How Happy Are Your Feet? - Health & Fitness Magazine online!

By Diane Robbins
HEALTH – THE FOOT
Are You Predisposed
to Athlete’s Foot?
As expected by the name, athlete’s
foot is more common among athletes.
The sweaty feet, wet shoes
and socks, and locker room floors are
all part of perfect environment for the
fungus. Yet some athletes never get
athlete’s foot and others get it over and
over. Are some predisposed to it?
How do you know if you are predisposed
to athlete’s foot fungus? Since the
fungal spores can survive for months on
the floors of bathrooms, locker rooms
and swimming pools so if you are predisposed
to athlete’s foot, it doesn’t take
much to infect or re-infect yourself.
Here are some of factors that could
help you determine whether or not you
are one of those more disposed to getting
athlete’s foot.
1) You’ve already had athlete’s foot at
least once in your life. That alone makes
you more susceptible to athlete’s foot
fungus in the future.
2) You have more exposure to the fungus
because of either professional or
recreational activities, such as those on
locker room floors and showers
3) If you travel frequently, you are exposed
more to spores on hotel room carpets
and bathrooms, and swimming pool
/ hot tub areas left there by everyone
else who has walked there before you.
4) If, either professionally or recreationally,
you wear airtight and/or watertight
footwear you are more susceptible.
5) You are a person whose skin produces
less fatty acid, which is a natural
anti-fungal agent.
6) You normally have sweaty feet, then
your predisposition to athlete’s foot
increases.
7) You have some form of immune
deficiency, which will make you more
prone to athlete’s foot.
8) You have poor foot circulation.
9) You are a diabetic, which is a serious
risk factor, as diabetics are significantly
more likely to have a fungal infection
than non-diabetics.
If you fit into any of the categories
above, it is very important to take proper
care of your feet. You can learn how
to prevent being infected with athlete’s
foot fungus at http://footfungusinformation.blogspot.com/2008/04/ways-to-prevent-athletes-foot-fungus.html
Athlete’s Foot Comes in Three Varieties
There are actually three different types
of Athletes’ Foot. While they are all
caused by a genus of ringworm, they all
display differently.
The three defined types are: Chronic Interdigital
Athlete’s Foot (also known as Toe
Web Infection), Chronic Scaly Athlete’s
Foot (also know as Moccasin Type) and
Acute Vesicular Athlete’s Foot.
The most common type is Chronic Interdigital
Athlete’s Foot. It is typically found
between the 4th and 5th toes. The skin
becomes moist and white, there might be
itching, or burning or even a slight odor.
This is the easiest type to treat.
Chronic Scaly Athlete’s Foot often starts
with a minor irritation. It is called Moccasin
Type because, as it progresses,
the foot can become red and scaly in a
pattern resembling a moccasin. The skin
of the foot thickens and begins to crack.
Chronic Scaly Athlete’s Foot can be
hard to treat and very often needs prescription
antifungal medication.
A sudden appearance of blisters is what
usually distinguishes Acute Vesicular
Athlete’s Foot from the other two types.
While it can be severe, it is also easily
treated. Generally, this type of athlete’s
foot will develop after a long fight with
a toe web infection.
All three types are treated with antifungal
medications. Toe Web Infection
and Acute Vesicular Athlete’s Foot can
usually be treated, successfully, with
over-the-counter topical creams, sprays,
lotions and/or powders. No matter what
type of athlete’s foot is present, it must
be treated. The fungus will not go away
by itself. If left untreated, it is possible
for a severe infection to set in, requiring
prescription antibiotics from a health
care professional.
Complications of Athlete’s Foot
Because untreated athlete’s foot can
potentially spread, it is very important
for everyone to know what
athlete’s foot is and how to prevent it
and treat it.
Athlete’s foot is caused by a fungus,
commonly called ringworm, which
is an unfortunate name because ringworm
has absolutely nothing to do
with worms. It is simply a reference
to the appearance that this fungus
makes on the skin. When feet, and
other parts of the body, are in a warm
and moist environment, there is the
very real possibility of contracting
athlete’s foot.
Athlete’s foot should be treated immediately.
The fungus can spread to other
parts of the body and to other people,
including family members. It is common
for athlete’s foot fungus to turn
up on skin, in the hair and under nails.
While it is uncommon, very severe
athlete’s foot can lead to open wounds,
a perfect place for bacteria to enter the
bloodstream.
Fungal infections of the nails are very
hard to treat. Oral antifungal medications
might be necessary to treat
advanced cases of toe or fingernail
fungal infection.
People with immune problems, such
as diabetes, HIV/AIDS and cancer, are
particularly susceptible to all kinds of
infections. If they develop athlete’s
foot it is very important that treatment
is started right away.
Skin is the natural barrier that protects
our bodies. If the skin is broken because
of a fungus infection, a bacterial
infection can set in. This can very likely
happen to the elderly, people with
diabetes or chronic leg swelling or
anyone who has had a vein removed.
Anyone who has an impaired immune
system should be particularly careful.
Not only is athlete’s foot uncomfortable
and unsightly, it can be potentially
dangerous. If you suspect you
have athlete’s foot, begin treatment
immediately.
Be sure to visit http://www.footfungusinformation.com
for more information
on the prevention and treatment of
athlete’s foot.
January Edition 2009
13