Modern man is subject to physical inactivity and the influence of a polluted atmosphere, and the use of dozens of harmful food additives does not add to health.Therefore, his immune system weakens and becomes more prone to infections that lurk at every turn.More than 20% of the world's population is infected with dermatomycosis, or fungal infections.The feet are especially often affected.Medicine successfully treats this disease, but due to certain circumstances, many prefer to treat themselves.Let's see how to properly treat toenail fungus at home.
Types of fungal infections on the feet
Athlete's foot is an infection of the epidermis (outer layer of skin) of the interdigital area of the feet and nail plates, with possible spread of the microscopic fungus further throughout the body.Loss can be caused by:
- yeast mushrooms;
- mold;
- dermatophytes.
But in general this disease is called dermatomycosis.
Visible signs of fungus depend on the strain that causes 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 under it hardens.
- With scaly mycosis, the skin becomes red and itchy, peeling occurs and the condition turns into painful itching.
- The dyshidrotic form of the fungus is characterized by the formation of water bubbles with a diameter of up to 5 mm, which gradually merge with each other to form ulcers.
- Intertriginous mycosis is the most common type of fungus, which appears as cracks in the skin between the toes, usually closer to the little toe.It is characterized by severe itching.
What are the causes of foot mycoses?
- Many healthy people try to stay fit.They visit fitness clubs, beaches, swimming pools and saunas, where fungal organisms multiply quickly in a warm environment.Fungal infections usually occur in these public places.
- When a family uses the usual household shoes, towels, bath and shower mats, and hygiene products.A fungus carrier can infect the whole family.
- Weakened immunity contributes to the spread of foot mycoses in older people.Statistics show that men are more likely to be infected with the fungus.
- Indiscriminate use of medications (glucocorticosteroids, immunosuppressive, antibacterial, cytostatic) also causes the risk of developing fungal infections in the feet.
- Fungal infection of the feet is possible due to occupational factors.Mine workers, people involved in the metallurgical industry, the military, as well as maintenance personnel of baths, saunas and sports complexes are most often susceptible to infection.
- A person's lifestyle and the presence of chronic diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, vascular and somatic diseases, endocrine disorders (especially excessive sweating), osteoarthritis, excess body weight.
- Cuts and microcracks of the skin, corns and calluses on the feet, hallux valgus.
- Unfavorable environmental situation.
Foot fungus usually develops in several periods:
- The incubation period depends on the state of the human immune system.The stronger it is, the later the signs of athlete's foot will appear.
- The period after the incubation period is characterized by skin redness, itching and microcracks.Sometimes there is swelling of the legs.At this stage, the development of the infection can be stopped with simple, even folk remedies.
- In the third stage, the disease becomes more dangerous: the skin peels off, large lesions are formed and the skin gradually begins to peel off.The cracks deepen, causing significant pain.The nail plates are deformed.Starting from this period, the treatment will be complex and prolonged.
- The chronic form of mycosis is fraught with frequent relapses and can last for several years.If the fungus has progressed to such an extent, you should immediately consult a doctor to avoid irreparable consequences of the disease.
How to cure athlete's foot at home
Only after performing qualified diagnostics (scratches, study of strains, microscopy), a specialist can prescribe effective means to combat foot fungus.In addition to drug therapy, folk remedies can also be used against fungi.
There are many ways to get rid of foot fungus at home.Their advantage is an affordable price and a minimum of contraindications.But even harmless folk remedies should be used in combination with basic medications in consultation with a doctor.
The most effective antifungal agents
There are a number of dosage forms for fungi in the form of tablets, suppositories, creams, ointments and suspensions, sprays and lotions with fungicidal properties that prevent the growth of bacteria.These products can quickly remove the fungus from the affected skin if the disease is in the early stages.
Typically, in the complex treatment of foot mycoses, the following drugs are used:
- tablets for athlete's foot;
- antifungal ointment, which is applied twice a day to the sore spots.
In addition to drug therapy, there is an innovative method of fungal treatment - a hardware method that quickly eliminates the symptoms of mycosis in the affected areas, but does not guarantee that there will be no relapses.
Popular recipe
In addition to the main therapy, the treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies is used.There are many known methods for treating this problem at home: these are all kinds of baths, compresses and anti-mold masks based on natural substances.
Among them, the most effective for the treatment of mycoses 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.
- Baths containing 1.5 tablespoons of sea salt.l.per liter of water.
- Copper sulfate.Using it, you can deal with toenail fungus like this: fry 1 tbsp.of this substance in a pan until white, then mix with equal quantities of yellow sulfur and goose fat.Mix the ingredients thoroughly and, while they are warm, apply a thin layer of the resulting ointment to your feet.Wash it off after 40 minutes.
- Using vinegar for fungus is the fastest way to get rid of the problem.Among its types (apple, wine), the most effective is simple vinegar 9%, which is diluted with water in a ratio of 1 to 8, used as a slightly warm bath 4-5 times a day for 2-3 days.
- A baking soda paste will also help fight foot fungus.It is applied to the affected areas of the feet and left for 20 minutes, then washed.You can also mix baking soda with salt and apply it similarly on your feet.
- A foot compress with peroxide solution will help cure the fungus.To do this, first you need to steam your feet in a bath with warm water.Then prepare a solution of 1 liter of water with 1 tbsp.soda and 2 tbsp.l.peroxide, wet the gauze and wrap the legs with it.Leave on for an hour, then rinse.
- Onion recipes will help you cope with the problem.Grind 2 large onions on a coarse grater, squeeze the juice from the resulting pulp and apply to the legs.Wait until it is absorbed, wear socks and leave it on overnight and wash off your feet in the morning.Garlic juice has a similar effect on fungi.
- The use of celandine against fungi is also effective.Its juice (5 drops) is mixed with half a teaspoon of alcohol solution of calendula and 5 drops of oregano juice, as well as a teaspoon of water.The resulting mixture is used to treat the affected areas of the feet without rinsing.
Care and hygiene rules
By using medicated compresses and foot baths for fungus at home along with prescribed medications, you can get rid of them quite quickly.Also, special care should be taken for the feet to maintain the condition of the skin during this period, as well as to promote recovery.
Before treating the areas of the feet and nails affected by a fungal infection, first put disposable gloves on your hands.
Shoes should be treated with special products (vinegar and mustard powder will do).If possible, it should be replaced with products made from natural materials.After each wear, the shoes should be placed on the balcony for ventilation.If it gets wet, make sure to dry it completely and change the pads more often.
During the period of fungal disease, you should not visit the pool, saunas, beaches or use someone else's shoes, slippers or towels, so as not to infect other family members with the fungus.After recovery, it is advisable to remove the old socks and replace the shoe insoles, as well as treat them with vinegar.This also applies to rubber mats in the bathroom.This is done to destroy fungal spores that can reproduce or infect other people's feet.
Prevention of relapse and re-infection
To avoid re-infection of the feet with a fungal infection and to get rid of it forever, you should pay special attention to the hygiene of the feet.To do this, you need to remember a few simple rules:
- wear only your own shoes and clothes;
- choose shoes made of natural materials;
- do not allow steamed feet to be in shoes;
- wash your feet regularly, preferably in the morning, before going to bed and after coming from outside;
- take care of your shoes: dry them from the inside, periodically treat them with special deodorants;
- support immunity.
Feet require regular care and attention.Any discomfort in the feet and external changes in their area should be a reason to visit a specialist.