Principles of treating fungal infection between toes

Mycoses are contagious skin diseases caused by fungi. It's usually treated with antifungal ointments, which work well but don't last long. The following tips will help prevent toe fungus, which can return even after treatment.

who will be infected

Athlete's foot can happen to almost anyone. But it is more common in people who sweat a lot, or in people who wear tight shoes and socks, which can also cause excessive sweating on the feet.Fungal diseases can be spread from person to person. This could happen, for example, in public showers used by athletes or swimmers. Small flakes of fungal-infected skin may flake off when you shower. Once a small spot infection begins, it usually spreads along the skin. Click here to find out where else you can catch fungi.

What are the symptoms

The skin between the little toes is usually affected first. When an infection first forms on the skin, the first signs of fungus are mild. Symptoms become noticeable when the rash begins to spread and the skin becomes itchy and scaly. Cracks and inflammation will appear on it. Large cracks in the skin between the toes may become larger and may be very painful. Small patches of infected skin may peel off.If interdigital mycosis is left untreated, the rash will gradually spread down the entire leg. In some cases, it extends to the sole of the shoe. The infection usually causes peeling of the skin over the entire sole and sides of the foot. Sometimes fungal diseases cause a rash of large blisters all over the soles of the feet. In this case, we are dealing with foot fungus.

How serious is this?

Generally speaking, no. Most people successfully treat itchy toes before infection occurs. Sometimes the infection spreads to the skin on other parts of the body. These are usually moist, airless areas such as the groin.Typically, fungi, including toenail fungus between the toes, do not spread deeper but only to the surface of the skin. However, other microorganisms (bacteria) can get into the cracks left by neglected or untreated fungal diseases. Sometimes this can lead to more serious foot or leg infections.The infection can spread to the nails - it can be treated. But in this case, to get rid of the fungus, you need to take antifungal tablets for a few weeks to clear the infection from your nails.Therefore, it is best to treat interdigital fungus on your feet as soon as the first symptoms appear.

Treatment of fungal diseases

Treatment for fungus between the toes usually involves the use of various antifungal creams and sprays. You can buy topical antifungal medications at your local pharmacy or with a prescription.

To treat fungus between the toes, an antifungal agent is applied directly to the affected area, the skin of the foot. There are several medications that can help prevent fungal infections.

They are usually sold as creams, but may also be sold as sprays, liquids, and powders. These medications are great for clearing fungal infections from the skin. However, there is no evidence that one treatment is better than another.For children, mild medications should be used.Other options are undecenoic acid or tolnaftate, which should only be used as directed by your doctor.During treatment, inflammation usually seems to go away quickly, but you may need treatment for 1-2 weeks after the rash goes away. This is necessary in order to completely eliminate the fungus on the skin - thus preventing its recurrence.

• Preparations containing the active ingredient clotrimazole: Use 2-3 times a day for at least four weeks.
• Active ingredient Miconazole Nitrate Preparation: Apply twice daily for 10 days after the skin returns to normal.
• Preparations containing the active ingredient econazole nitrate: Apply twice daily until the skin returns to its normal state.
• Triazoles: Apply twice daily for 7 days. To cure onychomycosis between the toes, you must continue using this medication for a few days if the symptoms are severe. Not suitable for children.
• Active ingredient terbinafine hydrochloride preparation: 1-2 times a day for 7 days. Not suitable for children.
• Undecylenic acid preparation: Apply twice daily for a week until the skin returns to normal.

If you are experiencing this condition for the first time and don't know how to treat foot fungus, don't make a mistake when choosing a treatment, talk to your doctor.For skin, especially inflamed skin, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream and a mild steroid ointment. Their shelf life is usually no more than 7 days. You may need to continue using an antifungal cream for a while after this.Anabolic steroids can reduce inflammation and relieve itching and redness in a short period of time. However, steroids do not completely eliminate toe fungus, so steroid creams alone should not be used for treatment.Antifungal tablets are sometimes prescribed for adults to treat toenail fungus if the infection is severe and cannot be cured with ointments. Tablets may also be taken if the infection is present in many areas of the skin besides the legs.However, this treatment for interdigital fungus is not suitable for everyone.Antifungal pills are not always recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or for people with liver disease. Antifungal medication is usually not prescribed to children.Although skin fungus between the toes can spread from person to person, you don't have to stay away from work, school, or sports if you have the fungus.However, when in public areas, such as a swimming pool or sauna, try to cover your feet until the rash goes away.Also, try not to scratch the broken skin, as this may spread the infection to other areas.The following tips can prevent the recurrence of athlete's foot:

1. It is necessary to wash your feet every day and dry the skin between your toes thoroughly after washing. This is perhaps the most important point. If your feet are not completely dry, wear socks. The moist skin between your fingers is an ideal place for fungus to grow.
2. Do not share towels with others in public locker rooms. Towels should be washed as often as possible.
3. Change socks every day. Fungus thrives in the leather flakes of unwashed socks. Cotton socks and leather shoes are better in many ways than nylon socks and shoes made from man-made materials, which can increase sweating.
4. Try switching to a different shoe every 2-3 days to allow each pair to dry completely between wears.
5. Wear flip-flops or sandals in public locker rooms and showers. This prevents your feet from touching the floor, which may have fragments of other people's skin on it.
6. When you're at home, walk barefoot (without shoes or socks) whenever possible to allow air to reach your feet. However, this may not be practical for some people.

If athlete's foot recurs, you can use an antifungal spray or ointment regularly as a preventive measure to prevent it from coming back. As a preventive measure, you can use various preventive creams every day.