Fungus on the feet: how to recognize and cure

healthy legs after treatment for a fungal infection

Unfortunately, the number of patients with fungal infections is growing very rapidly. And the reason for this is the people themselves who neglect the elementary rules of personal hygiene. The fungus on the legs progresses very quickly and brings a lot of discomfort to a person. And in order to know how to treat a particular disease, it is necessary, on the one hand, to know exactly how the infection occurs and, on the other, how the disease manifests itself in order to correctly diagnose it from the early stages of its development.

Routes of infection

Fungal disease infection can occur in several ways:

  • direct way;
  • in an indirect way.

In the first case, the fungus "settles" on the human body through direct contact with earth, damp tiles, sick people and animals as well as some plant species.

In the second case, infection occurs through household items used by a sick person. For example, if you've come to visit and wiped your feet or hands with someone else's towel, the chance of getting a yeast infection is 60%.

At the same time, a number of factors play an important role that increase the body's susceptibility to fungi. Namely:

  • Age (fungal infection is most often observed in children due to imperfect defense mechanisms of the body and thin skin);
  • weakened immunity;
  • Violation of the functionality of the nervous and endocrine systems (they greatly affect the protective functions of the body);
  • increased work of the sweat glands;
  • the composition of sweat (in some cases, the composition of the secretion of the sweat glands changes, creating a favorable environment for the development of the fungus).
Fungal infection when walking barefoot

Types of fungal infections

Before you talk about treating athlete's foot, you need to talk about the types of yeast infection. After all, it may be different, and therefore the disease is treated in different ways.

The most common type of fungal infection is epidermophytosis. This disease affects not only the skin of the feet, but also the nails. Infection with this type of fungal infection most often occurs in rooms with high humidity and temperatures of at least 10 degrees. Examples of such premises are swimming pools, saunas, gyms, baths and so on.

In this case, epidermophytosis can be detected on all objects in the room. The:

  • Washcloths;
  • Towels;
  • Oilcloth;
  • Thermometer;
  • Mats and such.

This type of fungus mainly affects the male population of the planet. As the main reason for infection with them is the increased work of the sweat glands on the skin of the legs.

Another common type of fungal infection is trichophytosis. This is one of the most contagious diseases that is transmitted by:

  • Bathroom accessories;
  • Sports equipment;
  • Shoes and socks;
  • other common items.

Men are also the most susceptible to this disease. In addition, the older they get, the greater the chance of getting infected with trichophytosis. Especially often this disease is observed in athletes and workers of baths, saunas and swimming pools.

Candidiasis is another common form of fungal infection of the feet. The causative agent of the disease is the candida fungus, which is present on everyone's skin and is in fact not a disease. This fungus only begins to parasitize when favorable conditions arise. And they arise when a person has decreased immunity.

Discomfort in the leg with a fungal infection

The fungus enters the body through direct contact with contaminated objects and food. They can be found absolutely everywhere. This fungus is particularly common in fermented dairy products and meat.

The following factors influence the "activation" of the vital activity of the Candida fungus:

  • Damage to the skin;
  • decreased immunity;
  • increased sweating;
  • an increased fungus content in the ambient air (especially common in workshops for the production of meat products).

Symptoms of a yeast infection

The symptoms of athlete's foot are as follows:

  • Itching and burning;
  • Exhaustion of an unpleasant smell;
  • Peeling the skin;
  • white bloom on the skin (more like dust);
  • Change in the color and shape of the nail plates;
  • Destruction of nails;
  • increased sweating of the legs.

In some cases, pustules and fluid-filled blisters may form on the skin near the affected surfaces.

How to treat a fungus on the feet

Only a doctor should deal with the treatment of fungal diseases. The thing is that at home you can only get rid of the external manifestations of the disease. Because a fungal infection affects the entire body, not just the top layers of the epidermis. The fungus penetrates through the skin, touches the capillaries and penetrates through them into the arteries, and then spreads throughout the body. For this reason, the treatment of fungal diseases should include not only external antifungal drugs, but also oral agents.

However, such drugs should only be taken as directed by a doctor. In fact, there are more than 500 varieties of mushrooms in the world, each with its own characteristics and threshold of resistance to various aggressive substances. This is why the same antifungal can help some people deal with the symptoms of the disease while others cannot.

After the doctor's appointment, the patient scratches the affected surface to see what type of fungus has settled on their legs. And then they will do a series of tests to rule out any complications from developing. Having received all the necessary information about the patient's health, the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment that will allow the patient to quickly get rid of the unpleasant external manifestations of the disease.

Examination of the legs for fungal infection

However, it should be noted that the disappearance of the symptoms of the disease is not yet a sign of a complete cure. Treatment for fungal infections can take several months, in some cases it can be extended up to 6 months. If the infection is not completely cured, its symptoms will begin to manifest themselves within a few weeks of stopping the drug.

To treat a fungus, a fungistatic agent is often prescribed, which inhibits the development of pathogenic microorganisms. This tool is available in the form of ointments for external use and in the form of tablets for oral administration.

In most cases, doctors combine several drugs at the same time to get the maximum effect of the treatment. After a week of medication, the patient will be retested to make sure the treatment is working.

Treatment of fungus with folk remedies

How to Cure Athlete's Foot at Home? No way. Why? We have already given the answer to this question above - the fungus inhabits the entire body, not just the upper epidermis of the skin. Therefore, at home, you can only get rid of the symptoms of the disease and alleviate your condition, but nothing more. Therefore one should not expect a "miracle" from traditional medicine.

Here's how you can relieve itching at home with a vinegar bath. To prepare it, you need a strong solution of wine vinegar, in which you will need to lower your feet for a few minutes. Before doing this, however, the feet should be washed well with soap under running water and wiped dry.

After the procedure, you should put on socks on your feet, which must also be moistened in a solution of wine vinegar. After a few days using this procedure, the itching should go away, and the manifestations of the fungus should decrease.

Salt and soda-based baths are also good at fighting fungal infections. The fungus is afraid of these substances and quickly dies from them. To prepare a medicinal bath, you need a liter of water, in which you need to dissolve a tablespoon of table salt and baking soda.

Soak your feet in this solution for 15 minutes, then rinse them with warm water and wipe them dry. 2-3 procedures will help you get rid of the external manifestations of the fungus.

Various herbs help fight the symptoms of yeast infections. You can make a decoction to wash your affected feet with the following ingredients:

  • Inflorescences of marigold;
  • Oak bark;
  • dried blackberries;
  • Verbena medicinal.

To make a brew, take all the herbs in equal amounts and mix them well. Then take 3 tbsp. l. Herbal collection, fill it with a glass of water and boil over low heat for 15 minutes.

After that, it is necessary to slightly cool and filter the broth, and rinse the limbs with it daily. In addition, you can moisten a bandage in this broth and apply it to the affected areas for 15-20 minutes.

If you do not have the opportunity to use all of these herbs, then you can overcome the manifestations of the fungus with the help of regular coffee. Brew strong coffee and stir it in a liter of warm water. Then lower your feet into it and keep them in the solution for 15 minutes. Then rinse your feet in warm water and pat them dry.

A milk bath will help fight the manifestations of fungus on your feet. To prepare it, you need to take fresh grass and pour several liters of boiling water over it. Then let it steep and strain. The infusion does not need to be diluted with water. Just pour it into a basin and lower your feet into it for 15 minutes. This bath should be used daily for two weeks.

Trays for treating athlete's foot

Mushroom cream at home

At home, you can also prepare a cream for treating the affected surfaces.

To prepare the cream you will need:

  • sifted wood sol;
  • Pork fat.

These ingredients need to be mixed together smoothly. It is of course better to use a mixer for this. The cream must be applied every 12 hours and applied to the clean, dry skin of the feet.

You can also prepare a fungal infection cream from the following ingredients:

  • yellow sulfur;
  • Goose fat;
  • Copper sulfate.

All ingredients must be taken in equal amounts and mixed well. Then put in a small saucepan, set on fire and bring to a boil. Then the cream should stand in a cool, dark place and cool. This cream should only be used once a day. However, before applying, you must also wash your feet in warm water.

Compresses and masks against fungal infections on the feet

Treatment of the fungus on the feet can also be done with masks and compresses. For example, you can use a compress made from onions and garlic. To do this, take a small onion and garlic, peel them off the skin and scroll through a meat grinder.

Then apply the resulting mixture to the affected area, wrap it with polyethylene and put on your feet with warm socks. Leave the compress on overnight. In the morning some of the symptoms of the disease go away. The procedure should be carried out daily until the fungus on the legs no longer bothers you.

If the fungal infection has spread to your toenails, you can use a mixture of vinegar, glycerin, and alcohol. All ingredients must be taken in 1 teaspoon. and mix well. Then the resulting liquid must be applied to the nails (literally in a few drops). This should be done every day until the affected nail has healed.

Remember, a yeast infection requires a comprehensive approach to treatment. Hence, traditional medicine alone will not be enough. Antifungal drugs are needed orally. But it is not worth buying them in a pharmacy yourself on the advice of a pharmacist. You should consult a doctor. Only he can really help you overcome this disease and forget about it for many years.