Infectious diseases are defined by dermatologists as one of the most dangerous groups of diseases for the population.The clinical picture, course, onset and spread of infectious diseases are characterized by some signs that significantly distinguish them from other pathologies.
Fungal infection of the feet
Each infection has its own specific pathogen, which can be zoonotic, anthroponotic or zoonotic, i.e. parasitic only on animals or humans, or on animals and humans at the same time.
Infections are contagious diseases and can be transmitted from an infected organism to a healthy one.The massive spread of an infectious disease leads to an epidemic.
After suffering from a disease, the body develops resistance or immunity to the causative agent of this disease, which prevents reinfection.
Experts classify infectious diseases as pathologies characterized by a certain cyclical course with a clear sequence of periods of the disease: an incubation period or a period of hidden symptoms, a prodromal period, characterized by mildly expressed main symptoms, the height of the disease with clearly manifested main and secondary symptoms, extinction of clinical manifestations and complete recovery.
Although there are many causative agents of infectious diseases, and the diseases caused by them differ in external manifestations, predisposing factors and methods of elimination, infectious diseases have a similar number of clinical manifestations: a sharp increase in body temperature up to fever and an acceleration of the body's basic metabolic reactions.
Fungal infections spread quite easily and quickly, due to the conditional pathogenicity of fungal microorganisms.This means that fungi are constantly present in the environment and in the human body, manifesting their presence only if our normal living conditions change to those suitable for the spread and reproduction of fungi.
A signal of pathological proliferation of the fungus, leading to the appearance of infectious diseases, is an increase in the concentration of moisture and heat in the environment.Therefore, the risk of contracting fungal infections in shared showers and baths, swimming pools, saunas, bathrooms and changing rooms increases.
Fungal microorganisms feed on keratin, a specific protein of our epithelial tissue, therefore, for a more convenient extraction of keratin, they settle mainly in those places of the skin where the epidermis is more delicate and thin, for example in the folds between the fingers and toes.
The most common type of fungus is foot fungus, as feet can remain in closed, uncomfortable shoes for a long time.Walking for a long time in closed shoes causes increased sweating of the feet, which creates an ideal environment for the development of a fungal infection.
The onset of a fungal disease very often indicates the presence of factors predisposing to infection in the body.Reduced immunity, which can be observed in chronic diseases, diabetes mellitus, renal and hepatic failure, blood circulation disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and a constant psycho-emotional background contribute to a general decrease in the protective functions of the body, as a result of which it becomes susceptible to the aggressive effects of environmental factors and pathogenic microorganisms.
In most cases, foot fungus begins to develop in the creases between the toes, spreading from there to the sides of the feet, eventually covering the mold and ankles.In case of ineffective elimination of the infection or lack of adequate treatment, fungal toxins can enter the blood and circulate in the bloodstream.This can lead to disruption of physiological processes in internal organs, disruption of their integrity and structure, which will negatively affect the maintenance of the constancy of the internal environment of the body and its overall vital activity.
Externally, a fungal infection is manifested by thickening of the infected area of the skin, microcracks and microtraumas, constant peeling of the epidermis, pathological dryness of the superficial layers of the skin, intense itching and burning, increased pain;signs of inflammatory processes may appear on the surface of the epithelial tissue;in the most severe stages, fluid-filled blisters appear on the epidermis, as a result of which the underlying skin softens and is easily susceptible to deformation.
Membrane fungus of the foot, in addition to the general signs of parasitism by fungal microorganisms, is also characterized by a specific localization, as it most often occurs in the folds between the 4th and 5th toes.It is distinguished by the characteristic appearance of scaliness in the area of the source of infection and contributes to the regular appearance of cracks in the integumentary tissues.Due to damage to the integrity of the epithelial tissue against the background of a fungal disease, a bacterial infection can also develop in the body, pathogens of which enter the external environment through wounds and microcracks.
Moccasin-like fungus, like shoes, can cover the entire foot, increasing the area of parasitism from the toes to the ankle and heel.When infected with a moccasin-like foot fungus, a person experiences constant pain in the area of the most active division of fungal cells, increased itching, thickening of the surface layers of the epithelial tissue of the sole, and the skin itself becomes hypersensitive to the effects of too hot and cold temperatures and is subject to frequent microtraumas.
If a fungus occurs on the nail plate, the nail begins to thicken, rising above the nail fold or, conversely, presses inward, creating strong pressure on the skin underneath.If the fungal infection is not treated immediately, the nail will begin to crumble and over time may separate from the nail bed.
Foot vesicular fungus causes the most physical discomfort to a person, as it is usually characterized by the appearance of subcutaneous blisters filled with clear fluid on the sole of the foot.They can often burst, causing discomfort and pain, accompanied by severe itching and burning, skin maceration and damage to the skin of the foot from the inside.Infection with a fungus can give rise to a bacterial infection, which will develop in response to a decrease in the strength of the body's immune defenses.
Depending on the stage of development of the fungal infection, the nature of the disease and the general clinical picture, the attending physician may prescribe local, systemic or combined treatment.
Local treatment of foot fungus is carried out using external drugs, for example, varnishes, powders, gels, sprays, tonics, ointments and creams.
Systemic therapy involves the use of drugs for internal use, prescribed in case of prolonged circulation of the causative agent of the fungal infection in the blood in the later stages of the disease, when the local use of drugs did not produce the desired effect.Systemic therapy as an independent method of eliminating fungi is rarely prescribed, since it is most often combined with the use of external fungicidal drugs, which is called combined treatment.
Experts have found that groups of drugs such as allylamines and azoles deal with foot fungus better.Medicines containing active substances from the group of allylamines or azoles inhibit the activity of the fungus, slow down its growth, stop reproduction and use the mycelium, the products of its vital activity.
The most common components found in topical antifungal agents are naftifine, terbinafine, butenafine, itraconazole, clotrimazole, econazole, and miconazole.Dermatologists often advise people suffering from fungal foot infections to take medications to target the source of the infection externally.The course of treatment lasts from 7 to 10 days.
Medicines for oral administration are prescribed by doctors very carefully and only in extreme cases, when the fungus has already caused serious harm to human health or continues to actively multiply, despite the regular use of local antifungal agents.Many side effects and various contraindications can complicate the treatment of fungal diseases, creating an additional load on the body, which is already exhausted by the fight against the pathogenic activity of the fungus.
Dermatologists very often prescribe drugs with the active ingredients terbinafine and itraconazole for internal use, prescribing an individual dosage regimen.Adults are prescribed a course of therapy lasting several weeks, sometimes several months if the disease is already in an advanced stage.Itraconazole tablets and capsules are taken 2 tablets at a dose of 100 mg every day for at least one week, the substance terbinafine is taken every day at a dose of 250 mg for 7 to 20 days.
Systematic adherence to the main prevention rules, regular washing of personal belongings, wearing high-quality comfortable shoes and periodic treatment of clothing and personal hygiene items with an antifungal spray, as well as disinfection of the bathroom, toilet and floor coverings will help protect you from infections with pathogenic fungal microorganisms, as well as from a long course of treatment, which can subsequently negatively affect your overall health.