Interdigital mycosis is a fungal infection of the skin in the space between the fingers, the causative agents are opportunistic organisms and anthropophilic fungi.
Causes of mycoses
The cause of any mycoses is contact with an infected person, wearing his shoes or sharing personal hygiene items with him. The possibility of increased infection in those whose immunity is reduced - due to chronic diseases, taking certain medications or due to vitamin deficiency.
At risk are patients with:
- disorders in the functioning of the endocrine system;
- diabetes mellitus and its complications (in particular, diabetic foot);
- allergic dermatitis;
- varicose veins;
- obesity;
- increased sweating;
- immune disorders;
- hormonal disorders;
- metabolic disorders in the body, etc.
The skin of the feet after a pedicure trim is very susceptible to fungus. And wearing shoes that are too tight can significantly worsen the condition.
symptoms
Interdigital mycosis in the early stages is indicated by mild itching of the skin between the toes. Later, skin peeling, redness and the appearance of cracks are added to these symptoms.
If you do not take action and consult a specialist, the problem gradually worsens - burning, diaper rash, and swelling in the area between the fingers appear. Small blisters prone to consolidation may begin to form in the interdigital folds. When such a bubble bursts, the weeping erosion remains in place and is covered with a crust. This situation is dangerous because the infection - the wound can fester.
It is important to note that with a long course of interdigital mycosis, the forms of the disease can change into each other or develop in parallel.
Interdigital mycosis can also occur in a suppressed form - in this case, the patient experiences unpleasant symptoms of the disease periodically (usually during and after water procedures and with excessive sweating on the feet).
Diagnosis of fungus between the toes
As practice shows, in about every third case of skin lesions between the toes, a fungal infection is diagnosed.
When prescribing treatment for mycosis, podiatrists take into account many factors: the presence or absence of concomitant pathology in the patient, the clinical picture of the disease, its form and degree.
Diagnosis of specific pathogens is the key to effective treatment and successful recovery. To determine which fungus to fight, the podiatrist can prescribe the patient's laboratory tests and bacterial cultures.
How to treat interdigital fungus?
For interdigital mycoses, complex therapy is carried out. It includes:
- topical antifungal drugs (creams, lotions, ointments, etc. );
- It is also possible to take oral antifungal agents.
The course of treatment is determined individually for the patient. Traditional medicine (compresses, baths, lotions from medicinal plants, etc. ) can be used as an additional method, but only after consultation with a specialist.
If mycosis develops against the background of internal diseases, local therapy is combined with the treatment of the underlying pathology.
Possible contraindications and complications
Interdigital mycosis requires referral to specialist and complex therapy. Without timely treatment, it quickly spreads throughout the legs and affects the nails.
In addition, in patients with mycosis, the body's susceptibility to viral diseases increases, and the risk of bacterial infection and allergic reactions increases.
Strict adherence to podiatrist recommendations and full treatment is important. Pathogens can become resistant to the drugs used, and combined with repeated infections, this makes it more difficult to get rid of the infection - even if there are positive dynamics, the course of treatment should not be interrupted.
Tips and recommendations from a podiatrist
To avoid fungal infections, it is necessary to strictly follow the rules of personal hygiene - first of all, this applies to personal hygiene items and shoes.
- Do not wear other people's shoes and use individual bath towels only.
- Do not walk barefoot in a bathhouse, sauna or swimming pool - this is an ideal environment for the growth of fungi, because it is always warm and high humidity.
- If you experience excessive sweating on the skin of your feet, you should see a podiatrist about the use of anti-hyperhidrosis medication.
- Avoid wearing shoes that are too tight and avoid synthetic socks and stockings, which do not allow the skin to "breathe. "
To care for the skin of the feet, podiatrists recommend giving preference to hardware methods - trimmed pedicures are considered outdated and unsafe today. It is very difficult to control how pedicure tools are processed - the risk of infection increases significantly. With a hardware pedicure, the possibility of infection is excluded.