Few know what the skin fungus on their feet looks like, despite the prevalence of this infection. It stems from ignorance that many people confuse fungal infection with frequent irritation or allergic reactions, so treatment begins at an advanced stage as the disease progresses. Fungal infections are resistant, according to statistics, 20% of the total population is prone to them.
What does a fungal infection look like?
The fungus belongs to the category of infectious diseases affecting the skin, especially on the feet. There are several types of the disease, but the most common is mycosis. The mushroom is flexible, able to adapt to almost any condition. Even if one gets rid of the disease, relapse is often inevitable as fungal spores still live in clothing and shoes. In most cases, mycosis affects the nail plates and the skin of the feet.
Few know what leg fungus looks like. The fungus is of several types, each with its own symptoms and manifestations:
- the initial stage of the fungus is manifested by redness, swelling and microcracks of the skin;
- the fungus continues to develop, the skin peels off and is covered with reddish-pink spots;
- if the disease is not treated properly, the fungal infection spreads to the nail plates, changing their color, shape, and structure.
The last stage is characterized by exfoliation of the skin and the appearance of deep cracks causing pain and bleeding. At all stages of development, the fungus on the legs manifests as itching that is often unbearable. To get an accurate picture of the appearance of the disease, just look at the pictures taken in the topic.
The process of developing a fungal infection
The fungus affects people regardless of age and professional activity. The infection can be easily transmitted from an infected person to a healthy person (especially if one puts on someone else’s shoes). It can also become infected in public places such as baths, saunas and swimming pools. The fungus, when applied to the skin, gradually destroys the nail plates while moving throughout the body. Therefore, the advanced stage of the disease can only be used for complex therapies (creams, ointments, drops and tablets).
The risk group for a fungal infection includes certain categories of people:
- employees of companies who take a public shower after a job placement;
- people involved in sport professionally;
- military personnel (mainly seafarers);
- public workers;
- miners.
Fungal infections quite often affect housewives and people whose professional duties are directly related to water.
Skin fungus: diagnosis and treatment
Once you find out what a skin fungus looks like on your legs, you can immediately diagnose this disease. But self-medication is not appropriate in this case, as the type and form of pathogens must be determined initially. This can only be done in a medical institution. If a person suspects that they have skin fungus based on external signs, they should consult a dermatologist urgently.
The specialist must perform the initial examination of the patient, perform the necessary examinations (complete blood count, microscopy). If the diagnosis is confirmed, the person is prescribed for the necessary treatment. These can be creams, topical ointments and oral tablets. Only the doctor decides on the treatment of the disease, it is not recommended to prescribe antifungal drugs to yourself.
Folk remedies
In the early stages of the disease or in addition to medication, traditional medicine is perfect. There are several ways to get rid of the foot fungus. To heal the fungus of the skin, it is recommended to prepare a tincture of plantain or chamomile flowers. To do this, you need to take 2 tablespoons. l herbs and pour 200 ml of boiling water. The tincture should be cooled, poured into a basin and there the lower legs for 15-20 minutes. Then wipe your feet thoroughly with a paper towel and lubricate with birch tar, paying particular attention to the affected skin. The procedure should be repeated every day until the signs of the disease completely disappear.
If the nail plates have been affected by the fungus, the treatment will be longer. Among traditional medicine, iodine and 9% vinegar are the most commonly used. The fluids should be combined in equal proportions and the affected nails lubricated with the resulting medication. In this case, it is advisable to saw the nail plate as much as possible.
Folk remedies are very effective in some cases. However, it is not recommended to use them in the advanced stage of the disease, when the fungal infection has already penetrated the bloodstream. In this case, it is better to turn to professionals for help, who can advise not only competent but also safe treatment.
The skin fungus does not cause significant damage to human health, but it often causes discomfort because the affected areas of the skin and nails do not look very attractive. The presence of such a disease prevents a person from accessing public places (swimming pools, saunas, water parks), despite the fact that infection is common in these institutions. As a preventative measure, you should follow the rules of personal hygiene and pay attention to your health.