Skin Care Tips: Page 10
Tips 226 - 250

Tip 226: Athlete's Foot Definition

Athlete's foot or tinea pedis is caused by a fungal infection of the feet. Athlete's foot is a common condition that is treatable, however it may still happen again even after treatment.

When fungi and bacteria in the body quickly develop it can cause an infection. Athlete's foot happens once the fungus in the feet multiplies particularly in the middle of the toes. Athlete's foot may also happen on your hands but this is a rare occurrence. Tip 227:

 

Athlete's Foot Probability Factors

Athlete's foot is a communicable infection that can be passed from person to person. Avoid sharing socks or shoes with someone that has athlete's foot. Fungi prefer moist, warm areas, like in the shower or at a poolside; it is best to wear rubber slippers to avoid direct contact.

You can also get athlete's foot if you sweat heavily particularly your feet. Athlete's foot can also develop if you wear closed shoes with plastic lining that causes feet to sweat more.

 

Tip 228: Athlete's Foot Symptoms

Athlete's foot is characterized by the cracking, peeling and flaking of the skin amid the toes. This can be very itchy and is distinguished by its reddish appearance. Athlete's foot can often cause a painful burning sensation and could break out in blisters.

It could also develop crusting of the skin. These symptoms may also appear on the palms, fingers and heels. If the nails also become infected with the fungus, they become thick, crumbly and discolored.

Tip 229: Athlete's Foot Medical Tests

Athlete's foot is not an unusual condition and is normally diagnosed by a doctor by merely observing the skin's appearance. However there are medical tests like skin culture, skin lesion biopsy and skin lesion KOH exam that may be conducted in diagnosing particularly severe cases of athlete's foot.

Skin culture involves the study of fungi derived from the skin and grown in a lab. Skin lesion biopsy and skin lesion KOH exam involves the closer examination of the fungus with a microscope.

 

Tip 230: Athlete's Foot Treatment

Athlete's foot can be taken care of by using over-the-counter medications such as anti-fungal creams and powders to manage the infection. The active ingredients in these medications are tolnaftate, miconazole or clotrimazole.

Treatment should last for at least two weeks until the athlete's foot has completely cleared in order to avoid a repeat of the infection. Athlete's foot responds favourably to self-medication using over-the-counter medications. However it may still recur unless proper care is maintained.

 

Tip 231: Athlete's Foot Prevention
Athlete's foot can easily be treated and prevented by taking better care of your feet. Fungi increase rapidly in warm and moist areas. It is important to keep feet dry and clean particularly your toes. Use soap and water to thoroughly wash feet and dry them immediately after. This should be done two times a day. Always wear clean socks preferably made of cotton. Keep feet dry at all times by changing shoes and socks as regularly as needed.

 

Tip 232: Athlete's Foot Complications

Athlete's foot can easily be treated however there are cases wherein complications from the infection arise due to improper care and other factors like scratching. Athlete's foot can be quite itchy however scratching can result in further infections.

In these cases it is best to seek medical assistance from a doctor for stronger medication or possible antibiotic medication. Prescription medications for anti-fungal treatment are generally pills for antibiotics and stronger cream formulations that contain terbinafine or ketoconazole.

 

Tip 233: Athlete's Foot Scenario

Athlete's foot normally only lasts for a short time for mild cases however severe cases of athlete's foot may take a considerable time to treat. Keep in mind that athlete's foot may recur however there are medications available for treating the infection.

If the condition persists it is best to continue using medication preferably prescribed by a doctor. It is also best to carry on with preventive care practices to keep athlete's foot away for good. Skin

 

Care Tip 234: Athlete's Foot Complications

Athlete's foot that is left untreated or cared for improperly can make the infection worse and result in complications. The most common problem with athlete's foot is its tendency to recur even after medication.

Another problem with athlete's foot is that it is very itchy making it tempting to scratch. However this can cause minor bacterial infections like cellulitis. Other complications include infection of the lymph nodes medically known as lymphadenitis or lymphangitis. It can also result in systemic infection.

 

Tip 235: Athlete's Foot Problems For Medical Attention

Athlete foot complications will need to be treated by a medical professional. There could be bacterial infection when feet become enlarged and feel hot when touched particularly if red streaks appear and if there is pus. This could also bring about a fever.

A person with diabetes that develops athlete's foot should immediately see a doctor to avoid further infections. If the condition persists after a month of self-medication it is best to go to the doctor for treatment.

 

Tip 236: Athlete's Foot Preventive Measures

Athlete's foot preventive measures can save you from suffering through this infectious condition. As the saying goes, 'an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure'. If you are fond of swimming in public pools it is best to wear flip-flops or sandals to protect your feet. It is also best to dry feet after swimming. Use over-the-counter anti-fungal powders to keep feet dry. Do this often especially if you are prone to sweating.

 

Tip 237: Athlete's Foot Origins

Athlete's foot is caused by a fungus known as dermatophyte. Both young and old, male or female, can suffer from athlete's foot. Athlete's foot is highly contagious. Using the shoes of a person infected with athlete's foot should be avoided.

The fungus can also be found in the fur of pet and can be contracted when petting the infected animal. The fungus also prefers moist environments like showers, whirlpools swimming pools and locker room floors.

 

Tip 238: Athlete's Foot Signs

Athlete's foot commonly develops between the toes with white, moist and peeling sores that can be quite itchy. The infection has a tendency to spread all over the foot. Athlete's foot can also be dry and scaly in appearance.

This type of athlete's foot condition can happen on the soles of both feet. In severe cases, athletes' feet appear as burning blistery wounds on the feet. This type of athlete's foot may also produce an offensive odor.

 

Tip 239: Athlete's Foot Natural Remedies

Athlete's foot can be treated using natural remedies. Myrrh is one of the most common natural medications for athlete's foot.

It can be a cheaper alternative to prescription drugs. Myrrh is a natural antiseptic that is very effective in treating a variety of ailments. It can now be conveniently found in commercial soaps, cosmetics and mouthwashes.

Myrrh can be very useful in treating fungal infections. It hastens the healing process and at the same time reduces the chances of infection.

 

Tip 240: Athlete's Foot Treatments

Athlete's foot treatments using common household products like rubbing alcohol, apple cider vinegar and aloe vera gel.

Rubbing alcohol can be applied to feet infected with athlete's foot. A daily application of aloe vera gel twice a day can also be effective in treating athlete's foot. You can also soak your feet in a tub of apple cider vinegar and water in equal parts daily for ten minutes. Do this for up to two weeks or until the athlete's foot goes away.

 

Tip 241: Athlete's Foot Baths

Athlete's foot baths are very common treatments that many people have used over the years. These treatments make use of ingredients that can easily be found in the home. Baking soda has long been used as a cleaning agent and can be used for treating athlete's foot.

A mixture of baking soda and water for a daily half-hour soak can be very effective. You can also try using a gentle mixture of boric acid as a foot wash.

 

Tip 242: Athlete's Foot - Natural Treatments

Athlete's foot can be treated with a variety of natural substances such as garlic and spices. Cinnamon is a spice that can be used to treat fungal infections like athlete's foot and yeast infections.

Rub a generous amount of cinnamon spice to feet as a treatment for athlete's foot. You can also try using garlic for treating athlete's foot by rubbing a clove onto your feet. Ginger can also be used for athlete's foot treatment along with grapefruit seed extract.

 

Tip 243: Athlete's Foot - Organic Treatments

Athlete's foot treatments are not confined to medical, scientific medications. There are a variety of organic remedies that have been used for years in relieving the various symptoms of athlete's foot.

Raw honey can be applied to the infected parts of the foot at bedtime and left overnight. An application of onion juice twice a day can also relieve athlete's foot. Tea tree oil is a versatile substance that can be an effective disinfectant to treat athlete's foot.

 

Tip 244: Athlete's Foot Home Remedies

Athlete's foot home remedies are simple treatments using items that can easily be found in your pantry. For a home remedy foot wash, mix in 2 tablespoons of burrow's solution or domeboro powder to a pint of water, preferably cold.

Get a white cotton fabric and soak it in the mixture. Wipe the feet with the solution for at least fifteen minutes, three times a day. For a warm foot soak, combine 2 teaspoons of salt and a pint of lukewarm water and soak feet for 10 minutes in the solution. Wipe dry afterwards.

 

Tip 245: Athlete's Foot - Not Just for Athletes

Athlete's foot is a condition that is not restricted to athletes alone. Ordinary people can get athlete's foot especially since it is a highly contagious condition. Athlete's foot is an infection that thrives in warm, humid environments.

Locker rooms, showers and pools are breeding grounds for this type of fungi. Since athletes are the main users of these types of facilities, thus the association of the condition with them. But keep in mind that not all fungal infections are athlete's foot.

 

Tip 246: Athlete's Foot - Medical Treatment from the Experts

Athlete's foot can generally be treated with self care and by following proper hygiene practices for the feet. Unfortunately there are cases wherein athlete's foot may not respond to these types of treatment. In these cases you will need to seek the assistance of a podiatrist. A podiatrist is a doctor who is specifically trained to handle any foot problem you may have.

The podiatrist can examine your feet to ascertain the infection and give prescription medicine that will help improve the condition.

 

Tip 247: Athlete's Foot Vitamins and Supplements

Athlete's foot is an infection that is often brought about by low body resistance to viruses. It is a good idea to take vitamins and supplement to increase body resistance to infection in order to avoid athlete's foot.

Daily doses of Vitamins C, D and E along with B-complex and Zinc is a great way to improve the immune system. Always check with your physician before taking any vitamins or supplements to make sure they don't interfere with any other medications you may be taking.

 

Tip 248: Athlete's Foot Infection

Athlete's foot can easily be contracted by anyone especially if they have low body resistance. People who have recently taken antibiotics are at risk of contracting athlete's foot.

Antibiotics are used to kill bad bacteria in the body but at the same time they also destroy the good bacteria. This leaves a person's immune system too weak to fight off infections. Eat a number of portions of yogurt and drink vitamin b supplements to build up your resistance in order to fight off any infection.

 

Tip 249: Athlete's Foot Footwear

Athlete's foot is a condition that can be aggravated by the use of shoes that are made of unnatural materials like plastic.

This type of material does not allow the feet to breathe and causes it to sweat more. It is best to use shoes made from natural leather or better yet use open-toed sandals when possible. It is also important to let shoes rest and dry after use, so have an extra pair to alternate with them.

 

Tip 250: Athlete's Foot Drying Methods

Athlete's foot thrives in moist feet. It is important to keep feet dry at all times to avoid contacting the infection or to lessen the condition. Antiperspirants can be applied to the feet to keep them dry by preventing them from sweating. You can also use a hair dryer to help dry off feet completely. Place rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and mist the feet with it after shower. The alcohol will evaporate together with the water thereby reducing infection.

 

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