A common dermatological disease is a fungus between the toes. It often happens to professional athletes, whereby due to increased physical exertion, their feet become sweaty and clammy, which is a breeding ground for foot fungus.
This type of fungal infection is more typical of men and is common in the summer and also in humid climates.
Causes
There are several reasons for the appearance of fungus between the toes. Among the main ones are the following:
- When people have weakened immunity and the body lacks vitamins, the fungus begins to become active.
- High levels of sweating in the legs.
- Lack of personal hygiene.
- Wear uncomfortable shoes made of artificial materials.
- Visit the swimming pool, gyms and other public places where many people walk, without shoes.
- Using the things of a person who has a fungus.
- metabolic disease. Diabetes.
- Other infectious diseases. The fungus, by the way, can be your indicator.
Symptoms of a fungal infection between the toes
Despite the fact that a fungal infection between the fingers has characteristic common symptoms. We can say that some of the signs of a fungal infection may vary slightly from person to person. In general, a person with foot fungus may experience symptoms such as:
- At first, a slight itching may be observed, which does not cause much discomfort and therefore the person may not notice it. Little by little, it begins to grow and cause anxiety. Redness of the skin appears.
- A characteristic symptom of a fungal infection is scaling of the skin, which begins to peel off.
- The skin cover bursts, cracks with whitish edges appear. There is a burning sensation.
- Mycosis begins mainly in the area between the fourth and fifth fingers, and then spreads throughout the leg.
- The feet begin to sweat more and smell bad.
- The skin on the soles of the feet becomes denser.
- Also, the appearance of the nails can change. They begin to exfoliate, various gray and yellow spots appear on them.
If symptoms occur, you should immediately contact a specialist who will prescribe the correct treatment. A dermatologist will look at the feet, study the signs, and create an individual treatment regimen that will quickly lead to a person's recovery.
The process of treating the fungus is not quick, and even after the disappearance of all symptoms, the course clearly defined by the doctor should be continued and fully completed. Cured fungus is the foundation of good health.
How to treat a fungus between the toes: medications
Pharmacies sell a wide variety of antifungal drugs in various forms (ointments, creams, gels, solutions and special therapeutic lotions). But before buying them, it is better to consult a dermatologist, who will determine the best option for a person.
Also, some medicines and drugs have contraindications, the doctor will take this into account when choosing a treatment that is absolutely safe. The same applies to home remedies, it is better to discuss their use with a dermatologist.
During treatment, in addition to basic medicines, you need to take vitamins and remedies to strengthen immunity and improve health. Wash your feet twice a day with tar soap and use disposable towels. If your feet sweat a lot, you need to buy a special powder at a pharmacy, thanks to which your feet will be dry and smell good.
All shoes in which you walk must be thoroughly disinfected, for this it will need to be treated with vinegar. Air out your shoes every day. You can also use a special disinfectant antifungal device, thanks to the action of ultraviolet light, it eliminates all fungi and you can safely put on your shoes.
Before applying a special ointment, you must first make a therapeutic bath that steams your legs well. So, for example, you can take two tablespoons of grated laundry soap and dissolve it in two liters of warm water. Put your feet in the bath for fifteen minutes, then clean them well so that they are completely dry. Then, in a thin, even layer, you can apply the ointment, while you need to spread not only the areas infected with the fungus, but also between all other fingers. The same applies if you have only one foot under the action of the fungus, then the second healthy one is also treated with therapeutic agents for prevention.
Compresses with Burov's solution help well. For this procedure, cotton pads must be moistened in a solution and placed between the toes for twenty minutes.
Folk remedies for fungus on the legs between the toes.
Traditional methods of medicine can be effectively combined with home remedies to speed up the fungus treatment process.
Before using certain home remedies, make sure that you are not sensitive to certain medicinal components.
It is better to consult a dermatologist before use.
- An excellent folk remedy that treats interdigital fungus on the legs is compresses with the addition of birch tar. Before use, you need to steam your feet with soapy water and exfoliate the peeled skin. Then, dry the feet well and spread throughout the space between the fingers, the nails and all the cracks in the skin. After an hour and a half, you can clean the tar. After the procedure, it is not recommended to wash your feet for two days. The course is five times until the fungus is cured.
- Celandine oil, which can be purchased at a pharmacy, helps to cure the fungus well. First, the feet must be steamed in hot water with soda. Apply vegetable oil to fingers and nails. It is best to perform this procedure twice a day. The fungus is treated with celandine for about a month.
- Garlic will also help. It is necessary to cut each of its slices in half, soak in salt and treat the areas infected with a fungus. You can also finely chop the garlic, mix it with salt and use the resulting mass to make a compress.
- We put a chicken egg in a jar and fill it with seventy-five percent vinegar essence. We put the jar in a place protected from light for several days. When the shell dissolves, take out the film and add a teaspoon of butter and mix everything well. Let the remedy sit for twenty-four hours. You will receive a special ointment that must be applied twice a day.
- A good option for the fungus between the fingers can be the regular use of baths with salt and soda. These components are added to a bowl of warm water, one tablespoon at a time. It is necessary to support the legs in the bath for two or three minutes, then rinse them with clean water. Then, put on socks soaked in wine vinegar and go to bed with them.
- You can make a special healing compress, which is best done before bedtime. To do this, a soft piece of natural fabric should be soaked with a solution of a tablespoon of ammonia and a glass of water. Such procedures should be performed eight to ten times.
- Within a month, you can make therapeutic baths that will help cure the fungus. To do this, pour five tablespoons of ground coffee with a liter of hot water. When the solution warms up, soak your feet in it for half an hour. Then we put cotton socks on wet feet and sleep in them. Rinse your feet in the morning with cold water.
- Fifty milliliters of strong brewed tea mixed with one tablespoon of nine percent vinegar. Then dip cotton pads in the resulting solution and wipe the areas infected with the fungus with them. Do this procedure several times for several weeks.
- Remedy for fungus on the legs: baths with sea salt. After application, the skin becomes smoother. Between the toes rubbed with aloe or celandine juice. You can replace the sea salt with apple cider vinegar, then rub the skin with tea tree oil.
Prevention of foot fungus.
Let's look at what steps to take to prevent fungus.
- Always use your own towels and shoes. In the store, try on new shoes, wear thin socks. Prepare separate shoes for guests.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle, drink vitamins and strengthen your immune system.
- Healthy sleep, at least nine hours is the key to strong and good health.
- Wear shoes made from quality natural materials that allow your skin to breathe and your feet to feel comfortable.
- Do not walk barefoot in public places where there are many people. After the visit, dry your feet and use special antibacterial agents.
- Use your personal manicure set and disinfect it thoroughly.
- Change socks and stockings every day.
- Make sure your feet don't sweat too much, buy special products for excessive sweating.
Take good care of your health, be positive and take preventive measures.