" on its own.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 severe itching, which worsens at night.No creams or herbal baths help to solve the problem.I am concerned about severe peeling of the skin.
Sometimes fungi "attack" from the heels.In this case, cracks on the heels cannot be cured with folk remedies or pharmaceutical drugs.If you encounter this problem, know that these are signs of a fungal infection, and not just the result of scratching or mild inflammation after, for example, rubbing your feet with uncomfortable shoes.
Toenail fungus requires mandatory treatment.Not only does the carrier of the disease risk contracting an additional infection, which can easily penetrate through the damaged skin, in addition, he also becomes a carrier of the disease.It is not unusual for the symptoms of foot fungus to be observed in literally all members of the family living together.
Signs of foot fungus should not be ignored.However, it is not always possible to independently recognize the disease, especially when itching and other unpleasant manifestations are just at the beginning.Therefore, if suspicious symptoms appear, you should consult a dermatologist.He knows how to recognize foot fungus and what methods should be used to fight 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 attention of the victim.This is nail fungus.
Sometimes the fungus on the feet spreads to the nail plate, so both the skin and the nail must be treated at the same time.But it happens that a person only observes the damage to the nail, while the skin remains clean.How does nail fungus occur?
When you decide to bathe your feet, you may notice a slight change in the color of the nail plate.Most often, only 1 nail is affected at first - the one on the thumb.The nail looks yellow 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:
- yellow (usually from the edges);
- thickens significantly;
- There are strange spots on the plate.
Carefully examine the adjacent fingers: are there similar changes there?How does the fungus first appear?If there is no accompanying foot skin disease, it can remain only a cosmetic defect for a long time: no itching or pain, no discomfort.In this case, the person does not pay attention to the symptoms, thinking that he simply damaged the nail by wearing, for example, excessively tight shoes.How do you know if it's a fungus?
You will not be able to determine the disease yourself with 100% accuracy.Moreover, even a doctor does not need a visual examination to make a diagnosis.If he suspects the fungal nature of the disease, he will refer the patient for tests.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 worsening of the situation: without treatment, the affected nail begins to change more and more.Jaundice covers larger areas.Then you can see:
- inflammation of the skin near the nail;
- further color change - to greenish, gray, even black;
- increased fragility and brittleness.
Although the nail becomes very thick and difficult to trim with nail clippers, it crumbles.Small pieces may break off.
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 occasional separation of the piece from the nail leads to a complication called "ingrown nail".The sharp edge incises and gradually grows into a ring of skin on the side, causing the person to suffer while walking.The skin becomes red and inflamed.
Over time, toenails become thicker and change color.A person experiences significant 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 a bath.The fungus "likes" a warm, moist environment - it is very convenient to breed there.
Maybe you tried on shoes without "characteristics" in the store, or not so long ago a friend gave you her sandals, which she wore and then bought new ones?Or do you often exchange slippers at home with your housemates?
Any of these cases can cause an infection.A microscopic crack or wound is enough for fungal spores to penetrate the skin or nail.At the same time, the one who "gave" you the disease may not suspect that he is the carrier: if he has a strong immune system, the fungus will not bother him.
If you think you have a yeast infection, the first thing you should do is see a dermatologist.You should not self-medicate: first, there are different pathogens that are sensitive to different drugs.Second, it may not be a fungus at all, but another disease.In both cases, self-treatment may not give results, or the disease will "drive" deeper and then it will be difficult to deal with it.
This is especially true for nail fungus.Sometimes dystrophic changes on the nail plate, which can appear as a result of wearing tight shoes that cause nail deformation, can be mistaken for a fungus.Another reason for changes not related to a fungal infection is vein disease, which causes the blood supply to deteriorate.As a result, the nail becomes brittle, its color changes, and the person, believing that it has become infected, begins an intensive treatment with gels and varnishes.Of course, such "treatment" will be ineffective.
What to do if a fungus is suspected
If suspicious symptoms appear, you should not run to the pharmacy to get medicine, but visit a doctor and get tested.Until the reasons are determined, it is necessary to take special care not to become a source of infection for others: refuse to visit the swimming pool or sauna and do not wear other people's shoes.
If a pathogenic fungus is diagnosed, you will have to undergo a course of treatment.If the skin is involved, it will take about a month or two;if there are problems with the nail plates, it can take up to a year.If the disease is advanced enough, it may be necessary to take antifungal drugs internally along with external agents.
Take care of yourself: any disease is easiest to cure in the initial stage.This also applies to fungal infections.Be healthy!