Beautiful and healthy feet not only attract attention, but are also considered the key to good health.If disorders of the skin or nail plate occur, it is worth thinking about the causes of this disease.Sometimes this is due to a lack of vitamins and minerals, poor care, or an injury.In these situations, the problem is resolved quickly and does not require serious intervention.But sometimes foot damage can be caused by fungal infections.
How it develops
Athlete's foot (mycosis) is an infectious skin lesion.It occurs primarily in those areas of the foot that are either closed for a long time or, conversely, open: the interdigital areas, the sole of the foot and the toes.The causative agents of the disease are pathogenic fungi that parasitize the horny layer of the skin and contribute to the development of a chronic inflammatory process on the skin.Person-to-person transmission occurs primarily in public places through shared footwear or household items.To transmit infection, the surface of the objects with which there is contact must be infected with scales of fungal parasites, which attach to healthy skin and begin their active reproduction and settlement on the entire surface of the foot.In the course of their development, pathogens of mycosis of the feet release waste products that impair the protective functions of the immune system, against the background of which secondary infectious diseases can develop.
How does athlete's foot manifest itself?
Fungal spores that parasitize the skin cause the symptoms characteristic of athlete's foot - peeling and thickening of the skin.If treatment is not started on time, the disease develops into a more severe form and erythema and erosions are added to the above-mentioned reasons.The earlier you suspect athlete's foot, the higher the chance of eliminating the disease quickly and effectively.
Characteristic signs of athlete's foot include peeling and thickening of the skin.
Symptoms that should not be ignored:
- cracks on the soles of the feet;
- itching, dryness and flaking;
- unpleasant smell;
- change in skin and/or nail plate color;
- Thickening, redness or other changes to the skin surface of the feet or nail plate.
In addition to the main cause of the disease, there are predisposing factors:
- microtraumas;
- increased sweating of the skin of the feet;
- uncomfortable shoes;
- diabetes mellitus;
- genetic predisposition.
How to treat athlete's foot
Treatment of athlete's foot depends on the degree of damage and the type of causative agent of the disease.The most commonly used topical antifungal drugs (ointments): Clotrimazole, Mycoseptin, Loteryl, etc.
The average course of treatment is selected individually.If you start treatment on time, after a week of therapy you can either completely eliminate athlete's foot or minimize its manifestations.In most cases an integrated approach is required.Therefore, in addition to antifungal drugs, drugs to eliminate itching and oral tablets are used: Fluconazole, Griseofulvin, Lamisil, etc.
To treat athlete's foot, it is not necessary to resort to expensive remedies;You can pay attention to the products of domestic pharmaceutical companies.The cost of such drugs is lower, and the effectiveness does not differ from expensive analogues.We must not forget that the affected surface must be treated thoroughly.Antiseptic solutions are suitable for this: fucorcin and creolin.
Treatment must be given primarily to prevent the disease from developing again.Remember that even after all symptoms have been eliminated, you still need to carefully monitor both your general health and the cleanliness and health of your feet.This means that it is necessary to regularly treat the skin of the feet and shoes and observe preventive measures.
Even after all symptoms have been eliminated, you still need to carefully monitor both your general health and the cleanliness and health of your feet.
Folk remedies for the treatment of athlete's foot
The market for pharmacological active ingredients for the treatment of athlete's foot offers a wide range of products.But at the same time, traditional medicine comes to the rescue of traditional therapy.Typically, the arsenal of this approach includes various herbs and decoctions, tinctures and oils prepared on their basis.However, before using any athlete's foot remedy, you need to make sure that you are not allergic.In the initial stages of the development of the disease, folk remedies have a good effect in addition to drug treatment or prevention.Let's consider one of the most effective options:
Soda bath.Has an antimicrobial effect.A liter of water must be heated to 40-45 degrees, add a tablespoon of soda and stir.Leave in this bath for 20-30 minutes.The frequency of this method is between 1 and 3 times a day.If athlete's foot is accompanied by severe itching, you can use medicinal herbs that have an itching and soothing effect (e.g. mint, oak bark, calendula) to prepare a soda bath.To do this, you first need to prepare an infusion of medicinal herbs, and then add soda.Everything else remains unchanged.
Prevention of athlete's foot
To completely get rid of athlete's foot and not get the disease again, you must first carefully monitor your shoes.Old shoes can contain fungal scales that can cause reinfection.Therefore, throughout the entire course of treatment and for further prevention, it is necessary to treat shoes with disinfectants: Chlorhexidine, Miramistin, Mycostop.It is necessary to carefully monitor the cleanliness of your feet and nails.Proper nutrition and cleanliness of feet and nails also play an equally important role.
To completely get rid of athlete's foot and not get infected again, you must first carefully monitor your shoes.
The most important thing in the treatment of athlete's foot is timely diagnosis and prompt start of therapy.Only in this case it is possible to cope within a week and, with proper prevention, completely reduce the risk of developing the disease.But as practice shows, people usually delay going to the doctor or even refuse to see a specialist.And this is associated with an incorrect choice of therapy, progression and transition of the disease to a severe stage.Therefore, it is difficult to answer the question: “Can athlete’s foot be cured in a week?”In the early stages this is more possible with a correct diagnosis than with an advanced form.
Be healthy!