Definition
Common dermatomycosis, tinea pedis - also called athlete's foot or ringworm of the foot - is an infectious disease triggered by dermatophyte fungi. The name of the infection foretells the target of the disease: tinea pedis mainly affects athletes and all those who constantly attend crowded public places with a hot humid climate, ideal places for mushroom replication.
Causes
Tinea pedis is caused by an "infection sustained by dermatophyte fungi, which affect the hairless skin, especially that of the feet; the disease mainly affects adult and elderly males, particularly when their immune systems are weakened or compromised.
- Risk factors: AIDS, dermatitis, diabetes, circulatory disease, genetic predisposition, shoes that are too tight.
Symptoms
The clinical and symptomatic picture of tinea pedis is characterized by: red skin, peeling of the skin, hyperkeratosis, thickening of the nails, smelly feet, itching, blisters filled with fluid on the sole of the foot, cracking of the skin.
- Complications: bacterial superinfections
The information on Tinea Pedis - Medicines for the Treatment of Ringworm of the Foot is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Tinea Pedis - Foot Ringworm Medication.
Medicines
Considering that athletes are the subjects with the highest risk of contracting tinea pedis, athletes should always follow some simple hygiene-behavioral rules before and after training, in order to prevent infection. To give an example, the scrupulous and daily hygiene of the feet is essential, as is the drying of the sole of the foot and the interdigital spaces: humidity, in fact, is an ideal ground for the proliferation of pathogens. clothing and footwear is one of the most important rules of tinea pedis prophylaxis (prevention): it is also advisable to apply antiseptic substances (eg sprays) in shoes, socks and directly on the feet, to ensure better disinfection .
When these rules are not enough, the fungi can attack the foot and create damage: superficial fungal infections generally respond positively to the topical application of antifungals. In cases of particularly severe infection, topical treatment can fail and be insufficient for the removal of the fungus, therefore for the healing of tinea pedis; in this case, it is advisable to follow a course of antibiotics for oral administration.
The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy against tinea pedis, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:
Local application of antifungals for the treatment of tinea pedis: these drugs, mostly belonging to the class of imidazoles, can trigger allergic or hypersensitivity reactions: always consult your doctor before starting therapy. It is recommended to wash your hands thoroughly after applying creams or ointments with antifungal action: contact of these products with the eyes could create irritation and burning. In case of serious side effects following the application on the injured part, stop the therapy and change active ingredient.
- Miconazole (eg Cruex, Micatin): it is recommended to apply a thin layer of cream directly to the area infected with tinea pedis. Do not exceed two applications per day. Respect the doctor's instructions: overdose could create hypersensitivity reactions, burning and localized itching.
- Clotrimazole (eg Canesten skin spray and skin powder, Mycelex, SAME antifungal cream): apply the product on the skin affected by tinea pedis 2-3 times a day, after careful cleaning and drying of the area. Clotrimazole powder is the least used in therapy, due to its poor therapeutic power against tinea pedis. The drug is also available in combination with betamethasone: its use is indicated to treat the forms of tinea pedis associated with severe inflammation.
- Sulconazole (eg Exelderm): indicated to treat tinea pedis; it is recommended to apply a thin layer of cream directly on the injured skin, after cleansing the area. Do not apply more than two layers of cream per day.Consult your doctor. The drug is widely used in therapy also for the treatment of impetigo.
- Econazole (eg Pevaryl cutaneous solution / powder, Ifenec Derm solution, Econazole SAN cream): in case of confirmed tinea pedis, it is possible to use this drug in the form of cutaneous solution or cream, to be applied directly on the lesion. Generally, the dosage involves applying a layer of cream twice a day, until the symptoms disappear. The drug is also and above all indicated for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.
- Ketoconazole (eg Nizoral 2% cream): apply the antifungal drug twice a day.
- Ciclopirox (eg Fungizione): antifungal for topical application. In the form of a gel, it is recommended to apply the product twice a day for 4 weeks; the drug is also available in the form of 1% cream: in this case, apply a film of cream on the infected area, twice a day for 2 weeks.
- Tolnaftate (eg. Tinaderm, lotion, powder and cream): this antifungal for topical application does not require a medical prescription. The drug belongs to the class of tolnaftates, able to selectively act against skin infections caused by pathogens belonging to the genus Trichophyton and Epidermophyton. They are not active against fungal infections caused by Candida albicans. In the form of cream, solution or powder, the drug is applied twice a day, on the nail plate affected by the infection and on the surrounding skin, until the problem is completely resolved. Generally, the therapy should be continued for 2-4 weeks.
All the antifungals described above can be associated with a weak steroid drug, such as Hydrocortisone (eg Locoidon 0.1% cream, emulsion, cutaneous solution, Lenirit cream 0.5%): the association of these active ingredients is indicated especially for the early stages of tinea pedis, in case of severe inflammation.
Only rarely, in therapy for tinea pedis is administered Benzoic Acid (ointment), able to selectively act against fungi and molds (antifungal activity).
Oral antifungals for the treatment of tinea pedis: indicated in case of failure of localized antifungal therapy. These drugs generally act in a short time (2-3 days), reporting evident benefits. It is recommended not to interrupt the therapy and to finish the course of drugs, to prevent relapsing forms.
- Griseofulvin (eg. Fulcin): The drug is an ineffective topical antifungal against tinea pedis infections caused by Candida albicans. For fungal infections of other fungi, it is possible to take the drug orally, at a dose of 1 gram per day, in 2-4 divided doses.
- Itraconazole (eg. Spornox): indicatively, take the antifungal drug at a dosage of 100 mg, once a day. The duration of therapy must be determined by the doctor.
- Terbinafine (eg Terbinafina Docgen): take 250 mg per day for a period ranging from 2 to 6 weeks. The drug is also available in the form of a cream (eg Daskil 1%), to be applied once a day for 7 days. This dosage is indicated for the treatment of dermatophytic infections in general, and to treat tinea pedis in particular.
Natural remedies to treat ringworm of the foot: nature offers many natural medicines, very useful for the prevention of some fungal infections, including tinea pedis. The active ingredients with antiseptic and purifying action (extracted for example from lavender, grapefruit seeds, thyme, echinacea, etc.) are indicated both in the prophylaxis of infections, and to assist with antibiotic treatment in the event of an ascertained diagnosis of tinea pedis.
