In medical circles, mycosis is a group of diseases caused by fungi. If the skin is damaged, dermatomycosis is diagnosed, if the nail plate is damaged, onychomycosis is diagnosed. Pathologies are combined in most images. Finger fungus develops as a result of negative effects of anthropophilic, zooanthropophilic microorganisms. Infection with yeast-like fungi of the Candida family is somewhat less common. Let's consider what types of fungal diseases occur and how to treat the fungus between the toes.
Types of mushrooms
Fungi are divided into several types - dermatophytes, molds and parasites such as yeast. They cause the development of candidiasis, rubrophytosis, onychomycosis, epidermophytosis. Divisions into other types differ depending on the symptoms. There are membranous, vesicular and moccasin types of the disease.
Let us inform you that the infection occurs directly - with soil, vegetation, contact with a sick person or animal, or indirectly - through contact with household items touched by the patient.
Fungus on the skin between the toes can be of the following types:
- Athlete's foot. The pathology is accompanied by damage to the space between the toes, as well as to the nail plate. In most movies, grown men are sick;
- Rubrophytia. The disease progresses slowly and there are no symptoms in the initial stages of infection. Without proper treatment, the nail plate will soon be affected;
- Candidiasis of the interdigital space is relatively rare. It is divided into several types. The first is vesicular-pustular. Distinctive signs include severe hyperemia and swelling. The second - hyperkeratotic - the stratum corneum of the dermis thickens, there is severe peeling;
- Intertriginous form. It is more often diagnosed in the summer. It usually affects the space between the third and fourth fingers, a little less often, a fungus is found on the little finger;
- The deleted form has a minimal number of symptoms. Patients complain of cracks in the interdigital space, slight burning and itching.
Treatment of interdigital fungus is prescribed after the identification of the specific pathogen. For this, the patient undergoes tests. A treatment regimen is recommended based on the results of laboratory diagnostics. It consists of drugs for external use, tablets taken internally (in indifferent scenes).
Fungus causes and symptoms
Before learning how to treat toe fungus, let's consider the cause of the activation of pathogenic microflora and the symptoms of the disease. Undoubtedly, the main reason is the spread of fungi in the affected area.
In public places, you can get infected when using other people's personal hygiene products; When one of the members of the household becomes ill, the infection is often observed in the family circle.
Worth knowing: factors that increase a person's susceptibility to fungi include age - children are more susceptible due to immature defense mechanisms and the state of the immune system - a weakened body cannot resist the effects of fungi.
Fungus develops between the fingers for the following reasons:
- High humidity. This condition is caused by low-quality shoes, socks made of synthetic materials, and hyperhidrosis of the lower extremities.
- Violation of blood circulation. This problem is observed in chronic pathologies - diabetes, hypertension. It is also found in experienced smokers and alcohol addiction.
- Damage to the lower extremities. The fungus penetrates the wound and begins to multiply rapidly. Experience shows that even with good immunity, the body cannot cope on its own.
Other causes include dermatological diseases - psoriasis, eczema, old age, metabolic disorders in the body, etc.
Fungus on the toes is accompanied by constant itching and burning, which significantly reduces the patient's quality of life. At the beginning, one finger is affected, but if the disease is not diagnosed in time and if the treatment is not used for the treatment of fungus on the feet, the pathology progresses rapidly and spreads to other fingers, feet and ankles.
The fungus between the fingers manifests itself as symptoms:
- Peeling of the skin in the interdigital layer;
- The appearance of small cracks that cause concern;
- Itching and pain in the affected area;
- Foot sealing.
If damage to the nail plate occurs, the color of the nail changes and loses its natural shine. The nail thickens, is easily damaged, splits and collapses.
At first, clinical symptoms are not very obvious, itching does not cause much concern. Symptoms intensify as the disease progresses. Often, the treatment of interdigital fungus on the toes requires the use of two or more drugs, because the picture develops due to the patient's late seeking help.
Fungus treatment methods
If you see a fungus between your fingers, you should see a dermatologist. The doctor conducts a physical examination and sends a referral for laboratory diagnostics. Based on the results, remedies for toenail fungus are recommended.
How to get rid of pathogenic microorganisms? Local agents will help with this - creams, gels and ointments, sprays, emulsions. They do not enter the bloodstream and are used several times a day. Recommended for mild fungal infections.
If an advanced fungal infection is diagnosed and the area of the problem area is large, oral tablets are prescribed. They move from the inside and disrupt the cell membrane of the parasites, causing their death. The doctor determines both the method of application and the dose independently; Side effects may develop if the recommended dose is exceeded.
You can treat the fungus between the toes with the following medicines:
- Tablet form.
- Local agents.
You can complete the medical treatment of the fungus between the toes with folk remedies - baths based on chamomile, baking soda, laundry soap and lotions, vinegar and other natural ingredients.
Important: confirmation by laboratory methods is required to ensure the effectiveness of the treatment - the analysis is carried out after 14 days of therapy and after 30 days. Only receiving negative results indicates the effectiveness of the course.
Antifungal agent
An antifungal agent is an antimycotic agent, it helps eliminate fungi and acts quickly and effectively. The use of the drug is carried out only on the advice of a doctor. The drug has several release forms - gel, spray, cream and tablets, solution.
The principle of action of the drug is to inhibit the ability of fungi to multiply, as a result of which they die. When used externally, the product accumulates in the affected area, which contributes to its high effectiveness.
The dosage of the tablet form for adults is usually 250 mg per day. If a child is treated with a fungus, the dose is determined by body weight. The duration of the therapeutic course varies from 2 to 6 weeks. Spray and ointment are used 1-2 times a day. Treatment lasts 1 month. With the doctor's recommendation, the course of treatment can be extended for several weeks.
Side effects of tablets:
- Headache;
- Violation of taste perception;
- dizziness;
- Allergic reactions;
- decreased appetite;
- Disturbance of the digestive system;
- Nausea, vomiting;
- Painful sensations in the abdomen.
Contraindications to use are organic intolerance to the drug, impaired liver and kidney function. Patient reviews note that the product quickly eliminates unpleasant symptoms - after a few days of treatment, the severity of clinical manifestations decreases.
Antifungal drug for systemic use against fungi
Dosage forms - ointment, cream, spray and tablets. It is often prescribed to treat a localized fungal infection between the toes. The ointment/cream is applied in a thin layer to the dried and cleaned area of the skin. Rubbing is not recommended. Application frequency is twice a day.
The dosage of tablets is determined individually. Admission is carried out in a few weeks. The dose for children is determined by weight and age. The drug has a harmful effect on pathogenic microorganisms and is a powerful tool. Tablets should not be prescribed in the following cases:
- Liver dysfunction;
- lactose intolerance;
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding;
- Excessive sensitivity;
- Children under three years of age;
- The patient's weight is up to 20 kg.
Important: the possibility of toxic damage to the liver increases with the simultaneous use of antifungal drugs and alcohol.
Such creams are well tolerated. Only some patients have allergic reactions. In this case, prescriptions should be adjusted. You cannot choose analogues yourself.
To prevent the appearance of fungus, it is recommended to treat shoes with antifungal agents; strictly follow all the recommendations of doctors and do not cancel the treatment; to observe hygiene rules; Dry your feet after water treatments.