Athlete's foot is an uncomfortable, itchy condition of the foot caused by a fungus. It is not usually a serious problem, and only dangerous if it is untreated for a long time, or if you are diabetic. If this is the case, or if the condition becomes soggy or smells unpleasant, please consult a medical expert as soon as possible.
However, for most people, athlete's foot is just a minor irritation. The symptoms are flaking skin around the toes, an itchy sensation, and sometimes blisters which may ooze a little. It is more common in winter, or in cooler climates, since the fungus thrives in moist conditions such as occur when wearing warm socks and closed shoes.
Treating athlete's foot at home
Athlete's foot is very contagious, so if you notice flaking skin and itching around your toes, it is important to use a separate towel for your feet, and to wear slippers or flip-flops rather than walking around in bare feet. If you can wear open shoes all day, this is the quickest and most effective way to help your feet to dry out and the fungus to disappear.
If this is not possible, make sure that you wash your feet at least twice every day, ensuring that they are completely dry before you put socks on. As well as using a dedicated towel, it can be effective to use a hairdryer to dry your feet, on 'low' setting, for a minute or two. Don't set it to be too hot, or you may find yourself losing the athlete's foot problem but getting chillblains instead!
Tea-tree oil is a useful anti-fungal treatment which may also help to deter itching; after drying your feet, you can dab a little neat tea-tree oil on affected areas, then wait until this has dried before putting on socks. Note, too, that you should only wear cotton socks while you have athlete's foot; avoid nylon tights or artificial yarns in footwear if you possibly can.
If you have a little more time, bathing your feet with diluted vinegar may also help to kill the fungus. Use warm water and a container which is not used for anything else, and leave your feet to soak for ten or fifteen minutes before washing and drying as usual.
Nutrition and athlete's foot
While there are no quick nutritional cures for this problem, it's worth noting that most infections can only take hold when the body is somewhat run-down. It is impossible to avoid this happening at times, when we are busy or stressed in any way, but we can help to prevent infections by eating a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on fresh fruit and vegetables.
Plain unsweetened yogurt or acidophilus may be helpful in building up good bacteria in the gut, and since fungi tend to thrive when fed with sugar, you might want to avoid any refined sugar products for a while, if you are suffering from athlete's foot.
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