Mycosis, or fungus, is an unpleasant disease caused by parasitic microorganisms - fungi. It is quite common and can occur in both adults and children. The fungus can appear on different parts of the body, but most commonly affects the skin of the feet and hands, as well as the nails. It causes physical discomfort and the affected areas look extremely unattractive.
Fungi are not a "harmless" disease. Its waste products are very toxic, can weaken the immune system and even lead to allergies. Therefore, he needs timely treatment, according to the doctor's prescription. Many people worry about the question of how to get rid of foot fungus, what treatments can be used to treat the problem at home.
Why do mushrooms appear?
The appearance and development of ringworm is accompanied by the presence of pathogens on the skin, which multiply very quickly. The fungus is usually located between the fingers and can also affect the heels, feet, palms, and fingernails. There could be several reasons why it appeared. Mushrooms prefer a warm and humid environment. The increased sweating in the feet creates all the conditions for the infection to "settle" on the skin.
Visiting public places like swimming pools, saunas, gyms, changing rooms, and shared baths is the main way to spread the fungus. At the same time, direct contact with a person or with other people's things is not even necessary: the spores of the fungus are volatile and are present in the air. In addition, fungus appears due to lack of personal care and proper personal hygiene.
Poor quality shoes that do not allow the skin of the feet to breathe can also be one of the factors that cause the disease to appear. The disease can also develop in people whose work activities involve frequent exposure to yeast (confectioners, cooks, winemakers). Fungi can also appear on the basis of weakened immunity, due to chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis).
The fungus starts on the skin of the feet between the toes. There are symptoms such as itching, redness, peeling. Then cracks form, the skin thickens, scabs appear. There may also be blisters on the skin that break open and fail to heal. Without treatment, the infection will multiply rapidly and can spread to the nails and hands. The skin of the hands with the fungus becomes very dry and scaly.
Between the fingers, the skin can change color, crack, and peel off. In general, the symptoms of fungus on the hands and feet are similar. Symptoms indicate the appearance of fungus on the nails: the infection begins to affect the nail from the edge and then to the base of the nail. The nail plate becomes opaque, thickens, the nail changes shape, deforms. There are also symptoms such as the appearance of stripes on the nails and a change in the color of the nails: from white, yellow to brown or even black.
Fungi is a problem that the body begins to fight. Therefore, allergy symptoms can occur in the form of blisters and erosions on the skin.
Causes of fungus in children
Fungus on the feet and hands is a fairly common problem in children. First of all, this is because a child's immune system is not fully developed and thus can be subject to various influences, including fungal infections. In addition, the child's likelihood of contracting various fungal diseases is also determined by the characteristics of the child's skin: low bactericidal activity of sweat and sebaceous glands, increased water absorption.
In the process of exploring the world, children come into close contact with environments where pathogens are widespread (for example, disease may manifest itself after contact with sick animals or soil). In addition, in kindergarten or school, children come into contact with a large number of other children who can also be carriers of skin diseases.
Infection in children can occur both with direct contact and after using household items containing fungal spores: toys, towels, shoes of others. Just running barefoot or trying on other people's clothes is enough - and the disease may already manifest itself. Symptoms of the disease are the same as in adults.
The factors that provoke the occurrence of mycosis in children are beriberi, poor ecology, lack of a culture of personal hygiene. Parents need to listen to children's complaints, regularly examine the skin. It is imperative to treat the fungus, because the disease itself can cause allergies and weaken the immune system in a child.
Preventative and preventive measures will keep your child from getting sick. Therefore, you need to consult a dermatologist as soon as possible. Your doctor will be able to diagnose and prescribe the correct treatment.
fungus treatment
If you notice in yourself or your children any signs or symptoms of the appearance of fungus on the legs or hands, then you need to urgently contact a specialist. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and determine the methods how to get rid of the fungus on the feet and hands. The right diagnosis is essential because the outward symptoms of an infection can overlap with the symptoms of other diseases (such as psoriasis).
Depending on the causative agent, the neglect of the disease and the patient's own health condition, the doctor prescribes local, systemic (drug) or mixed treatment. Topical application involves the use of special ointments, varnishes or sprays. If the patient has no contraindications, the doctor will prescribe a course of antifungal drugs that destroy the fungus "from the inside". Of course, it's best to use combination therapy when treating the problem is working in all directions.
In some cases of fungal infections, your doctor may recommend that your nails be removed. But simply removing the nail will not solve the problem, as the fungus will remain in the body and will manifest itself over time. This procedure makes the treatment more effective, as the antifungal medication can more easily penetrate the lesion. Today, the procedure is painless and requires no surgery.
There are special products that stick to the nails and "dissolve" within 3-4 days. Treating fungus on the feet and hands is quite difficult. The treatment itself can last up to 1 year. In addition to the treatment prescribed by the doctor, the treatment of fungus at home must also follow some recommendations.
- Completely disinfect the living space. General hygiene where you live. Pay special attention to the bathroom. Clean the tub, as well as the floor and walls, with detergent. Rinse the container with hot water after each wash. The carpet on the bathroom floor should be rubber so that no fungus can get in it.
- It is necessary to wash the feet with household soap or ringworm soap. These soaps have antifungal and antiseptic properties. In addition, they will help to gently dry the sores that may appear due to the fungus.
- After cleaning the water, dry your feet with a hair dryer or dry them thoroughly with a paper towel as the fungus may remain on the wound.
- Don't walk around the house barefoot and don't sit with your feet up on upholstered furniture.
- Throw away your old shoes. Walk indoors in socks made of natural materials or in breathable rubber sandals.
- Treat the rest of the shoes with apple cider vinegar or formalin.
- Items from the manicure set must be individual items and not to be used by any family member. After each use, wipe the scissors and file your nails with alcohol.
- Sleep in cotton socks and should change socks daily.
- Bed linen should be changed at least once a week.
- Socks, socks or tights - change daily. They should be washed with hot water. Socks after washing can be ironed thoroughly with an iron.
Of course, prevention is better than cure later. So prevention is necessary to protect yourself from this disease as much as possible. When visiting swimming pools, saunas and other public places, use only your personal belongings (towels, face towels). Never go barefoot. Even if you use the shower in public, do not take off your slippers. They must be made of rubber, not sponge material.
After visiting the pool, at home you need to wash your slippers with laundry soap and dry them. For everyday wear, choose quality shoes made from natural and breathable materials. Wearing shoes that are not breathable will make your feet sweat, creating a favorable environment for fungal growth.
Prevention of fungal infections includes careful self-care, regular water procedures, timely change of underwear and linens.
Get rid of fungus at home
Among other things, at home, you can use traditional medicine. Combined with the treatment prescribed by the doctor will help eliminate the fungus quickly.
- Apple cider vinegar is a remedy with antiseptic and antifungal properties. Soak a cotton ball in vinegar and apply it to the affected areas. If there are open wounds and sores on the skin, you should not apply such lotions. In this case, soak your feet with a weak apple cider vinegar solution.
- You can also soak your feet with sea salt. For this you need 3 tbsp. l. salt per liter of warm water. It is better to use salt, which does not contain dyes and flavors. Soak your feet in this solution for 10-15 minutes. It can be applied to the affected area as a compress.
- Traditional healers know how to get rid of the fungus on the feet and hands at home with the help of an ordinary onion. Grate the onion and squeeze the juice. Moisten a cotton pad with the juice and apply to the affected areas. Do not rinse, but leave until the juice dries. The procedure must be performed daily.
- Clay is another way to fight fungus. Take medicinal clay (sold in powder form) and dilute it with cool water to the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply product on affected areas until completely dry. Then rinse with water.
- Cedarwood juice is a popular home remedy for many skin ailments. If you break a branch of celandine, orange juice will begin to emerge from it. With this juice, it is necessary to lubricate the places affected by the fungus. The procedure must be carried out twice a day.
- The pharmacy sells another effective remedy - black birch. After bathing, apply it to the painful areas and put on clean socks. The procedure is best done at night.
- You can also get rid of the fungus with the help of regular soda. Take a small amount of soda, dilute it with water to a paste. It is necessary to make an application from this mud daily, keep it for 15 minutes.
- Among the recommendations on how to cure foot fungus at home is the use of ammonia tips. 1 st. l. Dilute ammonia in a cup of water. Moisten a handkerchief with the solution and wrap the affected limb in it. Place the bag on top and secure with a sock. The procedure is best done at night.
Prevention can protect you from getting a fungal infection. But if you still see alarming symptoms in yourself or your children, contact your doctor immediately. Only a doctor who knows how to get rid of the fungus in the shortest possible time and without harming the body can make an accurate diagnosis.
Do not self-medicate. Self-treating at home can not only cause harm, but also worsen the problem. Traditional medicine can be effective, but only if treatment with alternative methods is approved and approved by your doctor.