Mycosis is an infectious skin disease caused by a fungus. Usually, treatment with antifungal creams are used, which give good results, but not for long. The tips below can help prevent fungus between the toes, which can recur even after treatment.
Who can be infected
The disease is very common - one in four people have interdigital fungus on their feet. If the disease is initiated, the treatment is very burdensome.
The fungus is often found in small amounts on human skin where it is harmless. However, in good condition, they penetrate the epidermis, multiply and cause infection. A good condition for fungus is a warm, moist, and not aerated area of skin, such as between the toes.
Almost anyone can get an athlete’s foot. But it is more common in people who sweat more, or in those who wear thick shoes and socks, which also cause excessive foot sweat.
Mycosis can spread from person to person. For example, it can occur in public baths used by athletes or swimmers. Small fragments of skin infected with the fungus can fall off during bathing. Once a small portion of the infection begins to grow, it tends to spread along the skin.
What are the symptoms
The skin between the toes will usually be the first to be affected. The first signs of fungus, when a new infection forms on the skin, are minor. Manifestations will become noticeable when the rash begins to spread, the skin begins to itch and scaly. Cracks and inflammation will appear on it. Large cracks in the skin between the toes can grow, which can be very painful. Small fragments of infected skin will peel off.
If your interdigital mycosis is not treated, the rash will gradually spread to the rest of the foot. In some cases, it extends to the sole. Often, the infection causes crusting on the entire soles of the feet and the sides of the feet. Sometimes mycosis causes a large blistering rash all over the soles of the feet. In this case, we are dealing with foot fungus.
How serious
As a rule, no. A large number of people successfully treat itchy fingers before the infection spreads. Sometimes the infection spreads to the skin of other parts of the body. These areas are usually moist and airless, such as the groin.
Usually, the fungus, including fungus on the feet between the toes, does not spread deeper, but only on the surface of the skin. However, other microbes (bacteria) can get into the cracks left over from neglected or untreated mycosis. Sometimes it can cause a more serious infection of the feet or legs.
It happens that the infection spreads to the nails - can be cured. But in this case, to get rid of the fungus, it takes a few weeks of taking antifungal pills to clear the infection from the nails. Therefore, treatment of interdigital fungus on the feet should be done in a timely manner, as soon as the first symptoms begin to appear.
Treatment of mycosis
Treating fungus between the toes usually involves the use of various antifungal creams and sprays. You can buy topical antifungals at your nearest pharmacy, or get them by prescription.
To treat fungus between the toes, it is necessary to apply an antifungal agent directly to the affected area, i. e. on the skin of the feet.
They are usually sold in cream form, but can also be sprays, liquids, and powders. This preparation very well cleanses the skin from fungal infections. However, there is no evidence that one drug is better than another.
During treatment, often the inflammation seems to go away fairly quickly, but you may need therapy for 1 to 2 weeks after the rash goes away. This is needed to get rid of the fungus on the skin - which will prevent recurrence.
If this is the first time you suffer from this disease and do not know how to cure fungus on the feet and did not make a mistake in choosing a drug for treatment, see a doctor.
For skin, especially inflamed skin, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream combined with a mild steroid ointment. They are usually used no more than seven days. You may need to continue using only one antifungal cream shortly afterwards.
Anabolic steroids reduce inflammation and relieve itching and redness in a short time. However, steroids do not completely eliminate the fungus between the toes and therefore steroid creams alone should not be used for treatment.
Antifungal pills for fungus between the toes are sometimes prescribed for adults if the infection is severe and cannot be cleared with a cream. Tablets are also needed if the infection is found in many places on the skin other than the feet.
However, this treatment for interdigital fungus is not the same for everyone.
Antifungal pills are not always recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or for people with liver disease. Children are usually not given antifungal medication.
Although skin fungus between the toes can spread from person to person, you should not stay away from work, school, or sports if you have the fungus. However, in public places such as swimming pools or saunas, try to take care of your feet until the rash goes away. Also, try not to scratch the damaged skin, as this can spread the infection to other places.
The following tips can prevent recurrent mycosis:
- You should wash your feet daily and dry the skin between the toes until clean after washing. This is probably the most important thing. Wear socks if your feet are not completely dry. The moist skin between the toes is a suitable breeding ground for fungi.
- Do not use other people's towels in public locker rooms. Wash towels as often as possible.
- Change your socks every day. The fungus grows on fragments of skin in unwashed socks. Cotton socks and leather shoes are much better than nylon socks and shoes made of artificial materials that increase perspiration.
- Try alternating between different shoes every 2-3 days, this will allow each pair to dry completely after wear.
- Wear slippers or slippers in the dressing room and public shower. This prevents your feet from coming into contact with the floor, which may contain fragments of other people’s skin.
- While you’re at home, walk barefoot for as long as possible - no shoes or socks until the air reaches your feet. However, this may not be practical for some people.
If mycosis persists, you can prevent recurrence by using one of the antifungal sprays or creams as a preventative measure.