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The athlete ‘s foot is a fungal disease feet. It is one of the most common infectious conditions; It is estimated that around 25% of people in developed countries suffer from athlete’s foot at least once in their life.
It is a disease that affects mainly adults, having a higher incidence among men than among women.
What is it?
Athlete’s foot is known as a disease caused by a fungus that appears on the toes ; It can also occur in the heels. Although it can affect people of both genders and all ages, it is more common in adult men.
We can differentiate between three types of athlete’s foot.
- Interdigital: as its name suggests, the infection affects the space between the toes; If not treated effectively, it can spread to the soles of the feet. The most common symptoms are itching and burning.
- Moccasin: This is a type of athlete’s foot that begins as a slight irritation. However, it spreads quickly, causing cracks in the skin of the feet.
- Vesicular: it is the least common type of athlete’s foot of all. It begins with the formation of blisters under the skin.
Causes of athlete’s foot
Almost 100% of the cases the athlete’s foot is due to the contagion by fungi that develop in warm and humid environments . Thus, the fact of wearing closed shoes or socks that do not allow the feet to perspiration, may be ideal conditions for the reproduction of fungi. It is a contagious infection, so the risk of transmission is multiplied when walking barefoot in public spaces such as swimming pools and changing rooms.
There are certain risk factors that greatly increase your chances of suffering from athlete’s foot.
- Sport: the use of certain types of footwear in sports such as skiing can favor the proliferation of fungi on the feet; very closed footwear that does not allow perspiration.
- Climate: Of course, the climate is one of the main risk factors for this condition since fungi reproduce in warm environments.
- Humidity: having wet feet for a long period of time. That is why it is so important to thoroughly dry your feet immediately after bathing.
- Medications: taking certain drugs such as antibiotics or corticosteroids can significantly alter the flora of the skin of the feet.
Athlete’s foot symptoms
In relation to the symptoms of this condition, the truth is that they vary greatly from one patient to another. In some cases the warning signs become visible from the first moment; while in others the symptoms take longer to appear.
Almost 100% of patients with athlete’s foot have a bad smell and redness in the affected area ; In addition, they present a sensation of both itching and constant burning , especially at night.
If athlete’s foot is not treated properly, more serious symptoms such as cracks, blisters, and even blisters can appear.
Diagnosis and treatment
If you have the symptoms of athlete’s foot, you should go to the doctor to establish the appropriate treatment for its cure.
The doctor first takes a medical history based on the history and symptoms presented. He then proceeds to visually examine the affected area. If necessary, you can collect a sample by scraping the infected area.
Once the diagnosis is confirmed, the most common treatment is the application of a cream or ointment containing clotrimazole, miconazole, or tolnaftate .
In the vast majority of cases, athlete’s foot has a very favorable prognosis; in 90% of cases, the infection clears before three weeks .
Home remedies for athlete’s foot
If you suffer from athlete’s foot, then we explain the best home remedies to treat this condition in a 100% natural way. They are great to complement medical treatment and thus fight infection more effectively and quickly.
Water and salt
One of the simplest home remedies both to prepare and to apply, and also one of the ones that works best to treat athlete’s foot.
You just have to mix half a liter of hot water with a couple of tablespoons of salt. When you have it ready, soak your feet in the mixture for about 10 minutes. After the time has elapsed, dry the feet well with a cotton towel, paying special attention to the space between the toes. Then put on a sock and sleep like that through the night. In this way, the environment in which the fungus lives will become inhospitable for it and it will die .
Sodium bicarbonate
The baking soda is one of the best home remedies for athlete’s foot. A 100% effective solution that offers very fast results.
For its preparation, you must form a paste by mixing three tablespoons of baking soda with water; it should have a somewhat thick texture. When you have it ready, you just have to massage the affected area with said paste and let it act. A good idea is to apply it overnight and wash off with plenty of warm water the next morning.
Onion
Onion is a natural ingredient with antibiotic properties , so it is excellent for treating this condition. For its preparation you need a couple of onions.
You must liquefy both previously chopped baits until obtaining a juice. Then, soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply it to the infected area.
Vinegar
Vinegar has in its formulation a series of acids that prevent the fungus from spreading ; In addition, they eliminate the moisture present in the feet, one of the main causes of this condition.
To prepare this home remedy you must mix half a cup of vinegar with three cups of water in a bucket. Then, put your feet in the mixture and hold them for 15 minutes. Once the time has elapsed, you must dry them very well, without leaving the slightest trace of moisture on them. You can repeat this process a couple of times a day.
How to prevent and combat athlete’s foot?
In addition to home remedies, if you suffer from athlete’s foot, or want to avoid this infection, it is important to know some habits around hygiene. They are very simple tips but they are of great help to combat and prevent the condition.
- It is essential that the socks are dry and clean . If they are made of natural materials such as cotton, much better, because they favor perspiration and prevent excessive sweating of the feet.
- It is also essential that the footwear is made from natural materials such as leather . Ideally, alternate footwear each day to prevent moisture from forming.
- After showering, as well as bathing in the pool or on the beach, it is important to dry your feet thoroughly with a clean towel.
- Of course, in public spaces such as showers or swimming pools, it is very important to wear sandals or flip flops ; avoid walking barefoot in these places at all times.
Complications from athlete’s foot are very rare. In rare cases, what is known as erysipelas can occur, a bacterial inflammation of the skin in which redness forms.
Hello Readers, I am Nikki Bella a Psychology student. I have always been concerned about human behavior and the mental processes that lead us to act and think the way we do. My collaboration as an editor in the psychology area of Well Being Pole has allowed me to investigate further and expand my knowledge in the field of mental health; I have also acquired great knowledge about physical health and well-being, two fundamental bases that are directly related and are part of all mental health.