A common skin condition is a fungus between the toes. This often happens to professional athletes, so due to increased physical exertion, their feet get sweaty and wet, which is a favorable soil for foot fungus.
This type of fungal infection is more typical for men and is common in summer and also in humid climates.
Causes
There are several reasons for the occurrence of fungus between the toes. Among the main ones are the following:
- When people have weakened immunity and the body lacks vitamins, the fungus begins to activate.
- High levels of sweating in the legs.
- Lack of personal hygiene.
- Wearing uncomfortable shoes made of artificial materials.
- Visit the swimming pool, gyms and other public places where many people walk without shoes.
- Using things from a person who has a fungus.
- Metabolic disease. Diabetes.
- Other infectious diseases. The fungus, by the way, can be your indicator.
Symptoms of a fungal infection between the toes
Despite the fact that a fungal infection between the toes has characteristic common symptoms. We can say that some of the signs of a fungal infection can vary a little from person to person. In general, a person with foot fungus may experience symptoms such as:
- At first, a slight itching may be observed, which does not bring much discomfort and, therefore, the person may not notice it. Gradually, it begins to grow and cause anxiety. Skin redness appears.
- A characteristic symptom of a fungal infection is peeling skin, which begins to peel.
- Skin coverage bursts, cracks appear with whitish edges. There is a burning sensation.
- Ringworm mainly starts in the area between the fourth and fifth toes and then spreads throughout the leg.
- Feet start to sweat more and smell bad.
- The skin on the soles of the feet becomes denser.
- Also, the appearance of nails can change. They begin to exfoliate, various gray and yellow spots appear on them.
If symptoms occur, you should immediately contact a specialist who will prescribe the correct treatment. A dermatologist will examine the feet, study the signs and create an individual treatment regimen that will quickly lead to a person's recovery.
The process of treating the fungus is not quick and even after all symptoms have disappeared, one must continue and completely complete the course clearly defined by the doctor. Cured fungus is the foundation of good health.
How to treat a fungus between the toes: medicines
Pharmacies sell a wide variety of antifungal medications in various forms (ointments, creams, gels, solutions and special therapeutic lotions). But before buying them, it is better to consult a dermatologist who will determine the best option for a person.
Also, some medications and drugs have contraindications, the doctor will take this into account when choosing a treatment that is absolutely safe. The same applies to folk remedies, it is better to discuss their use with a dermatologist.
During treatment, in addition to basic medicines, you need to take vitamins and medicines to strengthen immunity and improve health. Wash your feet twice a day with tar soap and use disposable towels. If your feet sweat a lot, you need to buy a special powder at a pharmacy, thanks to which your feet will be dry and fragrant.
All shoes you walk in must be thoroughly disinfected, for this they will need to be treated with vinegar. Air your shoes every day. You can also use a special disinfectant antifungal device, thanks to the action of ultraviolet light, it removes all fungi and you can safely wear shoes.
Before applying a special ointment, you must first take a therapeutic bath that will steam your legs well. So, for example, you can take two tablespoons of grated washing powder and dissolve them in two liters of warm water. Put your feet in the bath for fifteen minutes, then dry them well so they are completely dry. Then, in a thin and even layer, you can apply the ointment, while having to spread not only the areas infected with the fungus, but also between all the other fingers. The same applies if you only have one foot under the action of the fungus, then the healthy second one is also treated with therapeutic agents for prevention.
The compresses with the Burov solution help a lot. For this procedure, cotton pads must be moistened in a solution and placed between the toes for twenty minutes.
Folk remedies for leg fungus between the toes
Traditional methods of medicine can be effectively combined with folk remedies to speed up the fungal treatment process.
Before using certain folk remedies, make sure that you are not sensitive to certain medicinal components.
It is best to consult a dermatologist before using.
- An excellent folk remedy that treats interdigital fungus on the legs are compresses with the addition of birch tar. Before using, you need to steam your feet in soapy water and exfoliate the peeling skin. Then dry your feet well and spread it all over the space between your toes, nails and any cracks that are in the skin. After an hour and a half, you can clean the tar. After the procedure, it is not recommended to wash your feet for two days. The course is five times until the fungus is cured.
- Celandine oil, which can be purchased at a pharmacy, helps to cure the fungus well. First, the feet need to be steamed in hot water with soda. Apply vegetable oil to fingers and nails. It is best to perform this procedure twice a day. The fungus is treated with celandine for about a month.
- Garlic will also help. It is necessary to cut each of its slices in half, dip it in salt and treat the infected areas with a fungus. You can also finely chop the garlic, mix it with salt and use the resulting mass to make a compress.
- We put a chicken egg in a jar and fill it with seventy-five percent vinegar essence. We place the vial in a place protected from light for several days. When the rind dissolves, remove the film and add a teaspoon of butter and mix everything well. Let the remedy ferment for twenty-four hours. You will receive a special ointment that will need to be applied twice a day.
- A good option for fungus between the toes can be regular use of baths with salt and soda. These components are added to a bowl of warm water, one tablespoon at a time. It is necessary to support your legs in the bath for two to three minutes, then rinse them with clean water. Then put on socks soaked in wine vinegar and go to bed with them.
- You can make a special healing compress, which is best done before bed. To do this, a soft piece of natural fabric must be soaked in a solution of a spoon of ammonia and a glass of water. Such procedures need to be done eight to ten times.
- Within a month, you can take therapeutic baths that will help cure the fungus. To do this, pour five tablespoons of ground coffee with a liter of hot water. When the solution gets hot, soak your feet in it for half an hour. So we put cotton socks on wet feet and sleep in them. Wash your feet in the morning with cold water.
- Fifty milliliters of strong tea mixed with a tablespoon of nine percent vinegar. Then, soak cotton pads in the resulting solution and clean the fungus-infected areas with them. Perform this procedure several times over the course of several weeks.
- Remedy for leg fungus - baths with sea salt. After application, the skin feels softer. Between the toes are rubbed with aloe juice or celandine. You can replace the sea salt with apple cider vinegar and rub the skin with tea tree oil.
Prevention of foot fungus
Let's see what measures to take to prevent the fungus.
- Always use your own towels and shoes. At the store, try on new shoes, wear thin socks. Prepare separate shoes for the guests.
- Lead a healthy lifestyle, drink vitamins and strengthen your immune system.
- Healthy sleep, at least nine hours is the key to strong and good health.
- Wear shoes made from quality natural materials that allow your skin to breathe and your feet to feel comfortable.
- Do not walk barefoot in public places where there are many people. After the visit, dry your feet and use special antibacterial agents.
- Use your personal manicure set and disinfect it thoroughly.
- Change socks and tights every day.
- Make sure your feet don't sweat a lot, buy special products for excessive sweating.
Take good care of your health, be positive and take preventive measures.