Fungus On The Feet - Symptoms, Causes And Treatments

2023 Author: Riley Dean | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 09:15

Fungus on the feet is quite common. It is very easy to become infected with this disease - it is enough to walk barefoot in the pool, try on someone else's shoes or walk around in wet shoes for several days. In this article, we will share how you can get rid of fungus between your toes. We will indicate the methods of folk treatment, which includes herbs and products, they can be easily bought in the store at affordable prices. Folk recipes are effective and proven over the years.

The content of the article:

• 1 Fungus between toes
• 2 Causes of fungus on the feet
• 3 Possibility of infection
• 4 Fungus on the feet - symptoms of the disease
• 5 The main types of pathogens
• 6 Fungus on the legs - stages of the disease
• 7 Treatment procedures using medicines

• 8 Fungus of the feet - effective remedies

  • 8.1 Varnishes against fungus
  • 8.2 Lorecil
  • 8.3 Fungus on the feet - Cyclopiroxolamine varnish
  • 8.4 Fungus of feet - Drops and solutions
  • 8.5 Fungus on the feet - Exoderil
  • 8.6 Fungus on the feet - Clotrimazole
  • 8.7 Micoderil
• 9 Treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies
• 10 Popular unconventional methods
• 11 Fungus on the feet - quickly cure
• 12 Fungus on the feet - Prevention
• 13 Fungus on the feet - Hygiene

Fungus between toes

Fungus on the legs, or as it is also called "mycosis" - one of the most common skin lesions. According to statistics, this disease is manifested in every 5th person. Treatment of the fungus between the toes with folk remedies is quite relevant nowadays, so the prices for drug treatment are not affordable for everyone.

Causes of the fungus on the feet

Easy ways for a parasitic fungus to penetrate the skin can be cracks and abrasions between the toes, which occur with excessive sweating or, on the contrary, dry feet, all sorts of scuffs from wearing too narrow shoes, poor wiping of the feet after taking water procedures. In addition, various endocrine and vascular diseases, varicose veins, diabetes, flat feet can contribute, and a decrease in immunity or stress can provoke a fungal infection.

The fungus is transmitted through close contact with the patient, through the objects that he used - a towel, a washcloth, shoes, clothes, manicure tools and even a comb.

Especially in this regard, public places, such as baths and swimming pools, become dangerous, because heat and moisture are ideal conditions for the development of fungus. Once in the nail plate, which is almost entirely composed of keratin, the fungus begins to slowly grow and multiply. It gradually takes the place of the nail, dissolving it, and begins to further spread to the skin around. When a fungal infection is affected, first cracks and peeling form between the toes, and later the skin begins to redden and itching appears on it.

Possibility of infection

There are two main types of infection with this ailment. Straight way:

• if you walk barefoot on the floor, soil, grass;
• upon contact with a person with mycosis;
• when "communicating" with an infected animal.

Indirect way:

• when using items that have fungus (towels, shoes, linen);
• when using animal care items, which can also contain fungi that are dangerous to humans.

Fungus on the feet - symptoms of the disease

The symptoms of the disease, which must be treated in the future, look like this:

• peeling between the toes;
• cracks arising for unknown reasons;
• painful sensations accompanied by severe itching;
• severe sweating of the legs;
• seals in the sole area;
• the formation of large spots of a grayish or yellowish tint.

Initially, the symptoms of the disease are not pronounced: there is almost no itching, no discomfort is felt. Therefore, many simply do not attach importance to the alarming signs of trouble.

Fungus on the feet - if you ignore the first symptoms and do not start treating the disease, the process will progress: mycosis will capture not only the interdigital spaces, but also other areas of the skin of the foot, move to the nails, which will change color, thicken, deform and exfoliate.

The main types of pathogens

A skin fungus is a contagious disease. The main causative agents of foot fungus are:

1. Trichophyton mentagrophytes and trichophyton rubrum. These are yeast-like fungi that can be dormant for a long period of time. After the influence of unfavorable factors, they begin to activate. The first symptoms are itching and an unpleasant odor. The color of the epidermis may not change.
2. Trichophyton interdigital. It affects the skin between the toes. After a certain period of time, it grows on the dermis of the entire foot.
3. Candida albicans. Affects the nail plate.

Fungus on the legs - stages of the disease

The infection on the sole has several stages. These include:

1. Incubation period. It depends on human immunity. For some, the first symptoms may appear within a few days after infection. Others will not be aware of the infection after two weeks.
2. Second stage. During the transition to the second stage, a person develops itching, burning. After a couple of hours, the patient develops reddening of the epidermis. The dermis begins to swell and microcracks are noticed. At this stage, it is possible to get rid of the fungus of the feet and nails using folk remedies for the fungus.
3. If you do not take any measures and do not start treatment, then the ailment will go to the stage of considerable defeat. The dermis begins to peel off, extensive spots form. The skin on the foot begins to exfoliate. Deep cracks are formed. This is accompanied by pain. At this stage, the whole process usually affects not only the feet, but also the nails, which begin to deform. Treatment of advanced and severe forms of foot fungus is longer.
4. Chronic stage. If medications for the treatment of fungus on the feet have been used illiterately, then the patient will have only a temporary improvement. After a certain period, the disease will relapse. This means that the disease has become chronic. The cure of the infection on the feet cannot be postponed, so you should see a doctor as soon as possible. It may take several years until the moment of complete recovery.

Treatment procedures using medications

Fungus treatment is a long process that requires a lot of patience and responsibility from the patient. At least, the treatment will take a month, but in some cases, the treatment process can take up to a year.

You need to ask a specialist about the correct treatment of the fungus between the toes. To do this, you will need to see a dermatologist. In no case should you self-medicate, otherwise there is a possibility of spreading the disease to the abdomen, chest, thighs, buttocks, and other parts of the body.

Only a doctor can prescribe the correct, effective treatment, which will be aimed not only at getting rid of symptoms, but also at ridding the patient of disease-causing organisms forever. For this purpose, various medicines are used:

• compresses made from a special solution of Burov - in this product it is necessary to moisten cotton wool tampons, spread them between the toes, remove them after a quarter of an hour;
• ointments - not only relieve unpleasant symptoms of the disease, but also destroy its cause, the fungus;
• tablets - drugs that must be taken orally, acting systemically on the fungus;
• immunostimulants strengthen the immune system, making the treatment more effective.

Foot fungus - effective remedies

Dozens of antifungal agents are available from pharmaceutical companies. This includes drugs such as varnishes, drops, solutions, gels, ointments, tablets. Each of them has its own instructions for use and side effects. Therefore, before starting treatment, you should consult a dermatologist and consult.

Fungus varnishes

The advantage of antifungal agents in the form of varnishes is that they are not absorbed into clothing and adhere well to nails. Check out our roundup of the best varnishes against fungus.

Lorecil

An effective agent that is used for treatment and prevention. The active substance of the varnish is amorolfine, which disinfects and destroys fungal infection.

Instructions for use:

• wash and steam your feet;
• remove damaged areas with a nail file;
• disinfect the surface of the plate with an alcohol solution;
• apply the composition to each nail;
• wait 2-3 minutes until it dries completely.

The product is applied 1-2 times a week. The course of treatment is 9-12 months.

Contraindications:

• individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
• pregnancy;
• lactation.

Side effects:

• burning sensation near the nail plate;
• peeling and redness of the skin.

Fungus on the feet - Cyclopiroxolamine varnish

Fights mold, dermatophytes, yeasts and onychomycosis of the legs, thanks to the active ingredient - ciclopiroxolamine.

Instructions for use:

• trim and file the nail;
• apply varnish in one layer;
• wait for it to dry.

In order to remove the fungus, the medicine is applied once a day for 30 days. For prevention, use once a month.

Contraindications:

• allergy to components;
• lactation and pregnancy;
• children under 10 years old.

Side effects:

• dry skin;
• itching;
• redness.

Fungus of the feet - Drops and solutions

Easy to use. The active substances penetrate deep into the nail plate and provide a reliable effect.

Fungus on the feet - Exoderil

The best remedy in this category is Exoderil drops. The active substance of the drops is naftifine. Due to its action, a lack of ergosterol appears in the fungus cell, and the microorganism dies.

Instructions for use:

• clean the nail and skin;
• rub the solution into the affected area and the area around it.

The drug is used once a day. The duration of treatment is selected by the doctor and is 2-4 weeks

Contraindications:

• use with caution to treat children;
• burns and wounds around the affected area;
• individual intolerance.

Side effects:

• the occurrence of allergies;
• burning and dryness.

Fungus on the feet - Clotrimazole

For toenail fungus, a dermatologist may prescribe Clotrimazole. The active substance (clotrimazole) changes the structure of the cell membrane of the harmful microorganism. A powerful tool used to fight all types of fungal infections.

Instructions for use:

• wash your feet in warm water;
• dry the skin thoroughly, paying attention to the space between the fingers;
• apply a thin layer of the solution and rub in.

They are treated with it until the symptoms of the disease pass and another 3 weeks to avoid relapse.

Contraindication:

• allergy;
• sensitivity to components.

Side effects:

• the occurrence of allergies;
• feeling dry;
• itching.

Micoderil

Another powerful medicine is Micoderil. This is a Russian remedy with the active substance naftifine, which quickly destroys the fungus and prevents its development.

Instructions for use:

• wash your nails;
• remove the affected part of the nail;
• apply the solution to the plate and the skin around it.

Use the remedy twice a day for 6 months.

Contraindications:

• damage to the skin;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• children under 12 years old.

Side effects:

• hyperemia of the skin;
• dryness and burning;
• allergy.

Treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies

You can effectively treat the fungus on the feet using traditional methods, especially this treatment can be successful at the very beginning of the disease. Earlier, when there were no such powerful antifungal drugs sold in the pharmacy, people got along and dealt with fungal infection without them.

1. 

   Treatment of foot fungus with onions. The easiest way to cure is with onions. Grate the head of onion and squeeze the juice out of it and lubricate the areas affected by the fungus on the legs. When the juice is dry, you do not need to rinse your feet; the procedure is best done before bedtime.

2. Treatment of foot fungus with sea salt solution. A solution of sea salt will help heal the fungus in 10 days. Twice a day - in the morning and in the evening, wash your feet in a sea salt bath (1 teaspoon per 1 glass of water). Then soak a cotton swab in a saline solution, apply a cotton swab to the affected area and hold it until it dries. Then wash your feet with a baking soda solution (the proportion is the same as for the sea solution) and dry your feet.
3. Treating foot fungus with garlic. A good effect is given by the treatment of foot fungus with a salt infusion of garlic. Prepare a solution of table salt (1 teaspoon of salt is taken for 1 liter of water). Take 1 tablespoon of this solution and add 1 large clove of crushed garlic to it. Strain and squeeze through cheesecloth, add 4 more tablespoons of brine to the mixture. Lubricate the places affected by the fungus with the prepared solution 2 times a day. Each time it is necessary to prepare a fresh solution for treatment.

4. Treatment of foot fungus with clay. Clay is another helper for mycosis of the feet. Clay powder (sold in a pharmacy) dilute with cold water until the consistency of thick sour cream and apply a thick layer to the affected areas, wrap with a linen cloth. You will need to remove the bandage before the clay dries and then rinse your feet with a lemon solution (1 tablespoon of lemon juice in 1 glass of water).

   Clay lotions should be done at least 2 times a day, and preferably 3 times, preparing a new portion of clay each time.

5. Treatment of foot fungus with celandine juice. In the summer, if celandine grows in your country house, then you can use the juice of this plant, since it has a strong antifungal effect. It is necessary to pluck the plant, an orange juice will immediately appear on it, and lubricate the affected areas with it. Just keep in mind that the procedure is not very pleasant, you will feel itching, but as the juice is absorbed, it will go away. After a couple of minutes, lubricate the area with juice again and do this 3-4 times. You need to repeat the procedure twice a day for a month.
6. Treatment of foot fungus with celandine compresses. If you have dry celandine herb, grind it into powder and mix with tea tree oil to form a thick emulsion. Apply as compresses to the affected areas of the legs daily. Do this until the old nail affected by the fungus comes off and a new one grows in its place.

7. 

   Alcohol tincture of propolis is an effective and affordable remedy against fungus, it can always be bought at the pharmacy. Treatment of foot fungus with propolis. Alcohol tincture of propolis is an effective and affordable remedy against fungus, it can always be bought at a pharmacy. Possessing antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, bactericidal, regenerating and anesthetic effects, propolis is harmful to the fungus. Moisten a cotton swab with 20% propolis tincture and apply to the affected area, wrap your legs in plastic and secure everything with a bandage, the procedure is best done at night. In about a month of treatment, the nail affected by the fungus will come off and a new one will grow in its place.

8. Treatment of foot fungus with herbal balm. You can prepare yourself a medicinal antifungal herbal balm: pour 0.5 liters of sunflower oil into an enamel bowl, and add 1 tablespoon of chopped dry herbs: peppermint, comfrey and golden root (Rhodiola rosea). Put on low heat and heat, but not more than 65 degrees. Turn off the stove and let it brew for 12 hours, strain. Add 1 tablespoon of oil solutions of vitamins A, E and D to the balm, mix everything and lubricate the affected areas with balm at least 2 times a day. You need to store the balm in the refrigerator, the shelf life is no more than six months.

9. Treatment of foot fungus with birch tar. Birch tar, which is sold in the pharmacy, is another of the strong enemies of foot fungus. Lubricate the affected toes and nail plates every time after showering and do not rinse off afterwards.

   After several such procedures, you will not even notice how the fungus will disappear without a trace. Personally, this method helped me a lot to cope with foot fungus, which I once picked up while visiting the pool.

10. Until the patient has cured the fungus, he should not walk around the house barefoot, and also sit with his feet on the sofa or armchairs.
11. Before taking a bath, it should be thoroughly washed with any liquid chlorine product that kills the fungus.
12. Scissors, nail files and other pedicure and manicure items must be wiped with alcohol.
13. If the fungus is found in one of the spouses, then he needs to go to bed in clean ironed cotton socks, and change the bedding every week.
14. Be sure to treat the shoes by wiping them inside with apple cider vinegar, 40% acetic acid or formalin solution.

If any of your family members develop the fungus, then you need to take precautions to prevent infection.

Popular unconventional methods

All folk recipes can be attributed to non-traditional methods. They also include:

• Strong coffee trays. It is enough just to dilute the drink and immerse your feet there. The procedure is performed before bedtime. After a few baths, the disease will disappear.
• Garlic. Grind the clove so that it releases the juice. Spread over the affected area and wrap with cling film. You will feel a slight burning or throbbing pain. Leave the bandage on overnight, and in the morning rinse with warm water.
• Novocaine. Lotions from this drug help to recover after three procedures. It is enough to apply a cotton wool soaked in novocaine to the sore spot at night.

Fungus on the feet - quickly cure

The most popular recipes for homemade antifungal compresses for the treatment of mycoses of the feet:

• Apply finely chopped fresh rowan leaves to the infected skin, cover with a leaf of burdock on top and wrap with cellophane.
• Apply 35% salicylic ointment evenly to the lesions of the fungus, wrap with cling film. Change the bandage once a day.
• Pass a few cloves of garlic through a press, mix with an equal amount of butter until smooth. Apply the resulting mass to the sore spot, wrap it with foil, leave it overnight. The garlic will burn, but it is a good way to quickly cure the fungus from your feet.
• Onion gruel is used for compresses in its pure form, you just need to change the dressings as often as possible. If the itching becomes unbearable, you can dilute the onion with petroleum jelly in a 1: 1 ratio.
• Nighttime vinegar compresses show good results. It is more convenient to use a cotton pad dipped in a weak solution of vinegar essence.
• Alcohol wraps help against foot fungus. A small piece of linen cloth, soaked in an aqueous solution of ammonia, is wrapped around the sore leg and insulated with polyethylene. The course is designed for 7-10 days.
• Mashed potato sprouts are infused with vodka for 24 hours. The prepared gruel is used for foot compresses before bedtime.
• If the fungus is localized in the interdigital folds, you can apply peppermint and salt gruel to the affected skin. This remedy perfectly fights against itching, removes unpleasant odor and other symptoms.

The method of rubbing the affected skin with birch tar, an alcohol solution of iodine, garlic juice, tea tree oils and celandine helps to quickly get rid of the fungus on the feet at home.

Fungus on the feet - Prevention

• Never wear someone else's shoes, and when visiting, the slippers offered to you. Better to take a change of shoes with you or walk into the room in socks.
• In the cold season, always change into replaceable shoes, do not overheat your feet, because it is when the feet sweat that the mushrooms begin their attack.
• Do not forget to take rubber slippers with you when visiting the solarium, swimming pool, sauna, steam bath or therapeutic baths in the sanatorium. In the bath, pour boiling water over a bench and a basin, put a sheet or a towel on the shelf, only you can lie and sit on them.
• Do not walk barefoot in hotels, sports locker rooms, train compartments and other public places, or on a beach without shale. The latter is not an unnecessary precaution, in the wet hot sand is a breeding ground for fungal infections, it hides a lot of scales and nail fragments infected with fungus.
• Change your bath and shower mats from cloth and sponge mats to rubber ones. Moisture is trapped in their folds, skin flakes and fragments of nails get stuck, and a rubber mat can always be easily doused with hot water.
• After taking a shower or bath, wipe your feet thoroughly to dryness and especially carefully between the toes so that no moisture remains there, and with it the chances of fungus settling.
• Change your socks, stockings, or tights every day. Do not let anyone even temporarily use files, manicure instruments, sponges, washcloths.
• Do not wear the same pair of shoes for more than two days in a row. Let it dry thoroughly within 24 hours.
• When buying shoes, never measure them on bare feet.
• Monitor the condition of your feet, take proper care of your feet - take action in time for sweating, dryness, calluses, and avoid cracks on your feet.
• If, nevertheless, you have a suspicion that you could catch the fungus while visiting the pool or beach, then when you come home, treat your feet by wiping them with a cotton swab dipped in a 6% solution of table vinegar or wash your feet with tar soap.

Observe these precautions, remember that a disease is always easier to prevent than to treat it later.

Fungus on the feet - Hygiene

So that you do not have to deal with this disease, follow the rules of personal hygiene.

So that you do not have to face this disease, then follow a few rules:

• 

  it is necessary to wash your feet with soap and water several times a day. For this, laundry soap is ideal, which kills all germs;

• dry your feet with a disposable paper towel or you can use a hairdryer:
• use periodically antifungal ointments;
• wear new clean socks every day;
• shoes must breathe;
• Treat the inside of your shoes with vinegar.

As soon as you notice the first symptoms of fungal infection, then immediately go to the hospital. A dermatologist will examine you and prescribe appropriate treatment for you. The sooner you see a specialist, the easier the treatment will be.

Treating a fungal infection is not a quick process, so be patient. It can drag on for a year, it all depends on how advanced the disease is. Do not delay treatment, as the fungus can spread to other parts of the body over time.

Find out more:

• If the fungus is on the tongue - how to treat folk remedies
• Fungus - how to remove it from the body with folk remedies
• Toenail fungus
• Fungus on the tongue - how to treat
• Fungus - how to remove it from the body with folk remedies