Mycoses take the second most common place among infectious skin diseases after pyoderma cocci, and mycoses of the feet take the first place not only among all mycoses, but also among all pathologies of the feet.They are caused by a wide group of pathogenic fungi.In recent years, there has been an increase in cases of mycosis, which is mostly a consequence of endogenous factors - an increase in the incidence of diabetes mellitus and circulatory pathologies in the distal parts of the upper and lower extremities.
Some patients suffering from mycosis of the skin consider them an aesthetic or temporary problem and do not even ask how to treat body skin fungi, trying only to hide the external manifestations of the infection under clothes, shoes or powder.But we should not expect that the fungus will disappear by itself: in the absence of appropriate therapy, mycoses can quickly spread and affect all new tissues and areas of the body, and besides, a person suffering from this disease poses a serious threat to others, especially to his family members.The insidiousness of the fungus is also manifested in the fact that it easily repeats itself if the therapy is not brought to a successful end.
In this article, we will tell you how and how to treat a fungus on the skin and what symptoms indicate its presence.
Causes of fungal disease development
Fungal infections are varied, but the main causes of the disease are dermatophytes, yeast-like fungi and molds.There is a system that takes into account the depth of penetration and the localization of the infection, which distinguishes:
- Keratomicosis affects only the superficial stratum corneum of the epidermis and the hair cuticle.
- Dermatomycosis - deeply affects the skin and its appendages - nails and hair, but does not affect the subcutaneous tissue (the largest group, which includes onychomycosis and foot mycosis).
- Candidiasis - in addition to the above, it can affect mucous membranes and internal organs (caused by yeast-like fungi from the genus Candida).
- Deep mycoses are systemic mycoses that can infect subcutaneous tissue, lymph nodes, ENT organs, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, brain and central nervous system as a whole (caused by yeast and yeast-like fungi).
- Pseudomycosis - affects only the stratum corneum, not the nails and hair (caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium minutissimum, which was previously confused with fungi).
The most common types of mycosis of the skin are dermatophytosis - dermatomycosis caused by fungi from three genera: Trichophyton, Epidermophyton and Microsporum.The vast majority of all lesions of the skin and its appendages within the epidermis are caused by trichophytosis, epidermophytosis and microsporia, and most often the disease affects the skin of the feet and nails.How can you get a yeast infection?A number of factors can contribute to this:
- visiting public baths and saunas, swimming pools and water parks, public beaches, gyms, solariums and manicure/pedicure rooms, massage parlors, because in these places the risk of foot or hand contact with contaminated surfaces is particularly high;
- trying on other people's shoes or using shared shoes;
- insufficient foot hygiene, especially with excessive sweating;
- wearing closed shoes for a long time, which do not allow the foot to "breathe";
- living with a person who already suffers from skin fungus;
- Damage to the skin or nails with shoes that are too tight - the fungus penetrates the body more easily through damaged areas.
A significant factor is the increased humidity and temperature to which the feet are constantly exposed.In such conditions, the fungus develops most actively, so fungal infections are often found either in regions with a subtropical climate, or where people are forced to wear warm shoes for a long time - in regions with a cold climate.The place of primary localization of the fungus in mycosis of the skin of the feet is usually the interdigital folds, but as the disease progresses, the lesion extends beyond them.
FYI
According to the data of the Ministry of Health for the year 2010, mycoses of the feet (including onychomycosis) and hands were registered in more than 220 thousand people.
However, mycoses do not only affect the skin of the feet;the disease can appear in almost any location, including the face.Large folds are often affected, especially the inguinal-femoral folds, legs and buttocks.
Mycoses of the skin have specific symptoms that are quite easy to spot, namely:
- Peeling and dryness are one of the first manifestations of infection.Individual scales first appear on the affected area, caused by the shedding of the upper layer of the epidermis.With deeper penetration of the fungus, active peeling occurs, which only intensifies over time.
- White or red spots are round in shape with clearly defined edges.It is very important not to miss this symptom in the initial stage of the disease, because at this time the spot can be single and small in size.Later, new spots appear that gradually merge with each other.
- Thickening of the skin.Affected areas become thick, rough and rough, and often change color: the skin becomes yellowish or greyish from pink or white.
- The appearance of small rashes, fluid-filled blisters.
- Partial hair loss.
- Itching and burning are one of the most common symptoms of skin fungus.It may be present all the time, or it may appear only occasionally.Here it is important to understand that itching and burning can be a sign of other skin diseases, such as allergies.
Do not ignore the appearance of cracks and blisters on the feet.Although they are not symptoms of a fungal disease by themselves, the fungal infection enters the body much faster through them.
How to cure skin fungus
Conventionally, two approaches can be distinguished in the fight against skin fungi.One of them is non-medical, in which various traditional medicines are used, the other is pharmacological.
In the so-calledhome methods include baths with infusions of medicinal herbs, treatment of skin fungi with iodine, soda solution or vinegar... The effectiveness of this treatment of fungi on the skin has not been clinically proven.If it can help, then it is only at a very early stage of the development of the disease, because most folk remedies cannot penetrate into the deep layers of the epidermis, where the fungal colony is usually located.Therefore, with any mycosis, you should not waste time and make the situation worse, but you should consult a doctor for diagnosis and prescribing adequate therapy.
A significant effect is achieved by systemic treatment of skin fungi on the body using drugs in the form of capsules or tablets.Modern products contain substances that can stop the growth of new spores, block cell division at the DNA/RNA level and destroy cell membranes of the fungus.However, systemic antifungals (also known as systemic fungicides and fungistatic drugs) have many side effects and contraindications;they cannot be taken together with certain medicines - diabetics, antihistamines, contraceptives.Restrictions on the use of the tablet form are, for example, blood diseases, kidney or liver pathologies.In addition, it is recommended to follow a strict hypoallergenic diet during the treatment period.All this narrows the possibilities of systemic therapy.
Creams, sprays and solutions are an effective (clinically proven) method of local treatment of skin fungi and onychomycosis, which does not have many contraindications.It has a high cure rate, is used at any stage of fungal infection and can be used in combination with systemic therapy to reduce the dose of oral medications.
Antimycotic components in gels, ointments and solutions are mainly allylamines, azoles or pyrimidines, which inhibit the vital activity of the fungus, deny it nutrition, stop its development and spread to other areas of the skin.Local therapy with these drugs enables the creation of high concentrations of the active substance in the skin, on the surface of the nail and in its cavities, which remain for weeks after the end of the treatment.It is important that during the application of external means, the active substance almost does not enter the systemic bloodstream, and therefore has no negative effect on the body as a whole.
Many local antifungal drugs have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, soften the skin, eliminate itching and redness, are easily applied to the affected area, and sprays and solutions are suitable for treating even hairy parts of the body in case of damage.The duration of treatment with external agents and the frequency of their application is determined by the doctor.
Ringworm is easier to prevent than to treat, but if signs of skin fungus are seen on the body, treatment should be started immediately.It is important not to start the process and take appropriate measures in time, but you need to start by contacting an expert.It is the doctor who will tell you how to cure skin fungus quickly.Attempts at artisanal treatment in this case can only worsen the situation.
Cream against fungi on the skin
As a medicine for the treatment of fungal skin infections, you can choose a cream based on naftifine (1%), which is part of the allylamine class.The mechanism of action of the drug is based on the ability of the active substance to slow down the synthesis of ergosterol, the building material that makes up the cell wall and membrane of the fungus.As a result, the mycelium loses its ability to grow, which gradually leads to the death of the entire colony.
The drug is active against all the main causes of mycosis and can be prescribed for trichophytosis, epidermophytosis, microsporia, candidiasis and aspergillosis of the skin, pityriasis versicolor, sporotrichosis.The cream has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect, reduces the likelihood of secondary bacterial infections and helps to eliminate the symptoms of inflammation, especially itching.
The cream penetrates deep into the skin and creates a stable concentration of the antifungal agent in its different layers.After application to the skin, less than 6% of naftifine enters the systemic circulation.
Indications for the use of the drug are:
- fungal infections of skin folds and smooth skin;
- interdigital mycoses;
- onychomycosis (nail fungus);
- cutaneous candidiasis;
- pityriasis versicolor;
- ringworm (with or without itching).
The cream has several contraindications.This includes individual intolerance to the components, as well as pregnancy and breastfeeding, as the safety and effectiveness of the drug in this category of patients have not yet been studied.Use the cream with caution in children.
Instructions for use: if the skin is affected, it is sufficient to apply the cream once a day to the affected area and adjacent areas after cleaning and drying.The duration of treatment is from two to eight weeks (for candidiasis - four weeks).
In order to prevent relapses, it is recommended to continue the therapy for another two weeks after the disappearance of clinical symptoms.
The cream in aluminum tubes (30 g) is available without a prescription.You can also order the product online.