Epidermophytics of the feet: causes, symptoms and treatment

Epidermophytics of the feet are today considered to be one of the most common fungal diseases on the planet. Such a disease can manifest itself in different forms and lead to completely different complications. Statistics show that the adult population is more likely to suffer from this disease, and in rural areas it is much less common than among urban residents.

Epidermophytics of the feet and the causes of their occurrence

As already mentioned, the cause of the disease is a fungal infection, namely a microorganism called Trichophyton mentagrophytes. "Pick up" the pathogen can be in contact with an infected person. In addition, spores of the fungus are contained in the dead particles of the epithelium of the patient's skin. Therefore, it is possible to use the household way of transmission, for example, with the general use of towels, shoes and bed linen, as well as when visiting swimming pools, saunas and other public places.

In fact, not every person who comes into contact with the pathogen develops epidermophytia of the feet. Other factors are of great importance here. For example, it is proved that people with more problems are more likely to suffer from the following problems:

• Diabetes mellitus;
• Weakened immunity;
• Increased sweating of the feet ;
• Chronic venous insufficiency;
• Deep vein thrombosis and varicose veins;
• Flat feet or narrowed intervals between toes.

In addition, statistics confirms that workers in some professions, including athletes, cooks, miners, bath attendants, etc., are also subject to illness.

Symptoms

Epidermophytia of the feet (photo shows the external manifestation of the disease) is expressed by completely different symptoms. To date, it is common to distinguish five forms of the disease, each of which has its own signs:

• With squamous form, small red patches appear on the lateral surfaces and the arch of the foot, which slightly resemble a rash in psoriasis. At the same time the skin on the affected areas is strongly flaky, which causes a lot of discomfort. Patients often complain of mild itching.
• Intertriginous epidermophytics of the feet are accompanied by the presence of redness between the toes. At the same time the skin is peeling, often small cracks appear on it, erosions and even ulcers. Patients complain of severe itching and pain.
• Dyshidrotic form of the disease is characterized by the appearance of a bubble rash on the arch of the foot, sole and interdigital folds.
• Epidermophytosis can affect both legs, while the nail plate thickens, breaks down and acquires a yellowish hue.
• The most difficult to diagnose is the epidermophyte of the feet with an erased clinical picture. This form of the disease can develop asymptomatically, only occasionally reminding themselves of an inconspicuous rash or the appearance of cracks between the fingers.

Epidermophytia of the feet: treatment

Although the therapy is selected by the doctor individually, it usually consists of two stages. First you need to remove the scales and dead tissue (if any), and also remove the inflammation. If it is a damaged nail, then surgical removal may be required. Only after that the doctor will prescribe antifungal drugs. In most cases, it is sufficient to use a special gel or ointment. In especially severe cases, an additional intake of oral antimycotic drugs is possible.