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In summer, we are more likely to present our feet, but care is not everything. Many dangers await our feet, such as athlete’s foot. This disease is a serious problem, not only epidemiological and dermatological, but also social. It usually begins innocently.
Foot problems in summer
Pathogenic fungi are the cause of skin mycoses. Microorganisms can be found in soil, water, on the epidermis of animals or on human skin. Of these, about 150 can cause mycoses. Most often, dermatophytes are responsible for mycoses of the skin, nails or hair. Mycosis of the feet is a common problem, the main symptoms of which are erythematous changes, flaky skin, itching and exudative changes. These symptoms affect the interdigital spaces, and if the athlete’s foot is left untreated, it can spread to the toenails as well.
Treatment of athlete’s foot
The first stage in the fight against athlete’s foot is diagnosis, which the doctor makes on the basis of a clinical examination. Local treatment combined with prophylaxis is used for typical symptoms. If the skin lesions may indicate another disease or the mycosis is advanced, a mycological examination should be performed. In this way, the fungi are detected and their species can be determined.
Treatment of onychomycosis may take a long time. This is due to the fact that the toenail of an adult’s foot grows up to six months. Therapeutic therapy with the use of appropriate measures is used for about three months, after which the drug remains in the nail plate. Mycosis is completely healed when the nail completely grows back and changes such as thickening or flaking disappear.
Foot mycosis prophylaxis
Susceptibility to infection with athlete’s foot increases in different circumstances, so be careful about:
- skin injuries, maceration;
- irritation;
- prints from the shoe.
Mushrooms are easier to catch in summer because they like a warm, humid and dark environment. Always use your utensils for foot and nail care, in swimming pools and showers, bring your own flip-flops and do not borrow shoes. Prophylactically in the summer, it is worth using agents such as powders, gels or creams. They will be especially useful in situations where long walking in shoes is expected, e.g. during long hikes or trekking.
If athlete’s foot develops, home treatment can be tried with over-the-counter topical preparations. However, if it is ineffective or the disease is advanced, it is best to see a doctor,
Mycoses are not the only diseases affecting the feet. They can also develop within them viral wartswhich are commonly referred to as warts. These changes are caused by the human papillomavirus. Due to the high infectivity, treatment is necessary. Otherwise, the sick person may develop more warts and infect others. Warts are not dangerous and do not lead to the formation of tumors.
Viral warts appear as hard lumps or lumps that peel off. They are not accompanied by additional symptoms, but the feet may feel painful due to pressure when walking. This is why some mistake warts for corns. Often these lesions develop on the feet and hands, but they can also occur elsewhere in the body, including the mucous membranes.
Kurzajek treatment is dealt with by a dermatologist who is able to accurately diagnose this ailment. A specialist can perform a wart removal procedure, but it is also possible to use exfoliating or freezing preparations.
Re-infection with mycosis
Re-infection, or reinfection, is a common occurrence in the case of mycosis of the feet and nails. After the local fungal lesions have healed, it is necessary to disinfect the shoes. Re-putting on an infected shoe often leads to the development of ringworm. This should not be forgotten, because the treatment of onychomycosis, lasting up to six months, may be wasted. Therefore, in order to effectively and permanently cure a fungal infection of the feet, it is necessary to follow the rules of proper foot care, remember about prophylaxis, long-term treatment and prevention of reinfection.
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