Infectious diseases are defined by dermatologists as one of the most dangerous groups of diseases for the population.The clinical framework, progress, appearance and spread of infectious diseases are characterized by several signs that clearly distinguish them from other pathologies.
Fungal infection of the feet
Each infection has its own specific pathogen, which can be zoonotic, anthroponous or zoonotic, that is, parasitizing only animals or humans, or both animals and humans.
Infections are contagious diseases and can be transmitted from an infected organism to a healthy organism.The mass 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 disease periods: an incubation period or a period of hidden symptoms, a prodromal period, which is characterized by mildly expressed main symptoms, the height of the disease with clearly manifested main and secondary symptoms, disappearance 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 body's basic metabolic reactions.
Fungal infections spread quite easily and quickly, which is 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 proliferation and reproduction of fungi.
A signal for the pathological spread of fungi, leading 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 contracting fungal infections in shared showers and baths, swimming pools, saunas, baths and changing rooms.
Fungal microorganisms feed on keratin, a specific protein in our epithelial tissue, therefore, for the most appropriate 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 stay in closed and 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 most often indicates the presence of predisposing factors for infection in the body.Reduced immunity, which can be observed in chronic diseases, diabetes mellitus, kidney and liver failure, circulatory 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, athlete's foot begins to develop in the folds between the toes, spreading from there to the sides of the feet and then covering the toes and ankles.In case of ineffective elimination of the 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 the internal organs, disruption of their integrity and structure, which will negatively affect the maintenance of the stability of the body's internal environment and its overall vital activity.
Externally, fungal infection is manifested by thickening of the infected skin area, microcracks and microtrauma, continuous peeling of the epidermis, pathological dryness of the surface layers of the skin, intense itching and burning, increased pain;signs of inflammatory processes can 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 skin underneath softens and is quite sensitive to deformation.
Membrane foot fungus, in addition to the general signs of parasitism by fungal microorganisms, is also characterized by a specific localization, as it most often appears in the folds between the 4th and 5th toes.It is distinguished by the characteristic appearance of scaling in the area of the source of infection and contributes to the regular appearance of cracks in the integrative 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, the pathogens of which enter the external environment through wounds and microcracks.
Moccasin-like fungi 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 surface layers of the epithelial tissue of the sole, and the skin itself becomes hypersensitive to the effects of very hot and cold temperatures and prone to frequent microtraumas.
If a fungus appears on the nail plate, the nail begins to thicken, rising above the nail fold, or, on the contrary, press from the inside, creating strong pressure on the skin below.If the fungal infection is not treated immediately, the nail will begin to crumble and eventually may detach from the nail bed.
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 leg.Often they can burst, which causes discomfort and pain, accompanied by severe itching and burning, maceration of the skin and damage to the skin of the foot from the inside.Fungal infection can cause a bacterial infection, 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 combination treatment.
Local treatment of foot fungus is carried out using external medications, for example, varnishes, powders, gels, sprays, tonics, oils 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 the later stages of the disease, when the use of drugs at the local level has not produced the desired effect.Systemic therapy as an independent method of eliminating fungi is rarely prescribed, as 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 cope best with athlete's foot.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 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 fungi have already caused serious damage to human health or continue to multiply actively, despite the regular use of local antifungal agents.Many different side effects and contraindications can complicate the treatment of fungal disease, creating an additional burden on the body, which is already exhausted by the fight against the pathogenic activity of fungi.
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 lasting 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 terbinafine substance is taken every day with a dose of 250 mg from 7 to 20 days.
Systematic observance of 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 infection with pathogenic fungal microorganisms, as well as from a long negative course on your health.