When the layman hears something about fungi, he first thinks of the mushrooms in the forest. In fact, this thought is not so far-fetched even in the context of athlete’s foot. Every mushroom picker knows that in a warm and humid summer he can carry home especially many “sponges”. Just as the mushrooms in the forest, but also the skin and foot fungi thrive in a humid environment particularly well.
Importance of skin fungal diseases
A mild fungal disease may even heal with these simple measures. It is common knowledge that athlete’s foot fungus is most common between the toes. Forest fungi also form a microscopic meshwork of multiple intertwining filaments called a mycelium. A very similar mycelium is also found in the skin fungi. They are therefore also called mycoses. The latter, however, cannot form fruiting bodies, which are seen in forest mushrooms. In this fruiting body male and female spores are formed, after their union a new fungus can grow out. Such sexual reproduction is not known in the skin fungi. Therefore, they are also called incomplete fungi. Fungal diseases of the skin have increased considerably in the last ten to twenty years. Today, one can claim without exaggeration that about half of the population in Germany suffers from a fungal disease. In many cases, however, skin symptoms are so slight that the disease is not noticed until a careful examination. However, the symptoms can worsen at any time, so that they must be treated by a doctor. Therefore, it is important to combat skin fungi wherever they occur, even if the appearances on the skin are still minor. However, to understand some preventive measures, it is necessary to become familiar with the biology of these microorganisms.
Causes and transmission of fungal skin diseases.
Transmission of cutaneous fungi can occur from animal to human or from human to human. Domestic animals, such as cattle, dogs, or cats, are possible sources of infection. The fungi can infect the superficial horny layer of the skin as well as skin appendages such as hair or nails. In the following we want to deal especially with the fungal diseases of the horny layer, the so-called epidermophytias, since these are also the most common today. As already mentioned at the beginning, the precondition for the growth of such fungi is a moist environment. This is especially true in areas of the body where skin lies on skin, as the evaporation of sweat is slower here. Therefore, we find such fungi especially often between toes and fingers, on the inner side of the thighs or in the area of the genitals. However, such fungi can also appear on parts of the body with particularly pronounced perspiration, such as the soles of the feet or the palms of the hands. Therefore, people with particularly strong perspiration are more prone to fungal diseases than others. Normally, the skin is able to ward off such fungi. This is because there is a fine film on the skin consisting of certain fat-like substances that inhibit the growth of fungi. However, the rather solid horny layer also resists the penetration of the fungi. Therefore, in addition to the pathogen, various preconditions are necessary for the spread of a fungal infection. These include:
- A moist environment
- Increased sweating
- Clothing that is too tight or too thick, shoes or stockings that are not air-permeable enough.
- The loosening of the horny layer and the destruction of the oily film of the skin.
However, a moist environment favorable to skin fungi can also be promoted by clothing. Normally, the sweat of the skin, if it has not already gone outside as water vapor, is absorbed by the clothing. In this finely dispersed form, it can easily evaporate. However, if one wears rubber boots, for example, air circulation is impossible. Therefore, it happens that people who usually have to wear rubber boots in their profession, such as butchers or butchers, miners, fishermen or farmers, more often fall ill with mycoses. Yes, even shoes with air-permeable rubber soles are perceived as a nuisance by people with stronger foot perspiration and promote athlete’s foot diseases in them. Modern stockings made of synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester fibers, also have an unpleasant property in addition to many pleasant ones, namely they are water-repellent.As a result, the evaporation process described above cannot take place. The modern hosiery industry has therefore already made various attempts to eliminate these disadvantages, but without any significant success to date. In addition, the moist environment causes another damage to the skin. It gradually softens the rather firm, coherent horny layer, so that fungi can easily penetrate and have a good breeding ground in the protein of the horny layer. The horny layer and lipid film of the skin can also be damaged by other factors. For example, by frequent hand washing, handling lime and cement, or by solvents such as gasoline, benzene and others.
Treatment and prevention of athlete’s foot.
In case of excessive foot sweat, it is recommended to wear small absorbent cotton inserts between the toes to absorb the sweat. A mild fungal infection may even heal with these simple measures. It is generally known that athlete’s foot occurs most frequently between the toes. In these cases, the skin usually turns whitish, looks swollen, almost as if cooked, and tends to scale and crack. In more severe cases, the dermis is exposed, with the top layers of skin detached in shreds, revealing weeping areas that sometimes cause pain. This condition is not infrequently caused by scratching or inappropriate treatment. Besides, one can also find blisters filled with a watery liquid. Treatment is relatively simple, but should still be performed by a physician. Self-treatment with various antifungal agents usually aggravates the disease. However, prophylaxis is difficult. The fungi are quite resistant and can remain in stockings or shoes for months. Sports, bathing, both at the beach and in indoor swimming pools, club vacations in hotel complexes and the like provide many opportunities for infection and spread of the fungi. Shared washrooms or showers in schools and kindergartens also encourage their spread. Of course, this does not mean that such hygienic measures can be dispensed with. However, one should never enter common rooms with bare feet, but always with bathing slippers. Disinfection of stockings and shoes is problematic, because it is not always possible to boil them. But the usual washing methods do not kill the fungi, and disinfectant solutions make especially the women’s stockings unsightly. Chemical disinfectants and foot fungus sprays not infrequently cause hypersensitivity (allergies) of the skin. Therefore, it is important to find a substance that sticks to the fiber or shoe, kills fungi well and does not cause allergy. The pharama industry, in collaboration with various scientific laboratories, has made efforts to solve these problems. The trials so far have been quite favorable, so we can probably expect the introduction of special stockings soon, which could be of great help and relief especially for people easily prone to fungal diseases. However, the best prevention and treatment of athlete’s foot is not achieved with medications, foot sprays and chemical maces, but is found in a healthy and natural way of life. This includes frequent barefoot walking, especially in summer, as well as regular and thorough drying of the feet after showering, bathing or swimming. Even at home, if possible, a lot of barefoot walking should be done. Many households today already have pleasant underfloor heating and natural floors made of natural stone or terracotta tiles, so walking barefoot will have more than a pleasant and healthy effect on the feet.