Athlete's Foot
Athlete's Foot:
Athlete's foot is a common skin infection typically occurring between the toes or on the soles of the feet. It is caused by a skin fungus (or a dermatophyte), which is a microscopic parasite that lives on the skin and feeds on dead organic material. This contagious condition is also known as tinea pedis or ringworm of the feet. The area highlighted in red under the toes depicts athlete's foot fungus.
Symptoms:If you have athlete's foot, your feet will experience one or more of the following:
Causes:Although a person does not have to be an athlete to get athlete's foot, the condition received its name because the infection was common among athletes who frequently shared facilities, such as locker rooms, bathing areas and swimming pools. Such environments are often warm and humid, which are ideal conditions for fungi to breed and spread from person to person.
Treatment:Prevention is the best medicine, but if you have athlete's foot, using topical solutions, (such as soaps, sprays or creams), can be very helpful. Tea tree oil is a very beneficial ingredient for treating fungal problems. This all-natural essential oil has been used since ancient times as a disinfectant to fight germs and as an antiseptic to help prevent re-infection.
Prevention:
Athlete's foot is a common skin infection typically occurring between the toes or on the soles of the feet. It is caused by a skin fungus (or a dermatophyte), which is a microscopic parasite that lives on the skin and feeds on dead organic material. This contagious condition is also known as tinea pedis or ringworm of the feet. The area highlighted in red under the toes depicts athlete's foot fungus.
Symptoms:If you have athlete's foot, your feet will experience one or more of the following:
- Dry, cracked or scaly skin
- Chronic sweating
- Unpleasant odor
- Inflammation
- Itching
- Blisters
Causes:Although a person does not have to be an athlete to get athlete's foot, the condition received its name because the infection was common among athletes who frequently shared facilities, such as locker rooms, bathing areas and swimming pools. Such environments are often warm and humid, which are ideal conditions for fungi to breed and spread from person to person.
Treatment:Prevention is the best medicine, but if you have athlete's foot, using topical solutions, (such as soaps, sprays or creams), can be very helpful. Tea tree oil is a very beneficial ingredient for treating fungal problems. This all-natural essential oil has been used since ancient times as a disinfectant to fight germs and as an antiseptic to help prevent re-infection.
Prevention:
- Do not walk barefoot in locker rooms, public shower facilities and pool areas.
- Refrain from sharing shoes, socks or towels with others.
- Practice good foot hygiene by washing feet daily. Remember to dry them completely, particularly between toes. Using foot powder can help keep feet dry and inhibit fungal growth.
- Avoid wearing the same pair of footwear two days in a row, in order to allow proper shoe ventilation.
Warning: We hope these suggestions improve your health and make you more comfortable. However, if you have any concerns about our advice, if any symptom persists for an unreasonable amount of time or if your condition worsens after self-treatment, we encourage you to consult a medical professional for further assistance.Please note, people with diabetes and poor circulation should always consult a medical professional before performing any self-treatment.
