Athlete's foot

Athlete's foot is a common contagious fungal skin disease. The causative agents are three types of parasitic microscopic fungi (dermatophytes). One type affects only the feet, and the disease it causes is called athlete's foot; another type of fungus also affects the hands and skin of other areas, the disease is called "rubrophytosis", the third type of pathogen affects mainly the folds of the skin, the disease is called "athlete's inguinal".

Athlete's foot. Skin and nails are affected. The only sources of infection are sick people; the pathogen enters the environment with skin flakes and pieces of crumbling nails. Infection can occur in a bathhouse, shower, swimming pool; Infection often occurs in the family, hostel, if someone else's socks, slippers, underwear are worn, as well as through scissors for cutting nails, a basin for washing feet, a washcloth and other household items. Predisposing factors: sweating of the feet, abrasion and other violations of the integrity of the skin, varicose veins on the legs, etc.

The introduction of the fungus most often occurs in the skin of the folds between the toes, and the first symptoms are expressed in the appearance of peeling of the skin, often invisible to the patient. Subsequently, bubbles and bubbles appear in the same places, filled at first with a transparent, later cloudy liquid. The blisters coalesce and rupture to form inflammatory, red, weeping areas that are painful and itchy.

The skin of the fingers in the interdigital fold becomes white, loose, separated in layers, a crack appears in the depths of the fold, severe itching. Then all the phenomena subside, only slight peeling remains. However, there is no cure; the fungus continues to live in the stratum corneum of the skin. Without treatment, E. takes a chronic course with exacerbations in the warm season.

Nails affected by fungus become dull, yellow spots and stripes appear in their thickness, they thicken, then loosen and crumble. Pieces of crumbling nails, as well as flakes of the skin of the feet and interdigital folds, contain mycelial threads and fungal spores (see Microscopic fungi).

Rubrophytosis is different in that the fungus affects not only the feet, but also the hands, skin folds, face, torso, and limbs; Characteristically, all fingernails and toenails are affected, which dramatically increases contagiousness. The sources and factors of infection with rubrophytosis, the routes of spread are the same as with E. stop.

Inguinal athlete's foot is characterized by damage to the inguinal folds, sometimes axillary, under the mammary glands. At the site of the fungus, dark red inflammatory spots appear, accompanied by itching. Infection occurs through direct contact with a patient, or through the use of undisinfected bedpans, oilcloth, washcloths, and underwear used by the patient.

The diagnosis is made by a doctor using special studies. Treatment in advanced cases is very difficult and takes a long time, especially when the nails are affected. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor at the first signs of illness. Self-medication can lead to serious complications, in particular to the development of allergic rashes that resemble eczema and are extremely difficult to treat.

E. refers to diseases that are much easier to prevent than to treat. Personal prevention is to not use someone else's shoes, socks, scissors, etc. When visiting a swimming pool, shower, or bathhouse, you should wear rubber or plastic slippers. The body, especially the folds, should be wiped dry; Wipe feet with a separate towel. Sweating needs to be treated. All members of the patient's family, incl. children must come to the skin clinic to see a dermatologist for examination.

Public prevention consists of daily cleaning and disinfection of the premises and equipment of bathhouses, showers, pedicure and manicure equipment in hairdressing salons and bathhouses, regular medical examinations of bathhouse attendants, hairdressers and

Epidermophyta is a common fungal skin disease that manifests itself in the form of thickening and keratinization of the epidermis. Although it is common throughout the world, its symptoms can be more severe in certain climates such as deserts and tropical regions.

Epidermopathy can cause itching and lead to thickening and breakdown of the skin. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin and is responsible for protecting against various external irritants such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. Fungi are the main cause of skin diseases associated with the upper layer of the epidermis - epidermopathy. This infection can affect various areas of the body such as the palms, feet and legs. Rarer forms are scalded toenail disease; interdigital candidiasis; superficial onychomycosis. Manifestations may include yellowish-brown spots that resemble an insect bite, possibly skin flakes in the area of ​​the affected area.