Foot Fungus: Symptoms, Treatments, and Prevention

Beautiful and neat legs are a source of pride for any woman and a source of admiration for men. It would be a shame if your nails turned yellow, cracked, and stained. Also, the constant itching between my fingers bothers me. All of these unpleasant manifestations are symptoms of a fungal infection. Although the problem is serious, it is completely solvable.

• According to statistics, one fifth of the planet's inhabitants suffer from fungal diseases of the feet and nails. This can happen for a variety of reasons – from weakened immunity to incorrect shoe selection.
• Open, uncomfortable shoes can not only cause swollen feet but also lead to fungal infections.
• Even if you decide to treat onychomycosis yourself, you still need an initial consultation with a specialist. At least, in order to choose the most effective drugs on the modern pharmaceutical market. There is a wide range of products.
• One of the most "popular" places to get nail fungus is in bathtubs and showers, swimming pools (outdoor and indoor), and other similar places. Use personal shoes, towels and dressing gowns, don't walk barefoot and don't borrow pumice stones from your neighbours - these are simple but highly effective foot fungus prevention measures for people who frequent fitness centers and public bathrooms.
• What starts out as a harmless sign of dry skin may turn out to be fungus. Don't delay treatment!

Onychomycosis—what the hell is this beast?

A healthy nail plate should be smooth, pink, and shiny. If at least one of these requirements is not met, then something is wrong. According to statistics, 50% of all nail diseases are fungal infections. In addition to causing many purely cosmetic problems, this disease also requires serious and lengthy treatment.It all starts on the skin of the feet, more commonly known as the interdigital folds. Often the first symptom of foot fungus (often called onychomycosis in the medical world) is peeling skin, along with burning and itching. Then bubbles appear, which burst, forming ulcers and cracks. You shouldn't think that everything will go away on its own, you just need to have a little patience. If treatment is not started immediately, the fungus may spread to the nail and continue to grow and multiply. Slowly but surely, foot fungus is taking over more and more space.The main symptoms of onychomycosis:

• Cracks in the interdigital folds (usually between fingers 1-2 and 4-5);
• Thickening of the skin;
• itching;
• redness;
• burning sensation;
• Nails become thicker, brittle, or thin.

risk area

Toenail fungus can spread from person to person. The main way for infection to invade the skin is through micro-cracks. Why do they appear? For example, wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes at the beach can allow sand to get into the spaces between your toes. In the future, this disease can cause the skin to become inflamed and form deep fissures. People who have circulation problems in their legs, deformed feet, excessive foot sweating, and are overweight are at higher risk for fungal infections. Stress, smoking, and alcohol abuse can also contribute to fungal infections as they lead to weakened immunity.The easiest way to contract fungus is in public places. For example, in bathrooms, swimming pools or health club showers, where there is always a moist environment that microorganisms love. The entire family can be affected as all family members use the same bathroom and customarily share towels. By the way, people infected by relatives account for more than 30% of all cases. The fungus is also spread through pedicure and manicure accessories, shoes and socks. You should also be careful while on vacation. In beach sand, the fungus can survive for months. Affected skin particles can easily stick to wet feet.

Onychomycosis: Self-medication canceled

The presence of fungi cannot be hidden. If you find yourself experiencing symptoms of this disease, you should not put off seeing a doctor under any circumstances. Self-medication is fraught with complications. Long-term onychomycosis can cause allergic reactions, weaken the immune system and worsen chronic diseases. Unfortunately, it is impossible to determine the exact cause of structural changes in the nail plate without a specific diagnosis. There are dozens of fungal infections. Additionally, it may not be a fungus but a manifestation of allergies, vitamin deficiencies, and many other conditions.Only a specialist can make a correct diagnosis by performing a microscopic examination by scraping the nail. In most cases, these data are sufficient to develop a treatment plan. It is true that in some special cases it is necessary to perform a culture test, that is, to remove the nail particles and place them under special conditions to promote active growth of the fungus. This allows us to understand exactly which "pests" attack nails and which antifungal drugs work best against them.Mycologists know all about this disease. Indeed, it is difficult to find it in public clinics. For consultation, you should contact the Clinic for Dermatology and Venereology (KVD). Another option is a dermatologist. The expert is more accessible.

Treatment without sacrifice

Previously, treatments for fungus were radical: simply surgical removal of the affected nail, followed by a lengthy recovery period. Since then, medicine has come a long way and now uses a more appropriate method - hardware treatment of the nails. The device is somewhat reminiscent of a dentist's drill. The device has a drill bit on the end that can grind down the nail if needed. There was no harm after the surgery. Nails should be cared for as they grow. Only your doctor can decide how many sessions are needed.There are many types of fungi, and the differences have to do with symptoms and route of infection, but treatment for all fungal infections is almost the same and takes 3 to 6 months. You don’t have to believe the many stories of happy relief using traditional methods. Unfortunately, no homemade baths or wraps can kill the fungus.Decking needs to be removed only if more than 40% of the surface is affected. In the initial stages of the disease, when the fungus has not yet begun to destroy the nails, external medications are enough: medicated varnish or special solutions. If less than 40% of the nail plate is affected, a course of antifungal medication will be given.

Disinfect it!

An important issue during and after onychomycosis treatment is the antimicrobial treatment of all affected skin particles where they may remain. The walls and bottom of the bathtub must be thoroughly cleaned with special disinfectants. Throw away your slippers, even if they are your favorite. Boots, shoes and sneakers can be treated using special equipment that emits ultraviolet light. Alternatively, wipe the shoes with an acetic acid (25%) or formaldehyde solution. Wash and iron socks, stockings, towels and sheets. Nail clippers can be disinfected by soaking them in alcohol and heating them over a fire.

How to prevent onychomycosis

If treated correctly, the disease will not come back. Reinfection is more common. Therefore, the most effective way to combat onychomycosis is prevention. Don't go barefoot in public places. Always bring flip-flops and your own towel when going to the beach. You can buy a special spray at the pharmacy to prevent fungus. They can be used to treat shoes and feet. Very convenient to go to the pool or gym.It's easy to protect your family from nail fungus - just follow simple hygiene rules and only use your own shoes. But the best thing to do is to monitor the health of your feet, wear comfortable, non-tight shoes, and regularly care for the skin of your feet and nails with special creams and sprays. And make a rule for yourself: When you go out to visit, bring slippers. Well no fungus is to be feared.