The ManicaPost
HELLO there folks, I hope you had a great week despite the heat. This week we are going to discuss how heat affects some people. The major problem being Athletes foot. I have written about this before, but as usual there are a good number of people who missed that copy of the newspaper, so here it is again.Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin in-between the feet. It can also spread to the toenails or hands. It is contagious. Going barefoot in public places, such as locker rooms, swimming pool showers and other showers is a common cause.
Athlete’s foot is a contagious fungal infection that affects the skin on the feet /between the toes and can spread to the toenails and sometimes the hands. The fungal infection is called athlete’s foot because it is commonly seen in athletes.
Athlete’s foot isn’t serious, but sometimes it’s hard to cure. However, if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system and suspect that you have athlete’s foot, you should call your doctor immediately.
Athlete’s foot occurs when the tinea fungus grows on the feet. You can catch the fungus through direct contact with an infected person or by touching surfaces contaminated with the fungus. The fungus thrives in warm, moist environments and is commonly found in showers, on locker room floors, and around swimming pools.
Anyone can get athlete’s foot, but certain behaviours increase your risk. Factors that increase your risk of getting athlete’s foot include: Visiting public places barefoot, especially locker rooms, showers, and swimming pools; sharing socks, shoes, or towels with an infected person, wearing tight-fitting, closed-toe shoes, keeping your feet wet for long periods of time, having sweaty feet and having a minor skin or nail injury on your foot.
There are many possible symptoms of athlete’s foot. You may experience one or more of the following symptoms: itching, stinging, and burning between the toes, itching, stinging, and burning on the soles of the feet, blisters on the feet that itch, cracking and peeling skin on the feet, most commonly between the toes and on the soles, dry skin on the soles or sides of the feet, raw skin on the feet, discoloured, thick, and crumbly toenails, toenails that pull away from the nail bed.
A doctor may diagnose athlete’s foot by the symptoms alone or may order a skin test if they aren’t sure if a fungal infection is causing your symptoms. Athlete’s foot can often be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) topical antifungal medications. If OTC medications don’t successfully treat the fungal infection, your doctor may prescribe topical or oral prescription-strength antifungal medications. Your doctor may also recommend home treatments to help clear up the infection.
There are many Over The Counter topical antifungal medications, including: miconazole (Desenex). terbinafine (Lamisil AT), clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF), butenafine (Lotrimin Ultra) and tolnaftate (Tinactin).
Some of the prescription medications your doctor may prescribe for athlete’s foot include:
topical, prescription-strength clotrimazole or miconazole
oral antifungal medications such as itraconazole (Sporanox), fluconazole (Diflucan), or prescription-strength terbinafine (Lamisil)
topical steroid medications to reduce painful inflammation
oral antibiotics if bacterial infections develop due to raw skin and blisters
A good home remedy is soaking your feet in salt water or diluted vinegar to help dry up blisters. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) has been used as an alternative therapy for treating athlete’s foot with some success.
Athlete’s foot infections can be mild or severe. Some clear up quickly, and others last a long time. Athlete’s foot infections generally respond well to antifungal treatment. However, sometimes fungal infections are difficult to eliminate. Long-term treatment with antifungal medications may be necessary to keep athlete’s foot infections from returning.
There are several things you can do to help prevent athlete’s foot infections. These include: washing your feet with soap and water every day and dry them thoroughly, especially between the toes, putting antifungal powder on your feet everyday. Don’t share socks, shoes, or towels with others. Wear sandals in public showers, around public swimming pools, and in other public places. Wear socks made out of breathable fibres, such as cotton or wool, or made out of synthetic fibres that wick moisture away from your skin. Change your socks when your feet get sweaty. Air out your feet when you are at home by going barefoot. Wear shoes made of breathable materials. Alternate between two pairs of shoes, wearing each pair every other day, to give your shoes time to dry out between use.
Well, that is it from me this week folks, until next week, God bless!
Anastasia can be found at Kutz & Kurlz Modelling Studio or messaged on 0772 933 845. Or follow her Blog (annruthenburg.blogspot.com), or email on [email protected]
