Fungus on the skin is very often diagnosed in older patients. As for this disease in children, this phenomenon is not frequent, but it has the same serious and negative consequences. Previously, indeed, a foot fungus in a child was rare, that is, it was an isolated case, but now it occurs in many. It is not so difficult to get infected with it; small patients with weak immunity are more likely to suffer. Treatment is carried out by a dermatologist after an examination, but in order not to suffer from such an unpleasant disease, it is recommended to take preventive measures.
What is this?
Fungus, fungal infection or mycosis, is diagnosed in different parts of the body, but in most cases on the legs, feet, nails. It is considered a viral disease. Specialists distinguish the following types of pathology:
- Epidermophytosis. In this case, there is a lesion of the skin of the feet, as well as the interdigital space. The causative agent is the fungus Tinea pedis.
- Onychomycosis. The fungus affects the nail plate of the fingerslower limb. The causative agent is Tinea unguium.
The specialist is able to determine the type of fungal infection after a thorough examination of the damaged surface of the body. In most cases, a mixed species is diagnosed, and if there are still cracks or damage on the skin, then staphylococci and streptococci join everything. These microorganisms feed on scales, love moisture, gradually penetrating deeper into the epidermis. The treatment will be serious and complex, necessarily based on the use of medications.
The fungus of the foot spreads in a child as a result of the movement of its spores, infection occurs instantly. It is possible not to become infected with this infectious disease only if there are no he alth problems, there is no beriberi, flat feet, impaired metabolism, and the rules of personal hygiene are strictly observed.
Provoking factors
In order to start treatment, which should be effective, and to exclude recurrence, it is necessary to correctly determine the causes of this infectious disease. These include the following:
- Incorrectly selected shoes, as well as from non-natural materials.
- Going to public places without a change of shoes, such as swimming pools.
- Wearing someone else's clothes or shoes.
- Poor personal hygiene.
- Long or too short nails.
- Untreated and unprotected wounds on the foot.
Also, the provoking factors of the fungus on the feet of a child includeand more. For example, during the period of colds, immunity weakens, and the body becomes vulnerable to pathogenic bacteria. The development of pathology in such a situation is observed rapid. The first signs of defeat appear immediately.
Very susceptible to this viral disease and children with vascular disorders of the lower extremities, as well as those who suffer from flat feet, which may be hereditary. In most cases, the fungus is diagnosed in patients with diabetes. This is due to the fact that elevated blood glucose levels are considered an excellent environment for the development and reproduction of a fungal infection.
Symptomatics
To understand that a child has a fungus, you need to carefully examine the foot or other surface. Ulcers will definitely be present, while the skin is swollen, bubbles and redness are noted on them. When probing the affected area, pain may occur. A child with a fungus complains of itching, constantly climbs to the legs to scratch them, which leads to the appearance of wounds and the intensive spread of the fungus.
Also, the symptoms of foot fungus in children include pain when walking and moving fingers, peeling of the skin throughout the affected area, including on the heels and sides of the foot, poor sleep, constant whims due to discomfort, nail the plate begins to peel.
At the first symptoms of foot fungus in children, treatment is required immediately. A dermatologist will be able to choose the therapy, whichbased on an integrated approach. In this situation, the child needs to explain everything correctly so that he understands that you can’t touch the legs, since the disease can pass to the hands and will cause him discomfort.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is carried out at home and in hospital. Attention is drawn to all signs of pathology. The child is interviewed, if his age allows, as well as his parents. The specialist must definitely establish the provoking factor, and when the disease began. Additionally, it is recommended to take blood and urine tests, consult with other highly specialized specialists, and take scrapings from damaged areas.
Basics of Therapy
Foot fungus in a child is being treated. The course will depend on the neglect of the situation, as well as the age category, since many medicines have age restrictions. The approach will be comprehensive. To achieve a positive result for a long time, you need to combine medicines with alternative methods of treatment, be sure to take preventive measures and follow the recommendations of a specialist.
To make you feel better, you need to take baths, rub ointments thoroughly, apply compresses. If everything is done correctly, the disease will pass in the shortest possible time.
Plant baths for baby feet
For the treatment of foot fungus in children, it is often advised to take baths, they not only help get rid of this infectious disease, but alsodistract the baby from the problem, alleviate his condition. The most common types of baths will be presented below.
Effective recipe is a decoction of milkweed. For cooking, it is recommended to take half a glass of grass and pour boiling water over it, leave it all for 30-40 minutes, preferably in a water bath. Then the resulting broth must be poured into a container for the legs and add a little warm water. You need to sit for 15 minutes. The procedure is done daily until the condition of the skin improves. Wormwood can also be used instead of milkweed.
S alt baths. Use of coffee
If a foot fungus was diagnosed in a child, then you can also use s alt baths instead of vegetable baths, which are considered a good method in the fight against this disease. For cooking, you need to take 0.2 kg of s alt, preferably sea s alt, and dissolve it in a liter of water. Boil the resulting mixture, cool, after which you can proceed to the procedure. To be in such a bath is allowed no more than 15 minutes every day. It must be remembered that s alt dries the skin very well.
How to treat foot fungus in children with coffee? This drink is not only tasty, but also has a lot of positive qualities. For the bath, you need to prepare strong coffee, cool and pour into a foot container. It is recommended to keep the feet no more than 15 minutes. After two sessions, pain will disappear, itching will disappear, and the skin will become smooth again.
Ointments and compresses
For the treatment of fungus are also recommendeda variety of ointments and creams, both factory-made and homemade. Before buying and using these funds, you should consult with a specialist, pay special attention to contraindications, as well as age restrictions. Ointments help get rid of the problem in a short time, penetrate deep under the skin, kill the fungus, and exclude relapse. In most cases, a 35% salicylic ointment compress is used. Do not forget about "Clotrimazole", "Bifonazole".
As for compresses, a variety of plants can be used to prepare them. Experts recommend mountain ash, onions, garlic or burdock leaves. To do this, the ingredients are always crushed, placed in gauze and applied to the affected area for a long time, preferably all night. The procedure is done until complete recovery. It must be remembered that folk remedies, although effective, but the result from them is not as quickly noticeable as from medicines.
Prevention measures
To eliminate the fungus on the sole of the foot in a child, you need to carry out prevention. If there was an infection earlier, then during and after treatment, the shoes must be disinfected, but it is better to replace them. It is advisable to purchase from natural materials. You need to choose shoes correctly in order to exclude other problems with the feet and legs, for this you can first consult with an orthopedist.
It is also worth paying attention to such points as:
- Exclude heavy sweating of the feet, they shouldbe constantly dry, as moisture is the main favorable environment for the reproduction of the fungus.
- Maintain personal hygiene. Dry your feet thoroughly after washing.
- Shoes should be aired and dried regularly.
- Replace old insoles in a timely manner.
To get rid of foot fungus in a child (a photo of the disease can be seen at the clinic at the stand), it is worth paying attention to provoking factors, diseases, and conducting timely treatment. Having eliminated the cause, you can forget about the defeat itself. It is advisable not to start the fungus, as this is an insidious pathology that causes considerable discomfort and worsens the quality of life not only for an adult, but also for a child.
