Throughout our lives, we often encounter various illnesses.Some of them are dangerous and require immediate treatment.And there are those that don't seem to cause much harm to our health, and sometimes we live with them for years without taking any measures to get rid of the disease.These diseases include foot skin fungus and nail fungus.
In fact, they cannot be called mortals.However, it is necessary to combat them, because, firstly, they slowly “undermine” the immune system, destroying the body's defense system and, secondly, they do not have an aesthetically pleasing appearance, which gives rise to entire complexes in the infected person.How to recognize foot fungus?Let's look at the main signs of foot fungus.
Fungus on the skin of the feet: how it can manifest itself
The first signs of a fungus that has “settled” on the feet can sometimes go unnoticed for a long time, especially if the person has a fairly strong immune system and the body tries to deal with the “foreign” invader on its own for a certain period of time.Signs of foot fungus include:
- skin redness, itching;
- blisters or blisters on the feet;
- cracked heels that take a long time to heal.
Most often, the first symptoms manifest themselves as follows: the skin between the toes begins to itch, pimples appear and the skin turns red.The person experiences intense itching, which worsens at night.No creams or baths with medicinal herbs help to deal with the problem.I'm worried about severe skin peeling.
Sometimes the fungus “attacks” through the heels.In this case, cracked heels cannot be cured with folk or pharmaceutical remedies.If you encounter this problem, know that these are signs of a fungal infection, and not just the result of itching or mild inflammation after, for example, rubbing your feet in uncomfortable shoes.
Nail fungus requires mandatory treatment.The carrier of the disease not only runs the risk of contracting an additional infection, which can easily penetrate damaged skin, but also becomes a carrier of the disease.It is not uncommon for symptoms of foot fungus to be observed in literally every family member living together.
Signs of foot fungus should not be ignored.However, it is not always possible to recognize the disease on your own, especially when itching and other unpleasant manifestations are just beginning.Therefore, if suspicious symptoms appear, you should consult a dermatologist.He knows how to identify foot fungus and what methods should be used to combat it.
How to recognize and what to do
So, we know what the manifestations of foot fungus are and now we will examine ourselves carefully, especially after frequent visits to swimming pools or saunas.
There is another type of disease that, unfortunately, does not immediately attract the victim's attention.This is a nail fungus.
Sometimes foot fungus spreads to the nail plate and both the skin and nail need to be treated immediately.But it happens that a person only observes damage to the nail, while the skin remains clean.How does nail fungus start?
Once you decide to take a foot bath, you may notice a slight change in the color of your nail plate.Most of the time, only one nail is affected at first - the one located on the thumb.The nail appears yellow and dull.Usually the color of the nail is pinkish, the plate is quite thin, but there is no increase in fragility or brittleness.If the fungus “visits” you, the nail:
- turns yellow (usually at the edges);
- significantly thickens;
- There are strange spots on the plate.
Carefully examine neighboring fingers: are there any similar changes there?How does the fungus initially appear?If there is no concomitant disease of the skin of the feet, only a cosmetic defect may remain for a long time: there is no itching or pain, there is no discomfort.In this case, the person does not pay attention to the symptoms, thinking that they simply damaged the nail by wearing, for example, excessively narrow shoes.How do you know if it's a fungus?
You will not be able to determine the disease yourself with 100% accuracy.Furthermore, even a doctor does not need a visual examination to make a diagnosis.If you suspect the fungal nature of the disease, you will refer the patient for tests.The nail plate will be scraped - this is the only way to detect the presence of a pathogenic fungus.
Signs of foot fungus are a gradual deterioration of the situation: without treatment, the affected nail begins to change more and more.Yellowing covers increasingly larger areas.Then you will be able to see:
- inflammation of the skin near the nail;
- additional color change - to greenish, gray and even black;
- greater fragility and fragility.
Even if the nail becomes very thick and difficult to trim with scissors, it will crumble.Small pieces can break off.
If you continue to pretend nothing is happening, the fungus can “move” to neighboring fingers.Furthermore, the appearance of sharp edges as a result of periodic breakage of pieces of the nail leads to a complication called “ingrown toenail”.The sharp edge cuts and gradually grows into the skin wrapped around the side, causing the person to suffer when walking.The skin becomes red and inflamed.
Over time, toenails become thicker and change color.A person experiences significant discomfort due to the inability to go to the pool and wear open shoes in the summer.
How can you get infected?
If you find suspicious signs on yourself, remember whether you have recently been to a sauna or bathhouse.The fungus “loves” a warm, humid environment - it is very convenient for it to reproduce there.
Maybe you tried on shoes in a store without “brands” or not long ago a friend gave you the sandals she wore, but then bought new ones?Or do you often exchange slippers at home with members of your family?
Any of these cases can trigger infection.A microscopic crack or wound is enough for fungal spores to penetrate the skin or nail.At the same time, the person who “gave” you the disease may not even suspect that he is a carrier of it: if he has a strong immune system, the fungus will not bother him.
If you think you have contracted a fungus, the first thing you should do is visit a dermatologist.Don't self-medicate: firstly, there are different pathogens that are sensitive to different medications.Secondly, perhaps it is not a fungus, but another disease.In both cases, self-medication may not produce results or “deepen” the disease and it will be difficult to face it.
This is especially true for nail fungus.Sometimes dystrophic changes in the nail plate, which can arise as a result of wearing tight shoes that cause deformation of the nail, can be confused with fungus.Another reason for changes unrelated to fungal infection is venous diseases, which cause deterioration in blood supply.As a result, the nail becomes fragile, the color changes and the person, believing that it is infected, begins intensive treatment with gels and varnishes.Naturally, such “treatment” will be ineffective.
What to do if fungus is suspected
If suspicious symptoms appear, you should not run to the pharmacy to buy medicine, but consult a doctor and get tested.Until the reasons are established, it is necessary to take special care not to become a source of infection for other people: refuse to go to the pool or sauna and do not wear other people's shoes.
If a pathogenic fungus is diagnosed, you will have to undergo treatment.If the skin is affected, it will take about a month or two;if there are problems with the nail plates, it can take up to a year.If the disease has progressed far enough, it may be necessary to take antifungal medications internally along with external agents.
Be attentive to yourself: any disease is easier to cure at the initial stage.This also applies to fungal infections.Be healthy!