Athlete's foot the common name for a fungal infection called tine pedis which mainly affects the feet especially between the toes. However, the term ‘athlete's foot’ is misleading as it occurs in many people, not just athletes. A common associated condition with athletes foot is a fungal nail infection.
If athlete's foot is not treated the lesion can become infected and extremely painful. Untreated the condition can also spread to other parts of the feet, nails, hands and can even affect the face.
Athlete's foot causes a flaky, sometimes itchy, and occasionally red, rash between the toes and over the rest of the nearby foot. In most people it is confined to the spaces between the toes, but it spreads and affects more of the foot occasionally. The affected skin may be red, swollen and may contain sticky fluid. Patients may also experience a scaly dry rash on the bottom and sides of feet.
Cracks or "fissures" can occur between the toes which may sometimes bleed a little. A soft white smelly growth or fungal bloom is also often found between the toes.
Fungal infections can be incredibly uncomfortable. Symptoms include dry and itchy lesions, often unbearable itchy with a burning or stinging sensation. It certainly affects the quality of life.
Several dermatophytes, particularly Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, and Epidermophyton floccosum, which invade the "dead" outer layers of the skin, cause athlete's foot, and you may get more than one at a time. It can also be complicated by a secondary bacteria infection growing on the weakened, damaged skin.
It’s best to get a suspected case of athlete’s foot diagnosed by a doctor or qualified health practitioner. It is normally diagnosed from the visual appearance, but sometimes small skin samples from the area are sent to a laboratory for confirmation. Diabetic patients in particular should seek immediate professional and not try and treat this condition themselves.
The most effective chemical treatments these days are considered to be the imidazoles, eg miconazole and clotrimazole. You should speak to a pharmacist to select an appropriate treatment for you although you can buy a wide range of creams, powders and sprays without a prescription.
These kill the fungus and need to be applied until a full two weeks after the skin appears to be normal again to fully eradicate any lingering fungal spores.
Many plants have natural antifungal properties. For example: Neem tree, tea tree, red thyme, lemon oil. These properties help plants, particularly those native to the humid Tropics, protect themselves against fungal invasion and disease. They may not act as fast as some conventional chemical treatments but are not known to have harmful side effects, particularly to the liver, that concern some people when considering long term use of medicines. Herbal preparations are best used as early as possible where their preventative qualities help to manage long term recurring infections.
Customer testimonials do report effective and satisfactory treatment and in many cases, such as tea tree oil, extensive scientific research has been carried out with positive results.
Dry well between your toes after baths or showers. The feet are certainly more prone to athlete's foot when they are warm and moist, so it seems to occur more frequently in people that wear artificial soles and especially trainers and sports shoes. It helps to spend time with bare feet when you can. Not changing your socks on a regular basis can also encourage the build up of fungi in between the toes and try to wear socks made of natural fibres, especially cotton.
It can help some people to change their diet. This is worth considering especially if you have suffered from other fungal infections such as Candida, vaginitis or jock itch. Avoid bread and yeast products (including beer). Some people have found taking supplements to be helpful in boosting the immune system.
Acidophilus Take yogurt with live cultures or acidophilus capsules.
Beta Carotene 25,000 IU of beta carotene.
Garlic To boost the immune system and ward off fun