Fungal infections or dermatomycosis are diseases caused by different types of fungi. In terms of the frequency of skin lesions, they occupy second place after pyoderma. Due to physiological characteristics, the fungus most often affects the feet of the lower extremities. Many people try to get rid of unpleasant symptoms on their own and are looking for ways to quickly cure foot fungus at home.
Routes of infection
Fungus on the feet affects the stratum corneum of the skin and its appendages - the nails. The development of the disease depends on the pathogenicity and virulence of microorganisms, environmental factors and the state of human health. With the same clinical picture, the pathogens can be different types of fungi. The spores are very stable in the external environment (high and low temperatures) and retain the ability to infect for several years.
It is easy to become infected with foot fungus, but you will have to fight it for a long time, stubbornly using various methods and means. Foot infection occurs when pathogenic spores come into contact with the skin of a healthy person. Main routes of infection:
- poor-quality sterilization of instruments in pedicure rooms,
- general shoes, hygiene items (washcloth, towel).
Reasons for foot fungal infection:
- rooms with high temperature and humidity: baths, saunas, swimming pools, sports halls,
- increased sweating of the feet,
- the presence of abrasions, microcracks on the skin,
- non-compliance with hygiene standards,
- systematic overheating or hypothermia of the legs,
- diseases associated with circulatory disorders,
- endocrine pathologies caused by metabolic disorders (obesity, diabetes),
- decreased immunity.
Symptoms of a fungal infection
The clinic for fungal foot infections has several types.
- An erased form, in which there is slight itching, burning, dryness and peeling in the spaces between the fingers.
- Scaly. Abundant lamellar desquamation occurs at the level of the sole, in the interdigital folds. With a long course - painful cracks, itching.
- The intertriginous form appears if the squamous stage is not treated. The process begins with the appearance of hyperemia and wet sagging of the stratum corneum of the skin between the fingers. When the macerated areas are separated, an eroded surface appears, bordered on the periphery by flaps of softened epidermis. The process involves areas adjacent to the toes and sole. A person feels pain when walking, and a secondary purulent infection may develop.
- Hyperkeratotic. Areas with dry nodules and bluish-red plaques, covered with dense scales, form. They are clearly demarcated from healthy skin and peel off along the perimeter. They are located on the sole, moving towards the lateral surfaces of the foot and in the interdigital folds. This form may appear as yellowish calluses with cracks in the top layer. Symptoms: mild itching, cracking and dry skin.
- The dyshidrotic form mainly affects the soles of the feet. The clinical picture is complemented by large bubbles with a tight-fitting lid. Rashes are single or numerous. Blisters may coalesce to form cortical layers or open to expose erosions. When the course is advanced, eroded areas are formed and when pressure is applied to them, severe pain appears.
With weeping mycoses, a characteristic sign is the appearance of unpleasant odor from the feet.
Treatment with folk remedies
People suffered from fungal diseases long before the invention of antifungal drugs, therefore traditional medicine has accumulated rich experience in the treatment of these lesions at home. Despite this, it is unlikely that you will be able to quickly cope with the fungus on your own, without consulting a doctor, without special antifungal drugs.
The bulk of folk remedies used in the treatment of fungus are substances that dry the upper layer of the skin, promoting severe peeling of the epidermis, as well as the elimination of fungal spores.
It is impossible to recommend to everyone one of the fastest ways to get rid of the disease. It all depends on the stage of pathology, type of fungus, individual characteristics of the patient's skin and concomitant diseases.
The use of combined therapeutic methods has a good effect.
Iodine
To treat foot fungus, the medicine is used in the form of an alcohol solution. Iodine is not only a powerful antiseptic, but also an oxidizing agent that destroys the shell of mushrooms and causes the denaturation of its constituent proteins. This leads to the rapid death of microorganisms.
Method of application:
- Pour 3 tablespoons of an iodized alcohol solution into a container containing 5 liters of hot water (40°C). Take a foot bath for 20 minutes. Course - 7 procedures every other day,
- Dilute the alcohol solution of iodine with vodka 1: 1. Treat your skin with this mixture every day before bed after washing your feet. The procedure is carried out for 5-10 days, depending on the severity of the symptoms.
Before starting treatment, it is necessary to check for the absence of an allergic reaction.. To do this, apply a drop of iodine to the inner surface of the forearm. If no skin changes are noted after 24 hours, you can begin treatment.
Contraindications:
- individual intolerance to iodine,
- thyroid diseases,
- sensitive skin prone to burns.
Hydrogen peroxide
Upon contact with the skin, under the influence of the enzyme catalase, hydrogen peroxide decomposes and atomic oxygen is released, which is a powerful oxidizing agent.
Free oxygen has bactericidal and antimycotic properties. In addition, in the field of action of hydrogen peroxide, unfavorable conditions for the life of mushrooms are created.
A cotton pad is soaked in a 3% peroxide solution and applied to the affected area for 10 minutes. If a strong burning sensation appears, rinse the affected area with running water and lubricate it with vegetable oil. Applications are made morning and evening for 5 days.
Hydrogen peroxide acts as an antiseptic, prevents fungi from multiplying and spreading to nearby areas and reduces unpleasant odors.
Celandine
Traditional healers use herbs to treat skin diseases. Celandine is rightly considered one of the best. It is a poisonous plant, so any handling should be carried out with rubber gloves.
- Place 2 tablespoons of dried celandine raw material in a container with 200 ml of water, keep on fire for 10 minutes, filter and add the decoction to the bath water. Lower your legs into the pool for 20 minutes. The procedure is carried out every other day.
- Celandine tincture is prepared as follows: add 1 tablespoon of dry celandine inflorescences to 200 ml of vodka. Infuse in a cool, dark place. After 14 days, filter and use to treat foot fungus, lubricating the affected areas 2 times a day.
Concentrated celandine juice should not be used for erosive lesions - this can cause burns in the deeper layers of the skin.
Celandine oil is prepared by mixing freshly squeezed juice with petroleum jelly in a ratio of 1: 4. The medicine should be applied to the affected areas 2 times a day until healing.
Vinegar: essence of apple, wine and vinegar
The mechanism of the therapeutic effect of vinegar against foot fungus is based on the fact that fungi do not survive in an acidic environment. Its use is effective for the first symptoms of the disease, when the pathological effect of pathogens is limited to the superficial layers.
A 9% vinegar solution is used to lubricate the inflamed dermis and apply applications. For extensive lesions, the following method is used: healthy skin is generously lubricated with baby cream and a sock soaked in a vinegar solution is put on the foot..In the morning, wash the foot with lukewarm water and dry it.
The original antifungal ointment is prepared on the basis of natural 9% acetic acid and eggs. Put 250 ml of vinegar and 2 fresh eggs in a glass jar. The shell dissolves under the influence of acid after 3-5 days. The yellow and white denature and become solid. They must be crushed with vinegar and stored in the refrigerator. Lubricate fungal lesions until symptoms disappear.
You should not try to remove the fungus with vinegar essence, since it is an acid that not only causes superficial burning of the skin, but also penetrates to the germ layer of the dermis. This threatens with complications in the form of scarring on the legs or long-term non-healing dermatoses.
Soap and soda baths
The gentlest way to treat fungus is to use foot baths with soap or soda. They soften the upper stratum corneum of the epidermis, making it easier for other fungicidal agents (tar, cider vinegar, iodine) to penetrate deeper into the fungal colonies.
Grate half a piece of laundry soap and dissolve it in 5 liters of hot water. Pour into a basin, add 100 g of baking soda and immerse your feet in the liquid. The procedure lasts 10 minutes, then the feet are rinsed and carefully dried. The next step is to treat the prepared skin with an antifungal agent.
One of the combined treatment methods is foot baths with sea or table salt and baking soda.
The saline solution has antiseptic and fungicidal properties. To prepare it, you need:
- add a large spoonful of salt and baking soda to the foot bath,
- The procedure lasts 30 minutes, then wipe your feet dry. Course 5-7 days.
Birch tar and tar soap
You can get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of fungal infections of the skin of your feet using birch tar. Its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties are used not only by traditional healers, but also in official medicine (Vishnevsky ointment). To treat fungus, birch tar can be purchased at the pharmacy.
Method of application:
- after a foot bath with soap or soda, cut your nails, apply ointment and tar to the affected areas and lie down for 1-2 hours so that it is well absorbed,
- Socks are put on the feet and no manipulations are carried out for 2-3 days. Then the feet are washed with cold water and the treatment is repeated.
You can use tar soap, which contains 10% tar. Dissolve two tablespoons of crushed tar soap in 2 liters of hot water and soak your feet in it for 20 minutes. Then the limbs are soaped and baking soda is sprinkled on them. Cover the feet with a bandage, put on socks and leave overnight. In the morning, the feet are washed with water. The course is designed for one week.
Onion, garlic, lemon
You can treat the fungus using the fungicidal properties of onions and garlic. Vegetables crushed into pulp are applied to sore spots, fixed with tape and polyethylene. The compress remains until the morning.
Lemon juice helps in the transition of the fungal process to the nail plate. The citrus fruit is cut into slices, applied to the affected areas and fixed with cling film and a bandage. The duration of treatment is 10 days.
Other methods
Brewing kombucha for two months helps eliminate the fungus. The liquid is boiled for an hour, filtered, then used for compresses and lotions. It is advisable to do them before bed, after steaming your feet in hot water with the addition of iodine or potassium permanganate.
Good results can be easily achieved if you remove the film from the kombucha, knead it and apply the resulting pulp to the sore spot for several hours, or better yet, overnight. The procedure must be repeated every day for at least a week.
A decoction of:
- calendula flowers,
- blackberry fruit,
- verbena,
- oak bark.
Pour three tablespoons of raw materials mixed in equal proportions into a glass of water and boil for 15 minutes. After cooling and draining, the decoction is used to wash the skin and apply applications. A dressing soaked in liquid is placed on the affected area for 20 minutes. Due to the safety of the method, it can be used without restrictions.
Ammonia is used in baths against nail fungus. Add 50 ml of ammonia and 2 tablespoons of baking soda per liter of lukewarm water. The procedure lasts 25 minutes, after which the feet are washed with cold water and dried well.
It is difficult to permanently cure fungus using folk remedies. Home remedies generally reduce the severity of symptoms. If treatment is stopped, the disease may reactivate.
It is especially difficult to get rid of the fungus if a family member is sick, because in case of close household contact the risk of infection of all family members is very high. Numerous people's reviews confirm that it is possible to cure fungus only by strictly observing all hygiene standards and preventive treatment.
If, despite all the measures taken, it is not possible to eliminate the fungus, the disease progresses, capturing more and more new areas and a secondary infection in the form of ulcers occurs, you should consult a doctor forget qualified help.