What is athlete's foot or fungal infection?

More than 350 million men and women all over the world suffer from mycosis. More than 300 million men and women of them are affected by mycosis of the feet, this disease is also called a foot athlete or foot epidermophyte. This name is given to him because athletes suffer most from them. Why does this disease occur and why can they get infected? How to avoid it? The answers to these questions are on our pages.

What is an athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot is a very common skin condition that affects the soles of the feet and the skin between the fingers. As a rule, on the foot there are scaly, red, itchy rashes. This affects the athlete's foot. Although this is often a consequence of a fungal infection, other causes can be identified without proper testing.

There are many fungi that cause mycosis, and this may include sports halls, locker rooms, swimming pools, manicure salons, customs clearance lines at airports, as well as wearing contaminated socks and clothes. Mushrooms can also be transmitted directly from person to person by contact. Most people acquire a fungus on their feet when walking barefoot in places where there was someone with an athlete's foot.

Some people are more prone to this condition, while others are relatively resistant to it. Another reason for the appearance of athlete's foot can be the conditions of the tropical climate, where the representatives of the armed forces work.

However, without the proper environment (warm, moist environment), the fungus can not easily infect the skin. Up to 70% of the population can get mycosis of the foot at any stage of their life. Infection with fungi does not give a person any resistance for the following infections.

Mycosis statistics

Statistics of infection with mycosis shows that 67% of people become infected with fungus in saunas, gyms and when visiting the bath, 30% of people can get "athlete's foot" because of tight shoes, and 40% - because of increased sweating of feet. When people put on someone else's shoes and socks, they are exposed to mycosis in 70% of cases. These percentages can be combined, so people become infected with mycosis because of complex causes.

Even if a person is cautious and protected in public places, such as a sauna and a sauna, or a swimming pool, he can get an athlete's foot because of a wound on his leg, through which a small scab of foreign skin infected with mycosis or a small piece of infected nail has penetrated. This can happen in a pedicure salon if there are not observed basic hygiene rules and do not disinfect tools properly.

Is mycosis contagious?

The athlete's foot can be contagious, the disease can be transmitted from person to person. Some people may be more susceptible to the fungus that appears on the foot, while others are more resistant to mycosis. There are many families where two people (for example, husband and wife, brothers or sisters), using the same shower and bathroom for years, do not become infected with the fungus from each other. The exact cause of this predisposition or susceptibility to fungal infections is unknown. Mycosis is more contagious in a damp, warm environment.

Concentration of fungus

The fungus that causes mycosis is hidden in the shower pools, on the cloakroom floors, in saunas and baths, which are visited not only by professional athletes, but also simply by people who support a healthy lifestyle. That is why mycosis, or a disease called athlete's foot, is affected by each of us, without even knowing it.

Conditions for infection by the fungus - not only the wet floor of locker rooms and showers, but also close wet shoes, dirty socks, and the disease is contagious. Studies show that 22 people out of hundreds have no idea that mycosis can be infected in public places and that this disease tends to be transmitted from contact with the infected surface.

Mycosis is also called the epidermophyte of the foot, which is characterized by a rash on the foot caused by a fungus.

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5]

What else causes a rash on the feet?

There are many possible causes of rashes on the feet. Additional causes include irritant or contact dermatitis, an allergic rash from shoes or chemical creams, dyshidrotic eczema (skin allergic rash), psoriasis, fungal infections and bacterial infections.

A dermatologist can perform a simple test where potassium hydroxide is used for microscopic fungal examination, it is performed in the office or laboratory to confirm the presence of a fungal infection. This test is performed using a small scraping of the skin, which is examined under a microscope.

Many dermatologists can perform this test in their office with results available within a few minutes. Sometimes a small piece of skin can be scraped and sent to a biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.

What are the symptoms and signs of mycosis?

Many people with athlete's foot do not observe any symptoms at all, and do not even know that they have an infection. Many may think that they just have dry skin on the soles of their feet. Common symptoms of fungal infections usually include various degrees of itching and burning. The skin can often peel off, and in especially severe cases it can have several cracks, pain and bleeding may occur.

What does mycosis look like?

In most cases, mycosis is barely noticeable - on the foot is only a little dry, flaky skin. And the athlete's foot (athlete's foot) may look like red, flaky, dry patches of skin on one or both feet. Sometimes dry flakes can spread to both sides and from above the legs. Most often the rash is localized only on the lower part of the leg. The space between the fourth and fifth fingers can also have some amount of increased moisture, scales and dry flakes of the skin.

There are three common types of athlete's foot

• Too hard soles of the feet like "moccasins"
• Scales between the fingers, similar to the "interdigital" scales
• Inflammatory skin type or blisters on the foot

Rare cases of foot fungal infection

Unusual cases of mycosis may look like small or large blisters on the legs (so-called bullous dermatophilia of the feet), thick patches of dry, red skin, calluses and redness. Sometimes it can look like a soft dry skin without redness or inflammation.

Mycosis may look like a rash on one or both legs and even include a rash on the hands. Mycosis is a very common foot disease, especially in men. Types of fungal infections can be called shingles. The exact reason why an infection usually affects the feet on only one side is unknown.

Mycosis can also be treated together with ringworm, which is located in the groin area (especially in men). This is useful for diagnosing the legs when there is a fungal rash in the groin, the so-called inguinal dermatomycosis. It is important to treat all parts of the fungal infection very carefully to avoid re-infection. Treating the sole and ignoring the fungal infection of the nails can lead to relapses of the athlete's foot. It is important to evaluate all potential sources of fungal infection and to prevent disease.

How can I treat an athlete's foot during pregnancy?

Treatment options during pregnancy may include absorbing diluted vinegar or sprays (approximately one part of the vinegar household is four parts water) and Lotrimin cream twice a day for two to three weeks before the sole. Antifungal tablets are generally not recommended during pregnancy because of possible side effects and possible fetal harm. Always check with obstetrics / gynecology before using any medicine or medication during pregnancy.

Athlete's foot during pregnancy

If you notice redness, swelling, bleeding on the foot during pregnancy, or if the infection persists, consult a dermatologist. If it's a bacterial infection, antibiotic tablets can help. If you have fungal nail diseases during pregnancy, diabetes, or there are disorders of the immune system, you should definitely consult a dermatologist for treatment.

[6], [7], [8]

What are the possible complications due to athlete's foot?

Untreated nails, feet can infect fungal diseases due to violations of hygiene rules. These diseases can potentially spread to other parts of the body or other people, including family members. Fungus can locally spread to the legs, nails, hands, and virtually any part of the body.

This kind of fungi generally like to live in skin, hair and nails. It does not intrude deeply into the organs of the body or into the circulatory system.

Fungal infections of the nails are called shingles unguium or onychomycosis. Nail fungus is very difficult to treat. Antifungal tablets may be required in the case of more complex fungal infections.

• Fungal infections of the nails (onychomycosis)
• Inguinal fungus (inguinal dermatomycosis)
• Fungus on the skin (dermatomycosis)
• Secondary bacterial infection

People with diabetes, HIV / AIDS, cancer or other immune problems may be more prone to all kinds of infections, including fungi.

When the skin is damaged by a fungus, the natural protective skin barrier is broken. Bacteria and yeast can penetrate into the damaged skin. Bacteria can cause an unpleasant odor. Bacterial skin infections resulting from inflammation are known as cellulite. This is especially likely to occur in people with diabetes mellitus, chronic foot tumors, with which some veins have been removed (for example, because of thrombosis or varicose veins) or in people in old age. Bacterial skin infections are also more common in patients with impaired immune system.

What is the treatment of athlete's foot?

Treatment of the foot can be divided into two parts. The first and most important part is to make the infected zone less vulnerable to the foot fungus. This means keeping the foot clean and dry.

Buy shoes made of leather or other breathable material. When you choose leatherette, such a material for shoes as vinyl, the legs in it become wet, providing an excellent place for the fungus in which it can reproduce. Cotton socks can act as an absorbent for moisture, which can help the foot fungus.

Powders, especially medicinal powders (eg, with miconazole), can help keep your feet dry. Finally, the legs can be treated with aluminum acetate powder (solution).

The second part of the treatment is the use of antifungal creams and aerosols. Many anti-fungal medicines are available without a prescription, including miconazole, econazole nitrate (Spectazole), clotrimazole (Lotrimin), terbinafine (Lamisil), sprays and creams, ketoconazole shampoos and creams (Nizoral), etc. Ask health care professionals or pharmacists to give you advice on combating the fungus.

Doses of drugs against fungal infections

Treatment of mycosis usually should be continued for four weeks or at least one week after the foot skin clears.

• Terbinafine: 250 mg once a day for two weeks
• Itraconazole 100 mg twice daily for two weeks
• Fluconazole 100 mg once a week for two to three weeks

Corticosteroid creams can act as fertilizers for fungi and can actually worsen the course of fungal infections of the skin. Steroid drugs do not play any role in the treatment of fungal foot infections.

If the fungal infection has spread to the nails, they must also be treated to avoid re-infection of the legs. Often, the nails were initially ignored on detection of the exfoliation on the foot due to the fungus. And this is wrong, since nails are the source of infections.

It is important to treat all visible fungi equally carefully. Effective treatment of the nail fungus can be more intense and requires a longer course than treatment of the foot fungus (three to four months), this will require oral antifungal drugs.

[9], [10], [11], [12], [13], [14], [15], [16],

Alternative remedies against athlete's foot

Ancient ointment from mycosis

Ointment according to a very ancient prescription is very good against mycosis with its itching and peeling of the skin. Ointment is also good against hair loss and cracks on the feet. The one who tried it, says that this ointment always helps well and has never failed.

What do you need? 100 grams of acetic essence 70% concentration, raw egg (do not smash), 200 grams butter butter. You need to mix everything in a half-liter jar and close the lid. Put the jar in the refrigerator for a week. During this time, the eggshell will dissolve. Then you need to mix the ointment and put it back in the refrigerator, but now it can already be used.

Coffee remedy for foot fungus

It is necessary to dissolve coffee in warm water so that the solution turns out strong. It is necessary to hold in this solution the affected foot for 15 minutes before going to bed, then dry the skin and go to bed. The pain in the foot will pass quickly, and the skin will become smooth and tender, like a baby - just do not miss a day.

Lotion with novocaine

This is an inexpensive but effective remedy against mycosis, or athlete's foot. You need to moisten cotton wool or gaulet with novocaine and apply for the whole night to the foot affected by the fungus. Attach this compress so that it does not fall off in a dream. In the morning remove, rinse your leg and so repeat for 7-8 days. Very soon you will forget what an athlete's foot is.

Sometimes only 2 such lotions will help get rid of the foot fungus.

[17], [18]

Which doctor specializes in treating an athlete's foot?

Dermatologists specialize in the treatment of skin diseases, including athlete's foot. You can find a certified dermatologist through specialized medical centers or contact a local polyclinic. You can also contact any clinic in your country. In addition, family medicine doctors, internal medicine doctors, pediatricians, orthopedists and other practitioners can also treat this dangerous infection.

How to prevent fungal infections?

Since some people are more prone to fungal infection than others, they are also prone to repeated infection with the fungus. Preventive measures include the following: keep your feet clean and dry, avoiding prolonged exposure in a humid environment, you also need to use socks on the control lines at airports when you take off your footwear for customs inspection.

This allows the skin of the legs to "breathe". Avoid walking barefoot in public places, such as swimming pools and gyms, avoid contact with infected people. It is important not to use public instruments in the salons at the pedicure. Disinfection of old shoes and periodic weekly or monthly shoe treatments with antifungal powder will help get rid of mycosis or not catch it.

It is extremely important that salons use your own instruments for pedicure, including nail files, if you do not know if this salon practices the strict sterilization of tools and / or uses disposable materials.

Make sure that all family members affected by fungus treat mycosis as well as you to avoid cross infections.

Epidermophytia of the foot - useful facts

Athlete's foot (athlete's foot) is characterized by dermatitis on the tissues of the fingers and soles.

Mycosis, caused by a fungus, can spread, except for the feet, also on the palm, groin and whole body.

Fungal infections of the legs are contagious and can be transmitted from person to person when touching contaminated objects and floors.

Epidermofitiya feet foot can cause itching, burning, pain in the feet.

When the athlete's foot is hit by a fungus, it can be treated with antifungal drugs, many of which are available without a prescription.

Keeping feet dry, using cotton socks and breathable shoes, you can help prevent the emergence of "athlete's foot".

[19], [20], [21], [22]