Fungal skin diseases: symptoms and treatment, how to get rid of the pathology forever? Find out on the MEDSI Clinic website

Fungal infections (mycoses) are diseases that are caused by different types of microscopic fungi.

Mycoses of the skin, mucous membranes, and nails are the most common among all human fungal diseases. Systemic mycoses (affecting several body systems) are predominantly found in people with immunodeficiency. Most often these are HIV-infected patients, patients after organ transplantation, cancer patients, etc.

The main causative agents of skin mycoses: trichophyton fungi Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, var. interdigitale, Epidermophyton floccosum and candida Candida.

Infection with fungi occurs through direct contact with a patient, through shoes, clothing, when using general hygiene products (washcloths, manicure tools), when visiting gyms, baths, saunas, and swimming pools. The main factor of infection is the presence of abrasions and cracks in the skin, which occur with increased sweating, dryness, and poor circulation in the extremities. People with diabetes, immune disorders, blood diseases; Those taking antibiotics, glucocorticosteroids, and cytostatics for a long time are especially susceptible to the development of mycoses.

Most often, microscopic fungi cause damage to the skin of the feet and large skin folds (axillary, groin and others).

Mycosis: causes and treatment

Mycosis is a fungal infectious disease. Its causative agents are pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms. Fungal diseases are very common these days; Potentially dangerous places include public beaches, swimming pools, bathhouses, and gyms . The fungus enters the human body through the respiratory system , microcracks in the skin and through mucous membranes.

Mycosis is a highly contagious disease - it can spread quite quickly not only among people, but also among animals.
Here are the reasons
that may contribute to the development of
fungal diseases
: • Weak immunity (promotes the engraftment of the fungus and the development of symptoms). • Frequent use of antibiotics (reduces immunity). • Varicose veins. • Diabetes mellitus (poorly healing wounds and cracks are the gateway for fungal penetration). • Abrasions, ulcers. • Narrow interdigital space (increased sweating in this area is a favorable environment for the development of fungus). • Increased body humidity, sweating. • Contact with an infected person or animal. • Using someone else's shoes, toiletries, towels. • Non-sterile manicure/pedicure instruments.

The signs of a fungal infection are well known:

with mycosis of the feet (dermatomycosis) - itching, redness, peeling of the skin.
With nail fungus (onychomycosis) - a change in the color of the nail (yellow, brown, gray or black) and its structure, which, under the influence of the disease, becomes loose and layered, thins or thickens. However, onychomycosis
is easily confused with other disorders. For example, with neurotic lesions of the nails or psoriasis, in which the nail becomes like a thimble (into a small hole) or turns yellow. Orthopedic problems, including lumbosacral osteochondrosis, disorders of peripheral innervation and blood supply, as well as vascular diseases, thyroid gland and other endocrine pathologies, greatly change the appearance of the nail. In addition, today a blurred picture of the disease is often encountered, which leads to late referral to specialists and ultimately to the development of advanced forms of fungal disease. Typically, there are two stages of toenail fungus, and it is easy to miss at the initial stage.

The first signs of fungus:

• small white dots on the nails; • changing the shape of the nail; • appearance of white stripes; • nail fragility; • change in surface, it can become hard and ridged; • The skin around the affected nail often turns red and peels.

In the advanced stage, the color of the nail plate changes, it becomes rougher and thicker, and the nail begins to crumble. Gradually, the fungus can spread to neighboring nails.

Tips on hygiene, prevention and treatment

Since a combination of mycosis of the skin and nails often develops, treating these processes separately is ineffective.
required :
a cream for the affected skin of the feet, a deeply penetrating solution and/or varnish for the treatment of nails.
If you request varnishes/solutions for the treatment of mycoses or if you have complaints about fungal infections of the nail plate, we recommend Mikoderil solution
or
Onihelp varnish

Exol
kit for removing fungal infections from the nail plate and its further restoration.
an antifungal cream (Terbized) or gel (Lamifungin)
is required . And don’t forget that you need to prepare for long-term treatment.

NB! External remedies can be effective only if no more than ⅓ of the nail plate and no more than 3 nails are affected by the fungus. To combat an advanced infection, long-term oral use of systemic antimycotics, which are prescribed by a doctor based on test results, will be required.

To maintain foot hygiene, broad-spectrum antiseptics ( MestaMidin-sens solution)

/
MykoStop
spray ) are effective preventative agents. Such preparations are also necessary when using varnishes and solutions, because when filing the nail plate, fungal spores can get onto the surrounding skin.

One of the reasons for the occurrence of mycoses may be reduced immunity. To maintain the body's defense system in the spring-summer period, it is recommended to take antioxidant vitamins C, D, Zn, Se ( VerrumVit

*,
Selenium WTF
*) or immunostimulants (
Ingaron
) and immunoadaptogens (
Trekrezan
). This will have a beneficial effect on susceptibility to any kind of infections and diseases.

Consequences of the disease

- not only severe itching, but also an unsatisfactory appearance of the nail plate.
Therapeutic and prophylactic varnishes will help mask these manifestations, and sedatives will help to cope with the nervousness and irritability that accompany the disease ( Passnovel*/Passiflora plus*
).

Among other things, fungi are allergens and produce mycotoxins that harm almost all body systems. They contribute to the development and complicate the course of bronchial asthma, urticaria, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, and conjunctivitis. Therefore, it would be useful to offer sorbents in the form of tablets ( Normasorb

*,
Nor Masorb-Lacto
*) or powders (
Sorboxan
*,
Liquid Charcoal
*) for oral administration.

If hygiene rules are not followed, relapses of the disease may develop. To ensure dry feet, if we are talking about skin and toenail fungus

(after all, a humid and warm environment is an excellent environment for fungal growth),
DryDry
,
Salton
, and
Scholl deodorants are suitable.
And we definitely recommend treating shoes where fungal spores can remain for a long time.
For this we offer antiseptics (MestaMidin-sens)
or special sprays (
MikoStop
). To avoid contracting fungal infections, you should adhere to generally accepted rules of hygiene and avoid contact of spores with mucous membranes.

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS, YOU MUST READ THE INSTRUCTIONS OR CONSULT WITH A SPECIALIST. Dietary supplement NOT A MEDICINE.

What types of fungal infections are there?

There are a fairly large number of fungi that can cause skin lesions in humans.

The main differences between them:

• Favorite localization locations. Some fungi only affect the skin. Others are usually localized on the scalp and cause damage to the skin and hair. There are fungi that affect the nails (a group of diseases - onychomycosis).
• Seasonality. Different seasons are favorable for different types of fungi.
• Elements that appear on the skin during a disease.

Currently, there are five main groups of dermatomycosis:

1. Keratomycosis - the fungus affects only the top layer of skin (epidermis).
2. Actually, dermatomycosis is a disease in which the fungus affects the skin, hair, and nails.
3. Candidiasis is a group of fungal diseases caused by yeast-like fungi Candida. They can affect not only the skin, but also mucous membranes. Typically, candidiasis develops with a significant decrease in immunity and long-term use of certain medications.
4. Deep mycoses are diseases in which the fungus affects internal organs and bones.
5. Pseudomycoses are diseases that superficially resemble mycoses, but are caused by other pathogens.

conclusions

Superficial fungal infections are most often caused by dermatophytes from the genera Trichophyton, Epidermophyton and Microsporum. These organisms metabolize keratin and cause a number of pathological clinical manifestations, including tinea pedis, dermatophytal dermatitis, dermatophytosis, etc. Based on clinical findings, the diagnosis of cutaneous dermatophyte infection can be strongly suspected. To confirm the diagnosis, potassium hydroxide should be used. Most dermatophyte infections can be managed with topical treatment. Examples of effective topical antifungal agents include azoles, allylamines, ciclopirox, butenafine, and tolnaftate. Oral antifungal therapy is used for widespread infections or infections that are resistant to topical therapy. Nystatin is not effective against dermatophyte infections.

List of literature / References

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What are the signs of skin fungus? When should you visit a dermatologist?

Fungal skin infection can be suspected if the following signs are present:

• peeling;
• increased skin dryness;
• redness, swelling - signs of inflammation;
• pain, itching;
• bubbles;
• cracks.

If these symptoms do not go away on their own, then you should see a dermatologist for timely treatment.