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 heralds the target of the disease: tinea pedis mainly affects athletes and all those who constantly frequent crowded public places in hot humid climate, ideal places for the replication of fungi.
Causes
Tinea pedis is caused by an infection supported 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 system is weakened or compromised.
- Risk factors: AIDS, dermatitis, diabetes, circulatory diseases, genetic predisposition, shoes that are too tight.
Symptoms
The clinical and symptomatic picture of tinea pedis is characterized by: reddened skin, peeling of the skin, hyperkeratosis, thickening of the nails, malodorous feet, itching, bladders filled with liquid on the sole of the foot, cracks in the skin.
- Complications: bacterial superinfections
Information on Tinea Pedis - Drugs for the Treatment of Foot Ringworm is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Tinea Pedis - Drugs for the treatment of Ringworm of the Foot.
drugs
Considering that athletes are the subjects with the highest risk of contracting tinea pedis, athletes should always follow some simple hygienic-behavioral rules before and after training, in order to prevent infection. To give an example, the scrupulous and daily hygiene of the feet is indispensable, as is the drying of the sole of the foot and of the interdigital spaces: humidity, in fact, is an ideal ground for the proliferation of pathogens. Even the hygiene of clothing and footwear is one of the most important rules of prophylaxis (prevention) of tinea pedis: it is also advisable to apply antiseptic substances (eg sprays) in shoes, stockings and directly on the feet, for ensure better disinfection.
When these rules are not sufficient, the fungi can damage the foot and create damage: superficial fungal infections generally respond positively to topical application of antifungals. In cases of particularly severe infection, topical treatment may 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 an antibiotic cycle with oral administration.
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 antifungal creams or ointments: contact of these products with the eyes may cause irritation and burning. In case of serious side effects following the application on the injured part, stop therapy and change active ingredient.
- Miconazole (eg. Cruex, Micatin): it is recommended to apply a thin layer of cream directly in the area infected with tinea pedis. Do not exceed two applications per day. Follow your doctor's instructions: overdose could create hypersensitivity reactions, burning and localized itching.
- Clotrimazole (eg Canesten skin spray and skin powder, Mycelex, Antifungal SAME 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 for treating 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 skin solution / powder, Ifenec Derm solution, Econazole SAN cream): in case of proven tinea pedis, it is possible to use this drug in the form of a cutaneous solution or cream, to be applied directly on the lesion. In general, the dosage involves applying a layer of cream twice a day, until the symptoms are remitted. The drug is also indicated for the treatment of vaginal candidiasis.
- Ketoconazole (eg. Nizoral 2% cream): apply the antifungal drug twice a day.
- Ciclopirox (eg. Fungizione): antifungal topical application. In the form of gel, it is recommended to apply the product twice a day for 4 weeks; the drug can also be found in the form of 1% cream: in this case, apply a film of cream on the infected area, twice a day for 2 weeks.
- Tolnaftato (eg Tinaderm, lotion, powder and cream): this topical antifungal does not require a medical prescription. The drug belongs to the class of tolnaftates, able to act selectively 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 should be applied twice a day, on the nail plate affected by the infection and on the surrounding skin, until complete resolution of the problem. In general, the therapy should be continued for 2-4 weeks.
All the antifungals just described can be associated with a weak steroid drug, such as Hydrocortisone (eg Locoidon 0.1% cream, emulsion, skin solution, Lenirit cream 0.5%): the combination of these active ingredients is indicated especially for the initial stages of tinea pedis, in the case of severe inflammation.
Only rarely, in therapy for tinea pedis is Benzoic Acid (ointment) administered, able to act selectively 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), with obvious benefits. It is recommended not to interrupt the therapy and to finish the cycle of drugs, to prevent the relapsing forms.
- Griseofulvin (eg Fulcin): The drug is a topical antifungal ineffective against tinea pedis infections supported 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 dose of 100 mg once a day. The duration of therapy should be determined by the doctor.
- Terbinafine (eg Terbinafina Docgen): take 250 mg per day for a period varying from 2 to 6 weeks. The drug can also be found 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 dermatophyte infections in general, and for treating tinea pedis in particular.
Natural remedies for treating 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 an antiseptic and purifying action (extracted for example from lavender, grapefruit seeds, thyme, echinacea, etc.) are indicated both for the prophylaxis of infections, and for assisting antibiotic treatment in the case of proven diagnosis of tinea pedis.
