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Foot Fungus
Itchy, burning, stinging feet? Could be athlete's foot
Compiled by Gail O. Guterl
Athlete's foot is the most common infection caused by a fungus, which is a type of germ. It can develop in the moist areas between your toes and sometimes on other parts of your foot.
Athlete's foot has a lot of symptoms. Some of them are:
- itching, stinging and burning feet;
- cracking and peeling skin between your toes or on the bottoms of your feet;
- itchy blisters;
- very dry skin on the bottoms or sides of your feet; and
- toenails that are thick, cracked, the wrong color, or look like they are going to fall off your toe.
What Causes It?
Athlete's foot germs love damp, close spaces, caused by things such as when you wear shoes that are too tight or made of rubber or vinyl, squeezing your toes together and keeping the area warm and moist.
Plastic shoes, which don't let air in, can cause athlete's foot or make it worse if you already have it. So can wet socks or socks made of materials like polyester or nylon that don't allow your feet to dry.
Who Gets It? How Does It Spread?
People with diabetes are at high risk of getting athlete's foot. Also, if you have had it before, you are more likely to get it again, so it's important to take steps to keep from getting athlete's foot in the first place, not to mention having it come back. Men are more likely to get athlete's foot than women.
Athlete's foot is a communicable disease, meaning it can spread from person to person, from an object to a person or from an animal to a person.
You can get athlete's foot from touching an infected person's foot or by just touching something an infected person has touched. For example, you might get athlete's foot if you go to a gym or swim in a public pool and then use the locker room shower afterward without wearing shoes or flip-flops. That's because a person with athlete's foot can leave their germs on things like shower mats, rugs and even sheets and clothes that haven't been washed since they used them.
Don't Ignore It
If you don't treat athlete's foot fungus right away it can lead to bigger problems because it can actually kill any good bacteria on your feet that would normally fight it.
This can cause tissue breakdown, to the point where your skin will seem soggy or overly moist - almost like you have been in the water too long - or with painful, worn areas between the toes.
Also, after getting athlete's foot, proteins in your body could enter your bloodstream, leading to an allergic reaction that can cause blisters on your fingers, toes or hands.
Lots of Possible Treatments
Over-the-counter medications, such as antifungal creams, sprays, powders and ointments, can cure athlete's foot, but if they don't, consult your healthcare provider right away.
If you have diabetes, you should see a provider immediately after noticing redness and itchy, burning or stinging feet.
Before applying over-the-counter medications, wash and dry the affected area, then apply a thin layer of a topical agent such as clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF, Mycelex), miconazole (Micatin), terbinafine (Lamisil AT) or tolnaftate (Tinactin). Do this once or twice a day for at least 2 weeks or according to the package directions. It can take 45 days or longer to cure athlete's foot.
Another way to treat athlete's foot is by soaking your feet in a container filled with about 75 percent rubbing alcohol and 25 percent water. Some people have had luck soaking their feet in a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and vinegar, as well, while others like to use Epsom salts and warm water. Applying tea tree oil, aqueous onion extract or ajoene, which is found in garlic, to your feet can help, too. Still others have had success sprinkling boric acid or baking soda in their socks; or rubbing their feet with a paste made from baking soda and water.
If none of these treatments work, however, you may need a prescription, so see your healthcare provider without delay.
An Ounce of Prevention .
Some ways you can keep from getting athlete's foot in the first place include:
- keeping your feet dry by wearing shoes that let air reach your feet, such as those made of leather or canvas;
- drying your feet well; you can even use a hair dryer to dry between your toes;
- wearing cotton or wool socks or socks that keep moisture away from your feet;
- changing socks and shoes regularly; if you sweat a lot, change your socks twice a day;
- wearing different shoes when possible to allow time for them to dry;
- never wearing another person's shoes;
- wearing waterproof sandals or shower shoes in public places such as showers, pools, fitness centers; and
- using an antifungal powder every day.
Resources
WebMD: www.webmd.com
MayoClinic: www.mayoclinic.com
Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org
Gail O. Guterl is ADVANCE editor.
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