Mycosis is an infectious skin disease caused by a fungus. Usually, anti-fungal cream is used, which gives good results, but not long-term. The tips below will help you avoid fungus between your fingers that recurs after treatment.
Who can get mycosis and how can it be prevented?
Mycosis is a fungal infection that affects the feet. This condition is very common - one in a quarter has fungus on their feet. If this disease has started, its treatment can be very difficult. Fungal pathogens (fungi) are often found in small amounts on human skin where they usually do not cause harm. However, under favorable conditions they can penetrate the epidermis, multiply and cause infection. Favorable conditions for fungi are warm, moist, and air-free areas of the skin, such as between the toes.
Almost anyone can get mycosis. But it is more common in people who sweat more, or those who wear thick shoes and socks, which also causes excessive sweating of the feet. Mycosis can spread from person to person. For example, this could happen at a public shower used by athletes or swimmers. Small flakes of skin infected with the fungus may fall out during the shower. Once a small part of the infection begins to develop, it spreads along the skin. About where you can pick mushrooms is written here.
What are the symptoms of foot fungus?
Usually, the skin between the little fingers is affected on the first finger. The first signs of fungus when the infection has just formed on the skin are negligible. The manifestation becomes noticeable when the rash starts to spread, the skin starts to itch and peel. Cracks and inflammation may appear on it. Large splits (cracks) in the skin between the fingers can grow and can be very painful. Tiny scales on infected skin can be removed. If your interdigital mycosis does not leave treatment, the rash may gradually spread throughout the foot. In some cases, it applies to the foot. Often, the infection causes the entire base and sides of the foot to peel off. Sometimes mycosis causes a large blistering rash all over the foot. In this case we are dealing with foot fungus.
Is mycosis between the fingers serious?
Usually not. Most successfully treat itchy fingers before the infection spreads. Sometimes the infection spreads to the skin of other parts of the body. These are usually damp and airless places, for example, nesting. Usually, fungi, including fungus, spread deeper between the toes, not just the surface of the skin. However, other microbes (bacteria) can get cracks from neglected or untreated mycosis. Sometimes it can lead to more serious infections of the foot or leg.
It happens that the infection spreads to the nail - it can be cured. But in this case, to get rid of the fungus, to clear the infection from the nails it is necessary to take antibiotic pills for several weeks.
Therefore, it is better to treat digital fungi in the middle in a timely manner, as soon as the first symptoms appear.
Treatment of mycosis
Treatment of toe fungus usually involves the use of various anti-fungal creams and sprays. You can buy local antifungal fungus at the nearest pharmacy, or buy it with a prescription. For the treatment of fungus on the toes, it is necessary to use an anti-fungal agent directly on the affected area, ie the skin of the feet. There are different types and brands of medicines. They are usually sold in the form of creams, but can also be spray, liquid and powder. The preparations are very good for cleansing the skin of fungal infections. However, there is no evidence that one remedy is better than the other.
It is necessary to use as much medication as recommended. It depends on the different treatments, so read the instructions carefully before handling the fungus. It often happens that the inflammation disappears fairly quickly, but you may need treatment within 1-2 weeks after the rash clears. This is necessary in order to completely eliminate the fungi on the skin - which will prevent recurrence.
If you first encounter this disease and do not know how to cure fungus on the feet and do not make a mistake in choosing a treatment, it is best to consult a doctor.
For skin, especially inflammatory skin, your doctor may prescribe an anti-fungal cream, along with a light steroid ointment. They are usually used for no more than seven days. You may need to continue using only one antifungal cream after a while. Anabolic steroids reduce inflammation in a short period of time and may relieve itching and redness. However, the steroid does not completely eliminate the fungus between the fingers and thus, only the steroid cream should not be used for treatment.
Antifungal pills between the fingers are sometimes prescribed for adults if the infection is severe and it is impossible to clean it with creams. Tablets are also needed if the infection is found on the skin in many places except the feet.
However, the treatment of interdigital fungi using the above procedures is not the same for everyone.
Antifungal pills are not always recommended for pregnant or lactating women or people with liver disease. Some people may be prescribed another drug that interacts with antifungal pills. Usually, children are not given antifungal medications.
While skin fungus between the toes can spread from person to person, you do not need to work away from it, school or sports if you have the fungus. However, in areas such as swimming pools or saunas, try to keep your feet covered until the rash disappears. Also, try not to scratch the damaged skin as this can spread the infection to other areas.
The following tips prevent recurrent mycosis:
- You should wash your feet daily and after washing, carefully dry the skin between your toes. This is probably the most important moment. Wear socks if your feet are not completely dry. Moist skin between the fingers is an ideal breeding ground for fungi.
- Do not use someone else's towels in public dressing rooms! Towels should be washed as often as possible.
- Change your socks daily. The fungus can grow in skin flakes washed in socks. Cotton socks and leather shoes are in many ways better than nylon socks and shoes made of synthetic materials that increase sweating.
- Try to change different shoes once every 2-3 days, this will allow each pair to dry completely after the wear.
- Wear flip-flops or plastic sandals in public dressing rooms and showers. This prevents your feet from touching the floor, which may have skin flakes from other people.
- When at home, walk barefoot for as long as possible - no shoes or socks to allow air to reach your feet. However, this may not be practical for some people.
- If mycosis recurs, you can prevent relapse as a preventative measure by using one of the fungal sprays or creams regularly. For preventive measures, it can be used daily.