Fungal infections are very common in the toes or nails. Both adults and children are susceptible to this disease. To avoid the transition of the pathology to a chronic form, you need to know the signs of fungus on the feet and what such a disease looks like.
The main signs of the disease
Out of all the skin diseases, fungal diseases of the feet are the most common. You can get infected if you ignore basic hygiene rules. It is sometimes difficult to treat the same fungus.
For each person, foot fungus begins and develops in its own way. Here are the most common signs for you to recognize foot fungus:
- characteristic cracks appear between the toes;
- you can understand that a fungus has appeared with a characteristic itching sensation on the feet and between the toes;
- very dry foot skin, often flaky and rough;
- blisters appear between the fingers, which burst when destroyed;
- the infection can spread to nearby areas;
- on the skin appear red spots, which cause significant discomfort;
- You can also recognize fungus on your feet by the unpleasant smell.
Important!
When the first symptoms of the disease appear, it is necessary to immediately visit a dermatologist. If you don't do this first, it will be much more difficult to treat the fungus.
Signs of a fungus depend on the type of pathogen
This disease develops due to different types of pathogens. The symptoms of a leg injury will vary from case to case.
- If yeast grows on the feet, then the nails gradually become thinner, flaking off the bed. The skin on the feet is hyperemic (red in color).
- With the growth of the cuticle, the nail turns yellow, covered with spots. The skin on the feet is peeling and has an unpleasant odor. A characteristic symptom of this fungus is increased dryness of the skin.
- When mold appears, the nail plate can change color suddenly. The skin turns red if the pathogens of the pathology gradually spread to the entire foot. People who worry about itching, the skin may crack. In this case, while walking will appear pain and other unpleasant sensations.
Only a doctor can determine the type of pathogen. Can't do this at home. And if you practice self-medication, you can only harm yourself. The foot will be like that, the skin fungus is spreading more and more.
Signs of certain forms of fungus
Depending on the affected area and the degree of development, several forms of pathology are distinguished. The symptoms of each are different. By knowing the early signs of toenail fungus, you can start treating it in time.
- Tinea capitis is the most common stage of the disease. It is most active in the spring and summer, when the feet sweat the most. There are cracks and sores between the toes. You can see the presence of their skin scales. On the other hand, the feet look perfectly healthy. Often a person feels an itch.
- The erased form is shown with the least degree of clarity. Peeling is noticeable between the toes. At this stage of the disease, an unpleasant odor spreads from the feet: appears due to an increase in bacterial activity.
The disease can take many different forms. Familiarize yourself with their signs to know how to identify fungus on your feet and, if it develops, start treatment. It must be remembered that in the advanced stage of the disease, the nail is completely destroyed. It is almost impossible to restore it.
Scale type
This fungus is characterized by intense sloughing of the epidermis. Furthermore, the skin between the toes and the edge of the foot is the most affected area. There are no signs of an inflammatory process. In the photo of the first signs of foot fungus, congested areas can be noticed. A scaly fungus looks like this:
- thickened stratum corneum;
- glossy skin, sometimes becoming thick;
- the pattern on the skin becomes more obvious;
- the fungus spreads to the fingers, the entire foot, affects the nails;
- sometimes lamellar scales appear on the epidermis;
- The patient does not feel any other unpleasant sensations.
Type of dyshidrotic
With this fungus, small bubbles filled with liquid will appear on the skin. They are usually found on one side of the foot. Then they gradually move to the inner surface of the fingers. How to recognize fungus on dysfunctional feet:
- bubbles are usually single, but if there are many of them, they merge into one large mass;
- in the absence of treatment, the liquid in the bubble gradually darkens;
- if the blister breaks, then erosion with the crust will appear in its place.
Note!
With this fungus on the feet, the risk of bacterial infection is very high. The infection enters the body through open wounds in the skin.
Type of intertriginous
This is the most common type of mushroom. At first, the person does not experience any symptoms. Up to a certain point, the skin on the toes remains unchanged. In the future, cracks and layers appear. The skin is not affected, but it can sweat.
Candida in the feet
The characteristic symptoms of this fungal infection are as follows:
- the lesion is the 3rd or 4th toe;
- red and swollen skin;
- there are bubbles around the lesion where the skin is peeling;
- There are pustules, blisters nearby.
Important!
If a bacterial infection enters the affected area, it will lead to an increase in local temperature. Swelling is visible on the skin of the feet. In severe cases, a person experiences generalized hyperthermia.
Signs of nail fungal infection
A person's toenails can also be affected. The disease can be distinguished by the following symptoms.
- Visible discoloration of the nail plate. Depending on the type of pathology the patient has, the nails have different shades. Sometimes it can only change on part of the nail plate.
- Brittleness of nails. It only happens in the advanced stage. If the nail becomes completely infected, it will collapse.
- Changes in the structure of the nail.
There are several types of nail fungus - a fungal infection of the nails.
- Atrophic shape. The nail plate looks very thin. It darkens, sometimes gray-brown. The nail gradually peeled off its bed. The skin under it is keratinized, becoming loose.
- With the normal autotrophic form of foot fungus, the patch changes shade. Spots appear on it - white, yellow, green and even black. The structure of the nail is not affected.
- With the hypertrophic form, the plate thickens and becomes spongy. The affected area looks very ugly and in some cases causes pain when walking. On the sides, it collapses and collapses without treatment.
Some types of nail fungus
Depending on the degree of spread of the disease, such forms are distinguished.
- Lateral nail fungus is the most common. A small yellow spot first appears on the free edge of the nail. In the future, you can see how it increases and the nail thickens. While walking, a person feels discomfort. The spread of an unpleasant odor is noticeable. Unilateral toenail fungus is very difficult to treat.
- Superficial onychomycosis is characterized by lesions of only the upper layers of the plaque. It does not thicken, but over time it becomes more like chalk.
- The rarest form of the disease is subungual onychomycosis. The skin is markedly thickened in the nail folds. Nails turn white and lose transparency.
General principles of treatment
Any medical treatment begins with a diagnosis. Only then can a suitable remedy be prescribed. Self-medication often leads to worsening of the foot condition. Let's get acquainted with the most common treatments.
- At the first signs of a fungal infection, special varnishes, putty, ointments, sprays are used. They must be used for a long time and according to the instructions.
- If topical therapy is not effective, antifungal drugs with a complex effect are prescribed. They are used orally.
- Surgical removal of the affected nail.
- Laser therapy.
- With an advanced form of the disease, systemic drugs are prescribed.
You can avoid the appearance of an unpleasant disease by observing the rules of hygiene. Using other people's personal hygiene products (towels, slippers) should be avoided. At the first signs of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor.