Epidermophytosis
Causes and symptoms of epidermophytosis
What is epidermophytosis?
Epidermophytosis is one of the most common infectious diseases of the skin and nail phalanges, the cause of which is a fungus. Only people suffer from epidermophytosis.
The cause of epidermophytosis
Epidermophytosis is caused by the fungus Trichophyton mentagTophytes var. interdigitalc, formerly known as Epiderinophyton Kaufmann - Wolf. The onset of the disease is facilitated by sweating, violation of the integrity of the skin, flat feet, circulatory disorders, and disorders of the endocrine system. The cause of epidermophytosis is also the constant wearing of rubber shoes and clothing made of synthetic fabrics. In addition, the unfavorable factors include high temperature and high humidity.
The hotbeds of the spread of the disease are baths, showers, swimming pools. Since epidermophytosis refers to contact infections, a sick person is a danger to others. Family and household contacts - shared linen, shoes, hygiene items, etc. - can cause mycosis in those who are daily near the carrier of the infection. Pedicure and manicure performed with insufficiently well-sanitized instruments can also cause fungal skin lesions.
Symptoms of epidermophytosis
There are two types of epidermophytosis: fungal infection of the feet and skin folds. Both types of the disease have their own specific symptoms, they differ not only in the nature of the course, the place of localization, but also in the methods of diagnosis and treatment.
Epidermophytosis of the feet
At the very beginning of the disease, the interdigital spaces are more often affected. The first symptoms of epidermophytosis include mild itching, swelling and slight peeling of the surface layers of the epidermis. Subsequently, the skin cracks and begins to get wet. Whitish patches of the stratum corneum on the affected areas of the skin can be easily separated, pink-red erosion opens under them. Over time, all interdigital spaces become painful, if treatment is not carried out in a timely manner, the entire foot is affected.
Symptoms of epidermophytosis progress over time. The serous fluid released during the disease serves as a breeding ground for pathogens and promotes their reproduction. In advanced cases, the deep-lying layers of the skin suffer, a large number of bubbles with a clear liquid appear, and severe itching occurs. Mycosis over time covers the dorsum of the foot and passes to the heel area. Symptoms of epidermophytosis can either progress or subside for a certain period of time. Thus, the disease can last for years and cause eczema.
Epidermophytosis of large folds
With epidermophytosis inguinal in the groin area, bright pink, with clear boundaries, flaky spots, the appearance of which is accompanied by itching, are noted. Over time, they begin to grow and merge, forming large lesions that are always symmetrical to each other.
The spots have a color characteristic of the disease: in the center they are paler, and along their periphery there is a pink-red roller, covered with bubbles, crusts or flaky. Progressing over time, epidermophytosis affects the pubis, perineum and buttocks, armpits, interdigital spaces on the arms, and the skin under the mammary glands suffer.
Epidermophytosis of the skin folds is more common in men. Foci of infection arise in children's educational institutions - in kindergartens, etc.
Epidermophytosis treatment
Treatment of epidermophytosis of the groin area is carried out with antifungal and antiallergic ointments, such as lorinden-C, mycozolone. In the acute stage of the disease, 5–10% sulfur-tar ointment, Wilkinson's ointment, 2% alcohol solution of iodine are effective.
For the treatment of epidermophytosis of the feet, schemes are used that are identical to the methods used for acute eczema. Antifungal drugs, aniline dyes, nitrofungin, mycoseptin, mycozolone, etc. can be prescribed. It is recommended to treat nail phalanges in specialized offices. With systemic mycoses and in severe cases, hospitalization is necessary.
The lesions can be wiped with tincture of iodine and lubricated with zinc paste. Rubbing the wrinkles with rubbing alcohol and using talcum powder will prevent the spread of infection.
The treatment regimen is always selected individually, taking into account the stage of the disease and possible complications. To relieve inflammation, Burov's fluid or 25% silver solution is used. Large blisters are opened with sterile instruments, while keratinized skin areas are removed.
Possible allergic manifestations are removed with the help of desensitizing therapy. At the stage of attenuation of the inflammatory process, ointments containing tar or oil refined products are prescribed. Antifungal ointments and solutions are used in the last stages of epidermophytosis.
Article author: Mochalov Pavel Alexandrovich | d. m. n. therapist
Education: Moscow Medical Institute. IM Sechenov, specialty - "General Medicine" in 1991, in 1993 "Occupational Diseases", in 1996 "Therapy".
