Feeling self-conscious about having "crocodile skin" due to a fungal infection.

It's impossible to remember how many times Nguyen Thi Thanh Hien (name changed, 39 years old, Binh Dinh province) has burst into tears because of her fungal skin infection.

According to Ms. Hien, she has had a condition of excessive sweating in her hands and feet since childhood, so her family has taken her to many places for treatment, but without improvement. For over two years, she went to a traditional medicine dermatology and cosmetic clinic because of thickened, itchy soles of her feet, especially at night and in the early morning. There, she was treated with topical antifungal creams and systemic antifungal medication, but without improvement. The thickened skin caused Ms. Hien to lose sensation in her soles and feel self-conscious about her appearance.

"I often stay up late because I feel hot and restless, I like to drink cool water, and my skin is prone to acne and dark spots," Ms. Hien further shared.

At the University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Hien was diagnosed by doctors with hyperkeratosis, numerous scratches, interdigital fissures, prominent skin folds, minimal scaling, and redness extending to the edges of both the inner and outer surfaces of her feet.

According to Master's degree holder and Doctor Nguyen Thi Quy from the Traditional Medicine Dermatology and Aesthetics Clinic, University Medical Center of Ho Chi Minh City (facility 3), the patient was diagnosed with a fungal infection of blood stasis and heat, and was treated with oral herbal medicine combined with foot soaking using a herbal formula. After 1.5 months, the patient's skin condition improved, itching subsided, calluses decreased, and sensation returned to the soles of the feet.

Athlete's foot (Tinea pedis) typically presents as itchy scales and sores between the toes. Some patients may experience areas of hyperkeratosis with erythema on the inner, lateral, and sole surfaces of the feet. Occasionally, painful blistering lesions may appear, along with the development of tinea corporis, tinea on the nails, and tinea cruris.

Untreated athlete's foot can lead to cellulitis, pyoderma, and osteomyelitis, especially in patients with immunocompromised conditions, diabetes, or peripheral vascular disease.

According to Dr. Quy, in 70% of cases of athlete's foot, the fungus can invade keratinized tissues such as skin, hair, and nails. This group of fungi can cause infections anywhere on the skin; however, they most commonly affect the feet, groin, armpits, scalp, and fingernails.

Factors that can worsen the condition include hot and humid environments, wearing tight shoes for extended periods, excessive sweating, and prolonged contact with water.

Approximately 80% of patients with acute fungal skin infections respond well to topical antifungal treatment. However, the remaining 20% develop chronic fungal skin infections that are resistant to antifungal medication.

Source: https://laodong.vn/suc-khoe/mac-cam-vi-co-lan-da-ca-sau-do-nam-1357584.ldo