Fungus on the feet is a disease from which no one is immune. The disease does not go away on its own, so it is important to treat it in a timely manner. The expert will tell you how to get rid of the problem.
Fungus on the feet: symptoms and causes
What is Foot Fungus? Fungi, or mycosis, are diseases triggered by pathogenic or opportunistic fungi. Most often, the disease is caused by the fungus dermatomycete, which, as noted by doctors and colleagues, includes Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton. However, the pathology can also be provoked by microorganisms of the genus Candida.
Fungal lesions on the skin of the feet are called dermatomycosis, nail plates are called onychomycosis. Often, pathological conditions are combined.
How to Recognize Fungus on the Feet?
Symptoms vary depending on the type of fungus affecting the foot. However, there are general symptoms.
In the early stages, there is dryness of the skin, itching and burning of the sites, interdigital folds. If the nail plate is affected, a slight change in color occurs, the nail becomes more brittle, as noted by the doctor.
If no treatment is given, the condition gets worse. The following symptoms appear:
- small cracks between toes, on soles of feet;
- peeling;
- unpleasant smell;
- swelling, redness of the interdigital folds, arch of the foot;
- foam and diaper rash;
- pain while walking;
- nail plate deformation (thickening or thinning, impaired growth, nail destruction).
Why does Fungus Appear on the Feet?
Infection occurs through contact with sick people, skin contact with surfaces and objects on which there are fungal spores. Swimming pools, saunas and baths pose the greatest risk of infection.
However, you can be infected with the fungus in the pedicure office, when using the personal belongings of the infected person - shoes, clothes, towels, wipes. While at home, you need to be careful and not use other family members ’things, as prescribed by the doctor.
There are factors that contribute to the development of fungus on the feet:
- wounds and cracks;
- excessive sweating and dry skin;
- poor hygiene;
- Flat feet;
- circulatory disorders of the legs due to vascular disease;
- diabetes mellitus and immune system pathology.
Folk remedies for the treatment of fungus on the feet
In the early stages of disease development, it is easier to overcome it, so therapy should be started when the first symptoms appear. A variety of folk remedies will help overcome the fungus.
How to treat fungus on the feet with folk remedies? Vinegar, animal fats, essential oils and garlic will help.
Vinegar
Table and apple cider vinegar will help stop the development of fungal diseases:
- Heat two liters of water to a comfortable temperature. Add 200 ml of vinegar. Dip your feet into the resulting composition and hold for 15 minutes. Soak your feet three times a day. After the procedure, dry your feet thoroughly and wear clean socks.
- Soak a cotton ball in apple cider vinegar and apply on your fungal nails and skin. Wear clean socks and leave overnight.
garlic
Garlic has an antifungal effect, so it works well for this problem. The recipe for the drug is as follows:
- Squeeze the juice from one head of garlic, add the same amount of water and alcohol to it.
- Heat water, to which add one tablespoon of tar soap, grated on a coarse grater, and two tablespoons of baking soda.
- Steam your feet for 15 minutes.
- Wipe your feet dry and treat with a mixture of garlic juice and alcohol.
Essential oils
Various essential oils will help combat fungal infections on the feet and nails: rosemary, lavender, ylang-ylang. Doctors say that tea tree and eucalyptus oil will be among the most effective in fighting fungus.
With their help, you can make baths and compresses:
- Wash your feet first. Add ten drops of essential oil to three liters of warm water. Soak your feet in the bathtub for 20 minutes, then wear warm socks or wrap your feet in a warm towel for 15 minutes.
- Heat a tablespoon of water and essential oil to 30 ° C. Wet a cotton pad with the product and apply it on the problem area, wrap with a bandage over it. After an hour, clean the softened skin or nail plate with a sterile file.
Animal fat
How to cure toenail fungus? For this purpose, use lard or goose:
- Take the same amount of fat, copper sulfate and yellow sulfur.
- Mix well and bring to a boil.
- Send to a dark place and wait for complete cooling.
- Lubricate skin and nails affected by fungus daily.
To overcome foot fungus, it is important to undergo regular treatment. Use folk remedies and do not forget about personal hygiene. Then you will enjoy the appearance of your healthy feet.
Attention! The material is for informational purposes only. You should not use the treatments described in it without first consulting your doctor.