Fungal diseases: mycosis of the skin

Fungal skin diseases are a widespread group of diseases, among them mycosis of the skin Occurs most often. The disease affects the skin, mucous membranes, nails and hair. According to various studies, about 20% of the world's population suffers from it. Most often, human infection occurs in swimming pools, saunas, baths, that is, in public places where humidity is increased. The disease affects the upper layer of the epidermis and, with the development of the infection, provokes the appearance of erythem (areas of abnormal reddening of the skin in the form of spots), pronounced skin flaking and coarsening of it in the lesions.

Of the most significant risk factors for skin mycosis, immunodeficient conditions, diabetes mellitus, flat feet, circulatory disorders in the lower extremities should be noted. Everyday factors are sports (with increased sweating), traumatizing the skin, wearing special shoes and clothes, for example, overalls, military uniforms, heavy closed shoes, boots.

The causative agents of fungal infections are extremely tenacious. Dermatophytes that cause various fungal skin lesions in the environment are able to survive for more than two years. The possession of specific enzymes promotes the overcoming of protective barriers by the fungi of the body. The optimum temperature for their development is 25-30 C, within which temperature variations of the feet and scalp of a healthy person are located. A prerequisite is a moist environment, which is why infection and exacerbation occur more often in the summer, when sweating is intensified.

A widespread fungal disease of the skin is mycosis of smooth skin (or in a differently colored lichen), which can affect a person at any age. Places of its localization are open areas of the body: face, neck, palms. The characteristic rash in this case looks like round or oval red spots with small, crusty bubbles around the edges. Untimely treatment leads to an increase in the rash at the edges of the spots and the appearance of itching.

The rate of spread of mycosis depends on how much the human body is able to resist the disease. In people with weakened immunity, mycosis of the skin spreads much faster and affects significantly larger areas of the skin than in the more healthy ones, that is, with normal immunity. Patients suffering from these diseases must necessarily undergo a course of treatment, as they are a source of infection in their own families (and not only), and therefore - are dangerous to others.

Mycosis of the facial skin is a kind of mycosis of smooth skin, differing from it in some features, namely, that this fungus is able to simulate different types of dermatoses localized on the face: seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, lupus erythematosus.

Mycosis of the skin is characterized by a tendency to chronic course and has a certain resistance even to the newest methods of treatment. The severity and nature of the disease depends on the variety of fungus and the location of the localization on the body. Treatment of mycosis of the skin of the face Can advise only the doctor-mycologist. Only a specialist, on the basis of performed tests and individually, can prescribe antifungal and antimicrobial agents and preparations. Treatment can be external (local), when the medicine is applied to the area of the affected area and systemic, when the medicine is prescribed inside. In the initial stage of the disease, when there are small areas of skin damage, the treatment can consist only of external antifungal drugs. With deeply entered mycotic process, when patients suffer from damage to the hair and nails, it is much more difficult to cope with the task.

Mycosis of the skin is a serious disease, and it is not worth trying it alone. Self-medication can only give a short-term result, but more often leads to complications and progression of the disease. All medicines should be used only under the supervision of the doctor and at his appointment, since only he is able to take into account the peculiarities of each particular case.