Foot fungus: symptoms, causes and treatment. Mycosis of the feet in children: symptoms

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Foot fungus: symptoms, causes and treatment. Mycosis of the feet in children: symptoms
Foot fungus: symptoms, causes and treatment. Mycosis of the feet in children: symptoms
Anonim

Foot fungus is one of the most common diseases found in dermatology. The statistics are disappointing - almost 70% of the population suffers from this disease.

Of course, foot fungus, its symptoms, as well as treatment should be considered and decided only in the doctor's office. However, in practice, suffering, as a rule, is not up to the doctor. Better go straight to the pharmacy. Here it is worth considering: why, in fact, foot fungus? Symptoms of diseases such as keratoderma, eczema, psoriasis, and even common diaper rash are quite similar to the above disease. Remember, only laboratory analysis can determine the infection.

foot fungus symptoms
foot fungus symptoms

The essence of the disease

Foot fungus (or mycosis) is a nuisance provoked by pathogenic microscopic organisms. Many varieties of the disease have been identified. For example, nail fungus is called onychomycosis. And the skin - dermatomycosis. In practice, the symptoms of both ailments are quite common at the same time.

The disease is transmitted through contact with the infection. Quite often, a symptom of foot and nail fungus is observed in people walking barefoot in the pool, wearing someone else's shoes, attending a shower without slippers. If the infection is brought into the house, then this disease can quickly spread within the family.

Risk group

No one is immune from mycosis. However, there are factors that increase the risk of experiencing symptoms of foot and nail fungus several times over.

Let's look at them:

  • Low immunity. In this case, the person is open to various infections. Mycosis in this category is much more severe. Chronic, long-term diseases can greatly undermine the immune system. Often, ailments of the endocrine and nervous systems, lack of vitamins in the body become a source of problems.
  • Sweat change. With a change in the composition of the secretion of the corresponding glands, all conditions are created for the development of the fungus.
  • Children's age. Toddlers have thin skin, while their protective mechanism is not formed at a sufficient level. Such factors make children easy prey for athlete's foot.
  • Inadequate hygiene. The use of other people's towels, manicure accessories, shoes, irregular foot care lead in most cases to infection. At times increases the risk of infection and non-observance of hygiene rules in public places - in saunas, baths, pools.
  • Tight shoes. Uncomfortable shoes made of synthetic materials lead to increased sweating of the feet. As a result, an ideal environment is created for the development of the fungus.
foot fungus symptoms and treatment
foot fungus symptoms and treatment

Varieties of disease

According to the location of the pathology on the foot, the disease can be of the following types:

  • Interdigital mycosis. Most often observed in patients in acute or chronic form.
  • Plantar mycosis. As a rule, this type is manifested by keratinization and peeling of the foot.
  • Deep mycosis. With such an ailment, we are talking about damage not only to the surface of the skin, but also to deeper layers.
  • Dyshidrotic dermatophytosis. This type is visually similar to allergic dermatitis. The skin of the foot is covered with vesicles, bubbles.
  • Onychomycosis. It is characterized by damage to the fingers and toenails.

Symptomatic of foot fungus

The classic form of the disease is manifested by moderate thickening and redness of the skin. The surface of the foot seems shiny, there is a reinforced pattern. On dry skin, flour-like scales accumulate in the grooves.

The third and fourth interdigital folds are the first places where foot fungus begins to develop. Symptoms spread to other gaps, sole and dorsum over time.

As a rule, there are two types of ailment:

  • flaky skin;
  • keratinization - characterized by the formation of thickenings, corns.

At the initial stage, the signs are not very pronounced. The patient is completely unaware that he has symptoms characteristic of such an ailment as foot fungus. And the photo of the initial stage of the disease shows how little difference from he althy skin.

First signs:

  • flaking;
  • flour-like scales;
  • small surface cracks.

The initial stage can continue for a long period of time. But, unfortunately, the foot fungus continues to progress.

Symptoms:

  • the smell is quite unpleasant;
  • skin gets rougher;
  • enhanced surface dryness;
  • appearance of rough calluses on the lateral surface and sole;
  • painful and deep cracked heels.

Signs of fungus in the interdigital spaces

foot and nail fungus symptoms
foot and nail fungus symptoms

While wearing low-quality or unventilated shoes, intense sweating of the feet is observed. This leads to swelling of the skin surface, erosion, cracking. The main complaints of patients are: burning sensation, soreness, unbearable itching.

Over time, the patient's condition worsens. Foot fungus begins to progress. Each patient should discuss symptoms and treatment only with a doctor.

A more advanced form is characterized by increased pain and itching. These sensations are most sensitive during movement. In the interdigital spaces one can observe the formation of large blisters. In the future, they turn into the form of erosion. Characteristic is a whitish border around the damaged area.

Symptoms of damaged nails

Signs of a fungus of the nail plates are quite characteristic. Typically this is:

  • crumble;
  • thickening;
  • brown or yellowish gray nails;
  • white spots that initially have a dotted structure, but eventually spread to the entire plate.
symptom of foot and nail fungus
symptom of foot and nail fungus

A child has a fungus?

It's not just adults who are affected. It is not uncommon for children to have foot fungus. Symptoms in children appear quickly enough and have a pronounced character.

You can determine the presence of an ailment by the following signs:

  • There is a peeling of the skin of the feet. Small scales are formed mainly between the fingers. It should be understood that it is these particles that are the main source of infection. Their presence in shoes can provoke a recurrence of the disease.
  • Sometimes the disease begins with the formation of blisters and erosions. They are localized, as a rule, on the folds or between the fingers. The main place of peeling is the area between the ring finger and the little finger.

If a child complains of discomfort in the feet, do not ignore this problem. After all, a foot fungus, the symptoms and treatment of which should be discussed with a doctor, can lead to a bacterial infection.

foot fungus symptoms smell
foot fungus symptoms smell

Treatment of disease

To effectively fight the disease, you should tune in for a long period. It should be remembered that foot mycosis and its treatment require an exceptionally comprehensive approach. Such therapy can only be prescribed by a doctor, identifying the causes of the disease. The correct approach helps to cure the patient in a few weeks, if the stage is not started. Otherwise, it may take a year.

The general treatment regimen includes several points.

  1. Drug therapy. Based on the tests performed, the doctor prescribes the appropriate drugs. These include: Griseofulvin, Fluconazole, Terbinafine, Sertaconazole. Medicines have a fairly different spectrum of action. Therefore, self-medication with the above medicines is completely unacceptable.
  2. Ointments. Along with taking medications, antifungal creams are prescribed. They contribute to recovery and significantly soothe the symptoms. Reduce burning, itching, pain. They tend to accelerate the regeneration of affected areas.
  3. Increase immunity. Be sure the doctor prescribes drugs that help improve protective functions, as well as stimulate blood circulation in the tissues.
  4. Antiallergic drugs. Mycosis is usually accompanied by unpleasant reactions. To combat allergies, appropriate drugs are added to the complex of therapeutic measures.
  5. Dieting. In case of fungal diseases, it is recommended to exclude fatty and sweet foods from the diet. It is more useful to dwell on fruits, cereals, vegetables. Eat plenty of meat.
  6. Surgical intervention. Such measures are taken only in extreme cases. If none of the prescribed drugs has given the desired effect, and the patient continues to suffer from symptoms, the doctor will recommend surgery. It consists in removing damaged nail plates.

Auxiliary Treatment

As previously noted, the approach to wrestling must be comprehensive. You can begin to act as soon as you see the first symptoms that characterize the fungus of the foot. Treatment with folk remedies is also quite effective. But remember that victory over the disease is possible only with full cooperation with the doctor. After all, most remedies can alleviate the symptoms, but do not completely eliminate the mycosis itself.

Subsidiary measures include the following:

  • Using antifungal nail polishes. They do not have medicinal properties. However, they can protect he althy nails and adjacent skin from the spread of infection.
  • Use of folk remedies. These measures are very popular among the population. The main thing is not to forget that they are not able to act as an independent treatment if a foot fungus is diagnosed. Symptoms are usually relieved with vinegar, baking soda, iodine, a variety of herbal infusions. The treatment of the disease with birch tar is considered quite effective.
  • Patches. Today's pharmacology provides many measures to combat mycosis. Antifungal plasters can soften and partially remove the affected nail plates.
foot fungus symptoms treatment with folk remedies
foot fungus symptoms treatment with folk remedies

Treatment at home

With this disease, as a rule, patients are not hospitalized. Therefore, treatment takes place at home. For a good result, as well as to avoid the risk of infection of households, it is recommended to follow simple rules.

  1. Mushrooms spread only in a humid environment. Eliminate the above source, and your chances of a cure will greatly increase.
  2. Protect all family members from illness. Explain to them that walking barefoot is now abolished. Especially in the bathroom. Do not forget to disinfect the shower after bathing. This applies to both the bath itself and the floor.
  3. You should wash your feet daily with soap and water. Carefully collect all fallen particles in a napkin. Avoid getting them under your nails.
  4. When you finish washing your feet, pay attention to the spaces between the toes. Dry them with a towel or hair dryer. Only then apply the ointment prescribed by your doctor.
  5. It is recommended to apply powder while wearing shoes.
  6. Change your cotton white socks daily. Used ones should be boiled for 10 minutes. You can soak socks in a disinfectant. For shoes, use specially designed antifungal aerosols.
foot fungus symptoms in children
foot fungus symptoms in children

Conclusion

Every woman dreams of becoming the owner of well-groomed feet, pink heels and a flawless pedicure. However, some people find it uncomfortable to wear open sandals. After all, a foot fungus got in the way. Symptoms of the disease should not lead to despair. After all, you should be patient and work diligently, then your recovery is guaranteed.

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