Regardless of the pathogen, the disease has similar symptoms, mechanism of occurrence and treatment tactics. Athlete's foot is a common and contagious disease. It is characterized by a high frequency of occurrence in the presence of concomitant conditions and diseases, for example, foci of chronic inflammation, endocrine diseases, decreased immune system and other diseases. As a rule, the disease is chronic in nature with exacerbations in the summer and softening of the process (remission) until the winter.
Signs of mycoses
- Color change
- Inflammation
- The appearance of stains
- erosion
- Deformation and thickening
Types of fungal diseases of the feet
Depending on the types of fungi that cause the disease, foot mycoses are divided into:
Yeast-like mycoses: caused by fungi of the genus Candida.
Mold mycoses: caused by the fungi Scytalidium spp. , Onychocola canadensis, Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Alternaria, Penicillium.
Dermatomycosis: caused by dermatomycetes of the genus Trichophyton, Epidermophyton. Fungi of this species require keratin to function, which is rich in the stratum corneum of the skin, nails and hair. The group of dermatomycosis with predominant damage to the nails includes rubrophytosis (the causative agent isTrichophyton rubrum) and athlete's foot (causative agent - Trichophyton interdigitale). Trichophyton rubrum accounts for approximately 80-90% of athlete's foot cases.
Mixed mycoses: caused by several types of fungi at the same time.
Each type of mycosis is described in detail below.
Yeast-like mycoses
Recently, foot mycoses caused by fungi of the genus Candida have become widespread. It is assumed that this is due to the widespread use of various drugs, the action of which is associated with interaction with the immune system.
Dermatomycoses
Athlete's foot is a chronic disease localized to the skin of the arches and interdigital folds of the feet, with frequent damage to the nail plates.
Fungal mycoses
Fungal mycoses are mostly common in places where people traditionally go barefoot (eastern and subtropical and tropical countries). In regions with a mild climate, this type of mycosis also occurs, but, as a rule, in patients with immunodeficiency conditions and in people who often come into contact with the soil and plants.
Forms of mycosis of the feet
There are several forms of mycosis:
Squamous
It is characterized by peeling skin on the arches of the feet, possibly spreading to the surface of the toes. Areas of skin thickening and lamellar peeling may also appear.
Intertriginous
Similar to interdigital diaper rash. The inflammatory process is usually localized between the third and fourth toes. The stratum corneum softens, loosens and falls. Cracks and a white coating appear. Itching and burning begins. The addition of pyococcal flora (pustular infection) and yeasts is possible, then the affected areas are covered with purulent-bloody crusts.
Dyshidrotic
It is characterized by the appearance on the lateral surface of the feet and on the surfaces of the fingers in contact with it, blisters filled with a clear liquid and covered with a thick layer of corneum. Sago grains (pods) can be single or join into multi-chambered pods. With the joining of pyococci, the contents of the vesicles become cloudy, then they open and create erosions covered with purulent-hemorrhagic crusts. Some patients notice inflammation of the lymph nodes and a deterioration in general health.
In 2/3 of patients with intertriginous and dyshidrotic forms of epidermophytosis, mycide (allergic rash) is observed.
Of course, the identification of clinical forms of epidermophytosis is conditional, as their combination often occurs; one form can be transformed into another. It all depends on the reaction of the body, physical activity and treatment methods of the patient.
Also, with mycosis of the feet, the nails are often affected, mainly on the first and fifth toes. The nail plate acquires yellow spots or lines, the surface becomes dull and uneven, and a horny thickening begins to appear under the nail, which then leads to the destruction of the nail plate.
By watching the relevant video on the Internet, you can find out that foot fungus can be caused by various factors, and in order to choose treatment tactics for this disease, it is necessary to determine the type of fungus and determine the cause of its occurrence.
Causes of foot fungus
The main causes of foot fungus are:
- Excessive sweating or, conversely, increased dryness and burning of the feet. These processes disrupt the protective function of skin cells.
- Anatomical features: narrow spaces between the toes and their deformation, flat feet.
- Problems with thermoregulation (maintaining a certain body temperature) and microcirculation (transportation of biological fluids).
- Wounds, injuries that violate the integrity of the skin. Infections often occur through these injuries.
- The presence of diseases that reduce immunity or lead to metabolic disorders (for example, endocrinopathy, blood diseases, oncology, etc. ).
- Taking certain medications (antibacterial, cytostatic, corticosteroids).
Often, fungal infections of the legs are combined with pustular rashes, so assumptions are made about the relationship between them: thanks to pyococci, dermatophytes penetrate deep into the subcutaneous tissue, and prolonged mycoses due to the formation of cracks, scratches and erosions contribute. for increased susceptibility to infection.
Often, with toenail fungus, a viral infection occurs. For example, the causative agent of rubromycosis activates papillomaviruses and herpes viruses. This is manifested in an increase in the concentration of viruses on the surface of cells infected by fungi.
The source of the spread of the disease is people suffering from mycosis: during the peeling process, the skin flakes containing the pathogens of the fungal infection break off. These infected scales often end up on floors and equipment in pools, spas, and pedicure instruments.
An interesting fact is that mushrooms are very resistant and can be stored in thermal springs, chlorinated and ozonated water for 12-18 days. Water with a high salt content or hydrogen sulfide is harmful to fungi.
So, we must remember that the general mechanisms that contribute to the development of fungal infections of the feet are caused by a violation of the body's natural resistance, changes in immune and metabolic processes.
Diagnosis of foot fungus
Diagnosis of foot fungus includes:
- Assessment of patient complaints and the presence of chronic diseases.
- Microscopic examination of the affected skin and nail particles.
- Cultivation is the placement of pathogenic microorganisms in a nutrient medium for their reproduction and subsequent accurate identification, as well as for evaluating the activity of antifungal drugs and determining the sensitivity of fungi to them.
To choose the right therapy, it is important to determine whether the changes in the skin of the leg are a fungal infection or dyshidrotic eczema, keratoderma, psoriasis and other skin diseases.
Antifungal drugs, agents, antimycotics
Antifungal agents: classification and types of dosage forms. Methods of using antimycotics.
Treatment of athlete's foot
Treatment of foot fungus should be carried out comprehensively; it is important not only to suppress the spread of pathogenic microorganisms and eliminate the symptoms, but also to destroy the pathogens and eliminate the cause of their appearance (increasing immunity, immediate treatment of small wounds on the legs, etc. ). It is necessary to treat concomitant diseases that cause the development of fungal infections.
Additionally, some people may have allergic reactions to certain mushrooms (such as mykids). In such cases, antihistamine (antiallergic) drugs may be needed.
To treat mycoses, as a rule, topical preparations are used, that is, those that are applied directly to the affected area of the skin. Such products are produced in the form of ointments, creams, sprays, solutions and varnishes (for nails).
Depending on the mechanism of action, antifungal agents can have a fungistatic effect, inhibiting the growth and reproduction of fungi, or they can have a fungicidal effect and promote the death of fungi.
Since foot mycoses are most often provoked by mixed fungal flora, it is more effective to use broad-spectrum agents. These include drugs that have anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effects.
The use of products with special purposes in the treatment of foot fungus
Modern antifungal drugs are very effective against pathogenic fungi of the genus Candida, dermatophytes (Trichophyton, Microsporum) and other agents causing skin infections, gram-positive strains of staphylococcus and streptococcus. They block the growth and reproduction of fungi (fungistatic effect), destroy fungi (fungicidal effect) when used in therapeutic doses, have their anti-inflammatory and antipruritic effect.