Mycosis, or fungus, is an unpleasant disease caused by parasitic microorganisms - fungi. It is quite common and can occur in both adults and children. Fungus can appear on different parts of the body, but most often affects the skin of the feet and hands, as well as the nails. It causes physical discomfort, and the affected area looks very unattractive.
Fungus is not a "harmless" disease. The waste products are toxic, can weaken the immune system and even cause allergies. Therefore, he needs timely treatment, which should be prescribed by a doctor. Many are concerned about the question of how to get rid of fungus on the feet, what treatments can be used to treat the problem at home.
Why fungi appear
The appearance and development of skin fungi is associated with the presence of pathogens in the skin, which multiply rapidly. The fungus is most often localized between the fingers, and can also affect the heels, feet, palms and nails. There may be several reasons why it appears. Fungi love a humid and warm environment. Increased sweating in the feet creates all the conditions for the infection to "settle" in the skin.
Visiting public places such as swimming pools, saunas, gyms, dressing rooms and shared showers is a major way to get mycosis. At the same time, direct contact with a person or with other people’s belongings is not required: fungal spores are volatile and present in the air. Also, fungus occurs from lack of proper personal care and hygiene.
Poor quality shoes and do not allow the skin of the feet to breathe can also be one of the factors in the occurrence of the disease. The disease can also develop in people whose work activities are associated with constant contact with yeast fungi (sweeteners, cooks, winemakers). Fungi can also appear with a background of weakened immunity, caused by chronic diseases (diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis).
The fungus starts on the skin of the feet between the toes. There are symptoms such as itching, redness of the skin, peeling. Then cracks form, the skin thickens, scales appear. There may also be blisters of fluid on the skin that have broken and healed badly. If left untreated, the infection multiplies quickly and can spread to nails and hands. The skin of the hand affected by the fungus becomes very dry and covered with scales.
Between the fingers, the skin can change color, crack and flake off. In general, the symptoms of fungus on the hands and feet are the same. Symptoms that indicate the appearance of fungus on the nail: the infection begins to affect the nail from the edges and then reaches the base. The nail plate becomes cloudy, thickens, the nail changes shape, changes shape. There are also symptoms such as the appearance of streaks on the nails and discoloration: from white, yellow to brown or even black.
Fungus is a problem where the body begins to fight. Because of this, allergy symptoms may be in the form of blisters and erosions on the skin.
Causes of fungus in children
Fungus on the feet and hands is a fairly common problem in children. First of all, this is due to the fact that the child's immune system is not sufficiently developed and therefore can be subject to various influences, including fungal infections. In addition, the susceptibility of children to various fungal diseases is also determined by the characteristics of their skin: low bactericidal activity of sweat and sebaceous glands, increased ability to absorb water.
In the process of learning the world, children are in close contact with the environment, where the pathogens of fungal diseases are widespread (e. g. , the disease can manifest after contact with sick animals or soil). In addition, in kindergarten or school, the child comes into contact with a large number of other children who may also be carriers of skin diseases.
Infections in children can occur through direct contact and after using household items that contain fungal spores: toys, towels, other people's shoes. It’s enough to run barefoot or try other people’s things - and the disease may already be real. The symptoms of the disease do not differ from adults.
Factors that provoke the appearance of fungal diseases in children are beriberi, poor ecology, lack of personal hygiene culture. Parents need to listen to the child's complaints, regularly check the skin. It is important to treat the fungus, as the disease can cause allergies and weaken the immune system in children.
Preventive and preventative measures will prevent your child from getting sick. Therefore, you should consult a dermatologist as soon as possible. The doctor will be able to diagnose and prescribe the right treatment.
fungal treatment
If you notice in yourself or your child any signs or symptoms of the appearance of fungus on the legs or arms, then you should immediately contact a specialist. Only a doctor will be able to make a correct diagnosis and determine the method of how to get rid of the fungus on the feet and hands. Proper diagnosis is important because the external symptoms of the infection may overlap with other diseases (such as psoriasis).
Depending on the causative agent of the disease, the neglect of the disease and the health condition of the patient himself, the doctor prescribes local, systemic treatment (taking pills) or a mixture. Topical application involves the use of special ointments, varnishes or sprays. If the patient has no contraindications, then the doctor prescribes a course of antifungal tablets that will help destroy the fungus "from within". Of course, it is better to use combination therapy when the treatment of the problem is carried out in all directions.
In some cases of fungal infections, the doctor may recommend removing the nail. But just removing the nails will not solve the problem, because the fungus will still be in the body and will manifest over time. This procedure makes the treatment more effective, as antifungal medications can more easily penetrate the lesion. Today, this procedure is painless and does not require surgery.
There are special products that stick to the nail and "dissolve" in 3-4 days. Treating fungus on the legs and arms is quite difficult. The treatment itself can last up to 1 year. In addition to the therapy prescribed by the doctor, the treatment of the fungus at home must also be carried out using some recommendations.
- Complete disinfection of living space. Perform general cleaning of the place where you live. Pay special attention to the bathroom. Wash the bathtub, as well as the floor and walls, with a cleaner. Rinse the container with hot water after each wash. The carpet on the bathroom floor should be made of rubber so that no fungus can settle in it.
- It is necessary to wash the feet with household soap or tar. This type of soap has antifungal and disinfectant properties. In addition, they will help dry out some of the sores that may appear due to the fungus.
- After the water procedure, dry your feet with a hair dryer or dry them thoroughly with a paper towel, as fungus may remain on normal feet.
- Don’t walk barefoot around the house, and don’t sit with your feet up on upholstered furniture.
- Throw away your old slippers. Walk around the house either in socks made of natural materials, or in rubber open slippers.
- Treat the rest of the shoes with apple cider vinegar or formalin.
- Items from the manicure set must be individual and not used by any family member. After each use, wipe the scissors and nail file with alcohol.
- Sleep in cotton socks, which need to be changed daily.
- Bed linen should be changed at least once a week.
- Socks, stockings or tights - change daily. They need to be washed in hot water. Socks after washing can be ironed well with an iron.
Of course, it is better to prevent a disease than to treat it later. Therefore, prevention is necessary to protect yourself from this disease as much as possible. When visiting swimming pools, saunas and other public places, use only your personal items (towels, wipes). Never go barefoot. Even if you shower in a public place, don’t take off your slippers. They should be made of rubber, not sponge material.
After visiting the pool, at home you need to wash the slippers well with laundry soap and dry them. For everyday wear, choose quality shoes made of natural and breathable materials. Wearing non -breathable shoes will make your feet sweat, which creates a good environment for the development of fungal diseases.
Prevention of fungal infections includes careful self-care, regular water procedures, timely change of underwear and bed linen.
Get rid of fungus at home
Among other things, at home, you can use traditional medicine. In combination with the treatment prescribed by your doctor, this will help get rid of the fungus quickly.
- Apple cider vinegar is a drug that has disinfectant and antifungal properties. Apply vinegar on cotton and apply on the affected area. If there are open cuts and sores on the skin, then you can not make such a lotion. In this case, make a foot bath with a weak solution of apple cider vinegar.
- Foot baths can also be done with sea salt. For this you need 3 tbsp. l. salt per liter of warm water. It is better to use salt, which does not contain dyes and flavors. Soak your feet in this solution for 10-15 minutes. It can be applied on the affected area as a compress.
- Traditional healers know how to get rid of fungus on the legs and arms at home with the help of ordinary onions. Grate the onion and squeeze the juice. Moisten a cotton ball with juice and apply on the affected area. Do not rinse, but let the juice dry. The procedure must be performed daily.
- Clay is another way to fight fungus. Take pharmaceutical clay (sold in powder) and dilute with cold water to the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply the product on the affected area until completely dry. Then rinse with water.
- Celandine juice is a universal remedy for the treatment of many skin diseases at home. If you break a branch of celandine, then orange juice will start to emerge from it. With this juice, it is necessary to lubricate the area affected by the fungus. The procedure must be performed twice a day.
- Pharmacies sell another effective remedy - birch tar. After bathing, apply on the sore spot and leave with clean socks. This procedure is best done at night.
- You can also get rid of the fungus with the help of regular soda. Take a little soda, dilute with water to a slurry state. It is necessary to make an application of this slurry every day, keep for 15 minutes.
- Among the suggestions on how to cure foot fungus at home, there are tips on using ammonia. 1 hb. l. dilute the ammonia in a glass of water. Wet the handkerchief with the solution and wrap the affected limb with it. Place the bag on top and secure with socks. This procedure is best done at night.
Prevention can protect you from fungal infections. But if you still find symptoms of concern in yourself or your child, call your doctor right away. Only a doctor who knows how to get rid of the fungus in the shortest possible time and without harming the body, he will be able to make a correct diagnosis.
Do not self -medicate. Self -treatment at home can not only be harmful, but also exacerbate the problem. Traditional medicine can be effective, but only if treatment with alternative methods is allowed and approved by a doctor.