Athlete's Foot - Infections, Care, Contagious, Definition and Treatments (Skin)

Athlete's Foot - Infections, Care, Contagious, Definition (Skin)

Definition Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a very common skin infection of the feet caused by fungus. The fungus that commonly causes athlete's foot is called Trichophyton. When the legs or other areas of the body stay moist, warm, and irritated, this fungus can grow and infect the upper layer of the skin. Fungal infections can occur anywhere on the body, including the scalp, body, body, limbs (arms and legs), hands, feet, nails, groin, and areas other.

Athlete's foot is caused by the ringworm fungus ("tinea" in medical jargon). Athlete's foot is also called tinea pedis. The fungus that causes athlete's foot can be found in many locations, including floors in gyms, locker rooms clothes (locker rooms), swimming pools, nail salons, and in socks and underwear. Mushrooms can also be spread directly from person to person or by touch (contact) with these objects.

However, without the growing conditions are right (an environment that is warm and humid), the fungus may not easily infect the skin. Up to 70% of the population may have athlete's foot at some point during their lives.

Symptoms of Athlete's Foot

The symptoms of athlete's foot typically include varying degrees of itching and burning. The skin may frequently peel, and in cases of particularly severe, there may be some cracking, pain and bleeding as well. Some people have no symptoms at all and did not know they have an infection.

Form Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot may appear as areas of red skin, peeling and dry in one or both feet. Sometimes dry flakes may spread on the sides and top of the legs. The most common rash is localized on only the soles of the feet. The spaces between the toes of the fourth and fifth also may have some moisture, stripping, and dry flakes.

There are three common types of athlete's foot:

1. soles of the feet, also called type "moccasin"

2. between the toes, also called type "interdigital"

3. inflammatory type or blistering (blistering)

The cases that are not public might look like bubbles (blisters) are small or large feet (called bullous tinea pedis), thick patches of red and dry skin, or calluses with redness. Occasionally, it may seem like just a mild, dry skin without the redness or inflammation.

Athlete's foot may present as a rash on one or both legs, and even involving the hands. This is a very common designation of athlete's foot. Fungal infections are called tinea manuum hand. The exact cause of why the infection usually affects only one hand is not known.

Athlete's foot may also be seen along with ringworm of the groin (especially in men) or the hands. It is useful to examine the legs whenever there is a fungal groin rash called tinea cruris. It is important to treat all areas of fungal infection at the same time to avoid re-infection.

Are Athlete's Foot Contagious?

Athlete's foot may spread from person to person, but he did not always contagious. Some people may be more susceptible to the fungus that causes athlete's foot where others are more resistant (resistant). There are many households where two people (often husband and wife or children) who use the same bathing place for many years the fungus has not spread among them. The exact cause of this tendency or susceptibility to fungal infections is unknown. Some people seem more prone to fungal skin infections than others.

What are the Causes of Rash-Rash Legs?

There are many possible causes of leg rashes. Athlete's foot is one of the causes are more common. Additional causes include infections of the skin (dermatitis) that irritate or contact (touching), allergic rashes from shoes or other creams, dyshidrotic eczema (allergic skin rash), psoriasis, keratodermia blenorrhagicum, yeast infections, and bacterial infections.

Your doctor can perform a simple test called a KOH, or potassium hydroxide for microscopic examination of fungi, in the office or laboratory to confirm the presence of a fungal infection. This test is carried out by using small pieces of skin were tested under a microscope. Many skin specialists (dermatologists) to conduct this test in their practice with results available within minutes. Rarely, a small piece of skin may be removed and sent for biopsy to help confirm the diagnosis.

Athlete's Foot Care

Treatment athlete's foot can be divided into two parts. The first, and most important part, is to make the infected area less suitable for athlete's foot fungus to grow. This means keeping the area clean and dry.

Buy shoes that are leather or other material that can breathe. Shoe materials, like vinyl, which does not breathe cause your legs remain moist, providing an excellent area for mushroom breeding. Likewise, socks that can absorb like cotton which absorbs water from your legs may help.

Powders, especially powders of treatment (such as with miconazole or tolnaftate), can help keep your feet dry. Finally, your feet can be soaked in a solution of dry aluminum acetate (Burrow's solution or solution Domeboro). A home-made drugs from the marinade of white vinegar diluted using one part vinegar and about four parts water, once or twice per day as a bath-soaking feet for 10 minutes may be helpful in treatment.

The second part of the treatment is the use of creams and anti-fungal rinse-rinse. Many medications are available, including sprays and creams miconazole, clotrimazole, terbinafine (Lamisil), and ketoconazole shampoo and cream, and so on. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a recommendation. Treatment for athlete's foot should generally be continued for four weeks, or at least one week after all symptoms of the skin has been lost.

The cases are more advanced or resistant of athlete's foot may require a trip of two to three weeks of an antifungal oral (pill) such as terbinafine, itraconazole (Sporanox) or fluconazole (Diflucan). Laboratory blood tests to make sure no liver disease may be necessary before taking these pills.

Topical corticosteroid creams (worn on the outside) can work as a fertilizer for mushrooms and may actually worsen skin fungal infections. These medications are topical steroids have no role in treating athlete's foot.

If the fungal infection has spread to the nails of the toes, the nails should also be treated to avoid re-infection of the feet. Often, the nails were initially ignored only to find the athlete's foot remained relapse. It is important to take care of all the mushrooms that look at the same time. Effective nail fungus treatment is more intensive and may require prolonged journeys (three to four months) of anti-fungal medications orally.

When should I seek medical care?

If you notice any redness, increased swelling, bleeding, or if your infection does not disappear, see your doctor. If a bacterial infection also occurs, an antibiotic pills may be necessary. If you have a fungal nail involvement, are diabetic, or have a compromised immune system, you should also visit your doctor immediately for treatment.

Possible Complications of Athlete's Foot

Not treated, athlete's foot can potentially spread to other body parts or other persons including family members. Fungus may spread locally to the legs, toe nails, hands, finger nails, and basically any body area.

This type of fungus is generally happy to live in the skin, hair, and nails. He did not attack the inside, go to the organs of the body, or go into the blood system.

Fungal infections of the nails is called tinea unguium or onychomycosis. Nail fungus is probably very difficult to treat. Antifungal pills may be necessary in cases of further infections toe nail fungus.

People with diabetes, HIV / AIDS, cancer, or other immune problems may be more prone to all kinds of infections, including fungi.

When skin is injured by the fungus, which protects the natural skin barrier broken. Bacteria and yeast, the yeast can then invade the broken skin. Bacteria can cause a foul odor. Bacterial infections of the skin and inflammation that result from it are known as cellulitis. This is especially more likely to occur in older people, individuals with diabetes, chronic leg swelling, or who have been issued vein-vein (such as for heart bypass surgery). Bacterial skin infections also occurred more frequently in patients with immune systems are impaired.

Which type of Doctor Treating Athlete's Foot

Experts in the skin (Dermatologists) specializing in the treatment of skin disorders, including athlete's foot. You may find a list of expert-certified dermatologists in http://www.aad.org. In addition, family medical doctors, internal medical doctors, doctors of children, podiatrists (foot doctors), and other doctors may also treat this common infection.

How Do I Prevent Future Infections?

Because some people are simply more susceptible to fungal infections, they are also more susceptible to repeated infections. Preventive measures include maintaining your legs clean and dry, moist environments avoiding prolonged, leave shoe-leather shoes and allow feet to breathe, avoiding the street barefoot, especially in public areas such as swimming pools and gyms, avoid contact with people known to be infected, and avoid the marinade and use of contaminated equipment in nail salons. Disinfect the old shoes and spray weekly or monthly periodic anti-fungal foot powder (Pedi-Foot Dry Powder) into the shoes can also be helpful.

It is imperative to bring the tools of your own nails, including nail files, nail salon to the public anywhere, unless you know the salon to practice strict sterilization equipment and or use of all supplies of disposables thrown away.

Use cotton socks whenever possible. Avoid roads at airports and public areas with bare feet. Make sure everyone from family members are affected as well treat their athlete's foot at the same time to avoid cross infections.

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Worms Bracelet (Ringworm) - Sign Symptoms Definition

Worms Bracelet  (Ringworm) - Sign Symptoms Definition

Definition of Worms Bracelet (Ringworm)

The term roundworms (ringworm) refers to fungal infections that are on the surface of the skin. The belief is that once an infection caused by a worm, which is not. It is the result of fungal infection. Even so, the name of roundworms (ringworm) has been attached. Some of these fungi produce round spots, but most do not. On the other hand, many round spots are not from fungus. A physical examination of the affected skin, evaluation of the piling-skin scraping under a microscope, and culture tests can help doctors make the differences that adequate / appropriate. An adequate diagnosis is crucial for successful treatment.

The medical term for ringworm is "tinea." Tinea get us back to the worms. Tinea is the Latin name for a worm that grows. Doctors add another word to indicate where the fungus is located. Tinea capitis, for example, referring to the scalp ringworm, tinea corporis on the body fungus, tinea pedis on the foot fungus, and so on.

 

Worms Cause Bracelet (Ringworm)

Although the world is full of yeast-yeast, and fungi, only a few are causing skin problems. These agents are called dermatophytes, which means "skin fungi." Skin fungi can only live on the dead layer of keratin protein on the skin. They rarely invade deeper into the body and can not live on mucous membranes, such as those in the mouth or vagina.

Sources of Skin Fungus

Some fungi live only on the skin, hair, or nails of humans. Others live on animals and only visit humans sometimes. Still others live in the soil. It is often difficult or impossible to identify the source of a particular skin fungus someone.

Heat and moisture help fungi grow and thrive, which makes them more common in skin indentation as  (groin) or between the toes. It is also responsible for their reputation as being caught from places bath shower, change clothes rooms, and swimming-pool. This reputation is exaggerated, though, because many people with "itching jockey" or "athletes foot" is not a jockey, jockeys and athletes.

Types and Symptoms of Worms Bracelet (Ringworm)

Among the types of roundworms (ringworm), or tinea, is the following:

1. Tinea barbae: Ringworm of the bearded area of ​​face and neck, with marked swelling and crust, often with itching, sometimes causing hair to break up. On the days when men went to the barber every day for a shave, tinea barbae called barber itch.

2. Tinea capitis: Ringworm of the scalp usually affects children, mostly in late childhood or adolescence. This condition may be spread in schools. Tinea capitis appears as scaly scalp associated with the bald spots (in contrast to seborrhea or dandruff, for example, which does not cause hair loss).

3. Tinea corporis: When fungus affects the skin of the body, it often produces the round spots of classic ringworm. Occasionally, these stains have an active outside the borders as they grow and progress slowly. It is important to distinguish this rash from other skin rashes are even more common, such as nummular eczema. This condition, etc., may appear similar to ringworm, but they are not fungal and require different treatments.

4. Tinea cruris: Tinea of ​​the groin ("jockey itch") tend to have a reddish brown color and extends from the folds of the groin down to one or both thighs. Other conditions that can mimic tinea cruris include yeast infections, psoriasis, and intertrigo, a rash (chafing rash) that result from skin rub against the skin.

5. Faciei Tinea: Ringworm on the face except the bearded area. On the face, ringworm is rarely annular. Characteristically, it causes small pieces of red and scaly with edges that are not clear.

6. Tinea manus: Ringworm involving the hands, especially the palms and the spaces between your fingers. He typically causes thickening (hyperkeratosis) of these areas, often on only one hand. Tinea manus is a common friend of tinea pedis (ringworm of the feet). He also called tinea manuum.

 

7. Tinea pedis: "Legs Atlitt" may cause inflammation in the tissues of the toes, especially the one between your toes fourth and fifth. Another common form of tinea pedis produces a thickening on heels and soles feet. This is sometimes referred to as "moccasin distribution." Still in other cases, tinea causing blisters between the toes or on the soles of the feet. Besides "athletes foot", tinea pedis is known as tinea of ​​the feet or, more freely, fungal infections of the foot. Tinea pedis is a very common skin disorder. He is the most common and perhaps the most persistent of the fungal infections (tinea). He is rare before adolescence. It may occur in association with other skin infections caused by fungi such as tinea cruris (jockey itch).

8. Tinea unguium: Finally, the fungus can make the nails of fingers and hands, more often, toe nails yellow, thick, and brittle / crumbly. They are called fungus nails or onychomycosis.

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Shingles (Herpes Zoster) - Prevent, Causes, and Definition

Shingles (Herpes Zoster) - Prevent, Causes, and Definition

 

Definition and Causes of Shingles

Shingles is a skin rash (mange) caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox (chickenpox). The virus responsible for these conditions is called Varicella zoster virus (VZV). After an individual has chickenpox, this virus lives in the nervous system and is never fully cleared from the body. Under certain circumstances, such as emotional stress, immune deficiency (from AIDS or chemotherapy), or with cancer, the virus reactivates causing shingles. In many cases, however, a cause for the reactivation of the virus is never found. Anyone who has had chickenpox is at risk of developing shingles, although it occurs most commonly in people over the age of 60 years. It has been estimated that up to 500,000 cases of shingles occur each year in America.

The herpes virus that causes shingles and chickenpox is not the same herpes virus that causes genital herpes (which can be sexually transmitted) and herpes mouth sores. Shingles is medically termed Herpes zoster.

What are the symptoms and duration of shingles Shingles

Before a rash is visible, the patient may notice a few days to a week of burning pain and sensitive skin. Before the rash is visible, it may be difficult to determine the cause of the often severe pain. Shingles start as small blisters on a red base, with new blisters continuing to form for three to five days. Blisters follow the path of individual nerves that exit the spinal cord (spinal cord) is called a dermatomal pattern. The entire path of the nerve may be involved or there may be areas with blisters (blisters) and areas without blisters. Usually, only one nerve level is involved. In some rare cases, more than one nerve will be involved. Eventually, the blisters erupt, and the area began issuing / flow. Affected areas will then crust over and heal. The whole process may take three to four weeks from start to finish. Occasionally, the pain will be present but the blisters (blisters) may never appear. This can be a cause of local pain is very confusing.

Is shingles contagious?

Yes, shingles is contagious. Shingles can be spread from person affected to children or adults who have never had chickenpox. But instead of developing shingles, these people develop chickenpox. Once they have got chickenpox, people can not get shingles (or get a virus) from someone else. Once infected, however, people have the potential to develop shingles later in life.

Shingles contagious to people who have not had chickenpox before, as long as there are blisters (the blisters) and the newly formed blisters are long healed. Once all the blisters have move, the virus can no longer be spread.

Treating Shingles And Necessity Finding Physicians

There are several effective treatments for shingles. Drugs that fight viruses (antivirus), such as acyclovir (Zovirax), valacyclovir (Valtrex) or famciclovir (Famvir), can reduce the severity and duration of rash (scabies) if started early (within 72 hours of appearance of rash). The addition of steroid drugs may have limited benefits in some cases, but studies have been inconclusive confirm the benefit of all the steroids in combination with antiviral drugs. In addition to antiviral drugs, drugs pain may be necessary to control symptoms.

Affected area should be maintained clean. Bathing is permitted, and the area can be cleaned with soap and water. Cold compresses and a solution (lotion) anti-itch, such as calamine lotion, may also provide relief / exemption. A solution of aluminum acetate (Burow solution or Domeboro, available at your pharmacy) can be used to help dry the blisters and the output (oozing).

What are the complications of shingles?

Generally, shingles heal well and problems are few. However, on occasion, the blisters can become infected with bacteria, causing cellulitis, a bacterial infection of the skin. If this occurs, the area will become red, warm, loud, and sensitive. You may notice red streaks forming around the wound. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your doctor. Antibiotics can be used to treat these complications.

A more worrisome complication occurs when shingles affects the face, especially forehead and nose. In these cases, it is possible, but not likely, that shingles can affect the eye, leading to vision loss. If you have shingles on your forehead or nose, your eyes should be evaluated by a doctor.

By A Vaccine to Prevent Shingles

In May 2006, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first vaccine for adult shingles. The vaccine, known as Zostavax, is approved for use in adults aged 60 years or older who have had chickenpox. The vaccine contains a booster dose (booster) dose of chickenpox vaccine is usually given to children. Tests over a period of four years earlier showed that the vaccine significantly reduced the incidence of shingles in adults who are older. A single dose of vaccine was shown to more than 60 percent effective in reducing the symptoms of shingles, and it reduced the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia (Phn, see below) with at least two-thirds. Studies are ongoing to evaluate the effectiveness of the vaccine over a longer period.

People with weakened immune systems caused by immune-suppressing drugs, cancer treatment, HIV disease, or transplant (transplanting) organs should not receive the vaccine because it contains particles of live, weakened virus.

Since vaccination against VZV is now recommended for children, the incidence of chickenpox has been reduced, which is expected to reduce the incidence of shingles in adults when these kids become adults.

The definition of postherpetic neuralgia And Other Things Made For him

Postherpetic neuralgia is pain that is localized in areas that involve the shingles that survive / persist beyond one month.

The most common complication of shingles is postherpetic neuralgia. This occurs when the illness / pain associated with shingles persist beyond one month, even after the rash were missing. This is the result of irritation of the nerves of sensation by the virus. Pain can be severe / severe and debilitating and occurs primarily in people aged over 50 years. There is some evidence that treating shingles with steroids and antiviral agents can reduce the duration (length) and the incidence of postherpetic neuralgia. However, the reduction is minimal.

The pain of postherpetic neuralgia can be reduced by a number of drugs. Tricyclic antidepressants (amitriptyline [Elavil] and others), as well as drug-drug anti-epileptic drugs (gabapentin [Neurontin], carbamazepine [Tegretol], pregabalin [Lyrica]), has been used to move the pain associated with herpetic neuralgia. Capsaicin cream (Zostrix), a derivative (derivative) of cayenne pepper, can be used topically on the area after all the blisters have healed, to reduce pain. Lidocaine pain patches (Lidoderm) used on the skin can also be helpful in relieving pain, nerve pain with nerves anesthetized with local anesthetic lidocaine. These options should be discussed with your doctor.

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