Dermatologists define infectious diseases 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 certain 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, that is, parasitizing only animals or humans, or 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 that are 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, which is characterized by slightly expressed main symptoms, the apogee of the disease with clearly manifested main and secondary symptoms, extinction of clinical manifestations and complete recovery.
Despite the fact that there are many causative agents of infectious diseases and the diseases they cause 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 acceleration of the basic metabolic reactions of the body.
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, showing their presence only if our normal living conditions change to those suitable for the propagation and reproduction of fungi.
A sign of pathological proliferation of the fungus, leading to the appearance of infectious diseases, is an increase in the concentration of humidity and heat in the environment.Therefore, there is an increased risk of contracting fungal infections in shared showers and baths, swimming pools, saunas, bathrooms and locker rooms.
Fungal microorganisms feed on keratin, a specific protein in our epithelial tissue, so, for a more comfortable extraction of keratin, they settle mainly in those places on 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 period of 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 appearance of a fungal disease usually indicates the presence of factors that predispose to infection in the body.Reduced immunity, which can be observed in chronic diseases, diabetes mellitus, renal and liver 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 folds between the toes, spreading from there to the sides of the feet and then 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 through 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 vital activity in general.
Externally, a fungal infection is manifested by thickening of the infected area of the skin, microcracks and microtrauma, constant peeling of the epidermis, pathological dryness of the superficial layers of the skin, severe itching and burning, increased pain;signs of inflammatory processes may appear on the surface of epithelial tissue;in the most severe stages, fluid-filled bubbles appear in the epidermis, as a result of which the skin underneath softens and is quite susceptible to deformation.
The fungus of the foot membrane, in addition to general signs of parasitism by fungal microorganisms, is also characterized by a specific localization, since it most often occurs in the folds between the fourth and fifth toes.It is distinguished by the characteristic appearance of peeling 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 epithelial tissue against the background of a fungal disease, a bacterial infection can also develop in the body, the pathogens of which enter the external environment through wounds and microcracks.
Moccasin-like fungi, like shoes, can cover the entire foot, increasing the area of parasitism from the toes to the ankle and heel.When infected with 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 superficial layers of the epithelial tissue of the sole, and the skin itself becomes hypersensitive to the effects of too cold and hot temperatures and prone to frequent microtrauma.
If a fungus appears on the nail plate, the nail begins to thicken, rising above the nail fold or, conversely, pressing inward, creating strong pressure on the skin below.If the fungal infection is not treated immediately, the nail will begin to crumble and may eventually detach from the nail bed.
Vesicular fungus on the feet 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, maceration of the skin and damage to the skin of the foot from the inside.Infection with a fungus can lead 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 treating doctor may prescribe local, systemic or combined treatment.
Local treatment of foot fungus is carried out with the help of external medications, for example, varnishes, powders, gels, sprays, tonics, ointments and creams.
Systemic therapy includes the use of drugs for internal use, prescribed in case of prolonged circulation of the causative agent of a fungal infection in the blood in later stages of the disease, when the local use of drugs has not brought the desired effect.Systemic therapy as an independent method of eliminating fungus is rarely prescribed, since it is most often combined with the use of external fungicidal drugs, which is called combined treatment.
Experts have discovered that groups of medications such as allylamines and azoles best combat foot fungus.Medicines containing active ingredients from the group of allylamines or azoles inhibit the activity of the fungus, slow down its growth, stop reproduction and use 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 attack the external source of the infection.The course of treatment is 7 to 10 days.
Doctors prescribe drugs for oral administration very carefully and only in extreme cases, when the fungus has already caused serious damage 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 disease, creating an additional burden on the body, which is already exhausted from the fight against the pathogenic activity of the fungus.
Dermatologists usually prescribe drugs with the active ingredients terbinafine and itraconazole for internal use, prescribing an individual dosage regimen.Adults are prescribed a treatment that lasts several weeks, sometimes several months if the disease is already in an advanced stage.Itraconazole tablets and capsules are taken 2 tablets with a dose of 100 mg every day for at least a week, the substance terbinafine is taken daily with a dose of 250 mg for 7 to 20 days.
Systematic compliance with the main prevention rules, regular washing of personal belongings, wearing high-quality comfortable shoes and regular treatment of clothing and personal hygiene items with an antifungal spray, as well as disinfection of the bathroom, toilet and floor coverings will help you protect yourself from infection with pathogenic fungal microorganisms, as well as from prolonged treatment, which can subsequently negatively affect your general health.