Podiatry/Chiropody

(or a fungal infection called 'Tinea Pedis')

Now that the sunshine has been lighting up our days recently, and we are looking forward to Summer and the opportunity to bare our legs, and more importantly our feet, (!) - many of us will be worried that their less-than-perfect appearance will spoil our look, or cause embarrassment!

Athlete's foot need not trouble you though, if you follow basic rules as regards foot hygiene and stick to them!  Certainly wearing open-toed shoes will temporarily halt its destruction of our skin layers, causing a breech in its defences, and allowing fungal spores to proliferate and damage delicate skin. Most often this damage occurs between the smallest and adjoining toes starting as splits in the folds, or along the line of the arch between heel and forefoot, often causing itching and redness in a moccasin-style pattern. 

What can we do? 

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the skin that causes scaling, flaking, and itching of affected areas. It is typically transmitted in moist areas where people walk barefoot, such as showers or bathhouses. Deutsch: Fußpilz Suomi: Jalkasieni (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Well at the first sign of trouble:-

• Wash and dry feet especially between the toes and, where the skin appears especially wet - cotton buds dipped in Surgical Spirit will help dry this.

• Ensure socks are changed daily and shoes worn alternate days - enabling them to dry out - and also give them a spray with say, Daktarin to control spread.

• Always spray new shoes with say, Daktarin, to prevent infiltration.

• Always wear cotton socks in order to wick the perspiration away and prevent excessive dampness to gather inside - an ideal environment for fungi to grow!

• Use separate towels and wash these at high temperatures to limit spread 

• Don't walk around barefoot, or you may pass this on to other people!

•  If the signs persist - purchase a fungicidal product such Lamisil and apply after washing - twice daily for at least 10 days -  and re-apply should symptoms re-cur. 

• Should the fungal infection have spread to your toe-nails (now called 'Onycomycosis') - cut these back/file and clear debris around nail - but ensure the offending nail is cut separately to avoid spreading to other nails.

• Apply a paint such as Curanail (or from your Doctor - Loceryl) if the area is worsening - or see a Podiatrist who will advise on the best course of action - which may possibly involve taking oral medication (not everyone is able to take this safely - your Doctor will advise you).

•  If, despite following ALL of the above the condition persists for a long period - consider having a blood check to make sure Diabetes is not the underlying problem - especially if this is present in the immediate family (as this is often a first sign, alongside an insatiable thirst and tiredness).

Remember, there is no reason to suffer with this, or any other condition, when you can seek advice, as leaving this, can lead to a chronic infection - especially if it spreads to all the toe-nails - as the paint MUST NOT be used on more than 2 nails at a time!