Interdigital mycosis is a fungal infection of the skin in the spaces between the fingers, the causative agent of which is opportunistic organisms and anthropophilic fungi.
Causes of mycoses
The cause of any ringworm is contact with an infected person, wearing shoes or sharing personal hygiene items with them. The likelihood of infection increases in those whose immunity is reduced - due to chronic diseases, the use of certain medications or vitamin deficiency.
At risk are patients with:
- disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system;
- diabetes mellitus and its complications (in particular diabetic foot);
- allergic dermatitis;
- varicose veins;
- obesity;
- increased sweating;
- immunological disorders;
- hormonal disorders;
- metabolic disorders in the body, etc.
The skin of the feet after a well-groomed pedicure is extremely vulnerable to fungus. And wearing shoes that are too tight can significantly worsen the situation.
Symptoms
Interdigital mycosis in the early stages is manifested by slight itching of the skin between the toes. Later, this symptom is accompanied by peeling of the skin, redness and the appearance of cracks.
If you do not take action and consult a specialist, the problem gradually worsens - burning, diaper rash and swelling appear in the area between the fingers. Small blisters with a tendency to coalescence may begin to form in the interdigital folds. When these bubbles burst, the erosions remain in place and become covered with crusts. This condition is dangerous due to infection - the wounds can become infected.
It is important to note that with a long course of interdigital mycosis, forms of the disease can transform or develop in parallel.
Interdigital mycosis can also occur in an erased form - in this case, the patient periodically experiences unpleasant symptoms of the disease (usually during and after water procedures and with excessive sweating of the feet).
Diagnosis of fungus between the toes
As practice shows, approximately in every third case of skin lesions between the toes, a fungal infection is diagnosed.
When prescribing treatment for ringworm, the podiatrist takes into account several factors: the presence or absence of concomitant pathologies in the patient, the clinical picture of the disease, its form and degree.
Diagnosing a specific pathogen is the key to effective treatment and successful recovery. To determine which fungus needs to be combated, the podiatrist may prescribe laboratory tests and bacterial culture to the patient.
How to treat interdigital fungus?
For interdigital mycoses, complex therapy is carried out. Includes:
- topical antifungal medications (creams, lotions, ointments, etc. );
- It is also possible to take oral antifungals.
The course of treatment is determined individually for the patient. Traditional medicine (compresses, baths, lotions from medicinal plants, etc. ) can be used as an auxiliary 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 a specialist and complex therapy. Without timely treatment, it quickly spreads throughout the foot and affects the nails.
Furthermore, in patients with ringworm, the body's susceptibility to viral diseases increases and the risk of bacterial infection and allergic reactions increases.
Strict adherence to the podiatrist's recommendations and complete treatment are important. Pathogens can become resistant to the drugs used, and combined with repeated infections, it becomes much more difficult to get rid of the infection - even if there is positive dynamics, the course of treatment cannot be interrupted.
Tips and recommendations from a podiatrist
To avoid fungal infections, it is necessary to strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene - first of all, this applies to personal hygiene items and shoes.
- Do not wear someone else's shoes and only use individual bath towels.
- Do not walk barefoot in bathhouses, saunas or swimming pools - this is an ideal environment for fungus to grow, as it is always hot and high in humidity.
- If you experience excessive sweating on the skin of your feet, consult a podiatrist about taking antihyperhidrosis medications.
- 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 - the trimmed pedicure is 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 likelihood of infection is excluded.