How to identify athlete's foot

There are a number of dermatological diseases called fungi. The general name of such an infection is "mycosis". If we talk about skin diseases of the feet, they are dermatomycosis. If the nail plate is affected, the doctor diagnoses "onychomycosis". This is one of the most common pathologies in humans.

Dermatologists distinguish several types of fungal infections in humans:

• anthropophiles;
• zooanthropophiles;
• candida.

The first cause is infections in humans, the second - in humans and animals, and the third - as yeast.

Causes of fungal pathologies

Fungal spores are abundant in soil, surfaces, and common areas. We go home on public transport, go to the swing with our children, buy groceries from the supermarket, work in the same room with people, interact with pets. Why do some people get sick and others don't?

There are population groups that are more susceptible to fungal diseases than others. Let's look at them in more detail:

1. Immunocompromised persons.When the body is weakened by surgery or a serious illness, it is less resistant to various infections, including fungi.
2. Children and the elderly.Both groups are prone to pathologies due to age-related characteristics. A young body is not yet strong enough, and older people already have a large number of chronic diseases that weaken the body.
3. People with metabolic diseasescaused by disorders of the thyroid, pancreas, pituitary gland, and circulatory and lymphatic systems.
4. Workers working in hazardous industries associated with high temperatures.In such an environment, conditions are created for the development and spread of foot fungus.
5. Lovers of gyms, saunas, swimming pools.In themselves, these activities are very useful, but the lack of compliance with basic sanitary and hygienic norms regarding the disinfection of these buildings leads to the emergence of a fungal problem.

Doctors distinguish the following types of fungal diseases of the feet: athlete's foot, trichophytosis and candidiasis. It is believed that men are most affected by fungi, although this is a controversial statement. They pay less attention to their health, so the disease progresses.

The main symptoms of the disease

It is not at all difficult to visually determine the presence of fungus on the feet. If you notice redness, your foot begins to itch violently, even painfully, bursting blisters appear, the skin peels, and an unpleasant odor appears, then you most likely have a fungal infection.

This can happen if you step barefoot on exercise equipment, on the floor of a fitness club, or catch an infection from a pet. After all, there are fungi that are transmitted from animals to their owners. Taking a shower after a shift in a factory can also reward you with this discomfort. Using other people's hygiene products - soap, towels, clothes - is not only unhygienic, but also dangerous.

The disease can start with the skin, then the area between the nails and fingers is affected. This is a very serious cosmetic defect. Disturbances in the formation of the nail plate. It begins to disintegrate, change color and may disappear completely. The nail bed is inflamed. This is not only a cosmetic defect, but a pathology that causes physical suffering. Even walking becomes painful.

How to identify athlete's foot

To tell exactly what type of dermatomycosis is present, to clarify whether it is really a fungus or a callus, an abrasion or a corn, you should consult a dermatologist. To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor conducts a visual examination and prescribes laboratory diagnostics: skin and nail samples are taken. This makes it possible to clarify what kind of fungi are detected. Only then appropriate therapy is prescribed. Each type is treated differently.

You can identify the fungus yourself using potassium permanganate. This is done like this: dilute a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Place the limb in a container of solution and observe. Well, healthy nails darken, but infected nails stay the same color.

Treatment is usually conservative, at home. It consists of the following mandatory points:

• Taking drugs orallyto destroy fungal spores carried by blood and lymph.
• Local treatment.The use of ointments, creams, special liquids to eliminate the dermatological manifestations of the fungus. Manipulations are performed after pedicure and cutting of affected nails.
• Sanitary and hygienic measures.They consist of disinfecting clothes and shoes. This destroys the spores of the infection.

Fungi are complex, recurrent infections, so therapy must be effective. After a certain period, from two weeks to a month, by carefully following the recommendations, recovery occurs.