Fungal diseases or fungi are unpleasant diseases caused by parasitic microorganisms - fungi. It is common and can occur in both adults and children. The fungus can appear on different parts of the body, but most commonly affects the skin of the feet and hands, as well as the nails. It causes physical discomfort and the affected area looks very unattractive.
Fungus is not a "harmless" disease. Its waste is toxic, can weaken the immune system, and even cause allergies. Therefore, he needs prompt treatment and should be prescribed by a doctor. Many people worry about how to get rid of fungus on their legs and what treatments are available at home to treat the problem.
Why do fungi appear
The emergence and development of dermatophytes is associated with the presence of pathogens in the skin, which multiply very rapidly. The fungus is most commonly found between the fingers, but may also affect the heels, feet, palms, and nails. It may appear for several reasons. Fungi like moist and warm environments. The increased sweating of the legs creates all the conditions for the infection to "settle" in the skin.
Visits to public places such as swimming pools, saunas, gyms, changing rooms and shared showers are the main routes of contracting fungal diseases. At the same time, direct contact with people or other people's objects is not even necessary: the spores of the fungus are volatile and exist in the air. Furthermore, the fungus arises from a lack of proper personal care and hygiene.
Poor quality shoes, which do not allow the skin of the feet to breathe, may also be a factor in the development of the disease. The disease can also occur in people whose work activities are associated with frequent exposure to yeast (confectioners, cooks, winemakers). The fungus may also appear in the context of weakened immunity due to chronic diseases (diabetes, varicose veins, thrombophlebitis).
The fungus starts on the skin of the feet between the toes. There are symptoms such as itching, redness, and peeling. Cracks then form, the skin thickens, and scales appear. There may also be blisters on the skin that burst and heal poorly. If left untreated, the infection can multiply quickly and spread to the nails and hands. The skin of the hands affected by the fungus becomes very dry and covered with scales.
Between the fingers, the skin changes color, cracks, and peels. Generally, the symptoms of hand and foot fungus are the same. Symptoms that indicate the presence of fungus on the nail: The infection begins to affect the nail from the edges and then reaches the base. The nail plate becomes cloudy and thickened, and the nail changes shape and becomes deformed. There are also some symptoms, such as streaks and color changes on the nails: from white and yellow to brown or even black.
Fungus is a problem that the body starts to fight. Therefore, allergy symptoms may appear in the form of blisters and erosions on the skin.
Causes of fungal infections in children
Fungus on feet and hands is a fairly common problem in children. First, this is because a child's immune system is not fully developed and can therefore be affected by various effects, including fungal infections. In addition, the susceptibility of children to various fungal diseases also depends on their skin properties: sweat and sebaceous glands have low bactericidal activity and enhanced water absorption.
In learning about the world, children are in close contact with the environment, where pathogens of fungal diseases are widespread (eg, diseases can manifest after contact with sick animals or soil). In addition, in kindergarten or school, children are exposed to a large number of other children who may also be carriers of the skin disease.
Infections in children can occur either through direct contact or after using household items that contain fungal spores: toys, towels, someone else's shoes. Running barefoot or trying on someone else's stuff is enough -- and the disease may have manifested. The symptoms of this disease are no different from those in adults.
The factors that trigger the appearance of fungal diseases in children are beriberi, poor ecology, and lack of a culture of personal hygiene. Parents need to listen to their children's complaints and check their skin regularly. The fungus must be treated because it is the disease that causes allergies and weakens the immune system in children.
Prevention and precautions will prevent your child from getting sick. Therefore, you need to consult a dermatologist as soon as possible. A doctor will be able to diagnose and prescribe the correct treatment.
fungal treatment
If you notice any signs or symptoms of fungus on your legs or arms on yourself or your child, you need to contact a specialist urgently. Only a doctor can make a proper diagnosis and determine how to get rid of fungus from feet and hands. Correct diagnosis is critical because the outward symptoms of infection may overlap with those of other diseases, such as psoriasis.
Depending on the causative agent of the disease, the neglect of the disease, and the patient's own health, doctors may prescribe topical, systemic (taken in pills), or a combination of treatments. Topical application includes the use of special ointments, varnishes or sprays. If the patient has no contraindications, the doctor prescribes a course of antifungal tablets, which will help destroy the fungus "from the inside". Of course, when it comes to treating a problem in its entirety, combination therapy is best.
In some cases of fungal infections, your doctor may recommend nail removal. But simply removing the nails won't fix the problem, because the fungus will still be in the body and it will show up over time. The procedure makes treatment more effective because antifungal drugs penetrate the lesions more easily. Today, the procedure is painless and requires no surgery.
There are special products that stick to the nail and "dissolve" it within 3-4 days. Treating fungus on the legs and arms is very difficult. The treatment itself can last up to 1 year. In addition to the treatments prescribed by your doctor, some suggestions must be used to treat the fungus at home.
- The living space is thoroughly disinfected. Do a full cleaning of the place you live. Pay special attention to the bathroom. Clean the tub and floors and walls with detergent. Rinse the container with hot water after each wash. Carpets on bathroom floors should be rubber so that fungus can't get into them.
- It is necessary to wash the feet with household or tar soap. These types of soaps have antifungal and disinfecting properties. Also, they will help dry out a little sores that may be due to the fungus.
- Dry your feet with a hair dryer or dry thoroughly with a paper towel after you're done washing, as fungus may remain on your usual feet.
- Don't walk around the house barefoot or sit with your feet on upholstered furniture.
- Throw away your old slippers. Walk around the house wearing socks made of natural materials or rubber open slippers.
- Treat the rest of the shoes with apple cider vinegar or formalin.
- Items in the nail kit must be separate and not used by any family member. After each use, wipe down the scissors and nail file with alcohol.
- Sleeping cotton socks should be changed every day.
- Sheets should be changed at least once a week.
- Socks, stockings or tights - change daily. They should be washed with hot water. Washed socks can be ironed.
Of course, preventing disease is always better than treating it after the fact. Therefore, prevention is necessary to protect yourself from the disease as much as possible. Only use your personal items (towels, towels) when visiting swimming pools, saunas and other public places. Never go barefoot. Don't take off your slippers, even when showering in a public place. They should be made of rubber, not sponge material.
After visiting the pool, you will need to wash and dry your slippers with laundry soap at home. For everyday wear, choose high-quality shoes made from natural, breathable materials. Wearing airtight shoes can make your feet sweat, which creates a favorable environment for fungal diseases to develop.
Prevention of fungal infections includes careful self-care, regular drinking routines, and timely changing of underwear and sheets.
get rid of fungus at home
Among other things, at home, you can use traditional medicine. Combined with the treatments your doctor prescribes, this will help get rid of the fungus quickly.
- Apple cider vinegar is a medicine with antiseptic and antifungal properties. Apply vinegar to a cotton swab and apply to the affected area. If you have open wounds and sores on your skin, then you should not make such lotions. In this case, take a foot bath with a weak solution of apple cider vinegar.
- Foot baths can also be done with sea salt. For this you will need 3 tablespoons. l. Add salt to each warm water. It is best to use salt that is free of dyes and fragrances. Soak your feet in this solution for 10-15 minutes. It can be applied to the affected area as a compress.
- Traditional healers know how to get rid of fungus on legs and arms at home with the help of common onions. Grate the onion and squeeze out the juices. Wet a cotton ball with the juice and apply to the affected area. Don't rinse, but wait until the juices are dry. This procedure must be done daily.
- Clay is another way to fight fungus. Take medicinal clay (sold in powder form) and dilute it with cold water to the consistency of thick sour cream. Apply the product to the affected area until completely dry. Then rinse with water.
- Celandine juice is a generic remedy for many home skin conditions. If you break the celandine branches, orange juice will start to appear. With this juice, it is necessary to lubricate the areas affected by the fungus. This procedure must be done twice a day.
- Another potent drug is sold in pharmacies - birch tar. After a shower, apply it to the painful area and leave it on with a clean sock. This procedure is best done at night.
- You can also get rid of fungus with the help of regular soda water. Take a small amount of soda water and dilute it with water to make a paste. This serum must be applied daily for 15 minutes.
- Among the advice on how to treat foot fungus at home are some tips for using ammonia. 1st. l. Dilute ammonia in a glass of water. Wet a handkerchief with the solution and wrap it around the affected limb. Lay the bag on top and secure with a sock. This procedure is best done at night.
Prevention can protect you from fungal infections. However, if you still notice worrisome symptoms in yourself or your child, contact your doctor right away. A doctor can only make a correct diagnosis if he knows how to remove the fungus in the shortest possible time and without causing harm to the body.
Do not self-medicate. Self-medication at home can not only cause harm, but exacerbate the problem. Traditional medicine may be effective, but only if treatment using alternative methods is approved and approved by a doctor.