Toenail fungus is a disease that no one can be immune to. The disease does not go away on its own, so it needs to be treated on time. Experts will tell you how to get rid of the problem.
Fungus on the feet: symptoms and causes
What is foot fungus? Fungal, or fungal disease, is a disease caused by pathogenic or opportunistic fungi. Commonly, diseases caused by the fungus Dermatomycete, as noted by the physician and colleagues, include Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, and Epidermophyton. However, pathology can also be caused by microorganisms of the genus Candida.
Fungal lesions of the skin of the feet are called tinea versicolor, nail plaques are called onychomycosis. Often, medical conditions are combined.
How to recognize a fungus on the feet?
Symptoms vary depending on the type of fungus affecting the feet. However, there are common symptoms.
In the early stages, there are signs of dry skin, itching and burning in the soles, the folds in between the toes. If the nail plate is affected, a slight change in its color occurs, the nail becomes more brittle, as the doctor notes.
Without treatment, the situation gets worse. The following symptoms appear:
- small cracks between the toes, on the soles of shoes;
- peel off;
- unpleasant odors;
- swelling, redness of the folds between the toes, arches of the feet;
- bubbles and diaper rash;
- pain when walking;
- deformity of the nail (thickening or thinning, impaired growth, destruction of the nail).
Why do fungi appear on the feet?
Infection occurs through contact with an infected person, skin contact with surfaces and objects with fungal spores. Swimming pools, saunas, and tubs have the highest risk of infection.
However, you can get a fungal infection at a pedicure office by using an infected person's personal items - shoes, clothing, towels, face towels. Even at home, you still need to be careful and not use other people's household items, as noted by the doctor.
There are factors that contribute to the growth of fungus on the feet:
- wounds and cracks;
- excessive sweating and dry skin;
- poor hygiene;
- flat feet;
- circulatory disorders of the legs due to vascular diseases;
- diabetes and diseases of the immune system.
Folk remedies for the treatment of fungus on the feet
At the initial stage of the development of the disease, it is much easier to cope with it, so it is advisable to start treatment when the first symptoms appear. Various folk remedies will help to cope with the fungus.
How to treat fungus on the feet with folk remedies? Vinegar, tallow, essential oils and garlic will help.
Vinegar
Table and apple cider vinegar will help prevent the development of fungal diseases:
- Heat two quarts of water to a comfortable temperature. Add 200 ml of vinegar. Dip your feet into the resulting composition and hold for 15 minutes. Soak your feet three times a day. After the procedure, dry your feet thoroughly and put on clean socks.
- Dip a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply it to the affected nail and skin area. Put on clean socks and leave overnight.
Garlic
Garlic has an anti-fungal effect, so it has a good effect on the problem. The formula of the remedy is as follows:
- Squeeze the juice from one head of the garlic, add the same amount of water and alcohol.
- Heat water, to which add a tablespoon of tar soap ground in a coarse blender and two tablespoons of baking soda.
- Steam your feet for 15 minutes.
- Dry your feet and treat with a mixture of garlic juice and alcohol.
Oil
Different essential oils will help to cope with fungal infections of the feet and nails: rosemary, lavender, ylang-ylang. The doctor said that tea tree oil and eucalyptus would be some of the most effective oils in fighting fungus.
With their help, you can bathe and apply:
- Wash your feet first. Add ten drops of essential oil to three liters of warm water. Soak your feet in the tub for 20 minutes, then put on warm socks or a warm towel for 15 minutes.
- Heat a tablespoon of water and essential oils to 30°C. Soak a cotton ball in the product and apply it to the problem areas, wrapping a bandage over it. After an hour, clean soft skin or nails with a sterile file.
Animal fat
How to cure toenail fungus? For these purposes, use pork or goose fat:
- Take fat, copper sulfate and yellow sulfur equally.
- Mix well and bring to a boil.
- Send to a dark place and wait for it to cool completely.
- Lubricate the infected skin and nails daily.
To deal with foot fungus, it is important to have regular treatments. Use folk remedies and do not forget about personal hygiene. Then you will soon enjoy a healthy look of your feet.
Attention! The material is for informational purposes only. You should not use the treatments described therein without consulting your doctor first.