Treatment of mycosis Zakopane – Medical Clinic Podhale Art. We cordially invite you!

Mycosis of the skin belongs to the group of infectious diseases caused by species of pathogenic fungi. They attack the body most often when its balance (homeostasis) is disturbed. Systemic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, anemia, hormonal and gastrointestinal disorders, defects in the immune system and circulation are predisposed to fungal infections; as well as long antibiotic therapy, steroid use and chemotherapy. Sweating of the feet is an important element in the pathogenesis of athlete’s foot. Fungal infections are one of the most frequently reported diseases with which patients report to the dermatological clinic at the Medical Clinic Podhale Art in Zakopane.

You can become infected with mycosis through contact with surfaces or objects on which pathogenic fungi are located. However, their mere presence is not everything – fungi need a warm and humid environment for their development.

The behaviors to avoid to minimize the risk of ringworm infection include:

• long-term wearing of covered, windproof shoes (e.g. rubber) and socks made of artificial fabrics,
• wearing mismatched shoes, too small and narrow, which leads to deformation of the nail plates and promotes mycosis,
• wearing clothes made of artificial materials that do not allow sweat to evaporate – windproof underwear, socks,
• non-compliance with hygiene,
• excessive hygiene (leads to the destruction of the stratum corneum, which is one of the elements that protect intact skin against infections and to get rid of the natural bacterial flora that protects against infections),
• use of public toilets (sinks, showers, toilets) and walking barefoot in places such as swimming pool, sauna, gym, public shower,
• wearing borrowed shoes (e.g. bowling alley shoes) or trying on shoes in the store,
• sharing hygiene equipment, such as a towel, pumice stone, or a foot grater, with other people,
• use of cosmetic services, especially pedicure and manicure performed with inaccurately disinfected tools,
• use of common items such as combs, brushes, towels.

There are several types of mycoses, located in different parts of the body, which cause unpleasant ailments. All symptoms should be consulted with a dermatologist as soon as possible.

This type of mycosis is found on the scalp and (for adult men) on the chin. Scalp mycosis most often affects the youngest. Foci of intense exfoliation appear on the skin, which may cause baldness. Two types of mycosis are usually responsible for this: superficial small spore or superficial shearing. On the other hand, tinea pedis takes two forms – exfoliating foci or inflammatory tumors with purulent exudate.

Ringworm, which is one of the most common varieties, usually takes the form of single or multiple round or oval erythematous-edema foci with pimples and papules on the periphery, or erythematosus-exfoliative with inflammation. Skin changes are accompanied by itching of the skin, which is sometimes really severe, sometimes even making it impossible for the patient to function normally.

This type of mycosis can appear almost anywhere on the body, although it is most common in the limbs, and in men it is often found in the groin. There are two types of this disease – shearing mycosis of smooth skin and small spores – which give a similar clinical picture.

Mycosis of the feet is one of the most common infections reported by patients with a fungal basis. There are three types of it – interdigital, potnic and exfoliating. In the interdigital varieties, the lesions usually appear between the third and fourth toes and appear as maceration, erythema and exfoliation.

The sweat variety manifests itself in the formation of erythematous-exudative foci in the metatarsal area, accompanied by numerous vesicles.

In turn, in the case of the exfoliating variant, the foci of the disease in the form of excessive epidermal keratosis with erythematous-exfoliating lesions appear on the lateral parts of the feet or soles.

The most common nail fungal infections appear on the feet, but the hands can also be affected. In the case of athlete’s foot, the lesions usually appear on the toenails of the outer toes due to their exposure to pressure in the footwear. The nail plates become discolored (most often they lose their transparency – they are milky or yellowish), thicken and furrows appear on them. At the same time, they become brittle and brittle. In advanced stages of mycosis, the nail plate may even chip off.

The risk of ringworm infection can be minimized, but unfortunately it can never be completely eliminated. So what to do when the first symptoms of mycosis appear: itching, pain, skin changes? Above all, you need to act quickly. The sooner we start treatment, the greater the chance we have to stop the disease development and recover quickly.

Fungal infections require the use of external preparations (ointments, powders, creams, sprays); oral medications and the implementation of the principles of prophylaxis, thanks to which it is possible to minimize the relapse of the disease. In the case of treating mycosis of the feet, it is important, for example, to disinfect the shoes, and preferably to replace them with new ones. Usually, the therapy involves drugs such as: terbinafine, itraconazole, miconazole, fluconazole.

Appropriate treatment and the duration of the treatment will be established by an experienced dermatologist from the Medical Clinic Podhale Art in Zakopane. It is worth mentioning that the continuity of treatment and consistent compliance with the doctor’s recommendations are extremely important, even when it seems that we are healthy.

Treatment of mycosis Zakopane – dermatology Medical Clinic Podhale Art, Chramcówki 7, tel: +48 18 265 74 27