Athlete foot infections
June 7, 2010 by
Filed under Articles Misc,
Athlete's foot is a fungal skin infection. The medical term is Tinea Pedis. Once you have athlete's foot, it may last for a short or long time and may come back after treatment, specially if you are not preventing it completely. This fungus can grow on your skin, hair or nails. As it grows, it spreads out in a circle, leaving normal-looking skin in the middle.
Athlete's foot may be treated with herbal footbaths taken day-to-day. Infusions of golden seal root or a combination of red clover, sage, calendula and agrimony with two teaspoons of cider vinegar can help. Calendula lotion could be applied to the unnatural area. Tea bark solution or eucalyptus oil could also help.
Many cases of athlete's foot can be traced to use of a public recreational facility, such as a spa, swimming pool, or locker room shower. This fungus grows in warm, moist environments and it live in the outer layers of skin. The fungus can live in warm puddles on the tile floor, however, for short periods of time.
Athlete's foot infections may vary from mild to tough condition and may last for a short or long time. They may persist or recur, but they generally respond well to treatment. Long-term medication and preventive measures are necessary.
Symptoms and Signs of Athlete Foot
The signs of athlete's foot, are dry skin, itching scaling, inflammation, and blisters. Blisters often lead to cracking of the skin. When blisters break open, small raw areas of tissue are exposed, causing pain and swelling. Itching and burning may increase as the infection spreads.
Athlete's foot may spread to the soles of the feet and to the toenails. It can be spread to other parts of the body, notably the groin and underarms, by those who scratch the infection and then touch elsewhere. The organisms causing athlete's foot may persist for long periods. Consequently, the infection may be spread by contaminated bed sheets or wear to other parts of the body.
Athlete's foot is a superficial skin infection of the foot caused by a mold like fungus. Several fungus varieties cause athlete's foot, and sometimes more than one is present at the same time.
Many people will acquire athlete's foot at least once in their lives. Some will get it more often. To help avoid it:
Always try to dry well between toes after taking bath or washing foots
Avoid wearing tight or synthetic footwear. Because that will not allow your feet to be free to allow the dirt to come out.
Wear slippers just about pool areas, public showers, and gymnasiums.
Wear cotton socks that soak up wetness.
Change your socks every day (or more frequently) if they get damp.
Buy antifungal powder to put in your shoes.
Spray your shoes with a disinfectant and keep them in out in the sun to help kill germs.
Don't share towels or footwear .
Keep home bathroom surfaces clean - especially showers and tubs, even bath tub hose
These are the necessary steps in preventing athlete’s foot.
Keep your feet clean and dry, especially between your toes.
Wash your feet thoroughly with soap and water and dry the area very carefully and completely. Try to do this at least twice a day.
Wear clean, cotton socks and change your socks and shoes as often as necessary to keep your feet dry (in hot summer)
Athlete's foot almost always responds well to self-care, although it may come back. To prevent future infections, follow the steps.
Severe, recurrent infections that don't respond to 2 to 4 weeks of self-care, may require further treatment by your physician. He may prescribe stronger antifungal medications . These include topical medicines, like ketoconazole or terbinafine, and pills containing these combinations. Antibiotics may be necessary to treat secondary bacterial infections that occur in addition to the fungus (for example, from scratching).