You don’t have to be an athlete to be plagued by athlete’s foot, otherwise known as tinea pedis . It’s a skin condition that doesn’t discriminate. Here are six things that you should know about the extremely common problem.
How Do You Get It?
This particular skin condition is caused by fungus. You typically get it in public areas such as pools and locker rooms, where another person with athlete’s foot has walked before you.
Reduce the risk of coming in contact with this fungal infection, by wearing flip-flops in public areas.
Is It Contagious?
Tinea pedis is contagious. If left untreated, it can spread to other areas of the body including the palms and groin. When you’re treating athlete’s foot, always clean the shower thoroughly after each use. This helps to prevent the infection from spreading to family members.
What Are the Symptoms
Athlete’s foot typically affects the area between the toes and the soles of the feet. Symptoms include itching, redness, scaly skin, pain and a burning sensation.
Can You Treat It at Home?
Many individuals successfully treat this condition at home. There are several over-the-counter products available. You can also take advantage of vinegar foot soaks, if you prefer to go the natural route.
Should You Seek Medical Care?
Seek medical care when home treatment doesn’t seem to be working and your athlete’s foot is getting progressively worse. In cases such as this, an anti-biotic medication may be necessary to rectify the problem.
How to Prevent It?
The best way to prevent tinea pedis is to keep your feet clean and dry at all times. Fungus loves (and thrives on) damp skin. If your feet have a tendency to sweat, consider the application of a good antiperspirant. Many times, it’s quite helpful.
Don’t wear tight shoes. If you wear cotton socks, consider switching to wool. Wool draws moisture away from the skin and keeps it contained in its fibers.
If you have your nails done at a salon, take your own sterilized grooming tools or make sure the salon’s tools go through a proper sterilization regimen.
It doesn’t hurt to sprinkle anti-fungal foot powder in your shoes. There are several brands available, at an affordable price.
Remember, it’s possible to get tinea pedis more than once. It doesn’t go away on its own and if left untreated it only gets worse. However, as long as you keep these six things in mind, you have less chance of dealing with athlete’s foot.
Click the following link if you think you have athlete’s foot.
