Infectious diseases are defined by dermatologists as one of the most dangerous groups of diseases for the population.The clinical picture, course, occurrence and spread of infectious diseases are characterized by certain signs that distinguish them significantly from other pathologies.
Fungal infection on the feet
Each infection has its own specific pathogen, which can be zoonotic, anthroponotic or zoonotic, that is, parasitic only on animals or on humans, or on animals and humans at the same time.
An infection is a contagious disease and can be transmitted from an infected organism to a healthy one.The mass spread of infectious diseases leads to epidemics.
After suffering a disease, the body develops resistance or immunity against the causative agent of the disease, which prevents reinfection.
Experts classify infectious diseases as pathologies characterized by a certain cycle course with a clear sequence of disease periods: the incubation period or the period of hidden symptoms, the prodromal period, which is characterized by moderately expressed primary symptoms, the height of the disease with clearly manifested primary and secondary symptoms, the 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 elimination methods, infectious diseases have the same number of clinical manifestations: a sudden increase in body temperature up to fever and an acceleration of the body's basic metabolic reactions.
Fungal infections spread easily and quickly, which is caused by the conditional pathogenicity of fungal microorganisms.This means that fungi are always present in the environment and the human body, showing their presence only if our normal living conditions change to those suitable for the spread and reproduction of fungi.
The signal for the proliferation of fungal pathology, which leads to the emergence of infectious diseases, is an increase in the concentration of moisture and heat in the environment.Therefore, there is an increased risk of fungal infections in bathrooms and shared bathrooms, swimming pools, saunas, bathrooms and changing rooms.
Fungal microorganisms feed on keratin, a specialized protein in our epithelial tissue, therefore, for easier keratin extraction, they settle mainly in places of the skin where the epidermis is the most delicate and thin, for example, in the folds between the fingers and toes.
The most common type of fungus is foot fungus, because feet can remain in closed and uncomfortable shoes for a long time.Walking for a long time in closed shoes causes increased sweating on the feet, which creates an ideal environment for the development of fungal infections.
The occurrence of mycotic diseases most often indicates the presence of predisposing factors to infection in the body.Reduced immunity, which can be observed in chronic diseases, diabetes mellitus, kidney and liver failure, circulatory disorders, gastrointestinal disorders and persistent psycho-emotional background contribute to a general decrease in the protective functions of the body, as a result of which it becomes vulnerable to the aggressive effects of environmental factors and pathogenic microorganisms.
In most cases, athlete's foot begins to develop in the crease between the toes, spreads from there to the side of the foot, and then covers the mold and ankle.In case of ineffective elimination of infection or lack of proper 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 have a negative impact on maintaining the stability of the body's internal environment and its overall vital activity.
Externally, mycotic infection is manifested by thickening of the infected skin area, microcracks and microtraumas, continuous peeling of the epidermis, pathological dryness of the surface layer of the skin, intense itching and burning, increased pain;signs of the inflammatory process may appear on the surface of the epithelial tissue;in more severe stages, fluid-filled bubbles appear on the epidermis, as a result of which the underlying skin softens and is susceptible to deformation.
Membrane foot fungus, in addition to the general signs of parasitism by fungal microorganisms, is also characterized by specific localization, as it most often occurs in the fold between the 4th and 5th toes.It is distinguished by the characteristic scaly appearance in the area of the source of infection and contributes to the frequent occurrence of cracks in the integumentary tissue.Due to the damage to the integrity of the epithelial tissue against the background of fungal diseases, bacterial infections can also develop in the body, pathogens that enter the external environment through wounds and micro-cracks.
Moccasin-like fungi, like shoes, can cover the entire foot, increasing the area of parasitism from the toes to the ankles and heels.When infected with foot fungus such as moccasin, a person experiences constant pain in the area of the most active division of fungal cells, increased itching, thickening of the surface layer of the epithelial tissue of the foot, and the skin itself becomes hypersensitive to the effects of excessively hot and cold temperatures and is prone to frequent microtrauma.
If the fungus occurs on the nail plate, the nail begins to thicken, rise above the nail fold, or, on the contrary, press inward, creating strong pressure on the skin underneath.If a fungal infection is not treated promptly, the nail will begin to disintegrate and may eventually pull away from the base of the nail.
Vesicular athlete's foot 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 bottom of the foot.Often they can burst, which causes discomfort and pain, accompanied by severe itching and burning, destruction of the skin and damage to the skin of the feet from the inside.Fungal infections can cause bacterial infections, which will develop in response to a decrease in 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 includes the use of drugs for internal use, which are prescribed in the case of prolonged circulation of the causative agent of fungal infection in the blood in the final stages of the disease, when the use of drugs locally does not produce the desired effect.Systemic therapy as an independent method to eliminate fungus is rarely prescribed, because it is often combined with the use of external antifungal drugs, which is called combined treatment.
Experts have found that drug groups such as allylamines and azoles cope best with foot fungus.Medicines containing active ingredients from the group of allylamines or azoles inhibit the activity of fungi, slow down their growth, stop reproduction and use the mycelium - the product of its important activity.
The most common components found in topical antifungal agents are naftifine, terbinafine, butenafine, itraconazole, clotrimazole, econazole and miconazole.Dermatologists often advise people with foot fungus to take medication to target the source of the infection externally.The course of treatment is from 7 to 10 days.
Medicines for oral administration are prescribed by doctors very carefully and only in extreme cases, when the fungus has caused serious damage to human health or continues to multiply actively, despite the usual use of local antifungal agents.Many side effects and various contraindications can complicate the treatment of fungal diseases, creating an additional burden on the body, which is already tired by fighting the activity of fungal pathogens.
Dermatologists most 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 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, terbinafine is taken every day with a dose of 250 mg from 7 to 20 days.
Systematic compliance with the main rules of prevention, regular washing of personal belongings, wearing high-quality comfortable shoes and periodic treatment of clothing and personal hygiene items with antifungal spray, as well as disinfection of bathrooms, toilets and floor coverings will help you protect yourself from infection with pathogenic fungal microorganisms, as well as from long treatment, which can affect your overall health.