Mycosis is a contagious skin disease caused by a fungus. Treatment with an antifungal cream is usually used and has good results, but not in the long term. The following tips can help prevent fungus between your toes that recur after treatment.
Who can get mycoses and how can they be prevented?
Mycosis is a fungal infection that affects the legs. This condition is very common - every fourth person has an interdigital fungus on their feet. Once this disease is started, treating it can be very cumbersome. Fungal pathogens (fungi) are often found in small quantities on human skin, where they usually do no harm. However, under favorable conditions, they can penetrate the epidermis, multiply and cause infection. Favorable conditions for fungi are warm, moist and evacuated areas of the skin, for example between the toes.
Almost anyone can get mycoses. However, it is more common in people who sweat more or those who wear thick shoes and socks, which also leads to excessive sweating of the feet. Mycoses can be transmitted from person to person. This can happen, for example, in a public shower that is used by athletes or swimmers. Small flakes of fungal skin can fall off when you shower. Once a small focus of infection develops, it tends to spread along the skin. Where else you can pick up the mushroom is stated here.
What are the symptoms of athlete's foot?
The skin between the little toes is usually affected first. The first signs of fungus, once the infection has just formed on the skin, are minor. The manifestation becomes noticeable when the rash begins to spread, the skin itches and flakes. Cracks and inflammation can occur. Large cracks in the skin (fissures) between the toes can enlarge and be very painful. Tiny flakes of infected skin can peel off. If your interdigital mycosis is left untreated, the rash can gradually spread across the leg. In some cases it goes down to the sole. Often times, the infection leads to flaking of the entire sole of the foot and the sides of the foot. Sometimes mycosis causes large blistering rashes all over the sole. In this case we are dealing with athlete's foot.
Is mycosis between the fingers serious?
Usually no. Most people successfully treat itchy toes before the infection has spread. Sometimes the infection spreads to the skin of other parts of the body. These are usually damp and evacuated areas, such asUsually, fungi, including fungus on the feet between the toes, do not spread deeper, only on the surface of the skin. However, other microbes (bacteria) can invade the cracks left over from neglected or untreated mycosis. It can sometimes cause 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, it will take several weeks to take antifungal pills to remove the infection from the nails.
Therefore, it is best to treat interdigital fungi on the legs in good time, as soon as the first symptoms appear.
Mycosis Treatment
Treating the fungus between the toes usually involves using various antifungal creams and sprays. You can buy topical antifungal drugs at the nearest pharmacy or get a prescription. To treat the fungus between the toes, it is necessary to apply the antifungal drug directly to the affected area, that is, the skin of the feet. There are different types and brands of drugs. They're usually sold in the form of creams, but they can also be sprays, liquids, and powders. The preparations remove fungal infections from the skin very well. However, there is no evidence that one remedy is better than the other.
It is necessary to use medication as often as recommended. It depends on the different treatments, so read the instructions carefully before treating the fungus between your toes. Often times, the inflammation goes away pretty quickly, but you may need to be treated for 1 to 2 weeks after the rash clears up. This is necessary to completely get rid of the fungi on the skin - which will prevent relapse.
If you have come across this disease for the first time and do not know how to cure the fungus on the feet and do not make a mistake in choosing a drug for treatment, it is better to consult a doctor.
For skin, especially inflamed skin, your doctor may prescribe an antifungal cream combined with a mild steroid ointment. They are usually not used for more than seven days. You may just need to use an antifungal cream for a while after this. Anabolic steroids reduce inflammation in a short time and can relieve itching and redness. However, the steroid does not completely eliminate the fungus between the toes and therefore steroid cream alone should not be used for treatment.
Antifungal pills for fungus between the toes are sometimes prescribed to adults when the infection is severe and creams cannot get rid of. Tablets are also needed if the infection occurs on many parts of the skin other than the feet.
However, treating an interdigital fungus with the above procedures 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. Some people may be prescribed a different drug that interacts with antifungal drugs. Children usually do not receive antifungal medication.
While skin fungus can be transmitted from person to person between the toes, you don't need to stay away from work, school, or exercise if you have fungus. However, in public places like a swimming pool or sauna, try to keep your legs covered until the rash goes away. Also, try not to scratch the damaged skin as this can spread the infection to other areas.
The following tips can help prevent recurring mycosis:
- You should wash your feet daily and dry the skin between your toes thoroughly after washing. This is perhaps the most important point. Wear socks if your feet are not completely dry. The damp skin between the toes is an ideal breeding ground for fungi.
- Do not use third-party towels in public changing rooms! Towels should be washed as often as possible.
- Change your socks daily. Fungi can grow in flakes of skin in unwashed socks. Cotton socks and leather shoes are better than nylon socks and shoes made from man-made materials that increase perspiration in many ways.
- Try to switch between different shoes every 2-3 days to allow each pair to dry completely after wearing them.
- Wear flip flops or plastic sandals in public changing rooms and showers. This will prevent your feet from touching the ground, which may have flakes of skin from other people.
- When home, go barefoot for as long as possible - no shoes or socks to allow air to get to your feet. However, this may not be practical for some people.
- If the mycosis persists, you can prevent it from coming back by regularly using one of the antifungal sprays or creams. It can be used daily for prevention.