| | Medical Self-Care: Athlete's Foot | |
It smells bad. It's itchy. It's persistent. It's contagious. And it attacks the skin between the toes (usually the third and fourth). What is it? Fungus of the foot, better known as athlete's foot.
People usually get athlete's foot from walking barefoot over wet floors around swimming pools, locker rooms, and public showers that are contaminated with the fungus, which feasts on moisture. Athlete's foot has these signs and symptoms:
- Moist, soft red or gray-white scales on the feet, especially between the toes.
- Cracked, peeling, dead skin areas.
- Itching.
- Sometimes small blisters on the feet.
Self-Care Tips
If you get athlete's foot:
- Wash your feet twice a day, especially between your toes, and dry the area thoroughly. Do not, however, use deodorant soaps.
- Apply an over-the-counter antifungal powder, cream, or spray between your toes and inside of your socks and shoes.
- Wear clean socks made of cotton or wool. (Natural fibers absorb moisture). Change your socks during the day to help your feet stay dry. Wear shoes that provide some ventilation, like sandals or canvas loafers, whenever you can.
- Alternate shoes daily to let each pair air out.
Questions to Ask
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Do you have signs of athlete's foot and are you diabetic or do you have poor leg circulation?
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Do you have a fever and/or is the infection spreading or getting worse despite self-treatment described below?
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(Excerpted from Healthy Self: The Guide to Self-Care and Wise Consumerism)